HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-03-14 Mike Lange and Stephanie Lange
Charlene Way
From:Mike Lange <mikeglange@gmail.com>
Sent:Sunday, March 14, 2021 6:17 PM
To:City Clerk
Cc:Alan Tiefenbach
Subject:Feedback on Proposed Skybreak Subdivision
Attachments:Skybreak Feedback - March 18 2020.pdf
External Sender - Please use caution with links or attachments.
March 14, 2021
Dear Meridian Council,
I am writing to share concerns with the proposed Skybreak subdivision as being presented to the Meridian Planning and
Zoning on March 18, 2021. I appreciate the opportunity to share my concerns and ensure that they are considered in
the process. At this point we have had several meetings with the developer, and they have unfortunately been non-
productive, yielding almost no changes requested by the Vantage Pointe homeowners. My home is 3690 E Vantage
Pointe Lane, and we are the second lot in the neighborhood, with a rear property boundary shared with the proposed
development.
It is exciting to see Meridian growing and frequently listed as one of the top places to live, and I recognize the
development of the land behind my home is inevitable. I want to stress that my position is not resistant to that growth
– we are in fact excited for some of the things that growth will bring with it, but we do want to ensure that it happens in
a way that blends and enhances the surrounding developments.
I have several concerns with the submitted plan for Skybreak, and I will detail my most specific concerns below:
Very poor transition between Skybreak and Vantage Pointe. Vantage Pointe is a small (16 home) development
of estate style homes on acre+ lots, with home sizes in the 4,000-5,000 sq. ft. range. The proposed plan is asking
for R15 density immediate behind Vantage Pointe, using only a roadway as a buffer for the first two Vantage
Pointe properties. We would like to see a much more intentional transition with appropriately sized lots and
homes (no less than a 2:1 ratio) and see the neighborhood transition more gradually to the higher densities.
(Currently the plan calls for less than half the Vantage Point homes to be bordered by ½ acre lots, even though
the developer calls this out as a concession) While we would prefer to have the half acre lots extend to cover the
entire border with Vantage Pointe. At a minimum we would want to see the planned park extended the length
of the Vantage Pointe lots to create a reasonable buffer.
Much higher than surrounding density: While they are building large view lots on the rim, the developer is
planning a much smaller product in the center of the gated area (the portion they are requesting R15 to
support). This is a far more compact footprint than the surrounding neighborhood has. The scale of homes
between Vantage Pointe and this section of Skybreak would be dramatic – with only a road separating
them. We would ask that zoning for this adjoining property (particularly the eastern 40 acres directly behind
Vantage Point) not be allowed to exceed R8 zoning, regardless of developer assurances that this is only to allow
them to have a gated section.
Unnecessary gated section with private roads. We cannot comprehend the necessity of a gated section and
feel this is more a tactic to drive both densities up (through the request for R15 as a requirement for a gated
community) and to avoid costs of developing infrastructure like sidewalks, etc. by having private roads. In
addition to the high proposed density, the lack of sidewalks makes this section feel even more compact, the
neighborhood less attractive, providing residents fewer outdoor options, and making on-street parking even
more cramped.
1
Road layout: the current plan calls for “T” intersections in the exact center of the backyards of the first two lots
in Vantage Pointe. This means not only would our only buffer be pavement, but also that we would have
headlights coming directly into the back of our homes and yards, where bedrooms, family rooms, etc. are
situated. We are also concerned with the streetlamps that are normally placed at intersections, and the
considerable direct light pollution that would create into the back of our homes and living spaces. The
developer proposed concrete barriers to block light, and while this may be somewhat effective against direct
light, there will still be significant indirect light, and these will be an unattractive element along the property
boundary. This is another reason why we see it as necessary to border our neighborhood with either larger lots
or a much more expansive park as a buffer.
Open Space: Skybreak feels very limited on open space and amenities compared to many of the newer
developments in our area, and it is my perception that they are trying to count the ridge between the
development and Boise Ranch toward their open space, which is generally not that usable, and far away from
the majority of the homes (and behind a gate in this case).
In summary, we feel there are considerable issues with the Skybreak plan as proposed and would request that the
Planning and Zoning committee reject the proposed plan and ask the developer instead to return with a more
conventional plan that holds to R8 (or lower) densities, supports appropriate transitions to existing neighborhoods, and
foregoes a gated section in favor of normal public roadways throughout.
As a closing thought: I know there is ongoing conversations with the city and area residents about the development of
the Southern Rim. While I know Meridian is challenged with explosive growth, and as planners you are doing your best
to keep up with the demand, I would also encourage you to consider lower density and estate lots along the ridge (and
blending into Vantage Pointe). There is a proven demand for such properties, and we have great examples of these
types of neighborhood (Sky Mesa, East Ridge, the Keep). I would suggest that there is a prestige that such a master plan
can bring to a community (I think of the prestige Eagle has enjoyed for 20 years with similar estate home
developments). As we move away from the bench and closer to the main road, there is still ample room for medium
density development.
Thank you for giving me this opportunity to share my thoughts. While I understand and support the growth in the valley
(we have fully expected this land to develop for years), we would also like to see it happen in a way the blends the areas
nicely and protects the quality of life we enjoy as well as the significant investments we have made in our homes.
