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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-07-14 Emily Prumers Charlene Way From:Emily Prumers <EmilyMarieV@hotmail.com> Sent:Monday, July 14, 2025 6:17 PM To:Clerks Comment Subject:H-2025-0019 - Gramercy Townhomes - Parcel# R3238520110 External Sender - Please use caution with links or attachments. Dear Meridian Planning and Zoning Commission, I am writing as a concerned resident and stakeholder to formally oppose the proposed rezone request H- 2025-0019 submitted by Elton Development Company. This request seeks to rezone 6.98 acres located at 1873, 1925, and 2069 Wells Avenue from C-G (General Commercial) to TN-R (Traditional Neighborhood Residential), including a preliminary plat for 82 buildable lots, 8 common lots, and a development agreement modification to remove the age restriction and establish a new concept plan. I strongly object to this proposal for the following reasons: 1. Tra?ic Safety Concerns – Existing Congestion Will Be Made Worse The proposed development sits near one of Meridian’s busiest intersections: Eagle Road and Overland Road. This area already experiences significant congestion and long delays, particularly during morning and evening rush hours. Adding 82 housing units to this location will only worsen the problem. This issue is compounded by the development’s immediate proximity to The Goddard School, a daycare center where small children are regularly picked up and dropped o?. The increased tra?ic volume, turning movements, and construction activity pose serious safety concerns for families, sta?, and young children at the daycare and for the broader community using Wells Avenue and surrounding roads. 2. Incompatible Density for the Area Packing 82 units onto less than 7 acres—more than 11 units per acre—is a significant departure from the surrounding land use. This kind of high-density housing conflicts with existing residential patterns and places additional stress on infrastructure not designed for it. 3. Deviation from the Original Plan and Public Expectations The original development agreement designated this site for age-restricted, retirement-oriented housing, which carried a significantly lower impact on schools, tra?ic, and public infrastructure. This was a thoughtful and intentional use—one that not only made logistical sense but also aligned with the surrounding community's expectations and planning goals. Importantly, the site’s proximity to The Goddard School created a unique and positive opportunity for intergenerational connection. Many parents and community members envisioned a scenario where retirement-aged residents could engage with the children—whether through informal interactions, reading programs, mentoring, or simply sharing green space and a friendly wave. These kinds of organic relationships between generations have been shown to benefit both young children and seniors, promoting empathy, reducing isolation, and enriching the neighborhood 1 culture. By removing the age restriction and converting this property into dense family housing, the developer is not only breaking from the original concept but also eliminating the potential for a mutually beneficial relationship between the retirement community and The Goddard School. Instead of fostering connection, the proposed change increases tra?ic and noise near a daycare facility, adds stress to local infrastructure, and disregards the values embedded in the original plan that residents, parents, and businesses had every reason to count on. 4. Strain on Infrastructure and Public Services Beyond tra?ic, this level of development will put added pressure on local utilities, parks, and public services, including schools and emergency response times. No compelling justification has been given to support this shift in zoning, nor adequate mitigation strategies. 5. No Appropriate Transition from Commercial Uses The rezone removes a key land use bu?er. Residential density at this level abutting commercial property risks long-term conflicts between business operations and resident expectations. Request for Action: For the safety of our community’s children, the integrity of prior planning agreements, and the well-being of the surrounding area, I respectfully urge the Planning and Zoning Commission to deny rezone application H-2025-0019. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, Emily Prumers 2230 E Horse Creek Ct. Meridian, ID 83642 (509) 995-2270 2