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Home My WebLink About2019-10-01 Debra Nicholson and Planning Department Conversation1 From: Sent: To: Cc: Subject: From: Debra Nicholson <dsnick@centurylink.net> Sent: Tuesday, October 1, 2019 11:53 AM To: Sonya Allen <sallen@meridiancity.org> Subject: RE: Cherry Blossom H-2109-0064 Yes, please do place our correspondence in the public testimony. I’m trying to be above-board about my concenrs. From: Sonya Allen <sallen@meridiancity.org> Sent: Tuesday, October 1, 2019 11:35 AM To: Debra Nicholson <dsnick@centurylink.net> Subject: RE: Cherry Blossom H-2109-0064 Debra, Thanks for the follow-up in regard to your conversation with Idaho Power. In regard to your question about fencing, prior to the adjacent property being subdivided, you could go ahead and remove or reconstruct your fence on your property line at a maximum height of 6’, including any trellis; additional height is allowed for arbors, arches and/or other architectural appurtenances extending over gates and/or other entryways, not to exceed 5’ in width and/or 8’ in height (gate posts can’t exceed 8’ in height), per UDC 11-3A-7C. However, if you wait to move/reconstruct your fence until after the adjacent property has been subdivided and there is a common area abutting your property it will affect the type of fence you can construct. Fencing abutting common open space lots not entirely visible from a public street is restricted to open vision or semi-private fencing material up to 6’ in height to provide visibility of the area from adjacent homes, or if closed vision material is used, the fence can’t exceed 4’ in height (an additional 2’ of open vision fencing may be provided at the top of the fence). Other fences located within the rear or side yard are required to be setback a minimum of 8’ from the property line; within the rear yard other fences shall not exceed 50% of the property width. If you have any other questions or concerns, please let me know. If you’d like any of our email correspondence entered into the public record for this application let me know. Thanks, Sonya From: Debra Nicholson <dsnick@centurylink.net> Sent: Tuesday, October 1, 2019 10:51 AM 2 To: Sonya Allen <sallen@meridiancity.org> Subject: RE: Cherry Blossom H-2109-0064 Sonya, Was unable to access the City Code from the website yesterday. I did talk to Scott at Idaho Power and he said they have given up their easement and will carry all equipment in by hand and climb the poles (wow is that a big concession to the developer). So, it seems that my objections have been given away. I will not attend the meeting tonight, I would be too emotional. I was in the process of moving my pump off the irrigation ditch, bringing it inside my fenced yard. Now I need to decide if I should remove the fence and gain 10-15 more feet of yard, or add a trellis over the top of the fence. Do you happen to know of any ordinances, codes or other thing that I would be violating if I installed a 28’ tall (same height as the buildings) structure above my fence, upon which I can grow hops or an evergreen vine? This is a serious question. I understand infill projects are difficult, but I do believe the developer’s desire for profit and the City’s desire for more tax money is outweighing the quality of life of the existing neighbors. Thank you for your assistance and professional courteous attitude throughout our communications. Deb Debra S. Nicholson 634 W Washington Meridian, ID 83642 208 830 4762 dsnick@centurylink.net From: Sonya Allen <sallen@meridiancity.org> Sent: Monday, September 30, 2019 1:20 PM To: Debra Nicholson <dsnick@centurylink.net> Cc: Bill Parsons <bparsons@meridiancity.org> Subject: RE: Cherry Blossom H-2109-0064 Hi Debra, I’ve been out of the office the last couple of weeks but wanted to touch base with you on this project. The staff report for the final plat was issued last week and it will be on the City Council agenda tomorrow night, although it is not a public hearing you are welcome to attend if you wish. I’ve attached a copy of the report for your review. Thanks, Sonya From: Debra Nicholson <dsnick@centurylink.net> Sent: Tuesday, September 10, 2019 6:15 PM To: Sonya Allen <sallen@meridiancity.org> Subject: RE: Cherry Blossom H-2109-0064 Sonya, My inquiry is mostly about the power lines. I won’t want a lift truck driving across my lawn! I also think it makes the job more difficult to be reaching over a 6-foot fence, then a-5 foot easement, and then