HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-03-10 Hoo Hash
Charlene Way
From:Chris Johnson
Sent:Wednesday, March 10, 2021 10:43 AM
To:Hoo Hash; Robert Simison
Cc:Charlene Way
Subject:RE: Objection to the application for The Oasis nightclub
Ms. Kynaston,
Also, my apologies for not addressing you correctly. Also, the process for appealing a land use decision can be found in
City Code at 11-5a-7 which can be found at this link.
Chris Johnson, M.Ed., IdCMC
City Clerk | City of Meridian
33 E. Broadway Ave., Meridian, Idaho 83642
Phone: 208.888.4433|Email: cjohnson@meridiancity.org
All e-mail messages sent to or received by City of Meridian e-mail accounts are subject to the Idaho law,
in regards to both release and retention, and may be released upon request, unless exempt from disclosure by law.
From: Hoo Hash <ckinfo@sent.com>
Sent: Wednesday, March 10, 2021 10:26 AM
To: Robert Simison <rsimison@meridiancity.org>
Cc: Chris Johnson <cjohnson@meridiancity.org>
Subject: Re: Objection to the application for The Oasis nightclub
External Sender - Please use caution with links or attachments.
Mayor Simison,
Thank you for your prompt, kind and informative response. How can we participate in the public hearing with the
Planning and Zoning commission? Is there a way to attend in person? Online?
Also, should it be approved, how does the appeals process get started?
Kind Regards,
Cherilyn Kynaston
On Wed, Mar 10, 2021, at 9:54 AM, Robert Simison wrote:
Thank you for your email regarding the proposed Oasis project. I appreciate your views and copied our
City Clerk to have included your comments and my response for the public record.
1
To operate a nightclub, also known as a Drinking Establishment per Meridian City Code, a Conditional
Use Permit (CUP) must first be obtained. An application from the Oasis Nightclub was submitted to our
Planning Department in January 2021. A public hearing before the City of Meridian Planning & Zoning
Commission will be held on Thursday, March 18, 2021 at 6:00pm. Notice of the public hearing will be
sent by postcard by the City to all property owners within 500 feet.
The Planning and Zoning Commission will make the decision on this project unless their ruling is
appealed. If that occurs it would then be heard by the City Council. While I do not have a vote unless
there is a tie, any comments regarding the project should be reserved for that public process.
The City Clerk has the project file available online for review: The Oasis CUP H-2021-0004. Prior to the
public hearing anyone is able to review the application materials at any time as well as submit
testimony. If you have any additional comments you are able to submit testimony in advance in a
number of ways. Please note, all forms of testimony hold the same weight. Written testimony may be
submitted by email to cityclerk@meridiancity.org or by text message by texting “Comment” to 31996.
Video testimony can be recorded in advance and sent by email to cityclerk@meridiancity.org.
Comments can also be left by voicemail. Please call (208) 288-5607 to record your voice testimony. For
additional information associated with this application please contact the City of Meridian Planner
Joseph Dodson at 208-884-5533.
Thank you again for sharing your comments.
Respectfully,
Mayor Robert Simison
City of Meridian
All e-mail messages sent to or received by City of Meridian e-mail accounts are subject to the Idaho law,
in regards to both release and retention, and may be released upon request, unless exempt from disclosure by law.
From: Hoo Hash <ckinfo@sent.com>
Sent: Tuesday, March 09, 2021 3:52 PM
Subject: Objection to the application for The Oasis nightclub
External Sender - Please use caution with links or attachments.
To all Meridian City Council Members, Planning and Zoning Commission, and those to whom it may
concern,
We appreciate all the time, service and contributions made by city planners and leaders over the years
who have made Meridian Idaho one of the most desirable places to live. People are flocking here to enjoy
the environment we have created of a safe, family-oriented, value-oriented community. And yet with the
influx of the masses we are deeply concerned about the eroding of our values, particularly those that the
proposed Oasis Nightclub poses to our community and the ramifications of its proposed location at Eagle
Road and Ustick Road. We have read the application submitted as The Oasis CUP H-2021-0004 and the
Narrative Revised document, and believe it to be in conflict with the values and businesses established in
our community, that the wrong location is being proposed for this type of business due to its requirements
and purpose, and respectfully request those involved in the decision making process to deny the
application, as well as any subsequent requested reviews for establishment of The Oasis at this location.
WHOSE AGENDA IS THIS? IT AFFECTS THOSE WHO ACTUALLY LIVE HERE
2
Having read through the “Narrative Revised”, I find it curious that for such an impassioned personal plea
by someone who claims to have been raised in Idaho and therefore understands the people and feeling this
community has created, the document remains unsigned. Who wrote this document? Brian Tsai? If so, he
is simply the applicant, not the owner, and his address puts him down by the Boise Costco, not in
Meridian. If it is written by the actual owner, Brad Watson, his emotional plea is rather disingenuous
considering he doesn’t live in Meridian or even the state of Idaho, but in Utah. We ask that in
deliberations, the deciding body disregard the emotional context the application is attempting to add to the
discussion as moot, since neither of them, based on the addresses they have on file, can claim an
emotional attachment to the proposed location greater than those who are CURRENTLY raising their
families here at this location. As two other commenters noted: “We don’t like the idea of out-of-towners
dictating what happens in our community” and “we appreciate the tranquil space of the area” our children
are currently growing up in and seek to keep the way of life we have worked so hard to establish and
maintain. Another citizen made the comment that “this could change Meridian” – it absolutely could, with
a very negative impact if allowed to be established at this proposed location.
