HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-06-28 Carl MillerJune 23, 2023
Planning and Zoning Commissioners,
RE: Development Agreement Modification (H-2023-0005)
I strongly object to the Development Agreement Modification (H-2023-0005) proposal to construct a
Five Story, 500+ Apartment in the Linder Village subdivision.
Linder Springs is listed as Mixed-Use Community in the Future Land Use Map in the
Comprehensive plan. According to the Future Land Use map Designation Cut Sheet for Mixed Use
Community (MU-C), “the purpose of this designation is to allocate areas where community-serving uses
and dwellings are seamlessly integrated into the urban fabric” and “Residential uses should comprise a
minimum of 20% of the development area at gross densities ranging from 6 to 15 units/acre.” And
“Unless a structure contains a mix of both residential and office, or residential and commercial land uses,
maximum building size should be limited to a 30,000 square-foot building footprint.” This proposal does
not meet these requirements:
1. Community-serving uses and dwellings are seamlessly integrated into the urban
fabric
The excessive number of units will not be seamlessly integrated into the urban fabric.
According not the Meridian Comprehensive Plan policy 2.01.01H encourages the city to
“Locate higher density housing near corridors with existing or planned transit, Downtown,
and in proximity to employment centers.” Large, high-rise residential developments have a
place in urban downtowns located in proximity to frequent transit services, or in downtown
areas. In those locations the impact of additional density is negated, as trips can be done
by bus, walk, or biking. However, in this area, there is insufficient living-wage jobs, and no
public transit. The nearest bus stop is over 3 miles away, has hour-long headways, and
does not even serve the PM commute.
2. Gross densities ranging from 6 to 15 units/acre
According to the pre-application notes, this would be almost 40 units/acre. That far
exceeds the 6-15 unites/acre range and rivals the highest residential density in the city.
3. Maximum building size should be limited to a 30,000 square-foot building footprint.
At 90,376 square feet is more than three times the size of the maximum. This clearly
exceeds the types of size and massing expected in these areas and there aren’t any
five-story Apartment complexes anywhere near this area.
As one of only two American Planning Association certified transportation planners in the state of
Idaho, it is my professional opinion that this development is not appropriate for the land use context.
Please deny this proposal.
Sincerely,
Carl Miller, AICP CTP