HomeMy WebLinkAboutReconsideration letter 4-8-04FROM Jeff Wood
PHONE N0.
w Properties u.c
2083840166
7282 East eraemere Roatl
Boise, Idano 83702
Ph: 39a 0788
Rpr. 07 2004 01:02PM P2
RECEIVED
~-
Apti18, 2004
Ms. Tammy de Weerd, Mayor, City of Meridian
Mr. William G. Berg, 7r., City Cleric
Meridian City Hal]
33 EIdaho Ave
Meridian, ID 8 3 642263 1
Deaz Ms. de Weed and Mr. Berg:
City Clerk Office
City
At the suggestion of Platming & Zoning Statl; I am pravidit>!a, this letter in response to the Findings o£
Fact and Conclusions of Law regardir~ the Request for Annexation and Zoning (AZ 03-036) and the
Request fns Preliminary Plat Approval (PP 03-042) for the Salisbury Subdivision No. 2 that were
provided to me on April 8th. I am respectfully requesting that you and the City Council reconsider the
decision to deny both the request for annexation and approval ofthe preliminary platandremand the
applications back to Planning and Zoning for review. I make this request in light of a number of very
positive developments that have occurred in the past two weep.
Executive S»mmary
Based on the results of the City Council hearing on March l6d', I have made sa.Pnificant progress in
addressing the concerns that were discussed at the hearing andthatare outlined in the Finding of Fact
and Conclusions of Law.
I have had multiple meetings and discussions wirch Mr. Mack Snodgrass to address concerns
that he and the surrounding neighbors had cited with the originally Proposed Salisbury
Subdivision No. 2. I have also met with other neighbors and affected parties. The original
plat has bern revised based on this input. The revised plat has bee reviewed by Planning and
Zoning Staff and Mr. Snodgrass, and we have received very positive feedback regarding the
proposed chartgrs.
• The configuration of the proposal streets has bern changed to imprwc the flow o£tm0"ic and
to acconarwdate east-west access as requested by the neighbors and Planning and Zonir4g
Staff:
• On March 8`s I will be meeting with all interested neighbors to discuss the revised pint to
identify and discuss any remaining issues witll the revised plat.
• Venable Lane has been purchased by Mr. Joc Simunich, my neighbor to the west. This event
eliminates Council's ooncemover a dis-interested third parry owning Venable bane.
• We have proposed a plan to replace the existing Venable Lane, further alleviating the
problems associated with the insufficient width of the existing unimproved lane, and the fact
that it fails to align with Vea~able Lane ~ the north side of Ustick Road.
APR 08 '04 16 31 2083640166 PRGE.02
FROM Jef£ Wood PHONE N0. 2083840166 Apr. 07 2004 01:03PM P3
Ms. Tammy de Weerd, Mayor, City of Meridian
Mr. William G. Berg, Jr, City Clerk
April 8, 2004
Page 2
• The plat has been revised to create improved transition from existing R-4 neighborhoods to
the proposed subdivision and we have increased the number of common lots and percentage
of open space, creating more consistency with existing neighborhoods.
• The proposed zortirtg and layout of the plat is fully compliant with the City of Meridian
Comprehensive Master Plan.
Given the significance of this progress in a very short period of time, I am formally requesting a
reconsideration of the motion to deny bath the annexation and approval of the preliminary plat. I
respectfully request your support for remanding the plat back t0 maTni ro and 7^^'~ for revision. I
roily believe this is a more appropriate course of action.
Chronology of Activities And Events
Below is a brief chrono-ogy of the activities and cvt-nts that have taken place since the City Council
meeting, followed by specific responses to the Finding of Fact and Conclusions of Law.
1. On March 22'", Scott Stanfield and I met with Ms. Anna Powell and Mr. Brad Hawkins-
Clark to discuss the outcome of the meeting and seek suggestions for improving the design
of the plat to address the coruems raised at the City Council Hearing. Based on this input
we implemented a number of changes to the plat.
2. On March 22"s, Mr. Frank Lee, a real estate attamey with Givens Pursley, contacted Ms.
Karen Anderson at ACRD to begin fiutlter research on open questions about the ownership
of Venable Lane.