REAL AND CURRENT COMMUNITY CONNECTION
My husband’s family and many of my own relatives are multi-generational natives of Eagle and
Meridian, and we are very concerned about the future of Meridian as we have lived in our current home
within a half mile of the proposed location of the Oasis Nightclub for the past 13 years, raising our 4
children here since our oldest child was 3 years old. To propose this type of establishment at this location
is a deeply personal attack on our way of life, making us feel unsafe in many ways. This location is
HIGHLY residential, and the interests of the invested community members who have established their
lives and families here should take top priority.
CALL IT WHAT IT IS…A ‘NIGHTCLUB’
I am a musician of 20+ years. I have performed in venues, on the radio, and in television broadcasts
throughout my performing career. Even I know that this proposed establishment is NOT for local
performing artists. For Brian Tsai or Brad Watson, or whoever wrote the revised narrative, to assert that
removing the word “Nightclub” from advertisements can change anything about the reality of this
establishment being a nightclub is to try to use semantics to redefine reality. This IS a “Nightclub” and
offering community outreach propositions is an attempt to turn our attention from the fact that he has to
deal with drunks leaving his establishment, needs security to tend the entire premises and parking lot, has
to have his patrons enter through a metal detector, warn patrons that his lasers can “cause permanent
blindness and burns on exposed skin and clothing even with momentary exposure”, and has to have a
policy on unwanted sexual advancements. Let’s be clear, it is a ‘Nightclub’ with every accurate negative
connotation and stigma that goes with it. We can even use his own words from his website: “Idaho’s only
world class nightclub.” To try and sugar coat it with any other words is an obvious attempt to get it
approved under the guise of it being community friendly and therefore more palatable.
IT IS ABOUT LOCATION, NOT THE COMMUNITY:
We can understand their interest in this property located at Eagle Road and Ustick. Financially it is a very
highly sought after location, seeing as it is on the busiest street in the entire state of Idaho
(https://tinyurl.com/zy63a6f6), and only 1 mile from the busiest intersection in the entire state
(https://tinyurl.com/5cpds58s). There is considerable traffic constantly driving past this intersection which
has only increased with the massive amounts of people moving into the area. This location was chosen
not for love, compassion or concern for the residents who live here, but because, as we all know, it’s all
about ‘location, location, location’.
TRAFFIC:
It is extremely irresponsible and disingenuous to pretend that the traffic created by a nightclub which
holds 1000 people will not be felt by everyone living and working in an already highly congested area of
town. By their own admission on their website, their traffic begins to ramp up at 5pm, when people get
off work – this is what they have designed it for and are counting on. It is a ridiculous for him to make
this statement: “there will be no issues with congestion”. All cars, including ride sharing, add to the
congestion on our roads. There will be considerably more traffic on the roads if ride shares are utilized to
bring and return patrons to their homes. In fact, the traffic doubles from this proposal as the car is not
3
parked at the establishment but comes to the establishment twice. It will be like going to the airport, lots
of cars in/lots of cars out. Lots of cars waiting in the parking lot, filling it up, and cars waiting on Ustick
Road to get into the parking lot as the Nightclub deals with gridlock in their parking lot. It is their PLAN
to leave cars on Ustick Road while they deal with parking lot gridlock! They are already aware that the
parking lot is inadequate, as at max capacity over 90% of their patrons will have no available parking
space.
FACTS FROM REAL STUDIES NEEDED:
It is unbelievable that a traffic impact study is not required or requested for this application, particularly
when one of our cities greatest and growing problems is traffic congestion. Every effort should be made
to mitigate the traffic on Eagle Road and at this intersection which is only 1 mile from the busiest
intersection in the state. We already deal with considerable traffic congestion on Ustick at this
intersection. He even admits that his “statistical analysis” jargon means nothing and that his
understanding of parking and traffic are outside his scope. As such, any analysis he provides on traffic
and parking should be disregarded. We are in agreement with the information submitted by John Hastings
and Mike and Malissa Bernard on the fallacy of the traffic impact proposal made by the applicant. Please
see their notes as a representation of our own thoughts on the subject.
https://weblink.meridiancity.org/WebLink/DocView.aspx?id=223245&dbid=0&repo=MeridianCity and
https://weblink.meridiancity.org/WebLink/DocView.aspx?id=223572&dbid=0&repo=MeridianCity
CURRENT AND REAL PROBLEMS WE ARE DEALING WITH:
We are already dealing with selfish individuals using Locust Grove Road between Ustick and McMillan
as a drag-racing street in the middle of the night, disturbing our peace and sleep. Both my husband and I
had to get custom made earplugs last year just so we could sleep through it. If the Oasis is allowed to
build their venue on the proposed intersection, this problem will intensify, being made worse by
inebriated drivers putting our lives and property at greater and greater risk. On Mother’s Day several
years ago, a drunk driver sped down Leighfield Road, between the 3 schools located there, and crashed
into a large power box, cutting off power to our entire neighborhood and burning the tree located next to
the box. We are already experiencing these issues and urge you to help us keep the Oasis Nightclub out of
our neighborhoods.
