HomeMy WebLinkAboutTom EdgarJuly 6, 2018
Meridian City Clerk
33 E. Broadway, Suite 104
Meridian, ID 83642
Re: Application H-2018-0042
We, Todd Edgar and Kimberly Matulonis-Edgar wish to be record as being opposed to application
H-2018-0042 by Michael Murgoitio for an Amendment to the Development Agreement for expansion
of Timber Creek Recycling business located at the corner of Locust Grove and Columbia.
Questions we have for the city are:
• Current land is zoned as R4, which is medium low density housing, clearly not for business use, so
how could the city approve expansion of this business to commercial use? The surrounding area is
already zoned for over 800 new homes which are being built now. And more residential
development is on the way.
• Why has this business not been required to hook up to city water or have any fire protection added
to the site? There has been a fire at the current location.
The numerous concerns we have with a large commercial compositing business located in our
backyard:
• The increased risk of fire to our neighborhood. Just recently there were composite piles outside of
Hailey that caught on fire, https://magicvalley.com/news/local/update-fire-burns-mulch-pits-north-
of-hailey/article c670bf1f-7b81-5a8e-93c0-e7baeb4cfacc.html, and in Oregon recently on fire,
http://www.eastoreg_onian.com/eo/local-news/20180625/stanfield-compost-fire.
Compositing activities do emit bioaerosols at levels which can pose a hazard to susceptible
members of the public. Large scale compositing sites release bioaerosols, particles of microbial,
plant or animal origin. They can include live or dead bacteria, fungi, viruses, allergens, bacterial
endotoxins, antigens, toxins, mycotoxin, gluons, pollen, plant fibers, etc. The bioaerosols are
released or produced by the composting process. The microorganism are absorbed onto dust
particles and are transported along with the dust. (BioCycle, November 2007).
• The decrease in our property value. Property values are lowered if a compositing facility can be
seen, heard or smelled from the home. Even if the facility can not be seen, heard or smelled the
increase in traffic from the trucks will decrease our property value and increase potential traffic
accidents in a residential area.
• Increased risk of contamination of surface and groundwater (Leachate) from the facility. The
facility boarders the irrigation canal that is used throughout the valley.
• Increased traffic from large commercial trucks. We currently do not have the infrastructure to
support the 600+ homes under development let alone the additional trucks that this facility will
bring.
We understand the need for a facility such as Timer Creek Recycling, however, it does not belong in a
residential area that is continuing to grow with families. The health of those living in the
neighborhoods close to this facility should be the number one priority for the city. The city of Meridian
may see this facility being on the outskirts of Meridian, however the outskirts of Meridian now are
encroaching into neighboring communities, where many families have chosen to live.
T&M Edgar Kimberly Ion' dgar