HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-08-02 Loralei Sturkie
Chris Johnson
From:Sturkie Family <Sturkies@outlook.com>
Sent:Monday, August 2, 2021 3:33 PM
To:City Clerk
Subject:Centerville Subdivision
External Sender - Please use caution with links or attachments.
Dear City Clerk, City Council, and Planning and Zoning Committee Members,
As a resident of Ada County since 1996, both in Boise and Meridian, I am very familiar with the explosive
growth that has taken place in the area in the recent past and at present. Our family moved here when all of
Eagle Road was two lane highway. I now live in Century Farm Subdivision, near the proposed Centerville
Subdivision.
One of the reasons why so many people love to move to Meridian is because of its great quality of life. The
parks and open spaces are carefully thought out. I can do most of my day-to-day business within the city
(which has been more important with the edicts coming out of Boise City Hall.) I meet friends and neighbors
at the grocery store, library, or doctor's office. I chose to move to this location mainly because of the fantastic
collaboration of business, non-profit, and government that is displayed at the southwest corner of Amity and
Hillsdale. I like to be able to ride my bike to work out, see a doctor, or check out a book. I even like the fact
that you have in your master plan for this area places for both low and medium density residential
neighborhoods near each other. It has enabled my son and his wife to build their home within half a mile of
our new house. I hope that someday our other children can return to Meridian and live close to us, as well.
It has caused me some concern, therefore, to learn that the proposed Centerville Subdivision does not seem
to be in keeping with the Future Land Use map for that land. When I compare the proposed use, and look at
the Premier Community Vision, and the FLUM Cut Sheet, I don't see where the proposal meets the following
policies:
"High-density housing must be strategically located to public transportation, community services, and
employment areas."
"Support and protect the identity of existing residential neighborhoods."
The inclusion of a single business (a daycare) among a sea of apartments seems to be an attempt to meet the
barest minimum of "mixed-use." This type of high-density housing belongs exactly where the Premier
Community Vision states, near public transportation, community services, and employment areas, not at
Hillsdale and Amity. The other problem with apartments is that there is NEVER enough parking for all the
residents and guests. With Hillsdale already set as no street parking, where will those extra cars end up? First,
at the YMCA and businesses on the other side of Hillsdale. Then, when they have to enforce no overnight
parking, they will end up inside the existing subdivisions along the street. I have seen this in action when I
lived a block off of Eagle Road. The City of Boise didn't seem to care that their neighborhoods had cars parked
on the street constantly; I hope that Meridian has a different perspective.
If you asked the residents within a square mile of the mixed-use portion of the land in question, what would
"support and protect the identity" of their neighborhood, I would think that people would cheer things like:
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a daycare or preschool (that does make sense)
a church, studio, or other gathering place
small businesses like an ice cream shop, deli, coffee shop, salon, dry cleaner, realtor, etc.
professional office space (used and staffed by the locals - what a dream for reducing commutes!)
These uses are generally helpful to the local community, don't cause parking problems, and are quiet at
night. The way most Meridian residents like it.
Another issue is that high density housing in a mixed-use space puts even more pressure on the crowded
schools and streets. I'm sure other neighbors with young families have addressed this.
In short, the apartments in this proposal don't seem to match the Meridian vision as described by the
comprehensive plan and Future Land Use map. Maybe you need to specify a minimum percentage of non-
residential use for any mixed-use zoning to make this clearer to developers, so they don't find themselves
confronted by a lot of unhappy neighbors.
Sincerely,
Loralei Sturkie
3664 E. Renwick St. (Century Farm Subdivision)
Meridian, ID 83642
(208) 859-0909
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