HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC - Public Testimony by Doug & Jo Ann Thurston - 2/23Machelle Hill
From: Peggy Gardner
Sent: Wednesday, February 24, 2016 9:55 AM
To: Doug Thurston; Jaycee Holman; Jacy Jones; Machelle Hill; Joshua Beach
Cc: Keith Bird; Genesis Milam; Joe Borton; Luke Cavener; Ty Palmer, mayortammy; Anne
Little Roberts
Subject: RE: Proposed sity zoning change at Linder and Chinden roads
Dear Mr. & Mrs. Thurston:
Your email has been received by the Mayor's Office. We appreciate you contacting us to let us know of your concerns
for the proposed changes to development plan for the project in your area. I will forward your comments to our City
Clerk for the public record and to be included in the packet the Mayor and Council members receive for the public
hearing. They are only able to comment on the proposals that come before them during the public hearing.
I have copied Josh Beach, the staff member assigned to this project. He will be able to answer any questions regarding
the Modification of the Development Agreement or the process.
We look forward to seeing you at the hearing. Thank you for being part of the process.
Peggy (�"d*i"
Administrative Assistant to
Mayor Tammy de Weerd
City of Meridian
33 E Broadway Avenue
Meridian, ID 83642
Phone 208 489-0529
Follow City of Meridian updates on
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and at www.meridiancity.org.
From: Doug Thurston [mailto:djtjht@aol.com]
Sent: Tuesday, February 23, 2016 8:41 PM
To: Keith Bird; aiiitieroberts@meridiancity.org; Genesis Milam; Joe Borton; Luke Cavener; Ty Palmer; mayortammy
Cc: djtjht@aol.com
Subject: Proposed sity zoning change at Linder and Chinden roads
Good evening,
I am writing you in regards to the proposed zoning change at Chinden and Linder roads. I bought my home here in the
Lochsa Falls subdivision in 2007. This land has been zoned for only commercial use for more than 10 years. As you
know, the developer has now submitted a request to change this to low income apartments. The apartments he wants to
build would be 3 story and house 51 units. This will overlook into our backyard, eliminating our privacy. I would like to say
that the developer is working in the "best interest " of the subdivision, but that is definitely not the case. He has already put
in a bar and grill and now a tobacco shop all within 500 yards of Challenger elementary. Now he plans to put in low
income apartments. We already have too many kids in all of the schools in northwest Meridian. There are also a bunch of
apartments going in at Linder and McMillan. This will create too much overcrowding in our schools. It also will continue to
lower our land value which has never recovered from the last crash 5-7 years ago. My home appraised for $450,000 in
2006. It appraised this year for $280,000.
With the other types of businesses he is allowing, I will have no chance of getting my value back to a reasonable level. I
would like you to strongly consider not allowing the zoning change from commercial to high density housing/apartments
that the City Council is considering on March 1st behind our home on Boulder Bar, Sheep Hill Court, etc.
Please consider these points-
• This goes against original zoning --people invested in homes and property believing next to them and behind them
would be other single family residences and commercial facing Chinden. This is a form of contract between the
homeowners and the city and no one expects it to be suddenly overturned just because a developer asks.
• No need for more apartments in this area with those next to Paramount; and even those already in Selway are not
filled ---and more planned already in that area.
• This goes against the City of Meridian's own comprehensive plan that you show online which states "Throughout
the comprehensive planning process, citizens affirmed that the goals, objectives, and action items contained in
this plan are based on 7 key community values"
Those values are:
1.Manage growth to achieve high -quality development.
2.Enhance Meridian's quality of life for all current and future residents.
3.New growth should finance public service expansion.
4.Prevent school overcrowding and enhance education services
5.Expand commercial and industrial development.
6.Improve transportation.
7.Protect Meridian's self-identity.
I have reached out to a number of the schools in the area including Willow Creek and Rocky Mountain, which are both
nearby this location. Neither knew of the proposed apartments, but both complained of already being way overcrowded. I
can't see any way that this is in the best interest of our city or our subdivision. And overturning the current zoning for this
location from commercial to multi use to allow apartments does not in any way support any of this great cities core values.
I know that the City of Meridian does not control the schools, but the quality of education suffers with additional over
crowing. I have a 14 year old daughter and I have gone from being excited for her to attend this school district to being
another concerned parent wondering if the over crowding will ever end and if she will get the type of education she
deserves here. This is a sad fact and should be addressed and heard.
According to the Meridian Press- Rocky Mountain is already at 2332 students with a capacity of 1800. The same can be
said for the middle and elementary schools in our area.
I have already been told that homes here on Sheep Hill Ct. next to this property are now not worth as much as they were
just a few months ago, and may have to be rentals in the future due to the possibility of apartments being next to us. I am
also concerned about the safety of my family if these are built behind my house. I know I am not alone in this.
This change in the Development agreement goes against this City's own long range plan published on their website and
violates trust that homeowners and taxpayers have with the City Council in their zoning decision.
I will be there next week for the hearing, I am asking you to please read this, absorb it, understand it, and do the right
thing and hold this developer accountable. He purchased the land as commercial all the while with the intent to "bait and
switch" to apartments. He told us in a neighborhood meeting in January that he will make more money with apartments,
but had our best interest in mind. If this was the case, why would he have already allowed a bar and grill, a tobacco shop,
and now "affordable" housing all within 500 yards of an elementary school.
I love my town, I love my neighborhood, but if these types of developments are continually allowed to overshadow the
best interests of the fine people that make up this city- we will soon just be another "Garden City".
Please don't let that happen.
Regards,
Doug and Jo Ann Thurston
1856 W. Sheep Hill Ct
Meridian, Idaho 83646