HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-05-28 Amy WattlesMay 28, 2021
As a resident currently residing at 1360 Rolling Hill Dr, I am submitting these comments
in relation to the TopGolf proposal before the council,any current and future
development plans on north Rolling Hill Dr. in Meridian.My requests are very simple
and clear. As a resident on Rolling Hill Dr, I ask two things from the City Council:
1. Do not approve the TopGolf proposal or any development proposal for the north
end of Rolling Hill Drive if it utilizes Rolling Hill Dr for construction traffic and access.
2. Do not approve the TopGolf proposal or any development proposal for the north
end of Rolling Hill Drive if Rolling Hill Dr will be an open and accessible road for their
patrons from their proposed facility connecting to Overland Road.
As a long time Meridian resident for over two decades and Meridian small business
owner for over 10 years, I ask that all members of the council take the time to truly listen
and appreciate the feedback given from residents regarding the newest, latest and
greatest development idea being proposed in a now apparent continuous and never
ending fashion. Each and every development proposed and approved, changes the
entire fabric of Meridian and directly impacts every single resident whether they choose
to exercise their voice publically or not.
Meridian is no longer the cute little town that many residents chose to call home.
Meridian has become a sea of cookie cutter subdivisions crammed with too many
houses per acre, hidden behind vinyl fences with expensive HOAs, with a token park or
two. Surrounding these neighborhoods are seas of mini malls, national chain stores and
increasingly sprawling apartment developments. The character and charm that made
Meridian such a great place to call home has nearly vanished and has been replaced
with long lines of traffic resulting in double or triple typical commute times. The winners
in the new Meridian are developers and national business chains that decided to
expand to Meridian since our town is now a profitable market to expand into. It’s
generally the same cast of characters financially benefiting from the developments while
the residents live with the undesirable consequences.As a small business owner in
Meridian, my family experiences the financial benefits of our expanding community and
market.
As a teacher in the valley, a mom and resident on Rolling Hill Dr, I experience the
consequences of this dramatic and unyielding change in our community on a daily
basis. The residents of Meridian were asleep at the wheel, trusting that the future of our
community was in good hands and good decisions were being made in our best
interest. The growing sentiment of longtime residents of Meridian is increasingly that our
best interests were not being safeguarded and protected by our local government.
As a resident on Rolling Hill Dr, there are no illusions.Our cute, small town farming
community is gone. The sounds of animals and children playing have been replaced
with around the clock sounds of traffic on the interstate and Overland Rd. Over the past
several decades, there have been numerous developers,the next greatest idea and
proposals in the works for the properties on Rolling Hill Dr. They come and go as the
real estate market builds and then crashes. Each and every time, the Rolling Hill
residents are faced with an uphill battle to preserve the safety of our homes and
neighborhood.
After a very heated and tumultuous history between residents wanting to preserve our
community and developers wanting to erase our neighborhood community in lieu of
profit, the City of Meridian made a very wise decision regarding the development of our
neighborhood. On multiple occasions Planning and Zoning have stated the position of
the city is that residents would drive the development and future of Rolling Hill. Water,
sewer, annexation into the city and zoning would be dictated by homeowners choosing
to sell their properties to developers. The city will not force residents into those
decisions. We were assured that Rolling Hill Dr. was built as a small, country road and
was not designed to safely sustain traffic and the impact of any significant development
in the area.
Consistent with the position of Meridian city and Planning and Zoning, our neighbors on
the north end of Rolling Hill Dr were able to make their own decision regarding the
future of their homes and properties. They chose to sell and make what they determined
to be positive decisions for themselves and their families.
The residents still remaining to the south of the proposed developments, request the
same opportunity as afforded to our previous neighbors.Residents would like the
opportunity to decide to sell out to developers or retain the last portion of Rolling Hill Dr
as residential properties as they currently exist and without improvement that are
quickly becoming obsolete in our community. Each family has the option to sell and will
decide when the time is appropriate for their families.
However, allowing construction traffic to utilize Rolling Hill Dr as an access road is not
only dangerous and unwise, it also forces the residents to live with the consequences of
financial gain of the developers. In essence, the city is in fact making the decision for
the residents. Residents want the opportunity to choose our own future, instead of being
forced into a long term situation with potential improvements that are unsafe and
disruptive to our children and families. Representatives of BVA previously have stated
there would be no problem directing construction traffic through the traffic light/main
entry on Silver Stone Way, next to Zamzows on Overland.The next time a BVA
representative denied that to be the case. Residents have tried in good faith to share
concerns with BVA and Brighton Corp and have been met with resistance and in some
cases flat out lies. I ask that as a city council you support residents and do not allow
construction traffic to utilize Rolling Hill Dr. as an access point.
Attached to this email are pictures so you can gain some perspective of how little of a
road Rolling Hill Dr is. Now imagine a fairly continuous stream of semis barreling down
the road at 25 miles per hour (minimum) while your teenage daughter is pulling out of
the driveway or your neighbor ’s children are playing in their own front yard. We’ve had
several near misses already during the tear down phase of north Rolling Hill. Allowing
the possibility of it happening again is unconscionable and unacceptable. Please require
any development on Rolling Hill Dr not be able to use our tiny, residential street as a
thoroughfare for large trucks and equipment. Do not approve an expansion or
improvements on Rolling HIll Dr. Allow residents the opportunity to retain the quality of
life and property that has existed on this street for over 55 years and why we bought our
properties to begin with. If developers want access to Rolling Hill Dr, they have every
right and opportunity to start trying to buy the neighbors out and then they can
determine the fate of Rolling Hill Dr.
I also request the City Council to deny the BVA TopGolf proposal allowing Rolling Hill
Drive to be an access road for customers and any future residents of proposed
developments. Top Golf’s own advertisements and promotional material include a very
large bar, advertises hosting parties and events and patrons drinking alcohol
(https://youtu.be/KdaFuZCWuK0).
Other TopGolf locations close between 10:00 and midnight each night. Rolling Hill Dr is
the quickest and most convenient access to Overland Road for any development on the
north side of the road, cutting off several minutes at minimum for the driver. It is
unacceptable to put our families at risk from TopGolf patrons being under the influence,
coming from a fun night with friends or a corporate party. Based on the hours and
events being hosted at TopGolf, this risk to our families would be continuous on a
nightly basis.
I ask that City Council recognize the safety of our families and respect the remaining
families on Rolling HIll Dr. I do not want to be forced to live with the consequences of
their development. BVA, Brighton Corporation or any other company can choose to try
to purchase our properties and THEN develop it as they see fit.
Finally, Overland Road is a nightmare. Getting in and out of the subdivision is becoming
highly unsafe as the amount of residents in the apartments continues to increase.
Attempting to utilize the median, either turning in or out, has become unsafe due to the
increasing number of residents in the apartments on the south side of Overland. Adding
in hundreds and potentially thousands more vehicles coming in and out of Rolling Hill
daily is a recipe for disaster for not only Rolling Hill families, but the community as well.
I realize we live in one of the prime areas for development in Meridian. I also recognize
that developers purchased their properties with profit as the end goal. I ask the City
Council to consider the safety and well being of the residents and children over
corporate bottom lines and dollars. Please do not allow Rolling HIll Dr to be utilized as a
thoroughfare for any developments on the north end of Rolling Hill Dr, including TopGolf.
Thank you,
Amy Wattles
1360 Rolling HIll Dr
Meridian, ID 83642
208-362-1909