HomeMy WebLinkAboutLetter from Bob and Lesa Becker
Bob and Lesa L. Becker
3421 S. Selatir Place
Meridian, ID 83642
RECEIVED
OCT I 2 2004
October 9, 2004
City of Meridian
City Clerk Office
RE: Kingsbridge Subdivision proposed development on deed restricted open space and
density incompatible with existing use/Comprehensive Plan
Dear Mayor De Weerd and City Council Members:
We are writing to support the Planning and Zoning Commission's decision to deny the
Kingsbridge Subdivision developer's request to "rezone from RUT to R-4" and "reduce minimum
lot size" since it is not compatible with existing use in the area. Your Comprehensive Plan
indicates: "Existing land use development patterns provides a basis for future land use decisions"
(Chapter VII, pg. 85). The proposed development is surrounded by 1-5+ acre homes ranging in
value from approximately $350,000 to $750,000.
WewerefleVel" approached by the developer to discuss the proposed development even though
the Comprehensive Plan states: "It is important for citizens of the area to determine how they
want development to occur in order to preserve the City's character...." (Chapter VII, pg. 85).
The developer has not planned for transition lots adjacent to our 5-acre estate ranches to the east
oftbe development. They have actually clustered some ofthe highest density lots along our
property line. The Plan for appropriate uses within rural areas reQuires "new urban density
subdivisions...which abut...low density residential...to provide landscaped screening or
transitional densities with larger, more compatible lot sizes to buffer the interface between urban
level densities and rural residential densities (Goal I, Objective D, pg. 103).
To allow up. to four homes per acre in this area would significantly reduce the property values of
the surrounding homes and destroy the area's character.
The developer has also drawn a road on the eastern edge of the property, which appears to allow
for future access from this development to South Selatir Place. Selatir Place, a narrow rural road
with no sidewalks, was designed to access several 5+ acre estate lots. Not only would allowing
this high density development traffic to access South Selatir Place create an unsafe condition, it is
restricted by an agreement dated September 10, 1993 and filed with the Ada County Recorder
which states: "The Developer shall extend South Selatir Place as a dead-end cul-de-sac within the
interior ofthe residential lots oftbe development, with no reservation of a right-of-way easement
over the residential lots for future extension of the street to oilier properties."
Finally, the lot proposed for the Kingsbridge Subdivision is deed restricted as "open space" for at
least 15 years. As a result, we agree with the Planning and Zoning Commission that there are
serious legal issues related to this proposed development.
As native Idahoans, and long-time Meridian residents, we are proud of the quality lifestyle we
have developed in this area. We respectfully request that you affirm the Planning and Zoning
Commission's decision and ask you to deny this development because it does not comply with
the Comprehensive Plan, it attempts to gain future access to a road that has restricted access and it
is in violation of the l5-year restricted deed.
Thank you for your consideration,
~Æf~
rfiJk.& dL-
Bob and Lesa Becker