2019-05-16 Joe LaGue Public Testimony he spoke1
Text of remarks offered to the City of Meridian Planning and Zoning Commission by the president of
Bristol Heights Neighborhood Association, at the Three Corners Ranch Public Hearing held 5/16/2019
at 6:00 PM:
I am Joe LaGue, I live at 14435 W Guinness Drive, Boise.
Chairman Fitzgerald, Commissioners, and all present. Thank you for the opportunity to speak to the
assembly here tonight. I will also be offering my full testimony, in writing, so that it may be made a part
of the written public record.
I am president of and representing the Bristol Heights Neighborhood Association. Also in attendance is
one of our three board member colleagues, Mr. Ted Dawson. Director Scott Phillips was unable to
attend. As a board, ours is a significant responsibility and we are committed to protecting the best
interests of our community, our association and those of our members. Also present, most importantly,
is a notable representation of residents of Bristol Heights.
At the conclusion of my testimony, not now, I will acknowledge those Bristol Heights residents present
and ask for a show of hands of those supporting the position and remarks I am presenting.
Please allow me to recognize and appreciate the extraordinary work of the City of Meridian, the City
Council, you -- the Planning and Zoning Commission -- and the City’s Planning Staff, particularly
Stephanie Leonard. We realize that the work you do will often present challenges in the pursuit of
building a great city. Please allow me to make the observation that these proceedings, while they may
show signs of passion, concern and even differing views, we are here to address business among the
many stakeholders in Three Corners Ranch. Accordingly, it is desirable that, collectively, we experience
a productive evening of deliberation and reasonable outcome.
The City has posted in excess of 40 individual pieces of written public testimony, with regard to this
project, from a broad constituency. This is prudent and appropriate as this infill area has neighbors that
warrant equitable representation regardless of municipal borders.
The written testimony presents compelling arguments. We recognize the impact to the existing streets
of E Dunwoody Court and our own W Barclay St. With regard to Dunwoody, the problem of lack of
sidewalks and other concerns, can likely be ameliorated.
The full scope of the decision before you tonight is, particularly with regard to unrestricted public
street connectivity, one of permanence. This is an important distinction.
On May 13, the Bristol Heights Neighborhood Association convened a special meeting of its members
and adopted this resolution (in part):
Whereas, we reviewed the particulars of Sweet Land Development’s proposal to build the Three Corners
Ranch subdivision and as currently submitted to the City of Meridian by applicant.
Be it resolved therefore, that we are in support of the Three Corners Ranch plan as it was approved by
ACHD. We respectfully oppose the City of Meridian Planning Staff recommendation to the Planning and
Zoning Commission which, as Planning recommends, would include a public road extension of West
Guiness St from Shandee Drive to North Stafford Place. Furthermore, we ask that the Board of Directors
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of Bristol Heights Neighborhood Association represent this position to the City of Meridian on behalf of
the Association.
Those in attendance overwhelmingly, 98%, supported the above position.
WHY?
The issue of connectivity of public streets versus cut-through traffic. The Meridian proposal is expected
to enable traffic through numerous Bristol Heights residential streets that will be adverse and
unacceptable. The ACHD approved plan, however, mitigates that potential.
For all the surrounding neighborhoods and residents, the city, and others, there is no perfect solution
for this infill development. In fact, as part of the supported plan, there is a level of compromise, on
behalf of Bristol Heights, to accept W Barclay Street being stub-connected to the gated east entrance of
Three Corners Ranch – this will add some traffic to our community – yet that is considered to be
reasonable and acceptable. Active members of BHNA and other surrounding neighborhoods have
worked to pursue an acceptable street configuration with the developer -- It is believed that this has
been achieved by exemplary neighborhood-developer cooperation. What is curiously atypical, in this
case, is rather than being residents vs. developer at this hearing, is that this constituency now needs to
persuade the City of Meridian that those that live here, have the knowledge, experience and a vested
interest -- desire to see the developer’s plan approved! These are our homes and we have a strong
opinion.
Bristol Heights is a large community of 544 homes. By extrapolation we are representing 533 of those
homes, right here and now, with the position I just stated. Not including W Barclay street, which is
acknowledged will likely experience the bulk of Three Corner’s Ranch traffic flow, there are seven
residential streets: Guinness, Battenberg, Stockwell, Heathrow, Royal Park, Daimler, and Stafford that
will be directly impacted by Planning’s recommendation.
As recommended by staff, the N Stafford connection would directly affect an additional 81 residences
on residential streets with street-facing front doors and driveways.
Bristol Heights has invested several hundred hours of members’ time related to the Three Corners
Ranch development. Additionally, the financial expense to secure a consensus contains a comma. This
is an important investment in our community’s future and we are here anticipating a favorable return
on that investment.
I will now ask for my friends and neighbors, fellow members of Bristol Heights, to stand or raise their
hands in a show of support of my remarks and our position.
The pace of growth of Meridian and the Treasure Valley at large is nearly leading the nation. We live in a
very attractive place. All the more reason for us to vet and exercise our options to the best of our
collective abilities. We believe that this may be one of the best opportunities to infill these 31 acres.
We are your cities. We are your constituents. You are our agencies and municipalities. Please make us
proud.
Thank you. I will gladly answer any questions from the Commission.