HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-08-01 Ryan A. McDowell
Chris Johnson
From:Ryan McDowell <RYANMCDOWELL1@msn.com>
Sent:Sunday, August 1, 2021 5:34 PM
To:City Clerk
Subject:Public Comments in Opposition to CBH Centerville Development
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Hello, my name is Ryan McDowell and I have been a resident of the Treasure Valley for 28 years. My family and I live in
the Shelburne subdivision, within the area of impact of the proposed CBH high-density Centerville subdivision
development at the intersection of S Hillsdale Avenue and E Amity Road. I do not support the CBH development as
currently proposed.
In the 2019 City of Meridian Comprehensive Plan, the City states its ongoing commitment to consider the impact that
proposed developments would have on existing neighborhoods. Item 2.02.02C in the Plan specifically calls for ‘…infill
development that does not negatively impact the abutting, existing development.’ The proposed CBH Centerville
development would be a very densely populated area in a part of the City that is already underserved in terms of
transportation infrastructure. There is an incredible amount of traffic already traveling along the residential arterial
corridors of Eagle Road and Amity Road. While Eagle Road between Victory Road and Amity Road is currently
undergoing an expansion to better accommodate the existing traffic, the roadways in this part of town are still
insufficient to meet the commuter demand. My understanding is that Amity Road expansion is currently listed by the
City as unfunded through 2040. Allowing CBH to build 327 new residential households in such a restricted area would
add many hundreds of additional vehicles traveling in and through this area on a daily basis, exacerbating the current
traffic problem.
Meridian residents need to be able to depend on safety services, such as fire, EMS, and police. Building additional high-
density housing in this area would spread these scarce resources even further. To paraphrase item 2.02.02 of the 2019
Comprehensive Plan, we should be maximizing development in areas closer to the core areas of the city instead of on
the fringe in order to best maintain public services. The proposed Centerville development would include 3-story
apartment buildings which could require the use of a special ladder fire truck. My understanding is that the closest
ladder truck is at least 15 minutes travel from this area. It seems to be against the interest of public safety allowing such
buildings to be erected where they cannot be adequately protected.
Area schools are already at or above capacity. My neighbor who lives three houses down from me is unable to enroll
her child at Hillsdale Elementary School (about a 1-mile drive) and must instead transport her child to Mary McPherson
Elementary School (a 2.5 mile drive). Lake Hazel Middle School and Mountain View High School are already experiencing
overcrowding as well. Many of the residents of the proposed CBH development are sure to have children and place
even greater demand on our area schools. It doesn’t make sense to me to bring even more residents into this area and
tax our school system further.
By allowing the development to proceed as proposed, you would be negatively impacting the existing area residents, in
contravention to the stated policy goals in the 2019 Comprehensive Plan. I support responsible growth that helps
maintain our quality of life, or at least doesn’t make it worse. Please help keep this area livable. I would ask that the
City please compel CBH to alter its Centerville development plan by instead providing medium-density housing which is
indicated on the City’s Future Land Use Map Designation Cutsheet, and which is more consistent with other
development in this area. Please leave high-density developments to areas of the City with better established
transportation infrastructure, school capacity, and access to public services.
Sincerely,
1
Ryan A. McDowell
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