HomeMy WebLinkAboutPZ - Public Comments by Arnie and Kay VehrsJune 10, 2016
RE: Bancroft Square Subdivision Application (File # H-2016-0055)
Dear Commissioners,
My wife and I live in Southerland Downs. We hope to see the approval of the conditional use
modification and rezoning request made for a developer, as long as some issues are addressed.
First, we request that the Bancroft Square development be required to meet or exceed the 10% open
space and amenity requirements. The application letter proposes that this be waived due to the
proximity to two parks in the area. Those two parks are not public. My property is taxed with this park
proportioned to my lot value and I pay significant HOA and irrigation fees to maintain this park. Both
parks are private and are paid for by residents of the two different subdivisions that own and maintain
them. As such, neither of these parks would be available to Bancroft Square residents. I would deeply
resent a nearby increased density population using these parks, walking dogs and otherwise increasing
the density, traffic, parking, noise and activity to the area we paid to keep private and was one of the
primary reasons for our house purchase.
Bancroft’s application seeks to revise the density and zoning code, and should address the need for
open, common space within the contexts of their application, not rely on the proximity of nearby private
parks, zoned for lower densities, taxed at higher rates for parks.
An amenity as part of Bancroft square is important to provide a gathering place for families in the
subdivision to meet and foster relationships between neighbors. It would inappropriate and unfair to
future residents to count the privately owned property of a separate HOA/subdivision in meeting the
requirements of Bancroft Square.
If any open space or amenity exceptions are to be granted based on the proximity to either of these
parks, we ask that those exceptions are not promised until after full final acceptance into the HOA
owning that park. This “full and final acceptance” should include gaining the percent majority required
for the HOA to include/adopt Bancroft, working out what fair HOA dues are for Bancroft Square
residents, and having documented specifically what Architectural Guidelines of the HOA Bancroft Square
will and will not be required to meet.
We understand that this property is designated as Mixed Use Community per the City of Meridian
Comprehensive plan. We believe that the proposed development is a much better fit for this strip of
land. It is a better transition to the residential area, it does not overly burden traffic, and does not
propose multistory apartments which detract from the view to the Owyhee’s
Sincerely,
Arnie & Kay Vehrs
2644 S Flame