HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-09-01 Paul Elam
Charlene Way
From:Paul Elam <elam.paul@gmail.com>
Sent:Thursday, September 1, 2022 11:50 AM
To:Clerks Comment
Subject:The Bridgetower Multi-family CUP H-2022-0047 application creates an unsafe area for
our children and should be denied
External Sender - Please use caution with links or attachments.
Dear Planning and Zoning Commission as well as the City Council and Mayor of Meridian:
Like so many families, we have moved here recently seeking a better environment for our families. A safer environment,
one where we could let our children play outside without having to worry about them.
When we first moved here, we lived near Linder and Ustick which is beautiful, with 2 lanes in each direction plus a
turning lane in the middle. This road from between Ustick (near Sawtooth Middle School) north to Chinden was well
thought out and looks beautiful and safe for children.
Then 3 months ago, we chose Bridgetower West as the location of our new home. We did this because we wanted a
peaceful and quiet neighborhood in a lovely community. Our family was super excited because we immediately
connected with great neighbors and loved the surrounded area.
A month ago we learned that Alpha Development Group is seeking approval to build a giant apartment complex here
between the Bridgetower West community and the Walmart. We feel betrayed by the city and the original developer,
Mike McCollum. These are our emotions and though they feel real, I’m sure the commission, Mayor and City Council
only care about facts. So let’s discuss facts.
This is completely the wrong location for apartments based on many facts:
Infrastructure Impact:
Roads - The area roads are insufficient to support the current demand nor the pending growth within 6 months
(current construction projects underway) and in no way, can support this large scale apartment complex either:
o McMillian Rd is a single lane in each direction, even starting much further east by Meridian Rd. The
traffic flow is already horrible and will continue being very problematic based on all the new
subdivisions nearby under construction or permitted continuing west on McMillian from Ten Mile all the
way to Owyhee High School. In fact, I’m unable to even find data on how many homes are underway
now based on existing permits. Does the Commission know because this should be part of weighing the
fact to decide on this application.
o ACHD’s own report indicates that McMillian isn’t slated to be expanded until 2031 - 2035. Even then,
they only plan to add a middle turning late but still not 2 lanes of traffic in each direction.
o Safely is already an issue with cars rushing to turn left or right off of other arterial streets such as San
Vito, Black Cat, McDermitt, etc. The current planning for expansion of McMillian is already unacceptable
based on existing growth already approved and underway at this time.
Schools - This would be horrible for the nearby schools:
o Overcrowding - Pleasant View Elementary and other area schools are already at capacity. They have
already planned for ordering portables for next school year. Is the current 30+ students per classroom
acceptable education?. I think not and it will be even worse soon.
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o School Zone Safety - This apartment complex is 1/4 to 1/2 mile away straight down Gondola. The
additional 400 - 500 cars from the apartments would cause a major safety issue during periods when
school starts and ends for the day. No more relaxing walk to the schools for parents and young
children. Already, during drop-off and pick-up times, there are nightmare long lines formed down
Gondola even passing onto Black Cat.
o Building additional schools to accommodating this growth is at least 1 - 2 years out, when considering
planning, building, rezoning, etc.
Neighborhood Children Safety - Kids rides bikes & scooters down our streets and play ball without a care in the
world. We bought here and paid high dollars because we wanted that environment for our families. If this
project is approved, we will have 400 - 500 cars racing down Gondola to sneak into the apartments from the
short cut off of Black Cat, which will jeopardize the safety of our children. No one would have bought here
knowing that much additional traffic was coming in the future with apartments.
Police Response Impact - Per their own submitted information, the time to arrive to this community, is outside
of their goals.
Fire Dept Impact - No information has been even submitted. How would we even know how dangerous and
unsafe it would be for the apartments or even nearby homes, if a fire was to break out and the fire response
couldn’t be acceptable.
Drought - The whole area is under a drought and we don’t know if sufficient water could be supplied whether
that be for fire, irrigation or even to satisfy the needs of the apartment residents. Think Las Vegas, we too have
limited available water.
Out of State Developers - They are only here for the money and don’t need to deal with the lack of safety for our
children or the traffic nightmares they create.
They could develop and sell the apartment thus washing their hands from dealing with the safety and hassles
they create.
They could turn it into Section 8 housing
There’s no long term “skin in the game” - Alpha and their partners won’t have to deal with the outcomes of their
development as will your existing residents
Mike McCollum, who supposedly supports this project and was the original developer of Bridgetower West,
doesn’t seem to even care about the existing residents of his subdivision. While he won’t improve the
landscaping of our community and relies on his hand-picked HOA and their landscapers, he won’t let go of the
reins of our community even after many years because there’s still a lot or two available. After this much time,
we deserve to have a resident managed HOA that truly cares about the community instead of an outside
company. This is just money and control to out of state developers.
Finally, why is this project even a value to the city?
o There are many large scale apartment complex projects underway down Ten Mile road on both sides of
I-84. These projects were well-thought out over many years to ensure the value to Meridian and her
residents.
It is time to delay or decline further development. Give the existing residents of Meridian a break from the madness as
well as the roads and infrastrucure a chance to catch up. I ask you to not rush approval for an “urban” community that
is unneeded and unwanted here due to the severe impact it will create. It will negatively impact our way of life.
A commercial development of restaurant and shops makes better sense here. Even better, let the out of state
developers, donate this land as a park to demonstrate that they care about our community and not just their dollars.
Sincerely,
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Paul Elam
Resident of Meridian, ID.
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