HomeMy WebLinkAboutPZ - Configuration Response 4-27-16
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April 27, 2016
Sonya Watters
City of Meridian
33 E. Broadway
Meridian, Idaho 83642
RE: HOWRY LANE SUBDIVISION – AZ, PP (H-2016-0030)
Dear Ms. Watters,
Thank you for taking the time to meet with us regarding the block length configuration at the Howry Lane
Subdivision. Based on the constraints of the site that include a slope greater than 10% grade and an
irrigation facility that run parallel to one another through the property we do fall under the typical block
face exception described in Meridian City Code Section 11-6C-3F-3b. This exception states,
“The city council may approve a block face up to one thousand two hundred feet (1,200') in
length where block design is constrained by site conditions such as: an abutting arterial street
or highway, a limited access street, railroad tracks, steep slopes in excess of ten percent (10%),
an abutting urban project with no adjoining alley or street connections, a public or private
education facility or park, a large waterway and/or a large irrigation facility.”
In order to achieve a block length under 1200’ we modified our original application and re-configured the
entry to the subdivision. We further revised our original application to modify the intersection that is
located mid-block to include a turning movement and stop sign, which will significantly reduce travel
speeds. Additionally, we have included a pedestrian crossing/neck down traffic calming device that will
further reduce speeds between the Rock Hampton subdivision and Howry Lane Subdivision.
Ada County Highway District has reviewed the revised configuration and indicated that while they
typically don’t configure intersections as we did, given the constraints of this site and the desire to reduce
travel speeds, while maintaining circulation, they will support the configuration.
The Meridian Planning & Zoning Commission directed that we work with staff to review any other
options that may be available and come back to the Commission with a recommendation. The other
option that was discussed was to cul-de-sac the street in question on the west side, which would direct
100% of pass through traffic to the south. Both staff and the applicant agree that it is not desirable to
have all of the pass through traffic plus the traffic from the subdivision looping to the south in front of
many more residences. The preferred configuration will split the traffic and minimize impacts to the
neighborhood while at the same time significantly reducing travel speeds.
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We thank staff for their time to review the available options and support for the April 21st submittal.
Sincerely,
Mark Tate
General Manager, M3 Companies
Cc:
Scott Wonders, P.E., J-U-B Engineers