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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBrittany Watson1 Chris Johnson From:C.Jay Coles Sent:Monday, October 01, 2018 8:27 AM To:Chris Johnson Subject:FW: Build Owyhee High School From: Brittany Watson [ mailto:brittwatson4911@gmail.com ] Sent: Saturday, September 29, 2018 4:45 PM To: C.Jay Coles < cjcoles@meridiancity.org >; Exline Eric < exline.eric@westada.org > Subject: Build Owyhee High School To whom it may concern: It has come to my attention that Meridian Planning and Zoning Committee feels that although the site chosen for the new Owyhee High School will be a good site for a high school in the future, it is not a good site now. Thus they have recommended that the Meridian City Council should deny it's annexation and therefore the ability to proceed on schedule at this time due to the "rural" nature of it's location. When making your decision on this matter there are several things I feel it is important for you to keep in mind: 1) This is a need that was considered and approved by VOTERS of this community in March. The same voters you are here to serve. The site and cost were both included in the information available to voters. 2) The need for this high school has been more than established and demonstrated by West Ada as they recognize the effects of over crowded schools on their current and future students. This problem is not going to get better, it's only going to get worse. 3) Mayor Tammy voiced recognition of the need for a new high school and support of this particular high school's bond (again with site, cost and need information available) in her state of the city address this year. 4) Eagle High School was built without development around it. It has be en a success regardless. Some might say that they chose a leap frog type development action in choosing to build it, however, I choose to view it as choice of logic. West Ada had to serve the residence of Star and Eagle. In choosing a more rural location they were able to effectively do this. There is now development all around that school and the success of it's location continues. The site for Owyhee High makes sense in this same fashion. It is logically located to serve the students that need served currently and in the future. 5) There are housing developments currently within one mile from this location. ONE MILE. The amount of time for development to reach the Owyhee site could quite possibly be before it opens in two years. 6) Ball Ventures Ahlquist and Brighton, Corp have voiced significant plans for development of a major medical complex at highway 16 and Chinden, again less than a mile from the new high school site. See https://www.ktvb.com/article/news/local/medical-campus-senior-living-planned-for-new-ada-county- development/277-597931464 if you are unfamiliar with this. Development is coming to this area. If you have doubts about that listen to Tommy Ahlquist's comments in the above link. Although it is not there yet, it already coming and the timing for Owyhee High couldn't be better. 7) I understand there are concerns about emergency access to the school based on the notes from the Meridian Planning and Zoning Committee's meeting. I am hopeful that by October 2nd West Ada will have 2 addressed some of those concerns. I feel the concerns are, although valid, addressable in a way that doesn't hinder the progression of this project. It is worth it to the youth of Meridian to put in the effort to resolve these issues, rather than rejecting the project. Your job is to serve the community of meridian and it's residents. Being proactive rather than reactive is a much better way to serve our community. This community has made it clear that this is an important matter to them. By denying West Ada's proposal you are ignoring your voters, the community members you are said to serve. Please be part of the solution and not an obstacle to the success of this project, and ultimately the success of the students of Meridian and all those of the West Ada School District. Sincerely, Brittany Watson 1 Chris Johnson From:C.Jay Coles Sent:Monday, October 08, 2018 1:39 PM To:Chris Johnson Subject:FW: Emails regarding the Owyhee School -----Original Message----- From: Anne Little Roberts Sent: Monday, October 8, 2018 1:38 PM To: brittwatson4911@gmail.com Cc: C.Jay Coles < cjcoles@meridiancity.org > Subject: Emails regarding the Owyhee School Hello Brittney, I apologize for someone not getting back with you. It is recommended that during a hearing, direct communications are limited to the hearing process so that all Council members can be involved. Your communication to us is extremely important to the council and we do read and consider each and every email that our citizens send. There is normally a response email from staff explaining why council members may not be responding to an email during the hearing process. Again, my apologies for you not receiving that email. Thank you for taking the time to reach out to the Council and to follow up regarding your emails. Best regards, Anne Little Roberts Meridian City Council Sent from my iPad