HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-04-26 Kathleen Crowley
Chris Johnson
From:Liz Strader
Sent:Monday, April 26, 2021 11:02 AM
To:Kathi Crowley; Chris Johnson
Subject:Re: compass point proposal - April 27 council hearing
Kathi,
Thank you so much for reaching out with your comments and concerns. Per the city attorney, we cannot meet
outside of a public meeting to talk about land use applications, but please know that I do absolutely take your
comments into consideration!
I am copying the clerk to make sure these are added to the public record for the rest of the council and
mayor.
Thank you
Liz
Liz Strader | City Councilwoman
City of Meridian | City Council Office
33 E. Broadway Ave., Meridian, Idaho 83642
Phone: | 208-546-9501
Online Meeting Scheduler: Click Here
Built for Business, Designed for Living
From: Kathi Crowley <kacrowley1@outlook.com>
Sent: Friday, April 23, 2021 3:30:42 PM
To: Liz Strader
Subject: compass point proposal - April 27 council hearing
External Sender - Please use caution with links or attachments.
Dear Councilmember Strader,
I’m writing today about the proposed Compass Point development at the corner of Locust Grove and Victory. The
proposal will be considered by the Council on April 27. I followed your campaign for council and supported you, as you
appeared very thoughtful and committed. Thank you for your willingness to serve.
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After reading the city’s comprehensive plan, which I understand is not concrete and that it serves as a guide and a blue
print, I’m baffled as to why this Compass Point proposal has made its way to the full council in the form it is. The
comprehensive plan is very clear about defining “livable” and “vibrant” communities that are connected and include
numerous amenities, open spaces, and distinct, engaging identities with attractive landscaping – words taken directly
from the plan. The plan is also clear about creating a diverse mix of communities which include a cross-section of
housing types and pricing and densities throughout the city. The plan notes specifically that these diverse communities
should/will enhance not only the city of Meridian but also the surrounding communities within Meridian.
On Page 5-3, the plan includes an excellent “Guide to Community Character” which describes the three different
development densities. It appears the existing area in/around Locust Gove and Victory is a combination of rural and
sub-urban, and clearly the rural is diminishing as the sub-urban is growing. As a council member overseeing the growth
of a rapidly emerging city, it must be very useful to have this thoughtful comprehensive plan.
Using this thoughtful comprehensive plan as a guide, the proposed Compass Point development appears to accomplish
one of the plan’s stated goals which is the inclusion of a “good cross-section of housing…that guards against an
abundance of subdivisions in similar and repetitive densities, appearances and price ranges.” Clearly, the proposed
Compass Point development is not repetitive of the density nor the appearance of the surrounding communities. It
looks unlike anything nearby and the density is very high relative to the surrounding neighborhoods. That goal has been
accomplished.
I question, however, if the Compass Point community, as currently proposed, meets the numerous other stated goals of
the plan; enhancement of the city and surrounding communities, a vibrant and engaging identity with attractive
landscaping, inclusion of amenities for residents including some open/green spaces, and complimentary of the
surrounding neighborhoods. One could make a fairly fierce case that it does not meet these other stated goals which
begs the question about how/why it has made its way to the council.
My layman’s observation is that Compass Point fits the “urban character” described in the comprehensive plan and
seems a misfit (potentially an eyesore) in the middle of a rural /sub-urban area. It appears to have minimal set-back
from the street, will create the effect of a walled-off area vs. a vibrant, livable, area with mature and attractive
landscaping – and it’s located at a highly visible intersection so will serve as a constant reminder and legacy of flawed
growth vs. thoughtful growth.
The land owners and developers are business people who are understandably interested in land speculation,
investment, and profit. And Idaho is the place to be for developers. At the same time, and especially if they do not live
in our community, many make their profit and are onto their next venture while the rest of us live with whatever they’ve
left behind for us. My hope is Meridian has a reputation as being fair to business people but also rigorous and
consistent with its standards relative to the development of our city. If we want to be a “premier community” that is
respectful of the “historic charm” of Meridian, developments such as Compass Point require much more work before
they can go forward.
Thanks again for your work on our council.
Kathleen Crowley
Meridian
p.s. The council might want to revisit the list of “Key Transportation Corridors” listed in the comprehensive plan. Locust
Grove is not listed, and the traffic in just the last 2 years has exploded as Locust Grove has become an alternative to
Eagle Road. It’s impossible to turn right/travel north on Locust Grove from any neighborhood between Victory and
Overland in the morning absent a kind person letting you in. The autos are lined up and then waiting for 3 light changes
to get over Overland Road.
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