HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-08-30 Diane Oswald
Chris Johnson
From:diane oswald <enaiddlawso@hotmail.com>
Sent:Tuesday, August 30, 2022 2:27 PM
To:Clerks Comment
Subject:Bridgetower Multi-family H-2022-0047 Planning and Zoning Commission meeting
9/1/2022
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I understand the property is zoned residential R-15. However, approving the application as is will cause Bridgetower
West and Bainbridge residents considerable inconvenience and a degradation in our current way of life.
Traffic on McMillan during the mornings and in the late afternoon/evening is already problematic at best. New home
construction further westbound on McMillan at the intersection of Black Cat and in the Oaks North and CBH subdivisions
have added numerous vehicles to an already crowded thoroughfare. Owyhee High School traffic is also a contributing
factor. Additional traffic from these proposed 235 units will make it exceedingly difficult to cross McMillan for those
exiting from N San Vito Avenue.
Although certainly not optimal, Bridgetower West, is by design, a divided community. Both the northern and southern
sections offer recreational and social gathering opportunities for our residents. Currently pedestrians and bicyclists are
literally at danger when attempting to cross McMillan. There is no crosswalk marked on the pavement, there is no traffic
light nor a HAWK (High-intensity activated crosswalk). Additionally, the current speed limit from on McMillan from 10
Mile to Black Cat is 45mph vs. 40mph in areas further east.
Although approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission, the previous application by Alpha Development Group for
construction of an almost exact number of units was denied by the Meridian City Council. One of the reasons for that
denial, is that McMillan Road will not be widened due to the high-tension electrical lines and the canal that runs along
the south side of the road. At best we could hope for a right turn lane. I would recommend be in both directions, one
from 10 Mile westbound towards Black Cat for those entering the northern section, and the other from Black Cat
towards 10 Mile for those entering the southern section.
The main thoroughfare through the northern section of Bridgetower West is W Gondola Drive. It is a wide, almost
straight cut through road allowing easy access to Black Cat. It almost invites drivers to exceed the speed limit as there
are no stop signs from N San Vito Way to N Black Cat Road or homes with driveway access.
I will admit I’m no expert at reading site plans. Also, it is difficult to discern on the online images as to weather the
current fencing on Bridetower West property along N San Vito is scheduled to remain in place. I would strongly
recommend that this fencing stay in place if only to make it clear that the single-family homes and apartment complex
are two distinct and independent communities.
Should the Planning and Zoning Commission approve this application I would hope they would consider the residents
currently living in the vicinity and adopt the following:
1. Some sort of protection for Bridgetower West and other pedestrians and bicyclists by the addition of a
traffic light, round about or HAWK at the intersection of N San Vito McMillan.
2. A recommendation to Ada County Highway district to add traffic calming on Gondola in the form of
speed bumps or something similar.
By being proactive vs. reactive to the increase in traffic we can keep our citizens safe.
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Respectfully submitted,
Diane Oswald
5267 N Bolsena Way
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