HomeMy WebLinkAboutReconsideration Letter 4-8-04FROM Jefi Wood
PHDNE N0.
w uc
2083840166
1282 Easl Braemere Road
Bols& Idaho 93702
Ph: 394 0799
Rpr. 07 2004 01:02PN P2
1~ECEZVED
or, $~h~ .. ~Uis~t
Apri18,2004
Ms. Mammy de Weerd, Mayor, City of Meridian
Mr. William G. Berg, Jr., City Clerk
Meridian City I3a11
33 E Idaho Ave
Meridian, ID 83642-263I
Dear Ms. de Weerd and Mr. Berg:
City of Meridian
City Clerk Office
At the suggestion of Plarming & Zoning Staff, I am providir>,n this letter in response to the Findings o£
Fact and Conclusions of Law regardir~ the Request for Amrexation and Zoning (AZ 03-036) and the
Request for 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 far annexation and approval of the preliminary plat and remand 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 weeks.
F.xecudve Sutnmazy
Based on the results of the City Council hearing on Mareh l6°i, I have made significant progress in
addressing the concerns that were discussed at the hearing and that are outlined in the Finding of Fact
and Conclusions of Iaw.
I have had multiple meetings and discussions with Mr. Mark Snodgrass to address concerns
that he and the surrounding neighbors had cited with the originallyproposed Salisbury
Subdivision No. 2. I have also met with other neighbors and affected parties. The original
plat has been 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 changes.
• The canfiguratien of the proposed streets has been changed to improve the flow of traffic and
to acconarwdate east-west access as requested by the neighbors and Planning and Zoning
Staff.
• On March 8s' L will be meeting with all interested neighbors to discuss the revised plat to
identify and discuss any remaining issues with the revised plat.
• Venable Lane has been purchased by Mr. Joe Sinnunich, my neighbor to the west. This event
eliminates Council's ooneemover a dis-interested third party owning Venable Lane.
• We have proposed a plan to replace the existing Venable Lane, further alleviating the
problems associated with the ittsufl'icient width of the existing unimproved lane, and the fact
that it fails to align with Venable Lane on the north side ofUstick Road.
RPR 08 '04 16 31 2083840166 PAGE.02
FROM Jeri' Wood
PHONE N0. :2083840166 Rpr. 07 2004 01:03PM P3
Ms. 'T'ammy de Weerd, Mayor, City of Meridian
Mr. William G. Berg, ]r., 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 rntrrtber of common lots and percentage
of open space, creating more consistency with existing neighborhoods.
• Tl~ proposed wising 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 both the annexation and approval of the preliminary plat. I
respectfully request your support for rrrnandirtg the plat back to Planning and Zoning for revision. I
tnily believe this is a more appropriate course of action.
Chronology of Activities And Events
Below is a brief chronology of the activities and events that have taken place since the City Council
meeting, followed by specific responses to the Finding of Fact and Conclusions of Law.
1. OnMazch 22i°, Scott Stanfield and I met witty 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 concerns raised at the Cky Council Hearing. Based on this input
we implemented a number of changes to the plat.
2. On March 22ie, Mr. Frank Lee, a real estate attorney with Givens Parsley, contacted Ms.
Karen Anderson at ACRD to begin further research on open questions about the ownership
of Venable Iarte.
3. On March 2416, Scott Stanfield and I met with Mr. Joe Simurrich and discussed how to
address the issues related to Venable Lane. (Mr. Simunich is considetin~e the sale of his
property that adjoins Venable Lane and Ustick Road to Mr. Craig Groves for development.)
We discussed the potential implications for the proposed sale ofhis property and the planned
development of that properly by Mr. Groves.
4. On Mazch 25i6, Scott Stanfield and l met with Mr. Mark $nodgass 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 fully consistem
with surrounding neighborhoods. Based on input from Mr. Snodgrass, we finali2ed a
number of changes to the plat and produced a revised conceptual plat, incorpornfing all
suggestia~ns by Mr. Snodgrass and Planning & Zoning Staff.
5. On Mazch 26i6, Jce Simtudch agreed to ptuchase the west half of Venable Lane (parcel
number S1201244708) fromMr. TAland Venable. 17»s sip.~tificant development eliminates a
primary concern of the Council over the ownership of Venable lane try a disinterested party.
6. On Mazch 29i6, Scott Stanfield and i met with Ms. Becky MclCay to brief heron the
proposed Salisbury Subdivision No. 2 development plans and to discuss the proposed
purchase and development of Mr. Simunich's property which is adjacent to Venable Lane
and Ustick Road. Her diem is Mr. Crnig Groves.
RPR 08 '04 16 32 2083840166 PRGE.03
FROM Jeff Wood
PHONE N0. 2083840166 Rpr. 07 2004 01:04PM P4
Ms. Tammy de Weerd, Mayor, City of Meridian
Mr. William G. Bag, Jr, City Clerk
Apri18, 2004
Page 3
7. On April 181, we finalized a revised conceptual pit m be presented to 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 bD the existing Venable Lane, providing fuuure easbwest
access, as requested by Planning & Zoning Staff. Said stub is shown south of Mr.