PARKING:
Not only is traffic a massive problem with this proposal, so is their parking proposal. After being filled
with employees parking each of their cars (not carpooling) for all the businesses in the Wadsworth Group
complex, the remaining available parking space is grossly inadequate to accommodate 1,000 people for
this single business, and certainly not for the patrons of the other business in the complex. The math does
not add up, and to assume a 40% ride share rate is worse than wishful thinking – it is a direct attack on the
people who live in this community. If allowed to proceed into reality the brunt of the burden would be
borne by of all the adjacent residential neighborhoods and businesses. It is ridiculous to pretend there will
be an average carpool rate of 5 people per car. This is asinine mathematical gymnastics where clearly the
concern by the applicant and owner for our community is non-existent. Particularly when their proposed
traffic flow includes routing traffic THROUGH our neighborhoods! The overflow parking is guaranteed
to spill into our neighborhoods and it is the residents who will have to deal with the loitering patrons who
have been removed from the nightclub/bar that has closed and the noise they make as they talk
boisterously loud at their vehicles, shut car doors and drive away. This is in addition to the trash, the
nightly threat of vandalism, and the nightly threat of damage to our vehicles and property by inebriated
individuals, even as late as 2am. Who wants to live under those conditions? The application narrative uses
the Knitting Factory as an example that a parking lot isn’t even required as their patrons “park several
blocks away and walk on foot”. Where does he think they are going to park? There is no existing parking
garage within walking distance of his establishment, and the “blocks” they will go park in are OUR
neighborhood streets! He claims the parking situation for the Knitting Factory is “mitigated by their
location”. That is absolutely correct. They are located in downtown Boise, where the city of Boise has
accounted for parking space in parking garages and dedicated parking lots as is appropriate for a large
city’s industrial center, and nowhere near residential homes – therefore, there is no reason to compare
these two locations as they are nothing alike.
4
Meridian has a history of not having adequate parking spaces for businesses that have a set time for their
patrons to converge upon the establishment. We feel this every time we take our children to Danik
Gymnastics or to Heroes Park for soccer practice and games – there is nowhere to park, waiting traffic
sits out on the roads, and other businesses parking lots are being trespassed upon. This poor city planning
needs to be improved in all future development proposals, including The Oasis, to not create more of
these problems all over our city. There are considerably more people living, working and playing in the
Meridian area now, and the ratio of 1 parking space per 250 square feet is outdated and needs an urgent
fix. The applicant’s comparing the needs of a nightclub parking lot to the needs of a shopping center is
not a comparison of apples to apples. A nightclub and any event, day or night, brings the majority of their
traffic at the exact same time. Very rarely, if ever, would a shopping center have the majority of its
patrons desiring to come at an exact arrival or departure time, which is why it works for them to have
fewer parking stalls. The city needs an updated set of requirements for businesses that have patrons
coming and going at the exact same time, particularly because there are so many more people living here,
frequenting these establishments. With the spike in our population size, please consider correlating
parking lot requirements with population size, in addition to square footage of the establishment to make
our city function smoothly, and deny The Oasis their application to add to the problem at this intersection.
We are in agreement with the information submitted by John Hastings and Brian and Malissa Bernard on
the fallacy of the parking proposal made by the applicant. Again, please see their notes as a representation
of our own thoughts on the subject.
REAL ESTATE PROPERTY VALUE:
Again, the applicant shows how out of touch he is with the reality of our community when he makes the
assertion that the influx of revenue generated by his Nightclub will have a direct correlation with rise in
real estate property value on neighboring properties. This is absurd. There will be a real drop in property
value to the properties located in the vicinity of this nightclub – including our own – doing exactly the
opposite of what he is saying. It only takes a simple look into Las Vegas to see that establishments like
this bring the slums to the adjoining properties and push out the middle class. We have never felt that
there was, or ever would be, a reason coming from our community to consider moving away from the
home and city we have built our lives around. Yet since hearing of this proposed nightclub being placed
in such close proximity to our home, we feel threatened and have had our first “should we move”
discussions. That is how threatening it is to us to have this nightclub in such close proximity to our home.
PROPER LOCATION:
It is not the right fit to have the Oasis Nightclub on Eagle Road at Ustick Road as it is mostly a residential
section of town. It is not like downtown Boise where entire mile blocks are made up entirely of
businesses. A night club belongs in that environment, not in such a highly residential area, where families
are raising young children. It should be placed near the freeway, in an industrial complex, and near hotels
if it is really intended for out of state performing companies and musicians. Out of state musicians travel
in caravans of semi-trucks and large mobile living quarters. All of this should be accommodated for when
considering a location for an entertainment venue. Eagle Road and Ustick is not the adequate locale. The
city can bring in just as much revenue, arguably more, by placing it in an appropriate location that can
best meet the needs of everyone involved – the Meridian City residents, nightclub owner, patrons,
musicians, traveling entertainment, hotels, etc. Some have argued that “Meridian is lacking a venue like
this”. Technically we don’t need it – we are ideally situated between performing arts venues that surround
us in Boise and in Caldwell already. If Meridian residents really feel that one is needed in Meridian,
putting it in an industrial complex near to the freeway would allow Meridian residents the luxury of not
having to travel into downtown Boise or to Caldwell, again being a win-win for all involved.
FAULTY LOGIC ON ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY INTEREST:
Faulty logic is being used to assume that a venue which holds 1,000 patrons and has aprox 100 parking
spaces will merit the interest of the “big players in the music and arts industry”, if the Morrison Center
and its 10 story stage house and appropriate parking and seating for 2,000+ patrons, does not. If the
presence of the Morrison Center or the Nampa Civic Center cannot “capture the attention of major artists
and acts”, then they will certainly continue to bypass the valley entirely “due to the lack of venue
selection” regardless of an additional nightclub in Meridian. It is fanciful rhetoric to state that such a
venue will “serve as a pillar for arts and entertainment in Meridian and the entire Treasure Valley.”