3. On March 24i°, Scott Stanfield and I met with Mr. Toe Sirttunich and discussed how to
address the issues related to Venable Lane. (Mr. Simunich is considering the sale ofhis
property that adjoins Venable Lane and Ustick Road to Mr. Craig Groves for developmenk)
We discussed the potential itnplications for the proposed sale of his property and the planned
development of that property by Mr. Groves.
4. On Mazch 25s', Scott Stanfield and [ met with Mr. Mark Snodgass to discuss his concerns,
and the concerns of the Salisbury neighbors, with the proposed plat. We also reviewed
several front elevations of the homes planned for the subdivision, which are fu-Iy consistem
with surrounding neighborhoods, Based on input from Mr. Snodgrass, we finali2etl a
number of changes to the plat and produced a revised conceptual plat, incorporating all
suggestions by Mr. Snodgrass and Planning & Zoning Staff.
5. On Mazeh 26°i, Joe Simtmich agreed to purchase the west half of Venable Lane (pazcel
number S 1201244708) limn Mr. Erland Venable. This significant development eliminates a
primary concern of the Council over the ownership of Venable Lane by a disinterested party.
6. On March 29`r, Scott Stanfield and i met with Ms. Bccl~y MclCay to brief heron the
proposed Salisbury Subdivision No. 2 development plans and to discuss the proposed
purchase and development of Mr. Simtuticlt's property which is adjacent to Venable Lane
and Ustick Road. Her cliem is Mr. Craig Cuoves.
APR 08 '04 16 32 2083840166 PAGE.03
FROM Jeff Wood
PHONE N0. 2083840166 Rpr. 07 2004 01:04PM P4
Ms. Tammy de Weerd, Mayor, City of Meridian
Mr. William G. Berg, Jr, City Clerk
Apri18, 2004
Page 3
RPR 08 '04 16 33
On April 18`, we finalized a revised conceptual plat to be presented m all neighbors within
300 feet of the proposed Salisbury Subdivision No, 2 project This plat includes the
following changes which address the majority of stated issues with the proposed plat (Note:
a copy has been enclosed for your review and consideration):
a. A proposed street is stubbed to the existing Vcnablc Lane, providing future east-west
access, as requested by Platming & Zoning Staff. Said stub is shown south of Mr.
Groves southerly boundary {the location where Mr. Simuttich indicated he would lily
a stub during the secondPlanning.~ Zoning hearing on Febn>aty 19th).
b. Sedgwick Road, which was proposed as a through street in the original plat has been
movedto the south by approximately 120 feet. This desigt should cause more traffic
flow through Indian Rocks Road. 'Phis was one of chief ooncems expressed by Mr.
Snodgrass and the neighbors in the Salisbury subdivision.
e All of the proposed lots which adjoin existing subdivisions ~oncd as R11, have been
scaled to 8,000 to 10,000 squaze foot lots and are dimensionally consistent with the
existing neighborhoods. This creates a transition from similar sized lots in the existing
subdivisions to the proposed subdivision. Frontages for these lots have also been
increased to fully comply with R~ requiretrrerm.
d. Common lots have been increased from 2 common lots to over 10 common lots, with
improved disnibution of the open space throughout the subdivision. This change
addresses one comment made by a Council member during the Hearing on March
16°i. This plan, if approved, could accommodate additional walking paths through out
the subdivision.
e. The northwest stub street Bas been moved to the west by approximately 250 feet. This
stub street will be proposed as Venable Lane. When the Ward property (North of the
proposed subdivision} is developed, the Venable Lane stub street can be cotmected to
Venable Lane on tBe north side ofUstick This solves 2 key problems: (1) The
existing Venable Lane is too narrow to be designated as a community collector (40'
versus 50'); and (2) the proposed Venable Lane through the Ward properly wiil align
with Venable Lane on the north side of Ustick Road.
The existing Venable Lane is too narrow to serve as a commurrity collector and is
offset by about 15 feet and will not align with the northern street.
We suggest that once the existing Venable Lane is replaced by the proposed new
Venable Lane, the fomter lane be fumed into a walking path to the community center.
This could be eorutected to the walking path along SoutB Slough on the south border
of the Salisbury Subdivision No. 2 plat. This would become an econonrical and
attractive amenity given that the lane is lined with mature trees, aligns directly with
the future community center. Obviously, if the City agrees, said pathway would
become a condition £or Mr. Groves since Mr, Simunich now owns the land in
question.
