HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC - Public Testimony by Maria Kuhel - 2/25Machelle Hill
From: Jaycee Holman
Sent: Friday, February 26, 2016 7:53 AM
To: Jacy Jones; Machelle Hill
Subject: FW: Proposed MDA amendment for Knighthill Apartments
Jaycee L. Holman
Information Services Director
City of Meridian
iholman@meridiancitv.ore
(208) 888-4433
From: Joe Borton
Sent: Friday, February 26, 2016 7:43 AM
To: Jaycee Holman
Subject: Fwd: Proposed MDA amendment for Knighthill Apartments
Begin forwarded message:
From: Maria Kuhel <mkuhel3@gmail.com>
Date: February 25, 2016 at 10:49:35 PM MST
To: <jborton ,meridiancit.00rg>
Subject: Proposed MDA amendment for Knighthill Apartments
Dear Council Member Borton,
I live with my family on Grand Teton Dr. in the Lochsa Falls Subdivision; and I would like to
express my concern about the requested amendment to the zoning agreement for the proposed
Knighthill Center Apartments. While I don't oppose apartment complexes in general, I do
oppose the change in zoning that would allow an apartment complex to be built on this property.
There are currently three large apartment complexes within a one mile radius of this site and
adding another would make this area quite dense with multi -family housing, possibly changing
the dynamics of the surrounding area. I am also concerned that this concentration of apartments
may decrease the value of the home we purchased four years ago and negatively impact the
family environment that is so appealing in Lochsa Falls.
We moved to the Boise area in 2011, and chose to buy a home in Meridian because of the strong
sense of community and the balance between the rural and urban settings. I do understand that
Meridian is growing and that expanding the tax base is important. However, I would also argue
that changing this established development agreement, which specifically prohibits the building
of multi -family housing, is a violation of the public trust.
Furthermore, it will not enhance the quality of life in the area for current and future residents and
it will also alter the identity of this area in Meridian. There may be a need in the future for
additional multi -family housing in Meridian, but at this point it is not wise or necessary to cram
four apartment complexes into one square mile that includes many single family homes that are
just now recovering from the losses of the housing crisis.
Areas that may benefit from such a concentration of multi -family housing include those in high
density urban settings and in close proximity to large hospital or university campuses, but that is
not the case here.
Part of what makes Meridian one of the best places in the country to live is that people feel
connected and valued in this community.
I respectfully ask that you carefully consider the wishes of the community that will be most
directly affected by this proposed change.
Sincerely,
Maria Kuhel
2011 W. Grand Teton Dr.
Meridian, ID 83646
480-980-5169