HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC - Public Testimony - Jim and Christine HerwyJim and Christine Herwy
2373 E. Taconic Dr.
Meridian, ID 83642
Re: Opposition to East Ridge Estates
File Number H-2017-0129
Meridian City Council
33 E. Broadway Ave.
Suite 300
Meridian, Idaho 83642
Dear Mayor de Weerd, Councilman Cavener and Members of the City Council,
We are writing to express our deep concern and opposition to the rezoning of 40.99 acres
(north of East Lake Hazel Road and west of South Eagle Road) to R8 for the proposed East
Ridge Estates development.
We purchased our .70 -acre lot in Blackrock in 2007 after looking extensively in Ada County
for more than a year. We were looking for a large lot in a community with CCNRs, great access
to the freeway, and a slower, less -densely populated area with room to spread -out with our
pets and family. It was important to us to find a community where the homes had character of
their own rather than finding the same set of house plans duplicated throughout the
neighborhood. We were looking for property where custom estate homes would be built and
hold their values, similar to Banbury. This type of space proved harder to find than one would
think. When we finally found that spot in Blackrock, we built our forever home in 2009.
1 would like to clarify that we are not opposed to the development of the land around
Blackrock. We are, however very concerned to see such a drastic change in plans for this
area. A large draw for us was that the surrounding area was zoned RUT and R2 (before the
recent annexation). This gave us comfort in knowing that the area's development would follow
a similar fashion and would ensure the same type of community identity that already existed.
When we purchased our property we were told that the area below and around Blackrock
would be developed in similar .5 to 1.0 acre lots, have equestrian trails, as well as the addition
of many parks and walking trails. When the original developer optioned the acreage below
Blackrock to Hubble Homes, we thought that we had made the biggest financial mistake of our
lives. At that time, we greatly appreciated the City Council stepping back, reexamining the land
use, and ultimately choosing to preserve the low density of the area.
South Meridian and the south rim especially are very desirable places to live. The cities of Boise
and Eagle both have many of these types of low-density residential areas; however, Meridian
does not. The majority of homes in and around the proposed East Ridge Estates development
range in value from $500K to well over a million dollars. This was purposeful. These types of
areas are exceedingly difficult to find and are much desired!
We love this area. We love that our children have large safe spaces to play, that we have
a neighbors who have pride in their homes and have established deep roots. We love the
south rim for its views and open spaces and the fact that this area still has a rural feel that
creates a sanctuary from the busy lives we all have come to know. This is rare and hard to find!
The applicant has asked for a waiver to use treated City water for pressurized irrigation. The
applicant has found that the property has no water rights and is unable to secure them. An
application for surface water has been submitted and is likely to take up to five years at which
time it would only cover the common areas of the development. This is a serious problem.
Reliance on treated City water for irrigation is an irresponsible use of a valuable natural
resource burdening unknowing residents with an onerous expense. We had a home in Meridian
that was on a very small lot and the water bill in the summer was $300.00 using City water!
The applicant is asking for and R4 and R15 density. The original R8 application H2016-0137
was remanded back to P&Z in the spring with the intent it would be no more than R4 when
brought again to the City. One of the reasons stated was that the density was too high and did
not embody the established personalities of the surrounding area. This was blatantly ignored.
This new version now has a higher density and 19 more rooftops! The established estate
homes surrounding this property are sitting on .5, 1, 2, 5, and 10 acre pieces of land. The
applicant's current rendition shows lots that are very long and skinny surrounding the 98 patio
homes. These are explained as estate lots? I would argue that an objective look at the actual
estate lots in this area make this a false statement.
Appropriate transitions continue to be a concern. This application also does not follow the
precedent of having no more than a 2:1 ratio bordering Blackrock and the soon to be Sky Mesa
East along the rim. A rezoning to R15 seems entirely at odds with how this area has been
developed to date.
We would like to see any slopes be designated as a common lot as done with Reflection Ridge
and Sky Mesa East. These areas should be irrigated, planted and taken care of by the HOA to
mitigate fire hazard and erosion.
An agreement made in the first application H-2017-0129, required that all development and
construction traffic to enter and exit via Lake Hazel. We would like that to be upheld in this
application as well.
We absolutely support the need for future development but we urge the City Council to
protect these rare spaces, the community identities and the homeowners that exist today. We
ask that the proposal to rezone the area to R4 and R15 be denied. The current application is
absolutely not congruent with the current communities in the area and does not meet the
annexation standards set by the City.
Sincerely, Jim and Christirxe Herwy