2083840166 PRGE.04
FROM Je9f Wood
PHONE N0. 2083840166 Rpr. 07 2004 01:04PM PS
Ms. Tammy de Weerd, Mayor, City of Meridian
Mr. William G. Berg, Jr, City Clerk
April 8, 2004
Page 4
8. On April 2id I sent invitations to Planning & Zoning Staff and to 65 other neighbors (aU neighbors
within 300 feet of the proposed subdivision), inviting them to a neighborhood meeting scheduled
for Apri18°i to discuss the revised conceptual plat. I will provide a written surmnaty of the
neighborhood meeting on Apri18°ito Ms. Powell, summazi2ing the results of the meeting.
9. On Apri15°i, I spokc with Mr. Snodgrass, to describe the revisions to the plat, and informed him of
the neighborhood meeting, since he was not part ofthe formal inviaalion. (flis home is not within
300 feet of the proposed subdivision). I start him an ckxhenic copy of the plat, along with my
contact information, and enwtuaged him to contact me with any comments and concerns so that
we could be prepared to address them a~ ~r4 pgj~p~t14l~pq~ IIi44t1lif: q~ ~yrjl
10. On Apri16°i, I discussed the revised conceptual plat with Karen Anderson and an ACRD planner to
confirm that ACFID would support a stub street to the existing Venable Lana I recctivcd verbal
confirmation that the proposed street would be acceptable, provided it was barricaded per ACID
specifications.
11. l~n April 7°i, I spoke with Mr. Snodgrass and confirmed that he had received the information that I
had sent to him on Ap~ri15°'. Mr. Snodgrass indicated that the revised plat had addressed his
concerns and many of the concerns that he acs aware of that had been expressed by other
neighbors. He suggested that we be prepared to discuss the style and format of homes we
envisioned for the development at the neighbor meeting on April 8°i.
Request for Reconsideration
I oust that you can s~ we have made significant strides in ad&essing the concerns raised at the
meeting and we are acting in good faith to oorttinue to address the concerns and imerests of the
neighbors and all interested parties. Criven the significance of our progess and positive momentum, I
am formallyrequesting a reconsideration ofthe motion to deny both the annexation and approval of the
preliminary plat. I respectfully request your support for remanding the plat hack to Planrring and
Zoning for revision. I truly believe this is a more appropriate ootvse ofaction.
Comments Related to the Five issues cited in Finding of Fact and Conclusions of ILativ
1. The City Council also recognizes the concerns listed in Mark Shod ass's letter submitted
into public retort! at the March 16, 2004 meeting.
I understand the need to create a forum to address concerns of neighbors when proposing a new
development. I believe that the open wtmnunicatian with all interested parties demonstrates my
sincere interest in Eroding a solution to meets as many needs and interes~ as possible. I be&eve that the
revised plat is a very positive move to improve the project and address known concerns and curate a
neighborhood that is cor>sistent with the desires of the neighbors and the City.
2. The Appltcant has never attempted any kind ofcommunication with the surrounding
property owners, both on the east and western boundaries oftheproperly, to discuss the
rss^ues ofplanning for the uses along Venable Lane, as well as access or improvements in
thefuture on Venable Lane, to come 1o an agreement with resolution to these issues.
RPR 08 '04 16:34 2083840166 PRGE.05
FROM Jeii Wood
PHONE N0. 2083840166 Rpr. 07 2004 01:05PM P6
Ms. Tammy de Weerd, Mayor, City of Meridian
Mr. William G. Berg, Jr., City Clerk
Apri18, 2004
Page S
I must respectfilly disagree with this finding and I provide the following as a more accurate recap of
communications. Mr. Scott S~nfield had a number of communications with Mr. Snodgrass re~arding
the revision that Mr. Snodgrass had provided at the Planning & Zonirre meeting on January 15 . We
presented the plan proposed by Mr. Snodgrass with the Fire Departrrrent and ACIIll. ACIdD was not
willing to support the proposal by Mr. Snodgrass. Through a series of detailed messages and
discussions, on February 4s', Ss' and 6a', those Endings were communicated to Mr. Snodgrass, along
with a summary of changes that were being made to the plat. This revised plat was reviewed at the
Planning & Zoning Meeting on February 19'". I also have had several discussions with Mr. Jce
Simunich about Vrnable Lane, although at that point in time, neither of us had a satisfactory solution to
the issues related to Venable bane. The purchase of the Venable Lane parcel by Mr. Simutisch is a
very significant developmentvr addressing the issues regarding Venable Lane.
