HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC - Public Testimony David Blomberg 11-201
Charlene Way
From:Dave Blomberg <dblomberg@maf.org>
Sent:Monday, November 20, 2017 4:53 PM
To:Genesis Milam; alittleroberts@meridiancity.or; Joe Borton; kbird@merdiancity.org; Luke
Cavener; typalmer@meridian.org; clerk
Subject:East Ridge Estates Application
November 20, 2017
Meridian City Council
33 E Broadway Ave
Meridian, ID 83642
Members of City Council,
I'm writing to express my opposition to the proposed development of East Ridge Estates as it is currently planned. As one of the
Blackrock homeowners whose property borders the planned East Ridge development, I believe the proposed design plan will
adversely affect the character of the existing area as well as tax the current infrastructure.
The Blackrock subdivision is a truly unique community within the City of Meridian. My family waited five years for one of the large
Blackrock lots to become available. That happened in 2012 and we were blessed to be able to purchase a lot with spectacular views
of the valley and mountains. We spent over a year designing and building our dream home.
When considering where to build and live, we appreciated the City of Meridian’s vision. The City’s Master Plan says that a key
community value is to “Enhance Meridian’s quality of life for all current and future residents.” We also appreciated Meridian’s
commitment that “New development should recognize existing…” However, the abrupt transition from Blackrock estate lots (1/2
acre and larger) to R4 and R15 zoning does not seem to uphold the continuity espoused in the Master Plan.
We believe the planned East Ridge development with 43% zoned as R15 will decrease our property values and will degrade the
uniqueness of the area. This location has the potential of being one of Meridian’s few premier estate communities, and we urge
Council to reconsider the current plan for East Ridge.
The City Council's remand of the previous project which asked for at least R4 zoning rather than R8 seemed to indicate a desire to
preserve this area as low to medium density. DevCo has now brought forth a plan that has 22 more homes within the same space
than the previous application. This seems to go against the spirit of the earlier remand.
To fit in this many homes, the ridge will have to be drastically reshaped, losing most of the natural character of this unique area.
In addition, this current proposal will further tax the lagging infrastructure is the area. In addition, this development has no
irrigation water rights which will tax the City's water supply and costly to the residents.
Lastly, the plan seems to disregard the Future Land Use Map (FLUM) prepared by the Meridian Planning Division and adopted
September 5, 2017. I would respectfully requests that you not approved the East Ridge Estates application by DevCo as it stands.
Thank you for your consideration.
Respectfully,
David Blomberg
2433 E Cyanite Dr
Meridian, ID 83642
(208) 936-1544
(208) 250-8850
dblomberg@maf.org