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Home My WebLink AboutLetter from Stevenson's RECEIVED ì-;',' / ,,- :j Honorable Mayor and City Council City of Meridian 33 E. Idaho Ave Meridian, 10 83642 crrv OF MERIDIAN ""'IT-V CI I=Pvnr:!=!CF '--, -" ,,- ,---_.' ... '..-" , ",-' --. November 6, 2005 Subject: Irvine Subdivision; Hearing date: November 15, 2005 Our family has lived in Meridian for the past 46 years and have been involved in production agriculture for most of this time from childhood, and now as adults with our own children. Over the past 15 years we have spent a great deal of resources developing a supreme flock of show sheep. The genetic potential of our flock of ewes and rams has developed to the level where our flock can be highly competitive at livestock shows both locally and regionally. We have a substantial investment in sheep and have concerns about the challenges of having a concentration of new neighbors that are likely to conflict with our current farming practices. We simply have no intention of curbing this activity at this time. Our specific agricultural concerns includes: 1. The threat of dogs-I have already caught one dog from another nearby subdivision (1/4 mile away chasing ewes during breeding season. Our dogs have always barked to alert us of visitors or warn off other dogs. With the sudden growth, we have sleepless nights, having to frequently get up in the middle of night to check on the sheep and what is causing the disturbance with our dogs. The proposed Irvine Subdivision will only magnify this problem. , 2. Noise during feeding & lambing seasons - The constant bawling of sheep especially during lambing season is sure to annoy the nearby neighbors and increases the risk of retaliation from annoyed neighbors. 3. Curious trespassing neighbors- Children are likely to climb on fence to look over and get closer to sheep, especially when there are little Iambs. A six foot fence can cause a challenge and hazard for kids throwing or kicking items over the fence for an excuse to get closer to Iambs. 4. Smell- The accumulation of sheep manure can at times create odor that new residents may find offensive. The most common winds from the West and South are sure to blow these odors in the direction of the proposed subdivision and cause complaints. Other concerns regarding the proposed subdivision: 1. Loss of access to wireless broadband - Anticipated height and alignment of proposed development is likely to obstruct our wireless reception. There are no other options available for high speed broadband to our property. High speed internet is a necessity for my line of work and I work out of my house. I have attached a site survey from our internet service provider confirming that special conditions and relocation of antennae would be necessary if they build two story homes in the proposed locations. There suggested option is not an acceptable option. 2. Loss of access to irrigation- Current plans do not include providing our property access to irrigation. Same developer was to provide access to irrigation from Silverleaf subdivision but failed to follow through. 3. Loss of view of mountains- This has always been valued as a quality of life, being able to enjoy the entire mountain range from the North to the West. The density and building heights of this proposed subdivision is positioned to block "all" of our views of the mountains. 4. Loss of privacy - With anticipation of 2 story homes surrounding our property, our privacy will be replaced with neighbors watching over all of our outside activities. 5. Increased risk of_property and or personal injury- There are currently two older trees that border north property line and proposed development. Heavy windstorms occasionally break off branches and limbs during heavy windstorms that can easily be picked up and removed without causing any damage to the existing farm ground, but this will not be the case when this property turns residential It is difficult for me to justify trimming or removal of these trees at our expense to benefit the new development. 6. Constant disturbance- The density of this subdivision will definitely replace the current peaceful environment with heavy equipment, hammers, saws, loud music at all hours of the day and even into the night. We have already witnessed this from other developments that are even farther away. 7. Quality and size of lots- Great concern about scaling down the size of lots and the quality of construction concerns us that this development will attract a high percentage of rentals rather than actual homeowner occupants. I am concerned about the security of our property and exposure to crime often associated with increased density of dwelling units and lower income residents. Steve Glasgow, Centennial Development, a partner with Dyver Development for the Silverleaf Subdivision assured me that the 38.5 acre parcel would not have access the Silverleaf Subdivision lift station due to capacity limits and therefore we would be safe from further development until the sewer line from the Black Cat was made available. In checking with the Meridian Comprehensive planning department, I was also lead to believe that the 38.5 acres proposed site along with our property would have to wait for sewer access to the Black Cat trunk, which would also involve sewer and water services being extended down Ten Mile Road allowing access to public utilities in front of our property. This was a key factor in our decision to sell the property, which is now the Silverleaf Subdivision. The Irvine development plan is to access sewer and water services from the Silverleaf Subdivision, which will alter the current comprehensive plan and restrict any reasonable access to public utilities from our property. Not only does this include sewer and water, but other utilities such as telephone, cable, natural gas will also access the proposed development through Silverleaf Subdivision rather than extending service to the end of Ten Mile Rd. In projecting future development of properties across the street, (west side of Ten Mile) if there is no sewer and water services available from the Ten Mile Rd, they will be encouraged to gain access from the south and west directions, leaving our property without any reasonable access to these public utilities. Kevin Amar is the developer for both Silverleaf Subdivision and the Irvine Subdivision. I plead with the city council to deny approval for this proposed development as presented at this time or at least delay a decision until developer can work out reasonable and acceptable alternative solutions. I would also like to see this sent back to Planning and Zoning to re-evaluate these property issues and the effect that this proposed plan will have on our property as well as the comprehensive master plan. Respectfully, Jerry and Sandy Stevenson 6040 N. Ten Mile Rd. Meridian, ID 83642 888-2754 home 869-3681 cell ~ =1 r.. 1110 ~ 8al j ~Ii' ø. ~'I ~ ;jgi ø . g¡ ~ri 2!! bE fà i- "" "i ø. ~~ f ~ - (', P 21 !¡¡~§i 'I~ i I I! a !I! àf ~~"i;1 ~ i II I, i"" ¡ £ I i pdiii!¡ .1: I II !I~i I, I Ii I ~ d II 11111 : ,,~ ,"' 51"! II~i i ; ',¡311 I I , f a 8 g ¡¡.!~ "I' 8 '¡§ni i ~, & 1 ~ 'i~ ~ §;"g ~I I ~ ¡ I.IIIILI' W .1. . , ....1.., I ¡ ,: :! 1:1 h~ ¡ ~ ~ ; ¡ ~ Ji~ ¡i ~!!r ,b~' -- '" I I I ~ 'I , , ; ;Ihl~' '!i¡¡~ I I'li ~ I I I I ~! "I d-" i. 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