2019-09-11 Beth Lucas (2)1
Adrienne Weatherly
From:Beth Lucas <blcoupons25@gmail.com>
Sent:Wednesday, September 11, 2019 2:01 PM
To:Meridian City Clerk
Subject:Adera MDA H-2019-0092 - Citizen Comments
Dear Mayor Tammy and Council Members:
Thank you for your public service and leadership. I love living in Meridian. It is a growing and vibrant
community.
Please consider these comments as you deliberate on the Adera MDA H-2019-0092 application:
The 3-story apartments are incompatible with the existing adjacent single-family development.
• 3-Story buildings in this part of Meridian directly adjacent to existing/future single-family
development is not good planning and does not comply with the Merid ian Comprehensive Plan
for MU-C areas which states: “The purpose of this designation (MU-C) is to allocate areas
where community-serving uses and dwellings are seamlessly integrated into the urban fabric.”
• It is very hard to make the case that 3-Story apartments “seamlessly integrate into the urban
fabric” as located in this proposal.
• It is unlikely this would even be proposed if the adjacent residential lots had homes
established. Even though these existing single-family home lots are not yet occupied the City
should not allow 3-Story units in this area.
• Of particular concern is the 3-Story unit located directly adjacent to the single-family home lot
at the north west corner. This just does not work, it is awkward, ill conceived and highlights this
developers inability to present a context sensitive design.
Design and Context Matter
• This area of Meridian is largely developed with 1 and 2 Story single family homes, smaller
scale 2-story apartments, and a mix of smaller scale commercial/office uses. The larger box
stores and taller buildings are planned for Chinden which is appropriate.
• If allowed this set of 16 apartments would be the only 3 story residential buildings anywhere
near this area.
• The boxy modern design with flat roofs is totally out of context and does match the aesthetic
established by the Bridgetower and Windsong Subdivision in the same square mile.
• The apartments appear to have front doors facing away from the street - this is not a good
design and creates a garage dominated landscape. Its almost as if they treating the
public street as an alley - its odd.
• Please carefully consider the context in this area - the architectural styles of Bridgetower and
Windsong should be considered for any development at this corner. The city has made strides
with its architectural quality and this very visible corner should not be ignored.
Recommendations
2
• Please deny this application as presented. Storage units and 3-story apartments on this
corner do not fit and certainly do not justify a modification to the existing development
agreement on this property.
• If the Council chooses to allow this development, please:
• Require significant landscaping and architectural enhancements along Ustick and Linder to
shield long unbroken facades of the storage units.
• Require the residential apartments to be limited to 2-stories and be redesigned to match the
aesthetic in this area including pitched roofs, large eaves, traditional architectural elements
and an earth tone color palette.
• Require the residential apartments to be oriented in a way that minimizes impacts on existing
or future single-family homes.
• Require additional parking for any apartments - parking has been an issue at several other
apartment complexes in this area.
• Require more amenities - the proposed apartments do not have a neighborhood feel, there is
no central gathering place, no tot lot, no pool, no recreational activities.
Thank you for considering these comments. I certainly understand the need for development in this
area. The concept of storage, office, and a small element of apartments may be possible, but the
design of this proposal fails to consider the existing and future context of this very visible corner. The
3-story apartment buildings just don’t fit. Please do not approve this MDA Application with the
proposed storage units 3-story apartments and modern elevations. Thank you.
Beth Lucas