HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-07-31 Leah Thayer
Charlene Way
From:Leah Thayer <quesaleah@gmail.com>
Sent:Thursday, July 31, 2025 10:13 AM
To:Clerks Comment
Cc:citycouncil; Mayor Office Feedback
Subject:VOTE NO to In & Out
External Sender - Please use caution with links or attachments.
I'm writing in regard to the In & Out for the corner of Ten Mile and Lost
Rapids. My family and I live very near there (square on the image
below), and I am strongly opposed to that location being used by In &
Out for the following reasons:
1. My children's bus stop (star on the image below) is just a 100 feet or so away, and the site
is very near two public parks: as a community and collectively as residents, we've invested
millions in creating safe, quiet, peaceful neighborhoods that Meridian is known for. Allowing
this location to be invaded by over a million people a year (plus their traffic, light and
noise pollution, and drive-through trash) would bring the opposite of what we have worked
for decades to build.
WE SHOULDN'T HAVE TO RISK OUR SAFETY FOR THEIR FINANCIAL
GAIN.
2. There are already too many drive-throughs in the area (10!). Long-term planning for our
town needs to balance these types of businesses with others: for example, I'd love to see a
sit-down family restaurant in that location: it would be a much more appropriate way to serve
1
the community. We need to balance the types and locations of businesses to match our
beautiful downtown with an eye toward the long-term form and function of Meridian. Since
their April filing, they've altered their hours: however, this only condenses more traffic into
less hours. Even the slight change of even one emergency vehicle being delayed is
unacceptable.
A loud, busy restaurant open until midnight (and employees leaving at 1:00) still means my
family can't leave our windows open on hot summer nights. Deliveries at 6 a.m. means that
my three young children will be woken by loud beeping delivery trucks three or more
mornings a week until either we leave, or they do. The property value of our home would be
negatively impacted, and my heart would go out to the residents who would live even closer
than we do.
My husband once lived in a townhouse behind a drive through, and found it very disruptive
and unpleasant (speakers, business lights, vehicle lights, the stink from idling vehicles, noise
from cars/customers/deliveries, and traffic issues getting to and from his home all disturbed
his peace - and made his backyard unusable 100% of the time).
3. The relationship of the roads and turn-ins to Ten Mile and
Chinden is already precarious: that particular lot is VERY poorly
suited to the increased car volume it would produce. Even a different
lot in the same development would be better, for this reason alone. I
am not opposed to the chain itself building another location in the
north Meridian or south Star area (I'm sure the food is delicious), but I
believe they should find one with better flow for cars and no safety
impact on quiet neighborhoods. (My suggestion would be near the
interchange of 20/26 and Highway 16.)
4. In & Out itself was disingenuous in completing their own "traffic study" in the depths of
winter. The timing of this should cast a distrusting eye over their dealings with Meridian now
and in the future. If anything, I'd request them to repeat the same study in spring, summer,
and fall, before considering again.
The fact that our community and our city council has already told them "No," and they keep
trying to force the issue reeks of a private California corporation (not held accountable to
shareholders or federal oversight) - with concerning political participation (and even religious
messaging on their packaging!) forcing their way into our peaceful corner of the world. Their
divisive behavior isn't worth the risk of a rupture in our town. They even have a charity arm -
that refuses to respond to needs of abused children and people without homes - except in
cities that have allowed their presence - which reeks of a smarmy tit-for-tat. This is all in
2
keeping with their unprofessional treatment of the city servants in
previous dealings.
5. Mine is one voice, but surveys of my neighborhood and the surrounding ones tells me a
very strong majority of my neighbors feel the same. I hope you do, too. If you aren't
convinced, I invite you to stand on that lot for a while and watch the
traffic flow "in and out" of the Costco development for yourself. I'm
confident if you imagined thousands more cars per day, you wouldn't
want that adjacent to your home or less than a block from your 5 year
old's bus stop.
I have read that the existing sites in commercial areas are running
well, and I'me very pleased to hear it. I would encourage them to find
a location that is not in a residential neighborhood. I'm confident that any
drive-through in that location would have a very negative impact now and for many years to
come. I ask you to please VOTE NO to their appeal.
Thank you -
- Leah R. Thayer
5899 N Levenham, Meridian
3
Charlene Way
From:Josha Iverson
Sent:Thursday, July 31, 2025 10:29 AM
To:Leah Thayer
Cc:citycouncil; Mayor Office Feedback; Clerks Comment
Subject:RE: VOTE NO to In & Out
Good morning Leah,
Thank you for reaching out and sharing your thoughts about the proposed project. Your email has been
received by our office. As you may be aware, the City does not determine which food service or business
locates at a property, the City regulates the land use of various properties while businesses decide to
locate at given sites or areas based on market conditions.
Because this project is part of an open application, the Mayor and City Council members are prohibited
from commenting outside of the public hearing. We take public feedback seriously and want you to know
that we have received your email and have read your comments.