5
NOT THE RIGHT FIT/LOCATION:
The proposed Oasis Nightclub is also not the right fit in its attempts to position itself next to VillaSports,
which is a business for minors, families, and after-school programs. By his own admission, this project is
“the only one of its kind” and “the Treasure Valley has never seen anything like this before”. These two
business models are nothing alike - they are actually in direct opposition of purpose to each other. Trying
to compare The Oasis nightclub with VillaSports as a “social club at night” is a ridiculous attempt to use
semantics to rewrite reality, showing the cognitive dissonance he has with the community we have built
in Meridian. We need to protect the integrity of our community, and we must protect our children from
this kind of business. Not only is VillaSports, a family-oriented business, located in the same
development, but there are 7 different schools all located within 1 mile of this intersection. What kind of
message is being sent to those of you who serve us if you purposefully allow our children to be placed in
harm’s way, physically, emotionally and mentally, by allowing this establishment to set its roots here and
bring with it its un-family friendly clientele, traffic, and particularly drunk traffic to this area. A nightclub
will not improve safety for our children, the quality of our schools, nor our community at large. The Oasis
Nightclub does not fit the surrounding business models, and this location is not a smart addition to our
community. If they removed all aspects of it being a nightclub (no laser lights, no late hours, no dress
standards that put women as objects and men as their consumers, not a venue for 1,000 people) and really
was for “performances and rehearsals with local dance companies, educational programs, and even
adoption programs through companies like Meridian Canine Rescue, corporate events, trade shows, art
exhibits, and many other purposes” then it would be positioning it business model with the other
businesses in the area – yet it would still have all the same traffic and parking issues discussed above and
still be the wrong location for this business.
DISINGENUOUS AGENDA
It is really strange to read in the submitted narrative about his involvement as part of the law enforcement
at the border in Arizona, where he admits that “one of the most impactful and highest enforcement
priorities DUE TO VOLUME, was impaired driver DUI enforcement”. That “one of the hardest things to
do is remembering your face is seared into the memory of the loved ones lost as you told them their
father, mother, brother or sister was never coming home again because they were killed by a drunk driver.
BUT WITH ALL OF THIS I QUICKLY REALIZED THAT ALCOHOL IS NOT AN EVIL THING.
ALCOHOL IS MERELY A PRODUCT, AND HUMANS ARE THE FACTORS THAT CREATED
THE OUTCOME.” This backward logic, of making alcohol the victim (poor alcohol, you’re so
misunderstood) as though it is unconnected to the humans impaired by the very substance, is astounding
and clearly shows he has no care or concern for our community members. He has twice attempted in his
narrative to cancel the actual meaning, accurate stigmas, and connotations associated with the words
“alcohol” and “nightclub”. I hope we all care enough about truth to see through this cheaply woven
narrative.
It is obvious, even by his own admission, that he is getting his arguments, information and advice from
other night club owners in different states who are assisting him to overcome logistic and factual
objections, painting it in a rosy light and sneaking it in, as Melissa Bernard voiced in her contribution to
the conversation. This must have worked in other states, but I hope we can use greater wisdom than this.
In contrast to his submission that there is “minimal concerns by the neighborhood”, there IS considerable
opposition to this proposed nightclub plan. We are in a chat group with every house in our neighborhood,
and not one of them is happy about this idea. Indeed, almost all who responded have expressed outrage at
the idea that this would be brought so close to our homes and neighborhood. This is a place where our
children ride their bikes to the stores nearby in the summertime, and where we have to continually drive
by it in our daily life’s events. We want nothing more than to maintain the atmosphere we have carefully
crafted over the years. There is a reason we like it here, just as there is a reason that families are fleeing
their states to coming here and enjoy this same environment. Don’t let our city become like the cities they
have fled.
By making the comment that after analyzing the situation the commission may see there is “minimal, if
any” negative impact goes to show how out of touch he is with our community. And again, we add our
6
voice to the complaints offered by other concerned citizens and business owners, particularly the facts and
opinions submitted by Mike and Malissa Bernard and Jon Hastings.
Cherilyn Kynaston
COMMUNITY OBJECTION:
Here are the actual comments made by those in our neighborhood:
“Hi guys, we just passed the bare land property across from Kohls and noticed a sign saying what is going
to be built there with this website: https://theoasismeridian.com. This is a nightclub, and it is going in
right next to us. How do we fight this?”
“Saw this a few days ago, it seems like 100% the wrong location and definitely the opposite of the values
Meridian was built on.”
“Oasis opens this summer ?Dress code-men have to wear button up shirts and slack. No tennis shoes or
shorts. Women can be in beach attire. ? This is an extremely weird location and will most likely
increase DUI’s on Eagle Road among other things. Cover to get in is 5$ for females and 15$ for males.
Open till 2am. Not excited about this club at Allllllllll!!!”
“How did this slip by us?”
“I think somebody knew all the right hoops to jump through, including keeping it out of the media. Seems
wrong and very sneaky.”
“Who's ready to picket? Seriously considering putting up a big NO OASIS sign”
“I wonder what avenues we have to oppose at this point.”
“Crazy that Costco had to revise their plans due to public voice... and this never had to even be aired. We
did send a letter to the Mayor and City Council, just to voice our opposition and disappointment. I figure
if nothing else, at least we can do that.”
“I just think it's a completely sexist business plan and I can't stand things like that (among other things
about this place). It's so weird. ‘Hey, I'll meet you at that new nightclub!’ ‘Where is it?’ ‘You know,
across from Kohls, down the street from the residential area, and on the busiest street in
Idaho.’ ???”
7
“We emailed the city council and got messages back from many of them with the same message. They are
NOT approved yet. Seems like there is still time, and already has much opposition so hopefully won't
happen.”
“Ugh. 10,000 sq ft!”
“Worst idea ever. I still can't believe it. Moving to the mountains sounds nice.”
