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Home My WebLink AboutLetter from Rebecca Britton- t May 27, 2004 I~EC~EI~VED JUN 0 1 2004 City Of Meridian. Ciiy Clerk Office Honorable Tammy de Weerd, Mayor City of Meridian 33 E. Idaho Avenue Meridian ID 83642-2631 Subject: Meridian City Couaaci~:Me~~-g Sched~ade,~,~or 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 April 29, 2004, Planning and Zoning meeting pertaining to this properly, 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-year career 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 bane is flown in honor of my father. On November 10, 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 care and concern for its citizens is first 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 April 29, 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 area of impact (they averwhelmiagly ap~!ed the prelimatl~yt,.rezone, and conditional use permit). It was painfully clear that the Planning and Zoning Commission had aheady 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 medicaUprofessional traffic (i.e., doctor, physical therapists, dentists, mental health professionals, social workers, state inspectors, etc.), maintenance vehicles (i.e., grounds keepers, garbage trucks), and more! The proposed rezone to R-15 is incompatible with eausting 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 properly, as well as all properties of those who live along the area 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 2 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 aze 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 akeady been conveyed through letters, emails, and telephone calls, but I am asking you to seriously consider the impacts the rezone will have onus, the real people, who already 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 azea 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 automobile ~:cident on IvZatc~ 3,k 200A,.and iao~ e,rience 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\Charlie Ramtd'tree_ Keith Bird, and Bill Nary Meridian ID 83642 7 HUB OFTRF.ASURE VALLEY A (food Place To lave CITY OF MERIDIAN Robert D. tyasrie PROCLAMATI+~N pYHESBdIS., Jsnea W. PsBka, a 86e-leg naideot of1Le oaanaoo~tl+of ~s heaaedea~+'ala..~Rfr.~.~tl~ll:~d r. _ ,~ ; , -- ~Y9RREA8, his btine for thls ooraasaity has bees shown by his iawirem~ and ao~oct in activitia, and i~l~ ad ~YHiH~AS, he helpod it dro mamion of the WesOem Ada Roprstion It sad was eppoiai0od by the Govanar ~ a bard n~u; and he helped the baddmg of the Metidim swsoamiag pool; and WHi~+iS. he domtad lmd for tAaa<y Lace Golf Copse and Ftr&r Parr as vweIl as time asd lobo for dreg ~devdopmes~ aad 1~ the Mayor and City GOUOCrl of tiro C6y of Mnidisn, im mo~aniog his PCB ~ ~ ~ ao tins oozy, do ~ pn~m Sat+aday, Mry 12, 2001, as a day>n reoo~e J~n~s W. Faller for hie dedicaaiaas aad to ide f~7y, and cot~y. He ~ aady be aL.ed bot his preaesa and ~ new be ~ l3stetldus 11ffidayofMsg~.2001. Hobart D. Castie, Mayor KailiBird, 3?'tesid~ City ~ Roo Aadtason, ~/roo-Prratil~ Cry Covoc~7 Tatmo3+de Wand, ~Y Cwmcd Chnie ~Y ~~