Groves southerly boundary (the location where Mr. Simunich indicamd he would ]il~
a stub during the second Planning & Zoning hearing on February 19th).
b. Sedgwick Road, which was proposed as a through street in the original plat has been
moved to the south by approximately 120 feet This design should cause more baffle
flow through Indian Rocl~ Road. This was one of chief oancems expressed by Mr.
Snodgrass and the neighbors in the Salisbury subdivision.
e All of the proposed lots which adjoin existing subdivisionsrgned as R11, have been
scaled to 8,000 to 10,000 square foot lots and are dimensionally consistent with the
existing treighborhoods. This creates a ttarrsition from similar sized lots in the existing
subdivisions to the proposed subdivision Froxitages for these lots have also beear
increased to fiilly comply with R11 requiremettts.
d. Common lots have been increased from 2 common lots to over 10 common lots, with
improved distrtbution of the open space throughout the subdivision This change
addresses tste comment made by a. Council member dining the Hearing on March
16°'. This plan, if approved, could accorrmrodate additional wallnr>„r paths through out
the subdivisiatt.
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 Wazd property (North of the
proposed subdivision) is developed, the Venable Lane stub street can be connected to
Venable Lane on the north side of Ustick. This solves 2 key problems: (Z) The
existing Venable Lane is too narrow to be designated as a community collector (40'
versus 50'); and (2) fire proposed Venable Lane through the Ward property will align
with Venable Lane on the north sloe of Ustick Road.
The exiatir~ Venable Lane is too narrow to serve as a community wllector 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 fomrer lane be tumod inm a walking path to the ce~~+n;ty center.
This could be eormected to the walldngpath along South Slough on the south border
of the Salisbury Subdivision No. 2 plat. This would become an economical and
attractive amenity given that the lane is lined with mature trees, aligns directly with
the future corrununiry oenter. Obviously, if the Gity agrees, said pathway would
become a condition £or Mr. Groves since Mr. Simunich now owns the land in
question.
RPR 08 '04 16 33 2083840166 PRGE.04
PHONE N0. 2083840166 Rpr. 07 2004 01:04PN PS
Ms. Tammy de Weerd, Mayan, City of Meridian
Mr. William G. Berg, 7r., City Clerk
April 8, 2004
Page 4
8. On April 2id, I sent invitations to Planning & Zoning Staff and to 65 other neighbors (all neighbors
within 300 feet of the proposed subdivision), inviting them to a neighborhood meeting scheduled
for Apri18`" to discuss the revised conceptual plat. I will provide a written srumnary of the
neighborhood meeting on Apri18's to Ms. Powell, s~+*~~+A++2ing the results of the meeting.
9. On April Sa', I spoke with Mr. Snodgrass, to describe the revisions to the plat, and informed him of
the neighborhood meeting, since he was not part of the formal invibtlon. (His home is not wifhin
300 feet of the proposed subdivision). 1 scat him an electronic copy of the plat, along with my
contact infom>ation, and encouraged him to cor~ct me wilt any ootnments and concerns so that
we could be prepazed m address them a) ~hg P48C~~4d~44S} IlfiCfSlllC 411 April $th~
10, On Apri16tl1, I discussed the revised conceptual plat with Karen Anderson and an ACRD planner to
confirm that ACRD would support a stub street to the existing Venable Lanc. I received verbal
confirmation that the proposed street would be acceptable, provided it was bazricaded per ACIID
specifications.
11. On April 7°i, I spolee with Mr. Snodgrass and confirmed that he had received the information that I
'had sent to him on April Ss'. Mr. Snodgrass indicated that the revised plat had addressed his
concerns and marry of the concerns that he was 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 trust that you can see we have made significant strides in addressing the concerns raised at the
meeting and we are acting in good faith to oontinuc id address the concerns and interests of the
neighbors and all interested parties. Criven the significance of our progress and positive motnentum, I
am farmallyrequesting areconsideration ofthemotion todenyboththe annexation and approval of the
preliminary plat. I respectfully request your support for remandmg the plat back to Planning and
Zoning for revision. I truly believe this is a more appropriate ootnse of action.
Comments Related to the Five issues cited in Finding of Fact and Conclusions of Law
1. The City Council also recognizes the concerns listed inMarkSnodgrass's lettersubmitted
intopubGc reoo~d at 1heMarch 16,1Q04 meeting.
Y understand the need to create a forum to address concerns of neighbors when proposing a new
development. I believe that the open communication with all ineerested parties demonstrates my
sincere interest in finding a solution w meets es many needs and interests as possible. I believe that the
revised plat is a very positive move to improve the project and address known corroems and create a
neighborhood that is consistent with the desires of the neighbors and the City.