8
Charlene Way
From:Chris Johnson
Sent:Wednesday, March 10, 2021 10:37 AM
To:Hoo Hash; Robert Simison
Cc:Charlene Way
Subject:RE: Objection to the application for The Oasis nightclub
Mr. Hash,
The meeting will be open to the public at City Hall, as well as via Zoom. You can attend either way. Once the agenda is
published on Monday, the link to the meeting will be available. The agenda also covers the basics of the meeting format,
and how participation from the public occurs.
The agenda will be available no later than 6:00pm Tuesday, March 16 at this link.
Please feel free to contact my office with any questions you have regarding the public hearing process.
Chris Johnson, M.Ed., IdCMC
City Clerk | City of Meridian
33 E. Broadway Ave., Meridian, Idaho 83642
Phone: 208.888.4433|Email: cjohnson@meridiancity.org
All e-mail messages sent to or received by City of Meridian e-mail accounts are subject to the Idaho law,
in regards to both release and retention, and may be released upon request, unless exempt from disclosure by law.
From: Hoo Hash <ckinfo@sent.com>
Sent: Wednesday, March 10, 2021 10:26 AM
To: Robert Simison <rsimison@meridiancity.org>
Cc: Chris Johnson <cjohnson@meridiancity.org>
Subject: Re: Objection to the application for The Oasis nightclub
External Sender - Please use caution with links or attachments.
Mayor Simison,
Thank you for your prompt, kind and informative response. How can we participate in the public hearing with the
Planning and Zoning commission? Is there a way to attend in person? Online?
Also, should it be approved, how does the appeals process get started?
Kind Regards,
Cherilyn Kynaston
1
On Wed, Mar 10, 2021, at 9:54 AM, Robert Simison wrote:
Thank you for your email regarding the proposed Oasis project. I appreciate your views and copied our
City Clerk to have included your comments and my response for the public record.
To operate a nightclub, also known as a Drinking Establishment per Meridian City Code, a Conditional
Use Permit (CUP) must first be obtained. An application from the Oasis Nightclub was submitted to our
Planning Department in January 2021. A public hearing before the City of Meridian Planning & Zoning
Commission will be held on Thursday, March 18, 2021 at 6:00pm. Notice of the public hearing will be
sent by postcard by the City to all property owners within 500 feet.
The Planning and Zoning Commission will make the decision on this project unless their ruling is
appealed. If that occurs it would then be heard by the City Council. While I do not have a vote unless
there is a tie, any comments regarding the project should be reserved for that public process.
The City Clerk has the project file available online for review: The Oasis CUP H-2021-0004. Prior to the
public hearing anyone is able to review the application materials at any time as well as submit
testimony. If you have any additional comments you are able to submit testimony in advance in a
number of ways. Please note, all forms of testimony hold the same weight. Written testimony may be
submitted by email to cityclerk@meridiancity.org or by text message by texting “Comment” to 31996.
Video testimony can be recorded in advance and sent by email to cityclerk@meridiancity.org.
Comments can also be left by voicemail. Please call (208) 288-5607 to record your voice testimony. For
additional information associated with this application please contact the City of Meridian Planner
Joseph Dodson at 208-884-5533.
Thank you again for sharing your comments.
Respectfully,
Mayor Robert Simison
City of Meridian
All e-mail messages sent to or received by City of Meridian e-mail accounts are subject to the Idaho law,
in regards to both release and retention, and may be released upon request, unless exempt from disclosure by law.
From: Hoo Hash <ckinfo@sent.com>
Sent: Tuesday, March 09, 2021 3:52 PM
Subject: Objection to the application for The Oasis nightclub
External Sender - Please use caution with links or attachments.
To all Meridian City Council Members, Planning and Zoning Commission, and those to whom it may
concern,
We appreciate all the time, service and contributions made by city planners and leaders over the years
who have made Meridian Idaho one of the most desirable places to live. People are flocking here to enjoy
the environment we have created of a safe, family-oriented, value-oriented community. And yet with the
influx of the masses we are deeply concerned about the eroding of our values, particularly those that the
proposed Oasis Nightclub poses to our community and the ramifications of its proposed location at Eagle
Road and Ustick Road. We have read the application submitted as The Oasis CUP H-2021-0004 and the
Narrative Revised document, and believe it to be in conflict with the values and businesses established in
2
our community, that the wrong location is being proposed for this type of business due to its requirements
and purpose, and respectfully request those involved in the decision making process to deny the
application, as well as any subsequent requested reviews for establishment of The Oasis at this location.
WHOSE AGENDA IS THIS? IT AFFECTS THOSE WHO ACTUALLY LIVE HERE
Having read through the “Narrative Revised”, I find it curious that for such an impassioned personal plea
by someone who claims to have been raised in Idaho and therefore understands the people and feeling this
community has created, the document remains unsigned. Who wrote this document? Brian Tsai? If so, he
is simply the applicant, not the owner, and his address puts him down by the Boise Costco, not in
Meridian. If it is written by the actual owner, Brad Watson, his emotional plea is rather disingenuous
considering he doesn’t live in Meridian or even the state of Idaho, but in Utah. We ask that in
deliberations, the deciding body disregard the emotional context the application is attempting to add to the
discussion as moot, since neither of them, based on the addresses they have on file, can claim an
emotional attachment to the proposed location greater than those who are CURRENTLY raising their
families here at this location. As two other commenters noted: “We don’t like the idea of out-of-towners
dictating what happens in our community” and “we appreciate the tranquil space of the area” our children
are currently growing up in and seek to keep the way of life we have worked so hard to establish and
maintain. Another citizen made the comment that “this could change Meridian” – it absolutely could, with
a very negative impact if allowed to be established at this proposed location.
