Russell Fulcher Comments
HOME ADDRESS
P.O. BOX 1166
MERIDIAN. IDAHO 83680
, rfulcher@overarch,com
RECEIVED
MAR 2 7 2007
City of Meridian
City Clerk Office
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OFFICE ADDRESS
STATE CAPITOL
P.O. BOX 83720
BOISE. IDAHO 83720-0081
rfulcher@senate.idaho.gov
(208) 3321340
FAX: (208}3321422
Idaho State Senate
SENATOR RUSSELL M. FULCHER
Honorable Meridian City Council Members:
March 27, 2007
It was my intention to attend your City Council meeting this evening to comment on the Castle Greens
Hubble develooment project Unfortunately, I will be in legislative meetings. attempting to win favor
among my colleagues for GARVEE legislation that is acceptable for Meridian and the Treasure Valley.
Please accept these comments as my testimony:
HISTORY:
From 1920 to 2003, my family and I owned much of the property where the Castle Greens Hubble project
is located (for purposes of open disclOsure, I also represent this area as State Senator, but there is no
conflict since this issue does not effect me uniquely). As a retirement vehicle for my parents. the property
was sold at below market value to Dan Woods, with the promise an "estate type" development would be
applied fOL Mr. Woods promptly flipped the property to Hubble, where our personal nightmare began.
We still own the -8 acres along the northeast portion of the proposed development (my parents live
there). Hubble has proposed R-8 density along our.entire property line and that of our neighbors.
CONCERNS:
1. Until this application was filed, this property was outside the area of city impact These dealings have
further convinced me that annexation outside areas of impact cause developmental inconsistencies and
other problems. In this specific instance. the placing of -644 homes in a field surrounded by rural areas
(as this development will do) exacerbates already strained infrastrudure, transition. and growth problems.
2. In previous meetings with Hubble, while attempting to convince them to reduce density adjacent to our
property, my family was boldly told: ",..we (Hubble) have bought our way in...there is nothing you can do
to change that." As an elected official, I struggle with .such an attitude from a private party and the
corresponding implications toward a segment of local government.
3. This type of development does not match the area or the long-term plan for Meridian as outlined by the
.Mayor in a speech to her Economic Development Council (Meridian: "Star of the New West" 9-19-06).
MOVING FORWARD:
After testifying (to no avail) on behalf of lower density on this project at ACHD and Meridian Planning &
Zoning, I came to the conclusion that the Hubble organization was correct; the deal has already been
"done" and there is nothing I, my family. or other constituents were going to do to change it. Accordingly,
the Fulcher family has engaged with an engineer to attempt to find a corresponding commercial use for
our property that will offer some salvage value to our property and provide some sort of "buffer" between
my parents and their soon to be -2,000 new neighbors. So, we have agreed to NOT stand In opposition
to this projeCt. I will add however. this pOSition was taken because we are convinced our opposition will
have no impact. In retumforour "non;..opposition;' Hubble has verbally said they would cooperate with us
in efforts to develop our property. We only hope their word is better than that ofMr. Dan Woods.
CONCLUSION;
On a related topic, the Senate Pro- Tem and Speaker of the House will soon be initiating an interim task
force with the assignment to make recommendations for improved area of impact and annexation I
growth planning. I will be on this task force. Your suggestions will be welcome.
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