2. The Applicant has never afternpred any kind of communication with the surrounding
property owners both on the east and western boundaries ofthe property, to discuss the
issues ofplanning for tke uses along Venable Lane, as well as access or improvemenrs in
the future on Vewble Lane, to come to an agreement with resolution to these issues.
RPR 08 '04
PHONE N0. :2083840166 Rpr. 07 2004 01:05PM P6
Ms. Tamtrty de Weerd, Mayor, City of Meridian
Mr. William G. Berg, Jr., City Clerk
Apri18, 2004
Page 5
I must respectfully disagree with this finding and I provide the following as a more aoctuate recap of
commmticatioru. Mr. Scott Stanfield had a number of communications with Mr. Snodgrass re~ardurg
the revision that Mr. Snodgrass had provided at the Plamtingl~ Zoning meeting on January 15 . We
presented the plan proposed by Mr. Snodgrass with the Fire Depertnrerrt and ACRD. ACIID was not
willing to support the proposal by Mr. Snodgrass. Through a series of detailed messages and
discussions, on February 4a', 5'" and 6v', those findings were corntnunicaVed to Mr. Snodgrass, along
with a summary of changes that were being made to the plat. This revised plat was reviewed et the
Planning & Zoning Mceting on February 19a'. Y also have had several discussions with Mr. Jce
Simunich about Vcnable Lane, although at that point in tune, neither of us had a satisfactory solution to
the issues related ~ Venable Lane. The purchase of the Venable Lane parcel by Mr. Simunisch is a
very significant development in addressing the issues regarding Venable Zane.
3. The proposed R-8 designation wwdd be dncompatibde with the swrowrding residential
subdivision and area, which is R•4.
The Salisbury Subdivision No. 2 plat reviewed on March 16ih had a mix of large format lots (R~) and
smaller (R-8) lots. Although the revised conceptual plat still proposes a mix of R~ and R-8 sized lots,
the R-41ots 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 compatible with the existing
neighborhoods.
4. The proposed R-8 designation is not reflective of the City ofMeridian's vision for that
particular area.
The parcel that has been requested for annexation falls within a zone designated as a community center
in the City of Meridian Comprehensive Master Plan. The original plat that was reviewed by Plnnn' ro
& Zoning Staff on August 27i° was proposed as an R-4 subdivision. Staffrequested that given the
proximity to the plarmed Community Center, we revise the plat and submit a plat with a mix of R~ end
R-8 sized lots. T1re revised plat (R-8) was reviewed by Planning & Zoning Staffon November 17 and
approved for reviewby Plarming & Zoning Comnrittee on January 15°i.
7n preliminary discussions, Plarming 8z Zoning Sniff have indicated that the revised conceptual plat is
consistent with the City of Meridian Comprehensive Master Plan.
3. Annexation is not in the best inreresxs ofthe Ciry ofMeridian given the native of the
proposed development.
As discussed above, I suggest that the developments in the past several weeks have addressed and
mitigated the vast majority of the issues and corroems 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 deny both the amtexation and approval of the preliminary plat, and request that the plat be
remanded to Planrririra, and Zoning to finalize the revisions suggested in the revised conceptual plat of
the Salisbury Subdivision No. 2.
RPR 08 '04 16 34 2083840166 PRGE.06
FROM Jeff Wood PHONE N0. 2083840166 Rpr. 07 2004 01:06PM P7
Ms. Tammy de Weerd, Mayar, Ciry of Meridian
Mr. William G. Berg, Jr, City Clerk
Apri18, 2004
Page 6
Sincerely,
~~~
Jek3' Wood
Woodside Properties LLC
Enclosures -Salisbury Subdivision No. 2 Conceptual Plat
RPR 08 '04 16 35 2083840166 PRGE.07
FROM JefF Wood PHONE N0. 2083840166 Rpr. 07 2004 01:06PM PB
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RPR 08 '04 16:37 2083840166 PRGE.08
FROM Jeff Wood
1282 East Braemero Rtl.
Bolse, ID 83702
PHONE N0. 2083840166 Rpr. 07 2004 01:02PM P1
~X RECEIVED
APR D S 20a~1
City Of Meridian
To: Tammy de Weerd, Mayor From: Jeff Wood City Clerk Office
William G. Berg, Jr., CAy Clerk
Fax: 8884218 Pagese $
888 6854
Phone 384 0166
Date: 4/8/2004
Re: Salisbury Subdivision No.2 Finding of CC: Anna Powell
Fact and Conclusion of Law Brad Hawkins-Clark
O Urgent ^ For Review O Please Comment O Please Reply O Please Roeyde
• Comments:
At me suggestion of Planning 8 Zoning Slaff, I am providing the attached fetter in response to the
Endings of Fad and Conclusions of Law regard'mg the Request for Annexation and Zoning (AZ 03-
036) and the Request for Preliminary Plat Approval (PP 03042) for the Salislxuy Subdivision No. 2 that
were 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 enckrsed request.
Sincerely:
Jeff
Woodside Properties LLC
RPR 06 '04 16:31 2083840166 PRGE.01