Letter from Paul & Gayle PoormaVolterra Subdivision Comments
Paul & Gayle Poorman November 9, 2005
5230 N. Black Cat Rd.
Meridian, ID 83642
We are requesting that the Meridian City Council deny file numbers PP-05-039 and/or PP-
OS-040 for the following reasons.
1. The 2002 Comprehensive Plan designates the 72 acres abutting Black Cat Rd. to be
"Low Density Residential". At that time "Low Density Residential" was defined as
2 or fewer lots per acre. Volterra subdivision proposes 2.81ots/acre in this portion,
and thus violates the Comprehensive Plan.
2. 144 Lots in the "Medium Density" zone of Volterra will be smaller than 1/8 acre.
Medium Density is defined as a maximum of $ lots per acre. This high lot density
violates the Plan.
3. The 2002 Comprehensive Plan states that development priority should be given to
"particular areas of Meridian city that are under-used". Vacant lands closer to the
urban core should be filled in before huge tracts of open land are opened up for
development.
4. Section I of the Required Findings from Zoning Ordinance states that the proposed
change in zoning will not create excessive traffic. The existing road system is
already at rush hour capacity, and this development, combined with others in the
vicinity will increase accidents, lengthen commutes, and worsen noise and pollution.
S. Section E of the Required Findings from Zoning Ordinance states that the proposed
change in zoning will not change the essential character of the area. Our area is
mostly agricultural land with fewer than 100 people in the entire section. We have a
clear view to the horizon, to Bogus Basin, and to Squaw Butte. Traffic noise .is
minimal. How can Volterra's 700 homes, 10,000 vehicle trips per day, and 2800
people in less than half a square mile not change the essential character?
6. Section F of the Required Findings from Zoning Ordinance states that the proposed
change in zoning will not be disturbing to the existing neighbors. I'm here to
represent existing neighbors who say it will be disturbing to us. The required fences
are not being put into place and our mountain views will be replaced by rooftops.
Our nighttime views of the stars will be blotted out with street lights and solitude
will be replaced with the constant roar of traffic.
7. The Comprehensive Plan, chapter VII, Goal I, Objective D, action 8 states that new
subdivisions that abut to existing low-density land uses must provide a landscaping
buffer or fence along this border. Volterra must provide this border to keep
construction trash, objectionable animals, and trespassers contained.
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8. Volterra must respect the water rights of all users of the Scrivner lateral and at no
time cut off water flow through the lateral. The lateral flows north from McMillan
road, 1/a mile west of Ten Mile Road.
9. The drain ditch that abuts the southern border of the applicant's land drains water
from Black Cat Estates and the property to the south of the proposed Volterra
subdivision. This ditch cannot be tiled over because that would prevent drain water
from flowing into it. It also collects silt and must be dredged out every spring to
prevent flooding of adjacent properties. Volterra needs to recognize this and take
responsibility for maintaining the ability ofthis ditch to properly function, as it is on
their property.
1 O.The Comprehensive Plan designates a future school to be located north of the
proposed subdivision. But Meridian School district has not purchased land for a
school yet. The elementary schools in the area are already over capacity. Volterra
has no provision for accommodating the thousands of additional students that it will
bring in.
11.The 2002 Comprehensive Plan stipulates that feeder roads be provided at %2 mile
intervals between existing roads. Volterra has not provided anorth-south thru road
between Ten Mile and Black Cat Roads. Nor is it obvious how the connection
mile north of McMillan will be provided for as it is on the north boundary of
applicant's proposal.
12.McMillan Road bisects the proposed subdivision for'/a mile west of Ten Mile Rd.
This stretch needs to provide a usable bicycle lane, which is not obvious from the
plans submitted.
13.In the unlikely event that the property between Black Cat Estates and Volterra North
is opened up for development, there needs to be at least one more stub-out street to
provide future access. This will not only facilitate development of said property, but
also allow access to possible development of properties currently within Black Cat
Estates.
14. Contrary to the Planning staff s recommendations, many infrastructure
improvements will be financed by property tax increases to existing landowners.
The Comprehensive Plan states that developers must pay for upgrades to fire
protection, sewer, water, trash service, schools, gas, and roads that their actions
cause. Yet, there is no policy in place to collect impact fees. Meridian City Council
should place a moratorium on new subdivisions until the 20061egislature has a
chance to review and implement a plan for assessing impact fees so that existing
property owners are not forced to bear the brunt of development with higher
property taxes.