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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPZ - Josh Liddell Public Testimony - 4.27To Whom It May Concern, I’m writing this letter in regards to the proposed development of Hastings Subdivision Number 3. The Applicant, Bob Hosac, also developed Hastings Subdivision Numbers 1 & 2 of which my wife and I are one of the building owners within that development. There are a total of six buildings within that development. I’m writing to offer some perspective as to what it’s currently like within our development and what it will likely be like if the 11 proposed building lots are approved. The six buildings within our development now have well established businesses. As a result, we are now seeing firsthand some shortcomings in the overall development of our facilities. One of our major issues is that there isn’t anywhere near enough parking available for the group’s collective clients/patrons. I can specifically attest with our Veterinary Clinic that we have lost clients directly due to access issues on Everest Lane and parking. I’ve spoken with the owners of Idaho Fitness Factory and they’ve told me the same is true for their business. I’ve also talked with a tenant of one of the other buildings who said they are likely going to leave when their lease expires due to access and parking issues. The proposed development of Hastings Number 3 includes eleven buildable lots. Hopefully that doesn’t mean that Mr. Hosac is planning to build 11 buildings in a development that’s roughly the same size as ours that only has six. I understand that Mr. Hosac’s primary goal is to maximize profits, but hopefully that is balanced by the vision of the City to provide for responsible growth that will be good for the long term occupants that will remain long after Mr. Hosac has cashed out and is gone. There simply can’t be enough parking for that number of buildings within that development once build-out of the development is realized. Approving this kind of development will surely result in a complex that patrons will try to avoid because the access and parking issues are not worth the headache. The immediate result will be an adverse effect on the already established businesses. Long term, all of the businesses built along Everest will suffer the same consequence. The second major concern with high density development within Lochsa Falls Business Park is regarding access to the businesses via Everest Lane. Everest Lane is a narrow, privately owned street controlled by Lochsa Falls Business Park Association. The road is only 25’ from back of curb to back of curb. It’s my understanding that the standard for a collector street is 29’, and for a residential street is 33 feet. Conceptually it’s unclear to me how such a narrow street was thought to have been acceptable in the first place, but now, with certainty, all of us that utilize Everest can tell you that it is not functional at its current width. I’ve included a couple of photos to illustrate what it’s like every day on that street. If further development is permitted without widening Everest Lane I can’t imagine how bad it will become. The result will be adversely affected businesses, restricted emergency vehicle access, and increased traffic on the nearby residential streets as people find shortcuts around Everest Lane (specifically Boulder Bar Drive and Rattlesnake Drive). I’ve spoken with LFBPA representative, Justin Martin, regarding the long term plan and ownership of the road. I was told by Justin that his company will no longer have any ties with LFBPA once the final lot on the East end of Everest is sold which he anticipates will close in June of this year. The result is, once again, that the long term owners within the development will be harnessed with the problems associated with lack of sustainable planning and infrastructure required for a fully occupied business park on what’s soon to be one of the busiest corners in Meridian. The time to widen Everest Lane is now, not when construction in the area is complete and the developers are gone. It shouldn’t be incumbent upon the business owners to organize a widening in the near future when the problem is so obviously in need of correction already. Currently there are only seven existing building owners along Everest Lane. The time to fix the problem is now, while those numbers are small. I would propose that Mr. Hosac’s building permits be contingent upon the widening of Everest Lane. Mr. Hosac is a developer that can organize such a project. I am not proposing that the entire financial burden for such a project should be his alone. I have spoken with the five other Owners within our complex and I have spoken with Challenger School and all parties are open to looking at the costs a proportional cost sharing approach for the widening. The ultimate goal would be to widen Everest to sufficiently meet ACHD standards and present the finished road to them for adoption. Thank you for considering my recommendations and listening to my concerns. I think there is an opportunity here to correct some existing problems before they become much worse and this business park becomes an area to avoid due to congestion. Obviously my goal is to create a great environment for my business. The goal of the City should be to create a very functional business park to serve the needs of the City’s residents and patrons while bolstering its tax base. Hopefully this letter helps paint the picture for City Council to aid them in making their decisions regarding the Hastings Number Three Development. Sincerely, Josh and Sara Liddell – River City Veterinary Hospital Everest Lane looking East. Everest Lane Looking East. Silver pickup is parked on proposed Hastings No 3 lot. Challenger School can be seen in the background. Likely shortcut on residential streets to avoid congestion on Everest Lane.