HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-08-15 Tanya Bader
Chris Johnson
From:Robert Simison
Sent:Monday, August 16, 2021 10:33 AM
To:Tanya Bader
Cc:Chris Johnson
Subject:RE: 8/17 Wells Street Assisted Living/Andorra Subdivision
Tanya,
Thank you for your and I appreciate the information and perspective you have provided. As this is an open application,
the City Council and myself (as a potential tie breaking vote) are not able to comment on the project outside of the
public hearing. I am copying our City Clerk so your email and this response can be included into the record.
Respectfully,
Mayor Robert Simison
City of Meridian
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From: Tanya Bader <tbader555@gmail.com>
Sent: Sunday, August 15, 2021 8:01 PM
To: Robert Simison <rsimison@meridiancity.org>
Subject: 8/17 Wells Street Assisted Living/Andorra Subdivision
External Sender - Please use caution with links or attachments.
Mr. Mayor,
As a current resident of Woodbridge Community, I am writing to ask you to please read the developers plan in detail for
the 675, 715 and 955 South Wells Street property and understand how it will directly affect the residents of
Woodbridge. As our home backs up directly to the property in question, please know that we are strongly against this
development. My husband and I have lived in Woodbridge for the past 16 years. Originally we were told that a “low
commercial” building would be behind our home. We were made to believe that a medical office building would be
built, but the land has been zoned and re-zoned multiple times. During this time, there have been numerous developers
that have attempted to develop this property. Please know that we are NOT against development. There have been
three proposals presented to residents that we have been strongly for. It was with great disappointment that these
developers pulled out or lost their funding. We do want the property developed. However, the project proposed by
Babcock Designs is not the right project for this piece of land.
Building 81 two-story homes behind 21 Woodbridge homes is not a good transition to our neighborhood. Based on the
drawings given to us, we will have three two story homes in our backyard. Our backyard is our haven. We eat our
dinners outside (weather permitting), the kids still play outside (we are very competitive at badminton), we play endless
board games at a large table that my husband and I built ourselves. It is hard to imagine having three two-story homes
behind our home.
One of the main concerns is traffic. With the population increase, traffic is extremely bad. We only have two ways out. It
used to be that it was only bad during rush hour times, but now it seems that it is always rush hour. With the proposed
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development, there will be an additional 162 cars – maybe more if they have children living at home who also own cars.
As a community, we have reached out to the city asking for a light at Woodbridge and Locust Grove – it was denied. We
have attempted to get speed bumps – denied. We have asked for a gate to limit the number of drivers and businesses
who cut through our community – denied. Regardless of what is developed, the traffic issue must be addressed.
Our family has attended two zoom meetings, as well as attended the Planning and Zoning meeting for the proposal. The
developer was extremely rude during our zoom meetings. Residents were asking basic questions; fence locations,
distance of homes from the property lines, etc. I was shocked at how rude the developer was. He actually made a
comment that he would never move to Idaho if he has to deal with “people like us”. Having dealt with other developers
before, I was shocked at his behavior. He continued to make rude comments and dismiss our questions. He also said
that he could tell us what we wanted to hear, but in the end, he could do whatever he wanted. These are the questions
that as residents we have the right to ask. He talked about money multiple times. After the second zoom call, I felt that
this is a person who wants to come in from out of state, build as fast as he can and leave.
Again, we are NOT against development. I know a lot of Meridian residents aren’t enjoying the recent growth, but we
are not those people. This is not the right developer for this piece of land. There are multiple land parcels that are much
more suited for his project. Cramming in 81 homes on a property that previously had three homes on it?! There was a
developer that bought the land North of this property (E Magic View) that had a plan that was perfect for Woodbridge.
There were 23 single story townhomes. Three of these homes were built, but the developer had some type of medical
issue (?) and was forced to file bankruptcy. This land still has not been fully developed, but if homes are built behind us,
these homes are ideal. It would create less traffic than the project proposed and serve as a wonderful transition to the
Woodbridge Neighborhood.
I urge you to deny this developer's proposal. This is just not the right project for this property.
Thank you for your time.
Tanya Bader
Ernie and Tanya Bader
624 S Woodhaven Ave.
Meridian, ID 83642
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