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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC-11-30 Easy Jet Letter Karen Spaulding November 30, 2015 City Clerk Meridian City Hall, Suite 104 33 E Broadway Meridian, ID 83642 TO: Members of the Meridian City Council RE: REVISED EASY JET SUBDIVISION APPLICATION (RZ 15‐012, PP 15‐016, CUP 15‐017) , I am writing to voice my personal request that you deny this application. What the developer is requesting does not seem reasonable or livable to my neighbors nor myself. It does not follow the guidelines and codes as set forth in the City of Meridian plan.  It places R-15 3 story apartments in an area directly next to (within 10 feet of) private residential R-4 zoning. Without even meeting the minimum set-backs or buffers.  This development does not include plans for stone or masonry on the front elevations when those have been required on all of the other homes and buildings within the subdivision.  There are currently no other three story buildings, and placing them here significantly changes what residents will view from their back yards as well as having major impacts to privacy and enjoyment of their property. THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMITTEE has also stated that the three story buildings should not exist.  The 14 homes that stretch along the unplanted lands to the south of this development s ite would also be at risk for losing the protections normally afforded to City of Meridian citizens by the Comprehensive Plan in conjunction with codes. What we are asking for is in line with the City of Meridian Comprehensive Plan. 1) We need a buffer on the east end of the land proposed for development now. Something that can be continued along the east end of all of the lots to the south (directly behind the fourteen R-4 homes that border those lots). 2) We need to develop something on the east end of the property that does not jump more than one step in use type from R-4 to R-15. 3) We would expect to see a buffer of R-8 for example, perhaps a couple of duplexes, or four- plexes that could later be extended along the east end of the other lots. A.K.A. a plan that supports a future development buffer of like kind and quality. 4) We need structures that fit harmoniously into the existing neighborhood. Meaning limited to two stories and making use of quality materials including ample use of stone or masonry on all front elevations. The new development should comply with the architectural rules (CC&Rs) for the existing community. 5) We need all structures in the development to comply with at least minimum Buffers and set- backs as are standard for the City of Meridian. I do not feel that compliance with these items is unreasonable. The developer was already granted the exception for density that was requested. That was granted in 2004 (PP04-009) as a special variance to reduce the minimum land area frontage for the R-8 zone to achieve density goals. At the time of that request the developer (J.U.B.) wrote, “No other variances or waivers are required or requested.” The City of Meridian Comprehensive Plan supports the above requests within codes and rules. The goal being to maintain livability and quality of life for existing and future citizens. We have that same goal. I also am concerned for the future of the education in Meridian. I have worked in education for 40 years as a teacher, site administrator, and district administrator. This would overcrowd existing overcrowded school making it even harder for personnel to teach our future generation. If you have not been in a classroom where overcrowding exist, then you should. I have worked in too many and unfortunately had to watch as so many of our students have not received QUALITY time with the instructor nor QUALIITY education. I do hope you have read all the transcripts from the Planning and Zoning Committee where a very large number of residence spoke in opposition to this proposed plan. They are citizens of Meridian and have chosen to make the great City of Meridian their homes. I do hope you will carefully consider their voice. Thus, my neighbors and I respectfully request that you deny the proposed plan in favor of a plan that meets all of the criteria above. Sincerely, Karen Spaulding 3422 E Quin Drive Meridian, Idaho 83642