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Home My WebLink About2021-03-17 Luke and Jill Randall Chris Johnson From:Robert Simison Sent:Thursday, March 18, 2021 8:52 AM To:Jill and Luke Randall; Liz Strader; Joe Borton; Brad Hoaglun; Treg Bernt; Jessica Perreault; Luke Cavener Cc:Chris Johnson Subject:RE: Oasis Night Club Objection Luke and Jill, 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: Jill and Luke Randall <randall610@hotmail.com> Sent: Wednesday, March 17, 2021 7:40 PM To: Robert Simison <rsimison@meridiancity.org>; Liz Strader <lstrader@meridiancity.org>; Joe Borton <jborton@meridiancity.org>; Brad Hoaglun <bhoaglun@meridiancity.org>; Treg Bernt <tbernt@meridiancity.org>; Jessica Perreault <jperreault@meridiancity.org>; Luke Cavener <lcavener@meridiancity.org> Subject: Oasis Night Club Objection External Sender - Please use caution with links or attachments. 1 OUR Mayor and City Council Members, I am reaching out to show my objection the Oasis Night Club! I live less than 2 miles from this planned establishment, and was in shock to hear that our well-respected, family-oriented city would even consider bringing this type of environment so close to so many residential homes. I agree with everything in the below copied letter from Cherie Hoeger. Please take her reasons into consideration and understand that I like so many others are opposed to something of this nature. Please keep our city, community, and neighborhoods aligned with what we voted you to do. Respectfully Yours, Luke and Jill Randall Dear Honorable Mayor Simison and Members of the City Council, I'm contacting you to express my strong objection to the Oasis Nightclub proposed to be built at the southwest corner of Ustick and Eagle. I believe the location is misaligned with the family-friendly businesses within the local vicinity, will result in increased fatalities do to alcohol-related traffic incidents and DUIs, will increase sexual violence and assault among local female residents, and doesn't align with Meridian's stated values of being a "premier community in which to live, work, and raise a family." Proximity to Residential Neighborhoods and Family-Friendly Businesses I have lived as a Meridian resident within walking distance of the proposed location for over 15 years. I have 5 young daughters ages 13 to 3 that frequently ride their bikes to the Walgreens directly across from the proposed location for personal care purchases, to Kohls for school clothes, Hobby Lobby for craft projects, and across the intersection to McDonald's for smoothies. The increased traffic congestion and certain drunk driving and DUI offenses that will frequent those exact crossroads of these family-friendly businesses poses potentially fatal risk to residential walkers, particularly the school-aged children (my own daughter included) that are picked up and dropped off directly down the street from the proposed location at the intersection of N Leslie Way and E Ustick Rd approximately 1,000 feet from the proposed site. This type of establishment belongs in an environment made up of businesses that more commonly serve late-night hours, not in a primarily residential area of town within a 1 mile radius of multiple churches, 7 elementary schools, and many city parks that service families with young children. It is alarming that a nightclub would be allowed in this particular location that poses such a threat to the safety of our most vulnerable demographic. Increase in Alcohol-Related Sexual Violence and Assault As a business owner employing 46 local residents that make up an 85% female workforce, the progress and empowerment of women is an area we fight for everyday. Our company, Saalt, is a certified B Corp that donates 2% of revenue specifically to help improve women's health and economic opportunity, which studies show has the positive byproduct creating stronger communities with reduced rates of unwanted pregnancy, 2 domestic violence, sexual assault, and gender-based aggression. These are battles we fight for every day overseas, and it's distressing to have to fight the same battles in our local community. · The NIH reports that at least one-half of all violent crimes involve alcohol consumption. The estimates for alcohol use among perpetrators have ranged from 34 to 74 percent. · 50 percent of college-aged women (the primary age demographic of the Oasis Nightclub) have been sexually assaulted, and 27 percent have experienced rape or attempted rape. · A 2020 systematic review reports that "nightlife-related sexual violence is pervasive, with lifetime prevalence reaching over 50% amongst numerous study samples." In December 2020, the Oasis Nightclub website stated on their "Know Before You Go" page that the entry fee for women would be $5 and $15 for men. The dress code for men included a minimum standard of a "button up shirt and slacks" while the women's dress code encouraged "show us your best sun dress or beach attire!" Their language has conveniently been altered on their website as of March 2021, showing that they are intentionally deceiving members of the community, P&Z and the City Council. Why would women be charged lower entry prices than men and encouraged to wear more revealing clothing? Lower-priced entry for women and often lower "Happy Hour" pricing on drinks is a common tactic by nightclubs to attract more females whose sexual parameters are loosened through alcohol consumption. The recipe is a notoriously predatory environment with increased sexaul assault, rape, and drug and alcohol abuse. Misalignment with Meridian's stated values As a long-time Meridian resident, I have always appreciated our city's stated values of of being a "premier community in which to live, work, and raise a family." I do not believe the Oasis Nightclub supports that mission. I am asking the City Council to use their authority to protect the integrity of that mission and the safety of our community. I respectfully ask that the Planning & Zoning Commission deny The Oasis’ Conditional Use Permit application and subsequently urge the City Council to deny it should a review be requested. Sincerely, Cherie Hoeger 3