Thank you for your time and consideration
Sincerely,
Mike & Stephanie Lange
3690 E Vantage Pointe Ln.
Meridian ID, 83642
<This message also attached as PDF>
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March 14, 2021
Dear Meridian Council,
I am writing to share concerns with the proposed Skybreak subdivision as being presented to the
Meridian Planning and Zoning on March 18, 2021. 1 appreciate the opportunity to share my concerns
and ensure that they are considered in the process. At this point we have had several meetings with the
developer, and they have unfortunately been non-productive,yielding almost no changes requested by
the Vantage Pointe homeowners. My home is 3690 E Vantage Pointe Lane, and we are the second lot in
the neighborhood,with a rear property boundary shared with the proposed development.
It is exciting to see Meridian growing and frequently listed as one of the top places to live, and I
recognize the development of the land behind my home is inevitable. I want to stress that my position
is not resistant to that growth—we are in fact excited for some of the things that growth will bring with
it, but we do want to ensure that it happens in a way that blends and enhances the surrounding
developments.
I have several concerns with the submitted plan for Skybreak, and I will detail my most specific concerns
below:
• Very poor transition between Skybreak and Vantage Pointe. Vantage Pointe is a small (16
home) development of estate style homes on acre+ lots, with home sizes in the 4,000-5,000 sq.
ft. range. The proposed plan is asking for R15 density immediate behind Vantage Pointe, using
only a roadway as a buffer for the first two Vantage Pointe properties. We would like to see a
much more intentional transition with appropriately sized lots and homes (no less than a 2:1
ratio) and see the neighborhood transition more gradually to the higher densities. (Currently the
plan calls for less than half the Vantage Point homes to be bordered by% acre lots, even though
the developer calls this out as a concession) While we would prefer to have the half acre lots
extend to cover the entire border with Vantage Pointe.At a minimum we would want to see the
planned park extended the length of the Vantage Pointe lots to create a reasonable buffer.
• Much higher than surrounding density:While they are building large view lots on the rim, the
developer is planning a much smaller product in the center of the gated area (the portion they
are requesting R15 to support). This is a far more compact footprint than the surrounding
neighborhood has. The scale of homes between Vantage Pointe and this section of Skybreak
would be dramatic—with only a road separating them. We would ask that zoning for this
adjoining property(particularly the eastern 40 acres directly behind Vantage Point) not be
allowed to exceed R8 zoning, regardless of developer assurances that this is only to allow them
to have a gated section.
• Unnecessary gated section with private roads. We cannot comprehend the necessity of a
gated section and feel this is more a tactic to drive both densities up (through the request for
R15 as a requirement for a gated community) and to avoid costs of developing infrastructure
like sidewalks, etc. by having private roads. In addition to the high proposed density,the lack of
sidewalks makes this section feel even more compact,the neighborhood less attractive,
providing residents fewer outdoor options, and making on-street parking even more cramped.
• Road layout:the current plan calls for "T" intersections in the exact center of the backyards of
the first two lots in Vantage Pointe. This means not only would our only buffer be pavement,
but also that we would have headlights coming directly into the back of our homes and yards,
where bedrooms,family rooms, etc. are situated. We are also concerned with the streetlamps
that are normally placed at intersections, and the considerable direct light pollution that would
create into the back of our homes and living spaces. The developer proposed concrete barriers
to block light, and while this may be somewhat effective against direct light,there will still be
significant indirect light, and these will be an unattractive element along the property boundary.
This is another reason why we see it as necessary to border our neighborhood with either larger
lots or a much more expansive park as a buffer.
• Open Space: Skybreak feels very limited on open space and amenities compared to many of the
newer developments in our area, and it is my perception that they are trying to count the ridge
between the development and Boise Ranch toward their open space,which is generally not that
usable, and far away from the majority of the homes (and behind a gate in this case).
In summary, we feel there are considerable issues with the Skybreak plan as proposed and would
request that the Planning and Zoning committee reject the proposed plan and ask the developer instead
to return with a more conventional plan that holds to R8 (or lower) densities, supports appropriate
transitions to existing neighborhoods, and foregoes a gated section in favor of normal public roadways
throughout.
As a closing thought: I know there is ongoing conversations with the city and area residents about the
development of the Southern Rim. While I know Meridian is challenged with explosive growth, and as
planners you are doing your best to keep up with the demand, I would also encourage you to consider
lower density and estate lots along the ridge (and blending into Vantage Pointe). There is a proven
demand for such properties, and we have great examples of these types of neighborhood (Sky Mesa,
East Ridge,the Keep). I would suggest that there is a prestige that such a master plan can bring to a
community (I think of the prestige Eagle has enjoyed for 20 years with similar estate home
developments). As we move away from the bench and closer to the main road,there is still ample room
for medium density development.
Thank you for giving me this opportunity to share my thoughts. While I understand and support the
growth in the valley(we have fully expected this land to develop for years),we would also like to see it
happen in a way the blends the areas nicely and protects the quality of life we enjoy as well as the
significant investments we have made in our homes.
Thank you for your time and consideration
Sincerely,
Mike &Stephanie Lange
3690 E Vantage Pointe Ln.
Meridian ID, 83642