2019-06-24 Linsy Heiner
Chris Johnson
From:Linsy Heiner <linsyheiner@gmail.com>
Sent:Monday, June 24, 2019 2:17 AM
To:Meridian City Clerk
Subject:Linsy Heiner Dunwoody Letter
Attachments:Meridian City Council_Linsy Heiner Letter.docx
Dear City Clerk,
Please submit this written testimony for review by the city council.
Thanks for your assistance,
Linsy Heiner
1778 E Dunwoody Ct, Meridian
801.362.3482
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June 25, 2019
Dear Meridian City Council,
To quote the musical Hamilton ‘take a stand with the stamina God has granted us’. I know the
discussion around this development project has been long. Thank you for your time and careful
consideration. Your vote is VERY important and directly impacts our community’s future.
Here are a few short items to emphasize from the application process so far:
- An original development plan with utilization of many stub streets was proposed by the
developer and presented to neighborhoods
- Days before the ACHD hearing, the original plan was scrapped in favor of a revised plan
with only 2 entrances. The alternate plat was not evaluated or properly communicated
with adjacent neighbors during formal neighborhood meetings.
- At the time the ACHD took a vote, the city staff was still reviewing application based on
the original plat submitted. The ACHD commission approved the alternate plat with a 3-
2 vote. Two of the ACHD commissioners had strong opposition to the plan re: safety and
connectivity and recommended further consideration. One Commissioner had strong
reservations but eventually ended up voting in favor because he could not see a better
way. That is a moment stamina was lacking. In matters of safety, and the future of our
community’s families…it is our job to put in the required due diligence.
- The P&Z Commission recommended a 3 rd entrance into the new development. P&Z
Commissioners stated that Dunwoody was not equipped to be one of only two
entrances. P&Z asked Developer to meet with Dunwoody neighborhood to discuss
options for potential sidewalks.
- Developer met with Dunwoody neighborhood to discuss sidewalks. Mr. Lopez and Mrs.
Dean both stated that safety is an issue currently without sidewalks. During the
meeting, no financial consideration was provided by the developer for Dunwoody
sidewalks. Mr. Lopez promised to volunteer his time to explore funding options (such as
a non profit or foundation). When asked how many hours or an estimate of how many
hours he would commit, he stated he could not say. Developer stated that they would
not be taking recommendation of P&Z Commission for a 3 rd entrance.
This process has been ripe with expediency and ignoring safety. Concerns of ACHD
Commissioners and a plead for further consideration were ignored, recommendations of P&Z
Commissioners were ignored. Now is the time to take a stand!
Development shouldn’t create problems.The developer’s current plan does not provide for
adequate connectivity per the P&Z Commission and the City’s comprehensive plan for
connectivity. The current plan embraces a reckless disregard not only connectivity, but safety.
In short, it proactively creates problems.
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If the developer is going to use our street, it should be to the same standards as the other
streets available. Dunwoody is a narrow and winding road with blind corners and no sidewalks.
It is the least safe access available. From a functional standpoint, Dunwoody lends itself to
increased speeding (with no perpendicular cross streets and stop signs). Our narrow street
becomes a one lane road when cars are parked on the side. (see pictures below) Children on
our street are required to walk down Dunwoody to catch the bus at Locust Grove.
There is a false narrative perpetuated by the developer that their current plan has already been
‘approved’ and is going forward. No, approval lies with you, the City Council. This under-vetted
plan is not inevitable. Martin Luther King said that ‘Change does not roll in on the wheels of
inevitability, but comes through continuous struggle’. Explore reasonable solutions re:
sidewalks on Dunwoody or go somewhere else (i.e. Vienna Woods or 3 Corners stub streets).
Let us set aside emotion. No one wants their neighborhoods to change. Agreed. No one wants
more cars on their street. Agreed. We can not, however, set aside safety. Governments first
duty and highest obligation is safety. Not expediency. Not growth at all costs, setting aside the
consequences. Take a stand! Inspire your constituents. Make people believe, ‘this is a place I
want to live!’
Our neighborhood holds that Dunwoody needs sidewalks paid for by the developer. Without
sidewalks, the developer should use designated stub streets that are ready to provide safety.
Kind Regards,
Linsy Heiner
1778 E Dunwoody Ct
Meridian, ID 83646
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