REAL AND CURRENT COMMUNITY CONNECTION
My husband’s family and many of my own relatives are multi-generational natives of Eagle and
Meridian, and we are very concerned about the future of Meridian as we have lived in our current home
within a half mile of the proposed location of the Oasis Nightclub for the past 13 years, raising our 4
children here since our oldest child was 3 years old. To propose this type of establishment at this location
is a deeply personal attack on our way of life, making us feel unsafe in many ways. This location is
HIGHLY residential, and the interests of the invested community members who have established their
lives and families here should take top priority.
CALL IT WHAT IT IS…A ‘NIGHTCLUB’
I am a musician of 20+ years. I have performed in venues, on the radio, and in television broadcasts
throughout my performing career. Even I know that this proposed establishment is NOT for local
performing artists. For Brian Tsai or Brad Watson, or whoever wrote the revised narrative, to assert that
removing the word “Nightclub” from advertisements can change anything about the reality of this
establishment being a nightclub is to try to use semantics to redefine reality. This IS a “Nightclub” and
offering community outreach propositions is an attempt to turn our attention from the fact that he has to
deal with drunks leaving his establishment, needs security to tend the entire premises and parking lot, has
to have his patrons enter through a metal detector, warn patrons that his lasers can “cause permanent
blindness and burns on exposed skin and clothing even with momentary exposure”, and has to have a
policy on unwanted sexual advancements. Let’s be clear, it is a ‘Nightclub’ with every accurate negative
connotation and stigma that goes with it. We can even use his own words from his website: “Idaho’s only
world class nightclub.” To try and sugar coat it with any other words is an obvious attempt to get it
approved under the guise of it being community friendly and therefore more palatable.
IT IS ABOUT LOCATION, NOT THE COMMUNITY:
We can understand their interest in this property located at Eagle Road and Ustick. Financially it is a very
highly sought after location, seeing as it is on the busiest street in the entire state of Idaho
(https://tinyurl.com/zy63a6f6), and only 1 mile from the busiest intersection in the entire state
(https://tinyurl.com/5cpds58s). There is considerable traffic constantly driving past this intersection which
has only increased with the massive amounts of people moving into the area. This location was chosen
not for love, compassion or concern for the residents who live here, but because, as we all know, it’s all
about ‘location, location, location’.
TRAFFIC:
It is extremely irresponsible and disingenuous to pretend that the traffic created by a nightclub which
holds 1000 people will not be felt by everyone living and working in an already highly congested area of
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town. By their own admission on their website, their traffic begins to ramp up at 5pm, when people get
off work – this is what they have designed it for and are counting on. It is a ridiculous for him to make
this statement: “there will be no issues with congestion”. All cars, including ride sharing, add to the
congestion on our roads. There will be considerably more traffic on the roads if ride shares are utilized to
bring and return patrons to their homes. In fact, the traffic doubles from this proposal as the car is not
parked at the establishment but comes to the establishment twice. It will be like going to the airport, lots
of cars in/lots of cars out. Lots of cars waiting in the parking lot, filling it up, and cars waiting on Ustick
Road to get into the parking lot as the Nightclub deals with gridlock in their parking lot. It is their PLAN
to leave cars on Ustick Road while they deal with parking lot gridlock! They are already aware that the
parking lot is inadequate, as at max capacity over 90% of their patrons will have no available parking
space.
FACTS FROM REAL STUDIES NEEDED:
It is unbelievable that a traffic impact study is not required or requested for this application, particularly
when one of our cities greatest and growing problems is traffic congestion. Every effort should be made
to mitigate the traffic on Eagle Road and at this intersection which is only 1 mile from the busiest
intersection in the state. We already deal with considerable traffic congestion on Ustick at this
intersection. He even admits that his “statistical analysis” jargon means nothing and that his
understanding of parking and traffic are outside his scope. As such, any analysis he provides on traffic
and parking should be disregarded. We are in agreement with the information submitted by John Hastings
and Mike and Malissa Bernard on the fallacy of the traffic impact proposal made by the applicant. Please
see their notes as a representation of our own thoughts on the subject.
https://weblink.meridiancity.org/WebLink/DocView.aspx?id=223245&dbid=0&repo=MeridianCity and
https://weblink.meridiancity.org/WebLink/DocView.aspx?id=223572&dbid=0&repo=MeridianCity
CURRENT AND REAL PROBLEMS WE ARE DEALING WITH:
We are already dealing with selfish individuals using Locust Grove Road between Ustick and McMillan
as a drag-racing street in the middle of the night, disturbing our peace and sleep. Both my husband and I
had to get custom made earplugs last year just so we could sleep through it. If the Oasis is allowed to
build their venue on the proposed intersection, this problem will intensify, being made worse by
inebriated drivers putting our lives and property at greater and greater risk. On Mother’s Day several
years ago, a drunk driver sped down Leighfield Road, between the 3 schools located there, and crashed
into a large power box, cutting off power to our entire neighborhood and burning the tree located next to
the box. We are already experiencing these issues and urge you to help us keep the Oasis Nightclub out of
our neighborhoods.
