HomeMy WebLinkAboutLetter from David & Jennifer Bourff
Letter regarding public hearing for 403 E. 2nd Street (application for conditional use
permit for polyethylene/plastic tent)
To: Planning and Zoning Committee
From: David and Jennifer Bourff (Residents of 130 E. Ada, which is directly attached to
403 E. 2nd Street)
RE: Reasons why the application for conditional use should be denied.
Dear Planning and Zoning,
Having recently been made aware of the upcoming public hearing regarding our
neighbors application for a conditional use permit, we need to make it perfectly clear that
we feel it should not be granted for several reasons (listed and explained below). We
would have liked to have been in physical attendance for the meeting, but we've had
plane tickets to go to California for months now, and cannot switch the ticket dates. We
aren't opposed to the Kelly's owning the tent, just its location. Here are our reasons:
1. It is, cosmetically speaking, an eyesore. It is a portable tent, and it is set up right
on the property line, which IIlt:ans you can't view the front of our house without
noticing it. It is a large structure that can't be missed. In short, the curb appeal of
my home is affected. While in discussions with a real estate agent, we were told
that a tent in our front yard would definitely be a negative. You can note in the
pictures below (taken from www.ad~web.l!etaccessor).theKelly.sdidn.t place
the tent near their front windows, front yard, or doors. They used ours instead.
2. The tent restricts our view. Before the tent was erected, we could see up through
the intersection of 2nd and Ada and beyond. Now, all we can see is a polyethylene
tent (it is beige colored, not ckar.. .you cannot see through it). According to the
City of Meridian code (11-3A-5), there is supposed to be a clear vision triangle
that we feel has been violated. We may not have had a mountain view before, but
what we had was ours, and it has been taken away.
3. Safety concerns. Just as the tent restricts our view from natural scenery, it also
restricts our view from/into oncoming traffic. It is impossible to pull out of our
driveway without advancing the front or rear of a vehicle into traffic blindly,
which could cause an accident. There is absolutely no way to see through it,
around it, or over it. It completely blocks the view to the left uf uur home.
Before the tent was erected, there was no impairment whatsoever, and now it is
completely impaired.
OCT 2JD:3
..'-"--- .
q"",,,2OO&,::'ili7The Ada County Assessor's record reflects
the view of the property when the structure was not present. The structure is located very
near the 4 way intersection of 2nd and Ada, which is an active traffic area with no yield or
stop signs, allowing traffic to proceed at speed. In the above picture, you can see our
black Ford truck to the right of the Kelly's. Their blue carryall truck is parked where the
tent is now erected. The below photo (dated 2003, pre-tent) shows an unobstructed view
to the intersection from our driveway.
One simply needs to look at current photos (to be delivered 10-30-06 by 2pm) in order to
understand why we are writing this letter. Each of our three reasons can clearly he seen
any recent photo. We hope you'll consider our point of view, as we feel we are the most
affected by the tent, and its approval would diminish our view, and our safety.
Thank you,
David & Jennifer Bourff 888-6959
"
':::~~
THese two pictures are taken
coming out of our driveway.
Notice the blind side.
View coming down Ada.
Front of our
house. Quite the
eye sore. It is in
the back/side of
the KellY6 hou6e.
Left picture is fro
the intersection.
Notice unable to
see the vehicle in
our driveway.
, Picture on right is
comig from 2nd on
Ada,
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