HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-12-16 Kaila Housley1
Charlene Way
From:Josha Iverson
Sent:Monday, December 16, 2019 3:32 PM
To:kailahousley@gmail.com
Cc:Anne Little Roberts; Treg Bernt; Joe Borton; Luke Cavener; Genesis Milam; Ty Palmer;
mayortammy; Chris Johnson; Charlene Way
Subject:RE: New submission from Request for Mayor and Council
Kaila,
Thank you for your email, it has been received by the Mayor’s Office. We appreciate you taking time to share your
thoughts and comments with us.
Because this project is part of an open application, our City Council members are prohibited from commenting outside
the public hearing. We take public feedback seriously and want you to know that we have received your email and have
read your comments.
Your email has been forwarded to our City Clerk and will be included in the public record. We invite you to check the
City’s website, meridiancity.org, for additional information regarding the development.
Thank you again for contacting up with your concerns,
Josha Iverson| Administrative Assistant
City of Meridian | Mayor’s Office
33 E. Broadway Ave., Meridian, Idaho 83642
Phone: (208) 489-0529 |Fax: (208) 884-8119
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From: Formspree Team <submissions@formspree.io>
Sent: Monday, December 16, 2019 12:50 PM
To: mayortammy <mayortammy@meridiancity.org>
Cc: Anne Little Roberts <alittleroberts@meridiancity.org>; Treg Bernt <tbernt@meridiancity.org>; Joe Borton
<jborton@meridiancity.org>; Luke Cavener <lcavener@meridiancity.org>; Genesis Milam <gmilam@meridiancity.org>;
Ty Palmer <typalmer@meridiancity.org>
Subject: New submission from Request for Mayor and Council
External Sender - Please use caution with links or attachments.
NEW FORM SUBMISSION
2
Hey there,
Someone just submitted your form on meridiancity.org/council/request. Here's what they
had to say:
Request for Mayor and Council:
Name:
Kaila Housley
_replyto:
kailahousley@gmail.com
Street Address:
5295 S. Wayland Ave.
City:
Meridian
State:
ID
Zip Code:
83642
Subject:
New Comprehensive Plan
Message:
Dear members of City Council and Staff,
As residents of Stetson Estates in South/West Meridian, we appreciate that Staff has listened to
our concerns and has proposed a new policy to help with transitions from our rural estate
properties to new residential developments. Proposed policy 3.7.1F states, “Provide a minimum
one-acre lot when proposing residential development adjacent to existing rural estate residential
properties that are 5-acres and where transitional buffers such as roadways and linear open
space do not exist.”
Clearly define transitional and open space requirements in policy 3.7.1F
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Since this policy is specifically made to protect our 5 and 10 acre rural estate properties, we
would like to see it do just that by adding clarification so it cannot be worked-around or abused
by developers who will most likely not be in favor of this policy. We envision developers placing a
tiny strip of linear open space or a collector road as their buffer and calling that sufficient for a
transition. A collector road is absolutely NOT a proper transition. The amount of linear open
space needs to be clearly defined. At a minimum, we would like at least a 50-60 foot wide berm
planted with evergreen trees for any linear open space adjacent to existing rural properties.
Retain Ultra-Low/Rural Designation in New FLUM & Comp Plan
While we appreciate the thought behind the proposed policy, it is not enough. We still strongly
feel an ultra-low/rural designation is absolutely necessary in order to protect our rural heritage
and our agricultural practices. The fact that this is no longer being considered due to the amount
of time it would take to make changes at this point is extremely disappointing to residents of
Stetson and Rock Ranch Estates, as well as so many Meridian residents who explicitly supported
preserving our rural heritage and increasing open space. We encourage you to reconsider
updating the proposed FLUM and Comprehensive Plan to include an ultra-low designation that
complies with the resounding plea of Meridian residents.
Rural Properties Should be Bordered Strictly by Low Density Designations
The definition of Low Density Residential in the proposed Comp Plan states that Low Density
Residential “....areas often transition between existing rural and urban properties.” According to
this definition, our rural estate properties should be bordered NOT by Medium Density
Residential, but by LOW DENSITY to serve as a transition between our rural properties and urban
Medium Density developments. Therefore, the proposed medium density adjacent to both
Stetson and Rock Ranch Estates is an inappropriate transition in any form, even with the
proposed action of requiring either 1 acre lots, or roadways and linear open space. If an ultra-
low/rural designation is not going to be considered, then absolutely any property adjacent to
these rural estate properties should be designated LOW at a minimum to comply with the
definition.
Remove Density Bonuses for Low Density Developments
This definition of Low Density also states, “Density bonuses may be considered with the provision
of additional public amenities such as a park, school, or land dedicated for public services.”
Adding a density bonus is absolutely inappropriate for Low Density as it already has such a broad
range of technically 0-3.4 houses per acre and is in such a huge contrast to any rural property.
Bonuses should absolutely NOT be given to developers by increasing that density no matter what
is added. We ask that the “Density bonus” sentence be removed.
Develop a Specific Area Plan for South/West Meridian
Our area of South/West Meridian has a distinct rural identity composed of families who love
small agricultural practices and wide open spaces. This area deserves special attention to
preserve the beauty and rural identity of the existing neighborhoods. We ask that the area of
South/West Meridian on the FLUM be reserved in order to spend the necessary time to
develop a well thought out Specific Area Plan that includes special transitional requirements and
to ensure that, as stated in Action 2.2.2F, “...new development within existing residential
neighborhoods is cohesive and complementary in design and construction.”
Priority Action Items
In conclusion, the following are areas we believe need to take priority to preserve the Meridian
that we all love:
Clearly define transitional and open space requirements in policy 3.7.1F and include minimum
50-60 ft berm with evergreens.
Retain Ultra-Low/Rural designation in proposed FLUM & Comp Plan to protect Meridian’s rural
heritage and agricultural practices.
Rural properties should be bordered strictly by Low Density designations
Remove density bonuses for all Low Density developments
Develop a Specific Area Plan for South/West Meridian
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We appreciate your time and thoughtful consideration to our proposed changes and look
forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely, Kaila Housley
Submitted 07:50 PM - 16 December 2019. Mark as spam
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