Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutLetter from Dave McKinnon ~ RECEIVED Ocr' 1 'I 2006 L~ >.,..; <tJ.. ........./SiI ~/QIsl/dI.... City Of Meridian City Clerk Office December 13, 2006 Mayor and City Council City of Meridian 101 Idaho Meridian,ID 83642 Dear Mayor and Council, I am in receipt of the staff report for the Reserve Final Plat modification request to allow solid fencing on the north property line between the approved residential subdivision and the School District's property located approximately ~ of a mile south of Chinden Boulevard. The staff report does a good job of explaining the existing situation with the school's existing chain-link fence, but does little to analyze the request of the School District and the subdivision developer to allow a solid fence (vinyl or <<'frex", not wood) adjacent to the existing alternative school site. As stated in the, staff repor~ and the application, the existing School District installed fence is in the wrong location, and needs to be moved or taken down. We asked Wendel Bigham to meet us on site to discussuwh~er be wanted to move the fenge, leave the fence or just take it down. At - this meeting Mr. Bigham asked what kind of fence we intended to install and we responded that our intent was to install a black powder-ooated chain-link. Mi. Bigham responded that he would prefer a solid fence, (as long as it is not cedar), to provide a safer, less problematic fencing - solution. Mr. Bigham explained that chain-link is easy to climb and school children often do not think twice about climbing such fencing to retrieve a ball or other objects that ClOSS the property line. Minor accidents from falling off the fence and ripped clothing in addition to trespassing are problems the School District wishes to avoid. Dogs behind open vision fencing also provide additional concern for the School District in tenDs of distraction, bites and teasing. The residential fencing along the western boundary of the School is solid vinyl Builders and homebuyers desire private and secure backyards, and this can only be accomplished . with solid fencing adjacent to a ~hool site. The desire for conimunity policing needs to be balanced . against the desiIes for safety and privacy of both the school district and future property owners. - - We look forward to meeting with you and the School District's representative next week to discuss this issue. Dj~~~ Dave McKinnon CMG 405 South 8th Street. Suite 290 · Boise. Idaho 83702 · 208 336.5355' Fax 208336.2282 Registered Contractor RCE-219 l December 14, 2006 Mayor De Weerd and City Council City of Meridian 33 E. Idaho Meridian, ID 83642 Dear Mayor and Council, Thank you for taking the time to review the fencing requirements on the north side of the Reserve Subdivision. I plan on building my home within this subdivision, ~jacent to the school site. I have small children, like many of my clients, and we would prefer to have a private backyard, as opposed to sharing my backyard (and my family activities) with a large nwnber of middle school and elementary students. There is a high probability that there will be interaction between my children and the older children in the adjacent schoQI, and I would like to limit the possibility of any sort of negative contact between the older studeBts and my children. The opportunity is also there for negative interaction- from the private homes towt1I'ds schoolchildren(i.e. dogs and hannful adult interaction). A backyard is a private area used for family and social activities; opening it to -schoolyard limits the times that it can be used in such a manner (weekend and evening sports further reduces the time when the yard functions privately). A front yard is a semi-private area and does not get used in a similar manner as a rear yard because that very reason: it is not private. Homes backing to the school will effectively have two front yards, with no private area to recreate. I ask that you agree with the School District's and my request to allow solid fencing adjacent to the School District's property. There is ample visibility into the school site from Locust Grove and I do not believe that the Police Department Should dictate the type of fencing between two property owners, especially when both property owners want privacy fencing. I look forward to hearing your discussion on this item next week.