HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-12-16 Elizabeth Strader1
Charlene Way
From:Elizabeth Strader <strader.elizabeth@gmail.com>
Sent:Monday, December 16, 2019 10:26 AM
To:Tammy de Weerd; Joe Borton; Anne Little Roberts; Ty Palmer; Treg Bernt; Genesis
Milam; Luke Cavener; Meridian City Clerk; Robert Simison; Jessica Perreault; Brad
Hoaglun
Subject:Re: Comprehensive Plan - Additional Comments
Hi all (re-sending, I am not sure that the group e-mail I had is working)
It seems like we are very close, but I am concerned that the timing around the end of the year could result in the City
approving the comprehensive plan when it is not quite ready. My overall comment is that it's more important for us to
get this right than to push it through by the end of the year.
Clearly there are concerns by residents that still need to be addressed, the density bonus language does seem like a
giveaway without more context, if we move away from sample zoning beefing up more language with what the intent is
in terms of general outcomes for each type of density, the transition language needs to be beefed up so a pathway or
tiny road doesn't cut it on transitions.. etc.
You all know by now I am very straightforward, if this does push to next year, I'll be exploring the following topics and
even if it's approved this probably gives you a sense of where I'm coming from as one of the six folks next year:
-Planning staff resourcing seems important, love to have that on the agenda soon, regardless of plan approval vs. non-
approval
-I'd like to consider sections of the plan one by one, and make sure we are designating each section of Meridian for
individual consideration. It sounded like this is possible and already planned for certain areas, to me makes sense to do
for the whole city in sections if that's not already the plan.
-I still see the merit in an ultra low density / rural designation, and an environmental designation to align with our
environmental plan on certain areas
-Another approach could be asking landowners to reach out if they have interest in voluntarily creating an agricultural
district for areas of a certain size around the outskirts of Meridian which would involve entering a voluntary, long term
renewable conservation easement with the city or asking surrounding landowners who could be annexed in to an
agricultural district. I am working with some organizations on ideas for this.
-Will either ask planning staff to clarify their plan of work in terms of the orde r and process they recommend and ensure
the public knows that open space is very early in the list, or consider an interim open space requirement. Specific to
apartments I believe we need a higher requirement and that unless an apartment building is next to a public park or
truly meeting the definition of affordable housing I'm looking for a minimum of 15% open space.
If the plan is passed, there are additional approaches to address the above concerns later, but it's much easier to take
some of these on now.. as an incoming councilwoman I am not loving the idea of living with a plan that I still believe
needs work. There might be enough time to address these now, which would be fantastic. If that is not possible, and
you do approve it, I will still respect the plan but will be looking to find ways to meet residents' concerns in other ways
(standards, code etc.).
Thanks for all that you do, I do believe that the plan is overall positive and heading in the right direction, but it seems
very important to take the appropriate time here at the final stages. I'm on my cell at 917-841-2160.
Thank you,
2
Liz Strader
On Mon, Nov 18, 2019 at 1:58 PM Elizabeth Strader <strader.elizabeth@gmail.com > wrote:
Madam Mayor, Members of City Council, cc'ing the City Clerk:
Please see the attached letter I put together for you with some feedback on our new comprehensive plan.
I have been wrestling with commenting on the plan given the timing at the end of the year and taking office
next year. I decided to provide this to you now, because of the critical timing of plan adoption likely to happen
by the end of the year, and I know that you are looking for feedback as you move forward. Ultimately this is
feedback from just one of many residents, and I hope many of my fellow residents will reach out to do the
same! Hopefully it helps to have some additional input from an engaged citizen who has interacted with a
number of residents recently as you deliberate.
I have confidence that you will take your time in making this important decision and moving the process
forward, and that you will consider appropriate enhancements to the plan. Certainly some of these thoughts
and suggestions can happen during the implementation phase and could continue into the work next year. I
look forward to the refinement and adoption of the plan, and I also look forward to the hard work ahead with
the council of implementing the plan, updating our development code, particularly of our opportunities to
streamline and improve our development application process, helping our new Mayor realize his exciting
plans for the City and to continue the important work that was already underway!
Thank you for the hard work you are doing and will do in connection with this plan.
Warm regards,
Liz