an irrigation ditch of 3-4 feet (taking into consideration the soft edges of the ditch) to reach a pole that is sited 2 feet behind the irrigation ditch. Just weird! I think the access, ability to turn vehicles, and the egress are not shown on the plat and therefore are not clear. Additionally, the fence, according to code that I read is not proper for the site. I plan to stay in my house for the rest of my life, and want the work done right the first time. Thanks for reading my e-mail. Deb 3 From: Sonya Allen < sallen@meridiancity.org > Sent: Tuesday, September 10, 2019 5:44 PM To: dsnick@centurylink.net Cc: Bill Nary < bnary@meridiancity.org >; Chris Johnson < cjohnson@meridiancity.org >; howielong2016@gmail.com Subject: FW: Cherry Blossom H-2109-0064 Hi Debra, I’m so sorry for the late response. I’ve asked the Applicant to request this project is vacated from the agenda tonight in order to research the overhead power line to determine if Idaho Power has an easement and if so, how wide it is and where it’s located. I believe all of your questions are related to the overhead power line (correct me if I’m wrong); if so, I believe your questions should be directed to Idaho Power. Happy to discuss further if you have any additional questions or concerns. Thanks, Sonya From: Debra Nicholson < dsnick@centurylink.net > Sent: Tuesday, September 10, 2019 2:05 PM To: Chris Johnson < cjohnson@meridiancity.org > Cc: howielong2016@gmail.com Subject: Cherry Blossom H-2109-0064 Cherry Blossom H-2109-0064 I am concerned about the easement for utility vehicles and the type of fencing to be used 5 feet from the irrigation ditch in the southern section of Lot 9, Block 2 (Lots 1 through 9). I do not understand how the utility easement will be functional. Developer proposes a 10 easement behind a 6’ tall solid fence that is set back 5’ from the irrigation ditch. With this configuration trucks will be accessing power lines from a horizontal position of over 10’ and raising the lift approximately 15-20.’ I accept that operators and lift vehicles can accomplish this work. How do utility trucks access, maneuver, and exit the utility easement? Is access across the lawn between houses? Will this area accommodate the vehicular weight? Will the layouts and structures allow adequate lift operation? The easement does not appear to be separated from the space of the yards. Is the utility easement actually a section of the “patio” or backyard of the residents? If so, will that require movement of private property (patio chairs, fire pits, barbeques, and so forth) before the vehicles are allowed access? It seems simpler to combine the 5’ setback and 10’ easement into 1 space that could be fenced from the yards of the homeowners. I also thought that any fencing close to an irrigation ditch was required to be an open visibility fence: Please see City Code: ARTICLE A. STANDARD REGULATIONS IN ALL DISTRICTS 4 ….. 11-3A-6: DITCHES, LATERALS, CANALS OR DRAINAGE COURSES: ….. C. Fencing: 1. Fencing along all natural waterways shall not prevent access to the waterway. In limited circumstances and in the interest of public safety, larger open water systems may require fencing as determined by the city council, director and/or public works director. ###### 2. ….. 3. Except as allowed above, all other open irrigation ditches, laterals, canals, and drains shall be fenced with an open vision fence at least six feet (6') in height and having an 11-gauge, two inch (2") mesh or other construction, equivalent in ability to deter access to said ditch, lateral, canal or drain, which fence shall be securely fastened at its base at all places where any part of said lands or areas being subdivided touches either or both sides of said ditch, lateral, canal, or drain. D. Easements: In residential districts, irrigation easements wider than ten feet (10') shall be included in a common lot that is a minimum of twenty feet (20') wide and outside of a fenced area, unless modified by city council at a public hearing with notice to surrounding property owners. ….. 11-3A-7: FENCES: ….. 5. No fence shall obstruct access to public utility boxes, meters or other infrastructure. … City of Meridian 33 E. Broadway Ave., Meridian, Idaho 83642 Phone: 208-888-4433 www.meridiancity.org All e-mail messages sent to or received by City of Meridian e-mail accounts are subject to the Idaho law, in regards to both release and retention, and may be released upon request, unless exempt from disclosure by law.