PARKING:
Not only is traffic a massive problem with this proposal, so is their parking proposal. After being filled
with employees parking each of their cars (not carpooling) for all the businesses in the Wadsworth Group
complex, the remaining available parking space is grossly inadequate to accommodate 1,000 people for
this single business, and certainly not for the patrons of the other business in the complex. The math does
not add up, and to assume a 40% ride share rate is worse than wishful thinking – it is a direct attack on the
people who live in this community. If allowed to proceed into reality the brunt of the burden would be
borne by of all the adjacent residential neighborhoods and businesses. It is ridiculous to pretend there will
be an average carpool rate of 5 people per car. This is asinine mathematical gymnastics where clearly the
concern by the applicant and owner for our community is non-existent. Particularly when their proposed
traffic flow includes routing traffic THROUGH our neighborhoods! The overflow parking is guaranteed
to spill into our neighborhoods and it is the residents who will have to deal with the loitering patrons who
have been removed from the nightclub/bar that has closed and the noise they make as they talk
boisterously loud at their vehicles, shut car doors and drive away. This is in addition to the trash, the
nightly threat of vandalism, and the nightly threat of damage to our vehicles and property by inebriated
individuals, even as late as 2am. Who wants to live under those conditions? The application narrative uses
the Knitting Factory as an example that a parking lot isn’t even required as their patrons “park several
blocks away and walk on foot”. Where does he think they are going to park? There is no existing parking
garage within walking distance of his establishment, and the “blocks” they will go park in are OUR
neighborhood streets! He claims the parking situation for the Knitting Factory is “mitigated by their
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location”. That is absolutely correct. They are located in downtown Boise, where the city of Boise has
accounted for parking space in parking garages and dedicated parking lots as is appropriate for a large
city’s industrial center, and nowhere near residential homes – therefore, there is no reason to compare
these two locations as they are nothing alike.
Meridian has a history of not having adequate parking spaces for businesses that have a set time for their
patrons to converge upon the establishment. We feel this every time we take our children to Danik
Gymnastics or to Heroes Park for soccer practice and games – there is nowhere to park, waiting traffic
sits out on the roads, and other businesses parking lots are being trespassed upon. This poor city planning
needs to be improved in all future development proposals, including The Oasis, to not create more of
these problems all over our city. There are considerably more people living, working and playing in the
Meridian area now, and the ratio of 1 parking space per 250 square feet is outdated and needs an urgent
fix. The applicant’s comparing the needs of a nightclub parking lot to the needs of a shopping center is
not a comparison of apples to apples. A nightclub and any event, day or night, brings the majority of their
traffic at the exact same time. Very rarely, if ever, would a shopping center have the majority of its
patrons desiring to come at an exact arrival or departure time, which is why it works for them to have
fewer parking stalls. The city needs an updated set of requirements for businesses that have patrons
coming and going at the exact same time, particularly because there are so many more people living here,
frequenting these establishments. With the spike in our population size, please consider correlating
parking lot requirements with population size, in addition to square footage of the establishment to make
our city function smoothly, and deny The Oasis their application to add to the problem at this intersection.
We are in agreement with the information submitted by John Hastings and Brian and Malissa Bernard on
the fallacy of the parking proposal made by the applicant. Again, please see their notes as a representation
of our own thoughts on the subject.
REAL ESTATE PROPERTY VALUE:
Again, the applicant shows how out of touch he is with the reality of our community when he makes the
assertion that the influx of revenue generated by his Nightclub will have a direct correlation with rise in
real estate property value on neighboring properties. This is absurd. There will be a real drop in property
value to the properties located in the vicinity of this nightclub – including our own – doing exactly the
opposite of what he is saying. It only takes a simple look into Las Vegas to see that establishments like
this bring the slums to the adjoining properties and push out the middle class. We have never felt that
there was, or ever would be, a reason coming from our community to consider moving away from the
home and city we have built our lives around. Yet since hearing of this proposed nightclub being placed
in such close proximity to our home, we feel threatened and have had our first “should we move”
discussions. That is how threatening it is to us to have this nightclub in such close proximity to our home.
PROPER LOCATION:
It is not the right fit to have the Oasis Nightclub on Eagle Road at Ustick Road as it is mostly a residential
section of town. It is not like downtown Boise where entire mile blocks are made up entirely of
businesses. A night club belongs in that environment, not in such a highly residential area, where families
are raising young children. It should be placed near the freeway, in an industrial complex, and near hotels
if it is really intended for out of state performing companies and musicians. Out of state musicians travel
in caravans of semi-trucks and large mobile living quarters. All of this should be accommodated for when
considering a location for an entertainment venue. Eagle Road and Ustick is not the adequate locale. The
city can bring in just as much revenue, arguably more, by placing it in an appropriate location that can
best meet the needs of everyone involved – the Meridian City residents, nightclub owner, patrons,
musicians, traveling entertainment, hotels, etc. Some have argued that “Meridian is lacking a venue like
this”. Technically we don’t need it – we are ideally situated between performing arts venues that surround
us in Boise and in Caldwell already. If Meridian residents really feel that one is needed in Meridian,
putting it in an industrial complex near to the freeway would allow Meridian residents the luxury of not
having to travel into downtown Boise or to Caldwell, again being a win-win for all involved.
FAULTY LOGIC ON ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY INTEREST:
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Faulty logic is being used to assume that a venue which holds 1,000 patrons and has aprox 100 parking
spaces will merit the interest of the “big players in the music and arts industry”, if the Morrison Center
and its 10 story stage house and appropriate parking and seating for 2,000+ patrons, does not. If the
presence of the Morrison Center or the Nampa Civic Center cannot “capture the attention of major artists
and acts”, then they will certainly continue to bypass the valley entirely “due to the lack of venue
selection” regardless of an additional nightclub in Meridian. It is fanciful rhetoric to state that such a
venue will “serve as a pillar for arts and entertainment in Meridian and the entire Treasure Valley.”
