HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-07-19 George and Pam Hoxsey
Charlene Way
From:George Hoxsey <gphoxsey@yahoo.com>
Sent:Tuesday, July 19, 2022 3:33 PM
To:City Clerk
Subject:Proposed Centerville Subdivision
External Sender - Please use caution with links or attachments.
I am writing to oppose the proposed Centerville Subdivision.
First, as I have testified previously, I do not think the traffic impacts along Hillsdale Ave have
been properly assessed. The decision to not require any dedicated southbound left hand
turn lanes has seemingly been made without any traffic study data. In particular, the access
off Hillsdale Ave to the commercial businesses nearest to the Northwest corner of the
proposed development will very likely back up into the Amity and Hillsdale intersection.
Secondly, a density transition needs to be implemented along the Southwest corner of the
proposed development, where currently two story townhomes are proposed immediately
adjacent to Hillsdale Creek’s main entrance, which is a neighborhood of entirely single
family homes. To make the issue worse, these townhomes will be elevated along our
entrance, significantly impacting the look of entering our neighborhood. Furthermore, the
nearest public street parking for these proposed townhomes will be along this same
entrance road, making the only entrance and exit from Hillsdale Creek, that does not take
you through an adjacent neighborhood, much more difficult to navigate, particularly at
school pick up and during any school events. Parking on this street will also negatively
impact safety on what is a busy route for students to and from Hillsdale Elementary. All these
issues are greatly mitigated by changing these townhomes out for single family homes.
Lastly, and most importantly, from the information I have been able to gather, I still have not
seen a solution for our overcrowded schools in this part of the WASD. I am pleased that
more details have been shared about how WASD is planning for and monitoring growth and
development within their boundaries. As a result of this, they have identified a need for 8
new schools in the next 12 years. This is a great first step…needs are identified. However, I
have heard no solution offered for how we will fund these schools. The current method of
passing bonds seems doomed to fail. WASD indicates the need for 6 schools in a 4 year
period starting in 2024, including a new elementary school to serve South Meridian in 2025. I
think given the current economic conditions, and the recent significant increase in property
taxes, voters are very unlikely to approve 6 new bonds in 4 years, something I don’t think has
ever been done before. Furthermore, with regards to funding the required schools,
collecting impact fees has been discussed, but while the WASD has said this will help, it will
not eliminate the need for bonds. So we are at a place where the needs have been
defined (which is progress that I am thankful for) but we still lack a plan to fund those needs.
Lastly, I am very concerned about the timing indicated by the WASD for a new Middle
School (2030) and a new High School (2034) in South Meridian. Lake Hazel Middle and
Mountain View High are both already over capacity. How will these schools sustain 8 and 12
1
years respectively of additional growth if they are already over capacity today? Redrawing
boundaries and more bussing certainly can’t be the answer. The bus pick up time in our
neighborhood for Mt. View High is already prior to 6:30 AM. How much earlier will it have to
be if the students need to be bussed further?
In conclusion, I would respectfully ask that you deny the proposed Centerville Subdivision for
the reasons I have outlined above. I am very thankful for the time we have taken as a
community to ask some tough questions, with the goal being to make the right decision for
not just this immediate area, but for the entire community. Let’s make the time we have
already spent matter by taking the additional time needed to both further improve this
specific proposed development and ensure that we can maintain a quality public school
education for the children of our community.
Thank you for your time.
George and Pam Hoxsey
4184 E Rockhampton St
Meridian ID 83642
Sent from my iPhone
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