HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-11-07 Bernhard Bahro & Carolyn SauerRECEIVED
NOV - l 2019
CITY OF MERIDIAN
To the Honorable Tammy de Weerd, Mayor, MAYORS OFFICE 11/03/2019
To the Members of the Meridian City Council, and
To the Meridian Planning and Zoning Commission:
This Letter states concerns and issues regarding Delano Planned Subdivision
currently scheduled for the Mayor and City Council on November 12, 2019.
Dear Honorable Mayor de Weerd and the members of the Meridian City Council,
In September our Alpine Ponte sub division was invited to meet with DevCo to
discuss our issues and concerns regarding their plan. This was in response to a
suggestion from the City of Meridian. The information provided to us was exactly
the same as in previous meetings, there was no consideration to work out an
alternative or modify their plan based on our concerns. The two primary issues we
are concerned with 1) reduced density of the planned subdivision and 2) that the
developer pay for several traffic calming measures due to the increased traffic. We
asking that the Meridian City Council and Mayor deny the Delano Planned
Subdivision as proposed.
We have followed the City of Meridian's process and protocol for public input. This
effort has lasted months and has resulted in no change from the original plan. Our
entire neighborhood has participated by attending meetings and writing letters. To
date our concerns have not been addressed. No one is suggesting that the
subdivision not be constructed we fully recognize the need for housing. We are
suggesting that a reduced housing density might be prudent for a number of
reasons. Alpine Pointe is already seeing an extensive increase in cut -through traffic
and speeding. STOP signs and cross walks need to be installed at most intersections.
CHILDERN PLAYING signs need to be installed by the pool and two play areas for
public safety. Additionally, we have concerns about increased property crime and
traffic related incidents. All the data available from the City of Meridian Police
Department crime reports, Ada County Sheriff's Office, Ada County Highway District
and any number of websites all indicate the same increasing trends. The trend is
also represented by the alarming number of reports now appearing on the Nextdoor
App for our area. The Delano proposed plan would forever change Alpine Pointe as
presented. We are suggesting rezoning increasing the open space requirements,
R4 along the area bordering Alpine Pointe and transiting to R8 toward the Brickyard
Apartments. Below is just one example, the actual graph can be view on the
website.
Year Over Year Crime In Meridian (Per 100,000 People)
Determining whether Meridian, ID is growing less or more safe for
inhabitants is most easily done by comparing yearly crime rates. Graphs - like
the one above - show crimes by crime type per 100,000 residents. They are
displayed by crime types of violent, property, and total, in order to give a
better overview of yearly crime rates. Meridian, ID has increased by 40% in
violent crimes. At the same time, property crime has increased by 30% year
over year. Total crimes for Meridian, ID has increased by 31% in the same
time frame. Reference: areavibes.com website
We have attended most every meeting, and we watched the YouTube recording of
the meeting we missed. We have provided verbal input and written testimony in
support of the public process. At each opportunity we provided an alternative
approach to mitigate the impact of the Delano Proposal to Alpine Pointe.
Delano has remained resistive to any modifications to their plan. Furthermore,
there has been no explanation to why from either the developer or the City of
Meridian.
As the remaining parcels become available for sale the strategy for development set
forth by Delano sets a dangerous president. Developers will be allowed to continue
to create heavy traffic patterns in residential areas without any responsibility for
the consequences to the public. Alpine Pointe will take the brunt of the cut through
traffic as it is funneled through narrow roads that are winding, have no crosswalks
and few stop signs in order to access McMillian, Locust Grove, and North Eagle
Roads.
My wife and I live on East Lacewood Drive. Almost every house has an RV bay, RV
parking, or both. When backing our vehicles onto our property, there is often a line
of cars waiting for the road to be cleared. This adds an amount of additional stress
and increases the risk of accidents and property damage as impatient and often
distracted divers try to pass or get around individuals backing onto their property.
Unfortunately, subdivisions do not have gridded street designs; therefore, there are
blind corners and other hazards that pose a risk to cars and pedestrians.
Sincerely,
Bernhard Bahro & Carolyn Sauer
2584 E Lacewood Dr
Meridian, ID 83646
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