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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-11-09 Carolyn Sauer Chris Johnson From:CAROLYN SAUER <sauerc@prodigy.net> Sent:Wednesday, November 9, 2022 11:08 AM To:Clerks Comment Subject:Kingston Subdivision Attachments:Kingstown Public Comments.docx External Sender - Please use caution with links or attachments. City Clerk's Office: Dear Sir/Madam, Please attach the document below to the Kingstown Public Comments file/folder. Thank you for your attention in this matter. Sincerely, Carolyn Sauer 1 Carolyn Sauer 2584 E. Lacewood Drive Meridian, ID 83646 sauerc@prodigy.net The Honorable Mayor Simison, Meridian City Council, and Planning Commission. Meridian City Clerk’s Office 33 E. Broadway Avenue Meridian, ID 83642 comment@meridiancity.org November 9, 2022 The Honorable Mayor Simison, Meridian City Council, and Planning Commission. Dear Sirs/Mesdames, I am writing in regard to the Kingstown proposed subdivision and the city council meeting, dated October 20, 2022. I am aware that you have received letters addressing the residential density and the Comprehensive Plan Policies. While it is obvious that several of the proposed developments are not consistent with this plan, my concerns include responses from the developers, the members of the City Council, and some of the drawings presented as they pertain to this issue. The drawings of the plans for these subdivisions do not appear to contain dimensions which speak to lot sizes, distance from houses to the roads and sidewalk, and distance between major streets. My understanding of the Comprehensive Plan Policies; 2.02.02C, 2.02.02D,3.01.01A, and 3.07.02F is that they address the following requirements: 1. Support infill development that maintains the integrity of the abutting, existing development. 2. Apply appropriate construction standards to infill development in order to reduce adverse impacts to existing development. 3. Evaluate comprehensive impact of growth to include City Master Plans and Strategic Plans. 4. Coordinate with transportation agencies (ACHD) to align future needed infrastructure. The primary issue is not property values but the health/safety and quality of life for the Idahoans that live here and in surrounding areas. My understanding of back fill means that new development should be a gradual transition of density and should address traffic density, safe distances for roads, homes, and sidewalks, and possibly air and water quality. Our local news is replete with stories of pedestrians and bikers being hit by cars. This trend appears to be on the rise. Members of city council made the statement, “our hands are tied”, because ACHD owns the roads. It appears that developers are being allowed to rely on traffic studies that are obsolete (more than one year old), at a time when development in the Treasure Valley is increasing exponentially. My concern is that no one is coordinating with other departments such as ACHD to resolve issues that are happening locally. It also appears that some of the plans are in violation of ACHD regulations. Sauer, Page 2. While ACHD may own the roads, the City Council is responsible for authorizing development that will increase the volume of traffic without taking into account that our local roads are also used by people living in outlying areas such as Avamore, Nampa, and Star to name a few. In more than one instance developers appeared to be threatening City Council with the argument that development will not be fiscally possible if the density of their proposed plan is reduced. That means they will be forced to sell the land to another developer. This argument is non sequitur because the codes are not subject to change based on the developer. More importantly, the fiscal status of the developer is not Meridian’s problem. Real estate investment has risks. Developers should know this. My hope in writing this letter is that City Council will re evaluate their position on some of these proposed developments in Meridian. We have an opportunity to create and maintain a city that provides a quality of life we can be proud of. Fiscal margins must end where diminished quality of life begins. Thank you for your interest and concern in this matter. Sincerely, Carolyn Sauer