Your email has been forwarded to our City Clerk and will be included in the public record. We invite you
to check the City’s website, meridiancity.org for any upcoming public hearing notices and additional
information regarding the development.
Thank you,
Josha Iverson| Executive Assistant
City of Meridian | Mayor’s Office
33 E. Broadway Ave., Meridian, Idaho 83642
Phone: (208) 489-0529
Built for Business, Designed for Living
All e-mail messages sent to or received by City of Meridian e-mail accounts are subject to the Idaho law,
in regards to both release and retention, and may be released upon request, unless exempt from disclosure by law
From: Leah Thayer <quesaleah@gmail.com>
Sent: Thursday, July 31, 2025 10:13 AM
To: Clerks Comment <comment@meridiancity.org>
Cc: citycouncil <citycouncil@meridiancity.org>; Mayor Office Feedback <MayorOfficeFeedback@meridiancity.org>
Subject: VOTE NO to In & Out
External Sender - Please use caution with links or attachments.
I'm writing in regard to the In & Out for the corner of Ten Mile and Lost
Rapids. My family and I live very near there (square on the image
1
below), and I am strongly opposed to that location being used by In &
Out for the following reasons:
1. My children's bus stop (star on the image below) is just a 100 feet or so away, and the site
is very near two public parks: as a community and collectively as residents, we've invested
millions in creating safe, quiet, peaceful neighborhoods that Meridian is known for. Allowing
this location to be invaded by over a million people a year (plus their traffic, light and
noise pollution, and drive-through trash) would bring the opposite of what we have worked
for decades to build.
WE SHOULDN'T HAVE TO RISK OUR SAFETY FOR THEIR FINANCIAL
GAIN.
2. There are already too many drive-throughs in the area (10!). Long-term planning for our
town needs to balance these types of businesses with others: for example, I'd love to see a
sit-down family restaurant in that location: it would be a much more appropriate way to serve
the community. We need to balance the types and locations of businesses to match our
beautiful downtown with an eye toward the long-term form and function of Meridian. Since
their April filing, they've altered their hours: however, this only condenses more traffic into
less hours. Even the slight change of even one emergency vehicle being delayed is
unacceptable.
A loud, busy restaurant open until midnight (and employees leaving at 1:00) still means my
family can't leave our windows open on hot summer nights. Deliveries at 6 a.m. means that
my three young children will be woken by loud beeping delivery trucks three or more
mornings a week until either we leave, or they do. The property value of our home would be
negatively impacted, and my heart would go out to the residents who would live even closer
than we do.
2
My husband once lived in a townhouse behind a drive through, and found it very disruptive
and unpleasant (speakers, business lights, vehicle lights, the stink from idling vehicles, noise
from cars/customers/deliveries, and traffic issues getting to and from his home all disturbed
his peace - and made his backyard unusable 100% of the time).
3. The relationship of the roads and turn-ins to Ten Mile and
Chinden is already precarious: that particular lot is VERY poorly
suited to the increased car volume it would produce. Even a different
lot in the same development would be better, for this reason alone. I
am not opposed to the chain itself building another location in the
north Meridian or south Star area (I'm sure the food is delicious), but I
believe they should find one with better flow for cars and no safety
impact on quiet neighborhoods. (My suggestion would be near the
interchange of 20/26 and Highway 16.)
4. In & Out itself was disingenuous in completing their own "traffic study" in the depths of
winter. The timing of this should cast a distrusting eye over their dealings with Meridian now
and in the future. If anything, I'd request them to repeat the same study in spring, summer,
and fall, before considering again.
The fact that our community and our city council has already told them "No," and they keep
trying to force the issue reeks of a private California corporation (not held accountable to
shareholders or federal oversight) - with concerning political participation (and even religious
messaging on their packaging!) forcing their way into our peaceful corner of the world. Their
divisive behavior isn't worth the risk of a rupture in our town. They even have a charity arm -
that refuses to respond to needs of abused children and people without homes - except in
cities that have allowed their presence - which reeks of a smarmy tit-for-tat. This is all in
keeping with their unprofessional treatment of the city servants in
previous dealings.
5. Mine is one voice, but surveys of my neighborhood and the surrounding ones tells me a
very strong majority of my neighbors feel the same. I hope you do, too. If you aren't
convinced, I invite you to stand on that lot for a while and watch the
traffic flow "in and out" of the Costco development for yourself. I'm
confident if you imagined thousands more cars per day, you wouldn't
want that adjacent to your home or less than a block from your 5 year
old's bus stop.
3
I have read that the existing sites in commercial areas are running
well, and I'me very pleased to hear it. I would encourage them to find
a location that is not in a residential neighborhood. I'm confident that any
drive-through in that location would have a very negative impact now and for many years to
come. I ask you to please VOTE NO to their appeal.
Thank you -
- Leah R. Thayer
5899 N Levenham, Meridian
4