HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-10-17 Paul Elam
Charlene Way
From:Paul Elam <elam.paul@gmail.com>
Sent:Monday, October 17, 2022 1:13 PM
To:Clerks Comment
Cc:Paul Elam
Subject:The Bridgetower Multi-family CR-2022-0006 application creates an unsafe area for
our children and should be denied
External Sender - Please use caution with links or attachments.
Dear 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
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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.
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.
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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,
Paul Elam
Resident of Meridian, ID.
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