CC - Applicant Response to Revised Staff ReportSTAPLETON
May 3, 2019
City of Meridian City Council
Planning and Zoning Department
3 E. Broadway Ave.
Meridian, ID 83642
Re: Stapleton Subdivision — H-2018-0129
Dear City Council Members:
Please find our response to your staff report that was received by our office on 5/3/2019. The
following items represent our position on specific items that were addressed in the staff report.
1. VEHICULAR CONNECTION TO THE WEST (Pg. 12-13,37-38, 1.F, 2.E, 3.G)
Response: A vehicular connection to the property to the west is not required by ACHD and is not
in the best interest of the residence of the neighborhood. The design of the pedestrian and
vehicular connectivity for the Stapleton Development has been a collaboration between many
entities including, ITD, ACHD, the City of Meridian, and the surrounding property owners. After
much thought and consideration, the proposed plan is the best for the area and will provide for a
diverse pedestrian pathway and trail system, while providing adequate vehicular connections that
will create a harmonious neighborhood for both Stapleton Residence as well as surrounding
neighborhoods and commercial users as well. Per ACHD's Staff Report and Administrative
Approval dated 2.19.2019, prior development applications to the west of this property did not
require a stub street to be extended to this property. The High -Density Residential project to the
west of the Stapleton Neighborhood has access to Harris Street (Mid -Mile Collector) to the north
and a local street connect to the south that connects it with the planned retail and commercial
uses. ACHD is in support of proposed roadway network in the Stapleton Development.
2. HARRIS STREET TRAFFIC SIGNAL TIMING (Pg. 15)
Response: The traffic signal at Harris Street and Meridian Road (Hwy 69) intersection should be
constructed when the traffic counts require it, as directed by ITD and ACHD. Construction of the
signal is not required as a condition of the Stapleton Development connecting to Harris Street per
ACHD's Conditions of Approval. The developer has agreed to pay a 25% share of the traffic
signal construction costs into an ACHD Road Trust.
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3. HIGHWAY 69 ACCESS (Pg. 37,2.B -C)
Response: Per the ITD letter dated 1. 18.2019 the access point on Highway 69 is approved,
pending submittal of full construction plans and an access agreement. This access meets all ITD
and ACHD spacing and traffic requirements. The Meridian City Council approved this access
point to Highway 69 in 2012, but the Hawkins Company did not move forward with the project.
The Meridian City Council has the authority to grant approval of this access point through a
modification process per UDC § 11-3H-3. We propose the findings in Attachment A for your
consideration.
If you have any questions, please contact me at 208-899-1155 or by email at
laren@congergroup.com.
Sincerely,
Lren Bailey, MCRP, PIMP
STAPLETON 7
ATTACHMENT A
I. Findings for Modification of UDC State Highway Access Standards.
Under UDC § 11-3H-3, the Council may consider and apply modifications to state highway access
standards upon a specific recommendation of the Idaho transportation department.
Based on UDC § 11-3H-3, the Council finds that modification of the City's state highway access
standards is warranted. On January 18, 2019, the Idaho Transportation Department submitted
agency comments on the proposed development, which recommends and approves direct access
onto SH 69 as submitted by the applicant's plans subject to construction of a median limiting the
access to right -in, right -out, left -in turning movements. The shape of the lot, with significant
frontage on SH 69 and internal restrictions created by the Williams Pipeline and existing irrigation
facilities, necessitates midpoint access onto SH 69 for traffic flow and safety. The surrounding
roads and existing access points are insufficient to serve the site; direct access onto SH 69 is
necessary to disperse traffic throughout the area. The direct access will improve traffic flow and
reduce congestion resulting in increased safety.