HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-12-16 David Turnbull Brighton Corp.BRIGHTON
CORPORATION
December 16, 2019
Mayor Tammy de Weerd & Meridian City Council 1
Meridian City Hall
Dear Mayor Tammy & Council Members,
I recently became aware of a proposal to add Future Land Use Action Item 3.07.01 F to the draft
comprehensive plan (The Plan). That addition requires one -acre lot transitions for residential
development contiguous to existing 5 -acre rural estate residential properties when not separated by
a roadway or linear open -space.
The vision of The Plan focuses, appropriately, on guiding the City's future as it evolves from an
"edge community into a complete city" within its Area of City Impact (AOCI). While The Plan
"reaffirms a desire to preserve Meridian's character, " it clearly anticipates a future as an urban
community, transitioning from the rural fringe within the AOCI.
The "Residential Land Uses" reference on page 3-9 of The Plan has a stated purpose "to provide
for a variety of housing types and densities varying from large estate or semi -rural lots to multi-
family homes. " But the first residential land -use designation of the FLUM—Low Density
Residential (page 3 -10) --defines large/estate lots as having densities of three dwellings or less per
acre. The current plan's LDR land -use "cut sheet" cites compatible zones of R-2 (minimum 12, 000
sf lot) and R-4 (minimum 8,000 sf. lot). In fact, R-2 zoning is the lowest density option in the
UDC, implying that a 12,000 s.f., or larger, lot may be considered "large estate or semi -rural. "
One final issue: on page 1-4 of the draft, it states, "The Plan is not a set of standards or a means to
enforce City Code. Instead, it indicates, in a general way, how the community should develop. " I
contend that proposed Action Item 3.07.01 F is, in fact, a zoning -specific standard and not a general
guide. There are ways to transition between the urban growth of the city and County -approved five -
acre parcels without the mandated one -acre solution.
Plus, when the five -acre parcels within the AOCI redevelop to urban densities in the future, as they
surely will, what reciprocal transition will the City require of that land owner as a buffer to the
abutting one -acre lot owners?
Therefore, I ask the Council to delete Future Land Use Action Item 3.07.01 F prior to adoption of
The Plan. Allow the development community the opportunity to propose the buffer transitions
appropriate to the site -specifics of the project knowing that each will eventually be reviewed by
the Planning & Zoning Commission and Council during the entitlement's process.
Respe tfully,
David W. Turnbull
2929 West Navigator Drive Suite 400
www.brightoncorp.com p.208-378-4000