Tyler MossSummertown Subdivision:
I am a neighboring resident that is concerned with the planned structure being proposed. It seems like a
lot of enthusiasm to get this through without much thought of the surrounding area and how it would
be affected.
These are 1,2 and 3 bedroom living spaces. This means families will be here. Judging by the family
friendly community of Meridian, you could calculate this around 1.5 children per unit. With almost 300
units at 1.5 children, this would be around 450 children! You could potentially see 2 - 3 cars per unit.
They have planned for only 2 spaces per unit for cars.
You also have about 100 units (2 and 3-bedroom apartments/houses) currently being developed on the
same block close to Meridian Road. With the same calculation (this being on the safe side as houses
typically would have higher percentage of children) at 1.5, this would be another 150 children. This is
about 600 children! With no school in the planning stages! I won't even go into the several hundred
units being built one mile north off McMillan potentially doubling that amount.
Not only does this bring up very highly traffic area to this specific area, this adds to the already high
traffic area north and south bound on Meridian Rd. Meridian Rd is one lane each way which, currently,
has traffic backed up at least a half mile during the mornings and evenings. This plan also creates a very
high traffic down Venable Lane since there is one main entrance. There are some on the south side, but
most people will be wanting to get onto Ustick and not into a residential neighborhood.
The biggest thing to consider is it blending in with the surrounding area. No one has really mentioned
the look and feel of the structures which is very modern --I've heard people say it looks like a prison.
Although these outside appearances can be changed, you can't necessarily dress up something big and
unappealing and make it look great and transition well with its surroundings. Any 4 story units in this
area will not transition well. If you consider the neighboring apartments to the west which are 2 stories,
you can only transition from 2 to 3 stories realistically. This means transitioning on all sides. There has
been talk that transitioning needs to happen from the south side. However, there are single and two-
story houses lined on the west side that obviously need a transition to the size of these. There could
potentially have houses on the east side, so the reality is a need for transition on all sides.
Everything may look fine on paper according to "code”, but code doesn't mean what is best for the
community--a community that is very family friendly and growing because of the way it looks as feels.
Yes, the planned structure is under 40 feet which may meet code. But look at t he effort that was made
by the neighboring apartments to transition to 2 stories. Note, they are NOT 35 feet their entire length.
They were designed to look more like surrounding houses with portions of their roof several feet below
35 feet. The planned structures are like a brick, meaning the entire length would be 40 feet high! This
stands out! It stands out at all the other 4 story buildings around Meridian --none of which I see centered
in a residential area. I am seeing these structures by the freeway. To date, it is sad that nothing has been
submitted that actually looks like an effort has been made to make better plans to transition or buffer
from the surrounding residents. I have only found more sketches of what the structures look like.
While this plan may work very well in downtown Boise, this is not something that works well in
residential Meridian. If you feel inclined to pass this proposal, please visit the site and look at all the
surroundings. This proposed plan DOES NOT fit in any way with an y of the surroundings.
It also appalled me on the blame that was directed toward the City of Meridian for how much time this
has taken according to their short letter last sent out prior to February's meeting. It seems like a lack of
professionalism and concern for others has been a consistent theme throughout this entire process
leading me to believe this behavior will continue if this is to proceed.
I oppose this proposed plan.
Tyler Moss
2946 NW 8th Ave
Meridian, ID 83646
1
Chris Johnson
From:C.Jay Coles
Sent:Tuesday, April 24, 2018 9:52 PM
To:Chris Johnson
Subject:FW: Summertown Subdivision
From: Joe Borton
Sent: Tuesday, April 24, 2018 9:51 PM
To: C.Jay Coles
Subject: Fwd: Summertown Subdivision
Joseph W. Borton
City Councilman | City of Meridian
33 E. Broadway Ave., Meridian, Idaho 83642
Phone: 208. 908-4415 |Email: jborton@meridiancity.org
The linked image cannot be displayed. The file may have been moved, renamed, or deleted. Verify that the link points to the correct file and location.
Built for Business, Designed for Living
All e-mail messages sent to or received by City of Meridian e-mail accounts are subject to the Idaho law, in
regards to both release and retention, and may be released upon request, unless exempt from
disclosure by law.
Begin forwarded message:
From: tyler moss < tjmoss16@hotmail.com >
Date: April 24, 2018 at 4:59:28 PM MDT
To: "Jborton@meridiancity.org " < Jborton@meridiancity.org >
Subject: Summertown Subdivision
I oppose this development and ask that you please deny the Summertown subdivision
development. There is no plan for a transition for these four story apartments on the west side
of the development. This backs up directly to single and two story houses. There is also
overcrowding at our public schools with no school planned to be built in the area in the near
future. With so many other apartments being built around the area, what will our schools look
like in the next several years? This also brings so much noise and traffic to the residential area.
This project right in the heart of Meridian doesn't align with what Meridian stands for. Per the
Meridian City website, " Meridian is a vibrant community and a premier city to live, work, and
raise a family. " If Meridian is "Designed for living", this project certainly doesn't support what
we want it to be. Meridian is a place for family and we hope our elected officials keep that in
2
mind that when we vote for them, we hope they will remember we want a nice community to
live in and not massive apartments that don't fit in.
Tyler Moss