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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRex & Marla Young LetterMeridian City Council City of Meridian RE: Proposed Tuscany Lakes Subdivision Dear Mayor and Council Members: June 1, 2002 RECEIVED JUN - 6 002 .tOf Meridian Clerk Office Our name is Rex & Marla Young, 2950 E. Victory Road, Meridian, Idaho. We have lived on our property for over 31 years. To the North of our property, Thousand Springs, Thousand Springs Village, and Woodhaven Subdivisions have been developed. Now we are again considering Tuscany Lakes Subdivision. Our property is located across the road (North) from the proposed subdivision and the exit onto Victory Road is across from our driveway where our mailbox is currently located. We have few objections to the proposed development but are very concerned about the exit from the subdivision onto Victory Road. The proposed exit is across from our East boundary, and when our privacy shrubs are removed sometime in the furore (for widening Victory Road), the vehicle lights of those making a left mm onto Victory Road will flash onto our front windows. (Copies of Photos attached) Vehicles making a right mm, will flash their lights onto the front windows of Jim and Mary Allen who live to the East of us. This will not only be very annoying but also will adversely impact our quality of life. To remedy this problem for us, we are suggesting that the exit road be moved to the West to align with Brandys Jewel which is the exit road from Thousand Springs Subdivision. This recommendation is the same that was submitted over one year ago when this subdivision was considered. Attached is a copy of an ACHD letter dated June 1,2001, addressed to Steve Siddoway addressing that proposal. In their letter they indicate the alignment with Brandys Jewel is acceptable. To improve the safety of that intersection, shaving the top of the hill slightly would greatly improve line of sight and is something that should have been done before the intersection was installed. In ACHD's letter, they say the grade cannot be reduced in that location because of a high pressure gas line that cannot be relocated. In mid April, met with a Intermountain Gas Company Western Region Engineering Department representative and discussed this issue. Their comment was "If ACHD approves road change, then all utilities will adjust utility depths in accordance with approved plans." In the ACHD letter they indicate "In no case would I allow a school crossing at the Thousand Springs access location, it would need to be at the crest of the hill, at the currently proposed intersection or at Eagle." Currently the crest of the hill is about 30-40 feet East of the East sidewalk at Brandys Jewel. If the hill is shaved slightly that would make the crossing at the actual intersection. This same proposal was presented to ACHD at their hearing for Tuscany Lakes in early May. While they were sympathetic to our situation, they believed that the presently proposed location was safer than the alignment with Brandys Jewel; however they did not even consider making improvements by shaving the hill to improve line of sight. We agree, the Brandys Jewel intersection as now constructed is not a safe intersection. At the time it was approved by ACHD, they should have required that the hill to the East be shaved offto improve line of sight and safety of the intersection. Now is a prime opportunity to fix the existing problem. We recommend the following: 1) The North exit from the subdivision be moved to the West and aligned with Brandys Jewel which is the South exit from Thousand Springs Subdivision. 2) The crest of the hill be shaved off to improve line of sight and safety for that intersection. 3) A school crossing be included at that same location. 4) A traffic light be installed to improve safety of school children, other pedestrians, and vehicular traffic at that location. Thanks for your consideration. Meridian, ID 83642 Meridian, ID 83642 Ada County Highway District Judy Peavey-Derr, President Dave Bivens, 1st Vice President Sherry R. Huber, 2nd Vice President Susan S. Eastlake, Commissioner David E, Wynkoop, Commissioner 318 East 37th Street Garden City ID 83714-6499 Phone (208) 387-6100 FAX (208) 387-6391 E-mail: tellus@ACHDadaid.us June 1,2001 Steve Siddoway City of Meridian 660 E. Watertower Lane, Suite 202 Meridian, ID 83642 Re: Tuscany Lakes Subdivision Dear Steve, On April 11,2001, I provided you with a letter stating that the proposed location of Tuscany Way, off of Victory Road, conforms to ACriD policy. I also included in that letter that Joe Rosenlund, an ACHD traffic engineer determined that to be the best location. Kent Brown approached me again with concerns from the Planning & Zoning Commission. Last week I met with Mr. Rosenlund, Mr. Brown, and a resident who lives on the north side of Victory Road who has concerns about vehicle lights shining on to his home. It has come to my attention that a suggestion has been made to re-align Tuscany Way with the main entrance to Thousand Springs Subdivision. According to Mr. Rosenlund, that intersection grade "barely" meets our standards, but that the grade cannot be reduced in that location because of a high pressure gas line that cannot be relocated. Mr. Rosenlund again went out and evaluated the site distance problems that currently exist on Victory Road and offered the following comments: · I would rather have the street intersect Victory where it is presently proposed. · The alignment with the Thousand Springs access is acceptable but marginal. · In no case would I allow a school crossing at the Thousand Spring access location, it would need to be at the crest of the hill, at the currently proposed intersection or at Eagle. · Should the City of Meridian require the applicant to align Tuscany Way with the Thousand Springs entrance, this item will have to be re-heard by the ACriD Commission for review and approval. Should you have any questions or comments, please contact me at 387-6170. If I am not available, please call Joe Rosenlund at 387-6140. Sincerely, Christy Richardson Principal Development Analyst Project file Kent Brown, Briggs Engineering