2019-12-04 Hilarey JohnsonChris Johnson
From:
Luke Cavener
Sent:
Wednesday, December 4, 2019 9:31 PM
To:
Chris Johnson
Cc:
citycouncil
Subject:
Fwd: Silverstone Apartment proposition. (H-2019-0104)
Evening Chris,
Ms. Johnson sent me this email this am, can you please add it to the public record.
Thanks,
LC
Sent from my Whone
Begin forwarded message:
From: Hilarey Johnson <hil@hilarey.com>
Date: December 4, 2019 at 10:16:40 AM MST
To: Luke Cavener <lcavener@meridiancity.org>
Cc: Kevin Johnson <kdoyler@gmail.com>
Subject: Silverstone Apartment proposition. (H-2019-0104)
Dear Council Member Cavener,
I wanted to thank you for your input at last night's public hearing regarding the Silverstone Apartment proposition. (H-2019-0104)
I saw truth to your expression that the council members receive the brunt of public frustration. I just wanted to speak to the statement
which Madam Mayor made: that the council will perform all duties to the best of your ability—regardless of how much time is left in
individual terms.
It was a comfort to all of us to hear that because there is a temptation to believe that the machine of government will move forward,
regardless of the individuals affected. We saw the truth to her statement last night, and I want to thank you all that you did not push the
decision onto the next administration. I look forward to seeing you on January 7.
I would also like to make a few comments regarding the applicant's closing statement. She indicated that our community did not want
"those people," moving near us. I believe this statement affected a few of the members, but I want to clarify that none of the residents
used that as an argument. I believe it was part of the applicant's intention to introduce this concept and make the proposition emotional.
Of course, it is difficult not to be emotional. While Movado is not a starter home neighborhood, it is not filled with independently
wealthy owners. We are a semi custom, "next -level" neighborhood. As you heard, many of the retired residents from the village
indicated that it was to be the last home they owned. We are individuals who have our future tied up in the value of our home. It is why
we strategically moved here.
I would also like to speak to Council Member Palmer's frustration that we do not want apartment dwellers bordering our neighborhood
and that we are all newcomers. We are a very diverse neighborhood with many kinds of homes, duplexes and apartments already. My
husband and I would love to show you around our neighborhood.
The Movado section is very new, so of course we have all recently moved to it. But we are not all newcomers to the area. My husband
and I moved from our Cory Barton home to Movado this summer. We raised our kids in Meridian. They attended Renaissance High and
MTCHS. After our children obtained two year degrees from ISU and CWI, we became empty nesters. We waited two years in a home
that was too large for us before we decided to move.
Many people thought we should have moved to Boise as empty nesters, but we love Meridian.
When we chose Movado, they were already constructing the Harbor Ridge apartment complex on the south west border of our
neighborhood at 3085 Copper Point Dr. I drive past it every day because I personally would never make an unprotected left hand turn
onto Overland.
That apartment complex will have 124 units when complete. Its obvious construction did not deter us from purchasing our home. Both
sides of our neighborhood will be bordered by higher density living quarters. We knew this.
None of the residents are asking for construction to halt on the approved 112 units at the entrance to our subdivision. We are asking that
the zoning remain what it was when we invested in this neighborhood. We are asking that you do not allow additional high density
zoning after the 2016 hearing already decided that it was too many homes and only suggested the 112.
The applicant also made other statements such as indicating there are 16 restaurants in 1.9 miles. You spoke to this when you mentioned
Sakana Sushi. I am glad you are aware of her craftiness. The fast food establishments which serve the local business lunch hours are not
restaurants. She also mentioned that the hospital is a short bike ride or walk away—but I cannot imagine anyone walking the Eagle
overpass unless by necessity. My husband and I walked many places last summer and fall, but we avoid Overland when possible and
Eagle would just be too dangerous.
She also mentioned that apartments will improve the values of our home, but did not state a specific reference to any research that agrees
with that. One of the residents did provide a statistic to the contrary.
I understand Meridian's rapidly growing need for affordable housing and that this may seem like a quicker solution. The month that we
first heard about the proposition to rezone the 4 acres of commercial on the corner of Overland and Movado to additional high density,
three previously owned homes in our neighborhood went up for sale.
I plead with you to keep Meridian as the kind of city that people want to live in. A city that is trustworthy and does not allow developers
to change zoning—first to lower the amount of high density and encourage higher end homes—then to capitalize on the neighborhood
and go back.
I also request that you accept Chief Lavey's recommendation to not make what is currently a mess, "worse" by increasing the density at
the Overland Movado intersection.
Respectfully,
Hilarey Johnson
208-841-7800