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Home My WebLink About2021-03-16 Dave Ficks Chris Johnson From:Robert Simison Sent:Tuesday, March 16, 2021 8:53 PM To:Dave Ficks Cc:Chris Johnson Subject:RE: Support statement for Oasis Project - H-2021-0004 Mr. Ficks, Thank you for your email. I appreciate you taking time to share your thoughts and comments. Because this project is part of an open application, myself and City Council members are prohibited from commenting outside the public hearing. We take public feedback seriously and want you to know that I have received your email and have read your comments. A public hearing before the City of Meridian Planning & Zoning Commission will be held on Thursday, March 18, 2021 at 6:00pm. 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. Your email and my response will be included in the public record. 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. 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: Dave Ficks <thecegbooking@gmail.com> Sent: Tuesday, March 16, 2021 8:16 PM To: Robert Simison <rsimison@meridiancity.org> Subject: Support statement for Oasis Project - H-2021-0004 External Sender - Please use caution with links or attachments. Greetings Mayor Simison, My name is Dave Ficks. I am writing to express my support for the project proposed for the venue Oasis - H-2021- 0004 1 A great deal of effort in Meridian in recent years has been made to create a shopping/ hub for the community as evidenced by developments like The Village and the Julius M Kleiner Memorial Park. I believe these efforts are commendable, especially as the "typical " franchise and big box type operations become supplemented over time with other "outside the box" innovative projects like what The Oasis is proposing. Something that can draw musicians, performers and clients from outside the area who might not be drawn there by the shopping opportunities. . Allowing a large venue like this to operate would enhance the musical, entertainment and cultural offerings of an area that needs to continue to be attractive to a growing and increasingly diverse community. From what I have seen of the plans for Oasis it would accomplish just that. Even more importantly, a venue of this type would be very difficult to open in downtown Boise (as is mentioned accurately in the proposal ) ,and it is sorely needed for this entire valley -- so it would be a draw to people from Boise and elsewhere. From a personal perspective, as a manager of two cover bands that perform in the Boise area, I can tell you that the idea of a venue in this area providing both live performance opportunities and private event opportunities is beyond appealing. In response to the criticism levied that this would "ruin the family environment of Meridian" I think one must look at the definition of family. Today's reality involves people of a variety of ages and backgrounds needing to cohabitate with others that may not share those same characteristics. There are many "families: living in the multi-unit apartment complexes that border the commercial developments near this area. Yet despite that, relationships are forged that can become just as close as traditional family. They shop in Meridian and may even work in Meridian but where do they go for something even close to the type of experience the Oasis would offer? A venue that allows people to bring music and entertainment to a large audience contributes a great deal to the community it resides in. To prejudge a venue proposal such as this as appealing to only those who care not for family, or their community is to miss the opportunity that truly innovative communities have long understood -- with more music, artistic expression, gatherings of people (sorely missing in today's COVID reality but hopefully returning) comes more diversity, more talented people, and well - more life. As commendable as other large businesses that have opened along Eagle Road are, the area has not recognized the opportunity to mix in social gathering and entertainment like what the Oasis would offer.. Meridian has built a hub of shopping along Eagle Road, but it's time to reach beyond the suburban sprawl vision and into a vision that embraces people and their desire to gather - and gives them a great place to do so. Of course a venue like this must take the security of its own establishment and the surrounding area seriously. From reading the Oasis Development Proposal I have incredible confidence that there is a deep understanding of and the need to provide security and safety precautions. I am quite certain the principle operators of the Oasis will be diligent in their planning for -- and response to -- events. They will be important and contribution locally based partners in the developing community. Take this opportunity to help create what could become an iconic establishment on the west side of Meridian. If you let them build it, you may likely be delighted with the people who will come. Thank you for your attention and consideration. Dave Ficks, Ph.D., M.Ed. Managing Member The Chronology Entertainment Group, LLC http://www.theceg.net 5600 Hill Road Boise, ID 83703 208-867-8080 2