HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC - Public Testimony - 11/17November 16, 2015
TO: Members of the Meridian City Council
FROM: Clayton and Bonnie Carter R F C F, T
SUBJ: Conditional Use Permit to Re -Zone Parcel S1121325865 ,
Property Description PAR#5865 NW4SW4
Sec. 21 3N 1ETY
#325861-B CITY ,ER,ERKS OFF iur-1:
We request our written comments on this matter be placed in your administrative record.
The Property owners, Reginald Jones and Jack Stolfo, are requesting a rezoning from R-4
(Medium Low Density Residential) to R-15 (Medium High Density Residential) with a
Conditional Use Permit for Multi -Family Housing. The Oct. Commission re -zoning hearing
recommended the project go forward on a 2 story maximum basis.
We reside in the Sutherland Farms subdivision. We object to this re -zoning to R-15. A multi-
level, multi -family complex is an inappropriate fit for our existing subdivision. We are a
community of single family homes, as well as some duplexes. R-8 mixed use would fit in with
the Comprehensive Plan, and this is in accordance with your Planning and Zoning staff. We
believe a complex of duplexes in the existing form of the west end of Sutherland Downs would
achieve the goal of additional housing. As well, duplexes would fit in with the existing overall
development of Sutherland Farm.
An R-15 variance would enable additional traffic and resulting noise through our neighborhood.
Our ingress and egress roads are already being adversely impacted from Easy Jet, to
Hollandale, to Muir Ridge, with several to many vehicles per day driving through at a speed
higher than clearly posted. I witness speeding vehicles turning the corner where our house sits,
and nearly collide into me as I crossed the street to visit my neighbor. The vehicle was traveling
at a rate of speed of at least 40mph. These streets are narrow, with lots of corners and the
visibility is poor at these higher speeds, which occur frequently here. While I am outside, I can
observe several vehicles negotiating these corners at much higher speeds than 20 mph with no
regard for safety. I have also experienced vehicles speeding toward me from the opposite
direction and veering over to my side of the street as I am driving up Tristram to Easy Jet to
come home. It is dangerous and concerning. If this R-15 zoning projection goes forward as is;
at the minimum, there will be an additional 40 vehicle trips per day traveling through the
Sutherland subdivision.
Additional unintended consequences of granting this R-15 variance:
The families of the existing homeowners purchased here with the reasonable expectation of
similar projects being built on the parcels in question. Sutherland Farm homeowners expected
there would be a reasonable level of growth and expansion; however, a jump from R-4 to R-15
is an unreasonable increase, and an imposition that is totally inappropriate for this existing
community of single family homes and duplexes.
Our property values will be at risk. Real estate land evaluations could decrease. We moved
here into this community to enjoy a quality of life with like residents who have a vested interest
in the neighborhood. For many of us; this was to be our lifelong home. We understand that it is
not necessarily true that some apartment dwellers and renters would not share our sense of
November 16, 2015
neighborhood, but it is also true that many of them will not participate in the vested interests of
our community we have grown to love.
According to the JUB Engineers, they stated each apartment building and office pad would be
built on a separate lot. This increases the chance that each building could be sold to a different
buyer, which creates the potential for 6 individual owners -4 for the apartment buildings and 2 for
the business offices. This could make it very difficult for the existing residents to address any
potential problems or concerns with up to 6 owners (or managers). There is also a likelihood
that any of these potential owners could live out of state. Upkeep and tenant problems would
be more difficult if this situation ever came to pass. This would also include the maintenance of
landscape and buildings should these potential problems occur. Placing buildings such as
these on their individual lots indicates to us that these current owners are more interested in
how this situation could grant them additional profits rather than how this situation could
potentially impact our quality of living.
On your website, your Values Statement contains the following in part:
"At the City of Meridian, we CARE. That means: Providing the best Customer Service to our
community, colleagues, and partners by listening and responding in a timely, friendly,
professional, and solution -oriented manner."
Building 2-3 story developments zoned R-15 is not caring about the current residents who are
already here. This is not a good fit for the allotted acreage. This is a development suited to a
larger area with more open space around it, such as what is seen at Gramercy Park. We
understand the housing question of the need for additional residences, and want to support the
notion that there are several other possibilities that would benefit our quality of living and
harmonious existence with surrounding residents and businesses.
My wife and I pray that you do not approve this existing Conditional Use Permit Request.
Although we understand the Commissioner's proposal for a two story maximum set of buildings,
it does not represent the acreage in relationship to the existing development. We believe we
have been clear on a few of the important quality of life aspects concerning this project. My wife
and I understand the need for quality of life for individuals and families in need of housing. We
are also mindful of the same quality of life aspect for those of us already here who have worked
hard to be able to finally have a secure, quiet neighborhood to live in. The residents of
Sutherland Farm just want to see a development that is responsible and respectful of the
community its owners want to build in.
Respectfully Submitted,
Clayton Carter
Bonnie Carter