HomeMy WebLinkAboutLetter from Senator Fulcher (2)HOME ADDRESS
P.O. BOX 1166
MERIDIAN, IDAHO 83680
rfulcher@overarch.com
Idaho State Senate
SENATOR RUSSELL M. FULCHER
Honorable Mayor of Meridian and Meridian City Council Members:
OFFICE ADDRESS
STATE CAPITOL
P.O. BOX 83720
BOISE, IDAHO 83720-0081
rfulcher@senate.idaho.gov
(208) 332 1340
FAX: (208) 332 1422
April 14, 2008
First, thank you for your service. I realize you face difficult challenges, and appreciate the
sacrifice you make to serve!
This letter is in regard to the Castle Greens Hubble development project on Eagle Road
between Amity and Lake Hazel. I represent this area in the State Legislature. Also, my family
and I own adjacent property to the north and east of this project. I will be unable to attend the
public hearing on April 15. Please accept these comments as my testimony:
I believe Castle Greens, as proposed, will bring substantial negative consequences to the area.
As a result, I remain opposed to this development. My reasoning is the same as I have
communicated previously: This type of development does not match the area or the long-
term plan for Meridian.
Annexations outside planned areas of impact, such as this, cause developmental
inconsistencies and other problems. In this specific instance, placing some -800 "high-
density/low cost" homes in a field surrounded by rural areas exacerbates already strained
infrastructure, transition, and growth problems. Eagle Road and the traffic congestion and
safety problems associated with it would be at the top of this list of problems.
Please consider rejecting this development and recommending density more compatible
with the area that will not place such strain on infrastructure and contribute to the difficulties
caused by urban sprawl.
On a related note:
You may recall that in my testimony dated Jan. 15, 2008 1 pointed out that due to a conflict in
state statute, annexations outside negotiated Areas of Impact (like this one) bring about legal
questions. Should such an annexation be legally challenged, it is possible that taxpayers could
be placed at risk for associated legal fees and/or penalties. Accordingly, I also committed to do
what I could to eliminate this conflict in code. Last month I sponsored H113545, which among
other things, eliminates this conflict. On March 14, 2008, the Governor signed this bill into
law, and on July 1, 2008 it will take effect. On behalf of the people of our city and state, this
was the responsible thing to do.
I remain committed to working with you to make sure tools are available for local governments
in high growth areas to plan and operate in a way beneficial to all stakeholders. I thank you for
your work, and encourage your continued use of wise judgment in city expansion practices.
Sincerely,
Russell M. Fulcher
State Senator