NOT THE RIGHT FIT/LOCATION:
The proposed Oasis Nightclub is also not the right fit in its attempts to position itself next to VillaSports,
which is a business for minors, families, and after-school programs. By his own admission, this project is
“the only one of its kind” and “the Treasure Valley has never seen anything like this before”. These two
business models are nothing alike - they are actually in direct opposition of purpose to each other. Trying
to compare The Oasis nightclub with VillaSports as a “social club at night” is a ridiculous attempt to use
semantics to rewrite reality, showing the cognitive dissonance he has with the community we have built
in Meridian. We need to protect the integrity of our community, and we must protect our children from
this kind of business. Not only is VillaSports, a family-oriented business, located in the same
development, but there are 7 different schools all located within 1 mile of this intersection. What kind of
message is being sent to those of you who serve us if you purposefully allow our children to be placed in
harm’s way, physically, emotionally and mentally, by allowing this establishment to set its roots here and
bring with it its un-family friendly clientele, traffic, and particularly drunk traffic to this area. A nightclub
will not improve safety for our children, the quality of our schools, nor our community at large. The Oasis
Nightclub does not fit the surrounding business models, and this location is not a smart addition to our
community. If they removed all aspects of it being a nightclub (no laser lights, no late hours, no dress
standards that put women as objects and men as their consumers, not a venue for 1,000 people) and really
was for “performances and rehearsals with local dance companies, educational programs, and even
adoption programs through companies like Meridian Canine Rescue, corporate events, trade shows, art
exhibits, and many other purposes” then it would be positioning it business model with the other
businesses in the area – yet it would still have all the same traffic and parking issues discussed above and
still be the wrong location for this business.
DISINGENUOUS AGENDA
It is really strange to read in the submitted narrative about his involvement as part of the law enforcement
at the border in Arizona, where he admits that “one of the most impactful and highest enforcement
priorities DUE TO VOLUME, was impaired driver DUI enforcement”. That “one of the hardest things to
do is remembering your face is seared into the memory of the loved ones lost as you told them their
father, mother, brother or sister was never coming home again because they were killed by a drunk driver.
BUT WITH ALL OF THIS I QUICKLY REALIZED THAT ALCOHOL IS NOT AN EVIL THING.
ALCOHOL IS MERELY A PRODUCT, AND HUMANS ARE THE FACTORS THAT CREATED
THE OUTCOME.” This backward logic, of making alcohol the victim (poor alcohol, you’re so
misunderstood) as though it is unconnected to the humans impaired by the very substance, is astounding
and clearly shows he has no care or concern for our community members. He has twice attempted in his
narrative to cancel the actual meaning, accurate stigmas, and connotations associated with the words
“alcohol” and “nightclub”. I hope we all care enough about truth to see through this cheaply woven
narrative.
It is obvious, even by his own admission, that he is getting his arguments, information and advice from
other night club owners in different states who are assisting him to overcome logistic and factual
objections, painting it in a rosy light and sneaking it in, as Melissa Bernard voiced in her contribution to
the conversation. This must have worked in other states, but I hope we can use greater wisdom than this.
In contrast to his submission that there is “minimal concerns by the neighborhood”, there IS considerable
opposition to this proposed nightclub plan. We are in a chat group with every house in our neighborhood,
and not one of them is happy about this idea. Indeed, almost all who responded have expressed outrage at
the idea that this would be brought so close to our homes and neighborhood. This is a place where our
children ride their bikes to the stores nearby in the summertime, and where we have to continually drive
by it in our daily life’s events. We want nothing more than to maintain the atmosphere we have carefully
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crafted over the years. There is a reason we like it here, just as there is a reason that families are fleeing
their states to coming here and enjoy this same environment. Don’t let our city become like the cities they
have fled.
By making the comment that after analyzing the situation the commission may see there is “minimal, if
any” negative impact goes to show how out of touch he is with our community. And again, we add our
voice to the complaints offered by other concerned citizens and business owners, particularly the facts and
opinions submitted by Mike and Malissa Bernard and Jon Hastings.
Cherilyn Kynaston
COMMUNITY OBJECTION:
Here are the actual comments made by those in our neighborhood:
“Hi guys, we just passed the bare land property across from Kohls and noticed a sign saying what is going
to be built there with this website: https://theoasismeridian.com. This is a nightclub, and it is going in
right next to us. How do we fight this?”
“Saw this a few days ago, it seems like 100% the wrong location and definitely the opposite of the values
Meridian was built on.”
“Oasis opens this summer ?Dress code-men have to wear button up shirts and slack. No tennis shoes or
shorts. Women can be in beach attire. ? This is an extremely weird location and will most likely
increase DUI’s on Eagle Road among other things. Cover to get in is 5$ for females and 15$ for males.
Open till 2am. Not excited about this club at Allllllllll!!!”
“How did this slip by us?”
“I think somebody knew all the right hoops to jump through, including keeping it out of the media. Seems
wrong and very sneaky.”
“Who's ready to picket? Seriously considering putting up a big NO OASIS sign”
“I wonder what avenues we have to oppose at this point.”
“Crazy that Costco had to revise their plans due to public voice... and this never had to even be aired. We
did send a letter to the Mayor and City Council, just to voice our opposition and disappointment. I figure
if nothing else, at least we can do that.”
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“I just think it's a completely sexist business plan and I can't stand things like that (among other things
about this place). It's so weird. ‘Hey, I'll meet you at that new nightclub!’ ‘Where is it?’ ‘You know,
across from Kohls, down the street from the residential area, and on the busiest street in
Idaho.’ ???”
“We emailed the city council and got messages back from many of them with the same message. They are
NOT approved yet. Seems like there is still time, and already has much opposition so hopefully won't
happen.”
“Ugh. 10,000 sq ft!”
“Worst idea ever. I still can't believe it. Moving to the mountains sounds nice.”
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