HomeMy WebLinkAboutPZ - Public Testimony - 10/12Machelle Hill
From: DON BURTON <dongaeburton@msn.com>
Sent: Monday, October 12, 2015 2:36 PM
To: clerk
Subject: Easy Jet Subdivision
RE: Easy Jet Subdivision Application #RZ15-012 PP 15-016 CUP 15-017
Attn: P&Z Commissioners
From: Don and Shirley Burton
3585 E. Quin Dr.
Meridian, ID 83642
Contact Ph. (208) 941-1224
Dear Commissioners,
This is my second letter in regard to the above referenced application, the first having preceded changes in the
plan and a change of dates for the public hearing.
As near as I can tell from the information that I've found little has changed in this proposal to change my mind
about opposing the application. Although I have many concerns I will again try to address what I believe to be
the most important issues. They are as follows:
1- The plan is still calling for a re -zone from the current R-4 to R-15, skipping over the R-8 zone designation. If
I'm not mistaken this is reason enough to deny the application. Further, when one takes out the amount of land
in the proposal that is dedicated to commercial use the remaining residential acreage shrinks considerably and
May result in an actual residential density that exceeds R-15. I cannot determine this for certainty but it should
be looked into. I don't believe it to be appropriate to include commercial and open space allocations when
calculating actual residential density.
2- I believe that R-15 density is supposed to be served by some form of public transit. The nearest available
public transportation is about one mile away.
3- New development should 'integrate into and enhance' the surrounding community. The original proposal
called for three story structures. If this is still the case that would be of serious concern to me as buildings of
that height would NOT integrate into nor enhance the surrounding community which is predominately made up
of single family homes of one and two stories. Three story would create a serious blockage of views by
surrounding neighbors. The nearest three story structures are some distance to the north and at a much lower
elevation in the Silverstone commercial area.
4- Traffic will be greatly increased in the area, and Easy Jet (a local road designation street) will be the primary
carrier for all of the new traffic generated. That new traffic (new residents) would exit the property via a left
turn on Easy Jet without a light. That turn onto Easy Jet will quickly disrupted by the light at Easy Jet and
Eagle Rds., the distance being very short and the result could easily be grid -lock on Easy Jet. The other option
for new residents of this proposed project would be to exit the property via a right turn on Easy Jet, another
quick right on Nephrite and follow a route that leads to Victory Rd. The problems is drivers using that route
will be going right through a residential neighborhood (Sutherland Farms).
5- Sutherland Downs (where I live) and Sutherland Farm (adjacent) both have privately owned and maintained
parks/common areas. The area in Sutherland Farms contains a pond and natural habitat. I, along with many
other residents in the area, are concerned with liability issues as well as potential increased crime and vandalism
in those areas. Is the City of Meridian prepared for a potential increase in complaints from the area which may
range from the serious to the simple misuse of park areas by non-residents.
6- I have fully read the document/s submitted by the Sutherland Farm Homeowners Assn. and am in full
agreement with their evaluation of this proposed project and their recommendations.
I will leave off with these six points but as detailed in the Sutherland Farm HOA Assn. documents there are
many many more concerns than just these six. Suffice it to say that my wife and I are asking the P&Z
Commissioners to deny this application based upon the reasons given above. We would re -consider our
opposition if the applicant would seriously address these concerns, especially relating to population density and
traffic.
We thank you hearing our concerns and for your service to our community.
Don and Shirley G. Burton