HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-03-15 Sherry and Chuck Garey
15 March 2021
RE: Oasis CUP H-2021-0004
To the Honorable Mayor Simison, City of Meridian City Council, City of Meridian Planning and
Zoning Commission
Thank you for this opportunity to comment on the proposed Oasis Night Club application. We wish to go
on record that we are strongly opposed to the Oasis Night Club’s proposed location at Ustick and
Eagle Roads. Our residence is located just west of Eagle Road and south of McMillan, and less than one
mile from the proposed location of the Oasis Night Club. The main entrance to our subdivision is from
Eagle Road.
Like many others that have submitted testimony, we also chose to move to Meridian in 2018 because of its
reputation for being a clean, family-oriented well-run city, and we hope that it remains that way. My
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husband and I are not new to the area. We are both 4 generation Idahoans having lived in both east and
south-central Idaho areas in addition to Ada County. I have lived a total of 49 years in Ada County and have
witnessed the growth and changes. Wise thoughtful planning is more important than ever as we all must deal
with this most recent surge of population growth in our county and its cities, and the resultant traffic. The
City’s staff report stated the development of the Oasis and of Villasport will drastically increase activity at
Eagle Road and Ustick Road. That area currently has a heavy traffic burden as is. There was also mention
in the staff report to align the ingress/egress to N. Centrepoint Way. That roadway ends in the shopping area
directly across Ustick and north of the proposed development for the foreseeable future.
The proposed night club is not of interest to us, and we do not have objections to others who have a desire to
patronize the establishment, but it needs to be located in a more compatible and appropriate location. I
would like to call your attention to letters submitted by Hoo Hash, Melissa Bernard, and Jon Hastings of
Tresidio Homes. These individuals have already clearly stated numerous issues that also concern us, and we
concur with their testimonies.
Parking – Competition and Conflict
1. City staff stated the landowner and the Oasis applicant agree that the Oasis will use ALL parking within
that entire complex. It was also stated there is not a Cross Parking Agreement among businesses in
existence so that assumption may not come to fruition. I view that as an area of concern when it is currently
recognized all spaces will be utilized for the Oasis business. City staff also provided suggestions of how
to maximize the space to increase total parking capacity from 125 total spaces to 132. This count would
also have to include parking for all owners and employees of each establishment. The adjacent Jamba
Juice business located in the same building as the Oasis is supposed to be allocated a minimum total of 5
spaces dedicated to their business for patrons and employees.
The above parking projections are based upon staff recommendations of reducing the Oasis’ requested
capacity of 1,000 persons to 500 persons, which includes patrons and staff. There does not appear to be
parking accommodations for musician tour buses or ability to park vans and utility trailers for band
equipment of local performing musicians.
2. Oasis reports their hours of operation are 4:00pm to 1:00am weeknights and 2:00am on weekends. There
appears to be a lot of overlap of operating hours among the adjacent proposed businesses and potential
additional ones as other business interests develop. The planned Urgent Care facility will most likely need
their allocation of parking. Generally urgent care facilities have operating hours to 8 or 9pm in order to
serve the community and do not close by 5pm as was presented. The location of a nightclub next door to
the proposed Villasport that caters to families and special programs for children that includes “parents
night out” services where children stay late and/or overnight hours is a concern. The Villasport reports
closing times vary between 8:00pm to midnight, again creating competition for limited parking and safety
concerns.
3. Popular concert venues need a lot of parking spaces in addition to ride-share, taxis and other modes of
transportation. An easy example are the concerts held at the Boise Botanical Garden during the summer
months. The traffic along Warm Springs is bumper to bumper, and all street parking is consumed in
addition to the available parking at the Garden location and the use of shuttle buses from the downtown
parking garages. Our daughter lives in the subdivision just south of the Botanical Garden and they
experience people parking in their small culdesac streets, and leaving the rental scooters, as well as litter,
in their yards. It is not unreasonable to think a popular venue at the Oasis would affect nearby residential
areas similarly.
Noise Pollution and Location
1. The applicant has stated they will build their facility with sound buffering techniques and materials.
However, that is of particular concern to us as we have experienced how sound travels when living in the
Village on Silver Lake in the Lake Harbor area of Boise for 15 years. That neighborhood is
approximately 1.5 to 2 “river miles” from the enclosed Revolution Concert and Event Center on
Glenwood Street, Garden City, Idaho. When the Revolution opened for business, it caused quite a
concern and frustration with loud noise pollution from their establishment that far up-stream from the
business location. Our home was approximately one block from the river and we heard more “thumping
and vibrations” while the residents along the river were overwhelmed with the actual loud music and
vibrations, as were numerous areas along Mountain View Drive. A good friend living in the Ellens
Ferry/Johns Landing area of Boise that is approximately 3 miles from the Revolution Concert and Event
Center also heard and experienced the same “thumping, etc.” We are doubtful that even with
precautions of sound buffering techniques, all those residences will experience noise pollution as the 330
foot buffer does not appear to provide enough distancing.
2. It appears to us the proposed location is not appropriate or conducive to the objectives of the nightclub’s
stated business plan or the wishes of the persons offering support testimony, nor will it benefit already
existing traffic issues in that corridor.
3. The staff report also recognized the need and potential for such a facility being a regional destination draw.
It seems reasonable to us that the Oasis Nightclub, Concert and Event Center would better meet the
business goals of larger capacities, and the community supporters’ needs if located in an easy access
commercial area near the Interstate that offers more than ample parking for patrons and the large tour buses
of musicians and perhaps even those of potential recreational destination tours as opposed to trying to
“shoehorn” the business into a too small of an area. Those locations also have nearby hotels and restaurants
to accommodate destination travelers. Supporters indicate they are wanting a regional draw nightclub with
dancing and concerts, and other events.
We appreciate the thought and effort all of you put into making choices that help our community grow
responsibly and while maintaining the safety and respect to all citizens.
Sincerely,
Sherry and Chuck Garey
4563 N Camas Creek Way
Meridian, Idaho 83646