3. 77te proposed R-$ designation would be incompatible wish the sarrowrding residential
subdivision and area, which is R-4.
The Salisbury Subdivision No. 2 plat reviewed on March 16ih had a mix of large fom~at lots (R~) and
smaller (R-8) lots. Although the revised conceptual plat still proposes a mix of R1l and R-8 sired lots,
the R-4 lots adjoining all existing neighborhoods have been dimensionally changed to match the
existing neighborhoods. The smaller lots have been configured with access to open space. We have
also increased the about of the open space in the plat to be more compatib]e with the existing
neighborhoods.
4. The proposed R-$ designation it not reflective of the LYty ofMeridian's vision for that
particular area.
The parcel that has been requested for annexation Erlls within a zone designated as a community center
in the City of Meridian Comprehensive Master Plan, The original plat that was reviewed by Planning
& Zoning Staff on August 271° was proposed as an R1F subdivision. Staff requested that given the
proxinuty to the plamred Community Center, we revise the plat and submit a plat with a mix of R~ and
R-8 sized lots. The revised plat (R-8) was reviewed by Planning ~$ Zoning Staff on November 17 and
approved for review by Planning & Zoning Committee on January 15°i.
In preliminary discussions, P]annirrg & Zoning Staffhave indicated that the revised conceptual plat is
consistent with the City of Meridian Congxehensive Master Plaa.
3. Annexation rs not in the best interests ofthe Ciry ofMeridian given the nature of the
proposed development
As discussed above, I suggest that the developments in the past several weeks have arl~irrecet and
mitigated the vast tnaj Drily of the issues and concerns that have been cited. The annexation is in the
best interest of the City of Meridian Again I respectfully seek your support in a reconsideration of the
motion to Berry both the annexation and approval of the preliminary plat, and request that the plat be
remanded to l~anni~ and Zoning to fina]ize the revisions suggested in the revised conceptual plat of
the Salisbury Subdivision No. 2.
RPR 06 '04 16 34 2083840166 PRGE.06
FROM Jerr Wood PHDNE N0. :2083840166 Rpr. 07 2004 01:06PM P7
Ms. Tammy de Weerd, Mayor, City of Meridian
Mr. William G. Berg, Jr, City Clerk
Aprff 8,2004
Page 6
Sincerely,
~~ 1~
Jek]' Wood
Woodside Properties LLC
Enclosures -Salisbury Subdivision No. 2 Conceptual Plat
RPR 06 '04 16 35 2083840166 PRGE.07
FROM Jeff Wood
z
a
I
I
f
I
0
.~
ac+
PHONE N0. 2083840166 Rpr. 07 2004 01:06PM P8
RPR 08 '04 16 37 2083840166 PAGE.08
i 1 SALISBURY SUBDIVISION N0.2
i 1
i 1 N.T.S.
FROM Jeff Wood PHONE N0. 2083840166 Rpr. 07 2004 01:02PM P1
1282 East t3raemere Rd.
Bosse, ID 83702
fdX RECEI~TEIj
APR 0 S 200~t
City Of Meridian
To: Tammy de Weerd, Mayor From: Jeif Wood City Clerk Office
William G. Berg, Jr., City Clerk
Falc 888 4218 Pagese 8
888 6854
Phoner 384 0166 Date: 4/8/2004
Re: Salisbury Subdivision No.2 Finding of CC: Anna Powell
Fact and Conclusion of Law Brad Hawkins-Clark
II Urgent ^ For RevieMr ^ Please Comment ^ Please Reply ^ Please Recycle
• Comments:
At the suggestion of Planning & Zoning Staff, I am providing the attached letter in response to the
Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law regarding the bequest for Anne~cation and Zoning (AZ 03
036) and the Request for Preliminary Plat Approval (PP 03-042) for the Salisbury Subdivision No. 2 that
wen; provided to me on April 8th. I have also sent this to each of you by mail.
Thank you in advance for your consideration of my response and enclosed request.
Sincerely:
Jeff
Woodside Properties LLC
RPR 08 '04 16 31 2083840166 PAGE.01