HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-10-07 Bruce and Kathy Dickinson To Meridian City Council Members
Cc: Representative John Overton
Re: SUBJECT: H-2024-0019 Centrepoint Apartments-ALT, CUP, MDA
LOCATION: Project is located at 3030 N. Cajun Lane and 3100 N. Centrepoint Way, near the southwest corner of N. Eagle
Road and E. Ustick Road, in the NE 1/4 of the NE 1/4 of Section 5,Township 3N, Range 1E.
The intersection of Ustick and Eagle was described in 2020 by the Idaho Statesman at the 6t" busiest intersection in
Idaho.
The last published traffic counts that I could find were from 2019 (Ustick Rd West of Eagle Road) and 2023 (Eagle Rd
North of Ustick Road and Eagle Road South of Ustick Road). I am certain that in the period since these dates the traffic
count has risen substantially and one needs only to drive down those corridors during the peak times of 7-9 a.m. and 4-6
p.m.to experience the congestion in this area. The addition of approximately 558 (279 units x 2 vehicles) additional
vehicles with the only ingress and egress being Centrepoint way would negatively impact not only the
homeowners/renters currently residing in Jackson Square and the adjacent condominiums, apartments, and the existing
commercial businesses but the many commuters who already travel these corridors.
Streets Location City Date 24 Hr Count Direction AM PM
PEAK PEAK
EAGLE RD NORTH OF USTICK RD Meridian 08/30/23 49102 NB 1419 1839
Approach &Total SB 1743 1490
EAGLE RD SOUTH OF USTICK RD Meridian 08/31/23 53865 NB 1337 2133
Approach &Total SB 499 1651
USTICK RD WEST OF EAGLE RD Meridian 4-17-19 26223 EB 1253 859
Approach &Total WB 497 1359
As homeowners in the Jackson Square development my wife and I support the Planning and Zoning Commission's
recommendation for denial of this Conditional Use Permit and are opposed to this development for the following
reasons:
1. A high-density development in this location will cause traffic issues that will not only impact the surrounding
areas but will ultimately affect the new development's livability as well.
2. Traffic Flow—The addition of 279 dwelling units with access down two narrow entry streets,Centrepoint Way &
Cajun Lane will impact the ability of both emergency vehicles and normal traffic to access this neighborhood. In
addition,the proposal to use parking spaces along Cajun Lane requiring vehicles to back out into traffic lanes on
what will be a very busy street based on the additional traffic the proposed development will bring will cause the
potential for accidents and traffic congestion to an already extremely congested intersection. Cajun Lane already
acts as the closest exit for existing commercial buildings at the corner of Ustick and Eagle Road with no traffic
signal causing significant backups on Cajun Lane and again for people attempting to turn onto Eagle Road from
Ustick.The City wisely rejected a proposed commercial entity in the neighboring commercial development based
on these traffic and parking concerns. It seems to us that the same logic applies to this situation.
3. Negative impact on existing adjacent neighborhood—The existing residential neighborhood will be negatively
impacted by this much higher density development. Additional traffic, noise and building height will all have
negative effects for neighbors.The original zoning for this property was for commercial development, as owners
we realized that when we purchased our property.A development with this density would have a negative
impact on the neighborhoods adjacent to it in a way that a well-planned commercial development would not.
We respectfully request that the original 2008 zoning C-G for this parcel be maintained and the Conditional Use Permit
for the development be denied to maintain the integrity of the existing residential parcels and not further congest
already congested corridors) Ustick and Eagle. When we purchased our property in late 2020 we were made aware
that the parcels were zoned commercial and plans were underway for a fitness facility. Had we known that the City
Council would potentially change the zoning to residential we most likely would not have purchased our property. We
are very happy with our home and location, but the addition of this high-density project would greatly impact all the
residents, existing commercial entities, in these developments negatively as well as the commuters in these corridors.
Again, please maintain the C-G zoning for this parcel.
Thank you,
Bruce and Kathy Dickinson
2771 N Centrepoint Way
Meridian, ID 83646