HomeMy WebLinkAboutLetter from Rebecca Brittonr '
May 27, 2004
1L~E~E~VED
~ur~ o ~ zooa
City Of Meridian
City Clerk Office.
Honorable Tammy de Weerd, Mayor
City of Meridian
33 E. Idaho Avenue
Meridian ID 83642-2631
Subject: Meridian City Co-paci~ Mceting Scheduleli for June 1, 2004, Regarding
Approval by the Planning and Zoning Commission on Apri129, 2004, for
the Southwoods Subdivision (Preliminary Plat, Rezone from R-4 to L-0 and
R-15, and Conditional Use Permit on 9.47 Acres)
Dear Mayor de Weerd:
Thank you for the opportunity to address you personally in writing. I am also providing
an original, signed letter to each of your Council Members, Shaun Wardle, Charlie
Roundtree, Keith Bird, and Bill Nary.
As a longtime member of this community, I am asking each of you to seriously consider
the impacts that approval for recommendation to the City Council by the Planning and
Zoning Commission. of the subject Southwinds "subdivision" will have on the adjacent
property owners, myself and my husband, as well as our neighbors. I am certain that
after you study the minutes of the Apri129, 2004, Planning and Zoning meeting
pertaining to this property, that you will have a clear understanding of exactly what
occurred at midnight on that night.
I have lived in Meridian, Idaho, for most of my life, graduating from Meridian High
School in 1972, continuing my education at Boise State University, and a 25-yeaz cazeer
in Federal service (VA Medical Center and Bureau of Reclamation). My parents, Jim
and Jean Fuller, actively served the citizens of Meridian for many years. The Western
Ada Recreation District was formed with their help and the support of service
organizations they belonged to, and subsequently, the City of Meridian was blessed with
a swimming pool for Storey Park.
On November 11, 1981, the City of Meridian honored my parents by giving them the
"Key to the City of Meridian," and, specifically my father, by naming that day "Jim
Fuller Day." The flag located at the corner of Meridian Road and Cherry Lane is flown
in honor of my father. On November 1Q, 1981, my parents donated approximately 22
acres of land, known as Fuller Park, to the City of Meridian, for the enjoyment of all
members of the community! May 9, 2001, the day my father passed away, was
designated by Mayor Robert D. Corrie in his memory, to be observed for his many
contributions to the community (please see attached Proclamation dated May 11, 2001).
My parents worked hard to ensure that our community is a place where integrity, and caze
and concern for its citizens is fast and foremost!
As elected officials, you and your council members also have a responsibility to the
citizens of this community. I am certain that you do not take this responsibility lightly.
During the Apri129, 2004, Planning and Zoning meeting, I, along with others, gave
public testimony opposing the rezone to R-15 and asked the Planning and Zoning
Commission members to consider those of us who are living adjacent to the azea of
impact (they overwheLniugly appso~redthe preliny~alat,.rezone, and conditional use
permit). It was painfully clear that the Planning and Zoning Commission had already
made this decision before the meeting and before considering existing landowners and
taxpayers.
Mayor de Weerd, neither myself nor my neighbors disagree with the rezone to L-O along
Meridian Road. We agree that this is the best use for this strip of property. However, the
rezone from R-4 to R-15 will severely impact us. If this is approved by the City Council,
there is no guarantee that what is proposed is what will occur. The plat shows the
Alzheimer's Unit (Unit) and vehicle parking sited DIRECTLY behind our property. If
approved, this will have DIRECT impact on us, as well as our adjacent neighbors! The
parking lot is approximately 5 feet from our back fence and faces our living area and
bedroom. As you know, the exterior lighting for this type of parking will be extensive.
Please, you must consider the variety of traffic to and from the Unit by staff, visitors,
delivery vehicles (providing food supplies, medical supplies, pharmaceutical supplies,
and salespeople for all services), emergency vehicles such as ambulances and fire trucks,
transporation vehicles for seniors (assisted living business also sited for this area) to
various community activities and medical appointments, other medical/professional
traffic (i.e., doctor, physical therapists, dentists, mental health professionals, social
workers, state inspectors, etc.), maintenance vehicles (i.e., grounds keepers, gazbage
trucks), and more! The proposed rezone to R-15 is incompatible with existing residents'
homes and with our neighborhood. We bought our home in this upscale neighborhood to
protect our investment and enjoy the quality of life we observed here. Could you and
your family live with the proposed rezone site at your back door?
I am asking you to review the approval for this rezone to R-15 with great care. The value
of our property, as well as all properties of those who live along the azea of impact
(Calderwood, SE 3'~ Way, etc.), will go down. When my husband and I purchased our
home in October of 2002, we bought with the understanding that R-4 was the zone
behind us, and it needs to stay that way. If the L-O is approved along Meridian Road,
then subsequent buyers of property in the R-4 zone area will know ahead of time what
they are purchasing -just as we did. Any development of the subject property should be
consistent with our investment and that of our neighbors, as well as supporting the value
and quality of existing homes.
There are many other considerations that have already been conveyed through letters,
emails, and telephone calls, but I am asking you to seriously consider the impacts the
rezone will have on us, the real people, who akeady live at the area of impact. I am
convinced, that if you see the area for yourself, your decision to maintain the current R-4
zoning for this area will be easy. It is important to me that you not interpret my absence
at the June 1 meeting as disrespectful or rude. My only daughter, Brianne, was killed in
an auxomobile ktecident on 11~rc~ ~,..2404,.and Lnow e,~ecience severe panic attacks.
Thank you again for your time and thoughtful attention to this matter. If you have any
questions or would like to speak to me personally, my telephone number is (208) 288-
1102.
Attachment (1)
Signed Original hand carried this date to each:
Shaun Wardle\~hariie Rotmdtree_ Keith Bird, and Bill Nary
Meridian ID 83642
HUB OF TREASURE VALLEY
A (food Plaoe To Ian
CITY OF MERIDIAN
iiobert D. Cas:ie
Ma}or
PItOCLAMAT~ON
was, ~. vv.1?~, a lifo-lo~ag irsident ~~ oozy ofd ~
w®t>~-s, his love fix the ao~y bas hem shown ~ hie ffivahrcsxnt asd
~ppc~ets~ sclivbaea, pa~aees sad > ~
t1VB~REAS, tic Lalped in the of the Western Ada Becreatioa Distri~x sad was
appoisbed by the Gavamor ~ a board mamba; aad
be helped the bsaldssg of the luhaid'+an sw~misg POie~ and
W8®tF~Aii, he donalad lend far Cherry ire Gaff Concse and Fntia Part as w~ as
t®e sad isd~ ~ ffieg da~d~ and
1'SB, ~ Mme' ~ ~y of the Cety ofM, in mom
1~B~~~aedta~oom~y,do
- ~ P , Mme' i2, 2001, as a day to mrogwae
James W. FnIIer
t~ his d~catioaa and to hie X79, ~, and cwmmimity.
Be.~l anrdy be mieeed bat his pr~eaeoce aad legacy wia new ~ ~~
Bated this li~day May, COI.
Bobrtt D. Come, Mayan
l~h~d, Preaidert Clty
R~ Aodpa~. Yx~-Prsaidems Cby Cpl
Tarsny de Waerd, (rely Coin
Cherie McCsadiem. ~y Couod7