HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-08-05 Jennifer Lahmon
Charlene Way
From:Jennifer Lahmon <jennsmall822@gmail.com>
Sent:Monday, August 4, 2025 6:01 PM
To:City Clerk; Brian Whitlock
Subject:Strong Opposition to Proposed In-N-Out Burger at Ten Mile and Lost Rapids Rd
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Dear City of Meridian City Council and City of Meridian Planning Department,
I am writing to voice my strong opposition to the proposed In-N-Out Burger location at Ten Mile and Lost
Rapids Road.
As a lifelong resident of this area, I have seen Meridian change dramatically over the years. Not many
people can say that they remember when Eagle Road was two lanes and their was a large dairy farm
where the Village now sits. While growth is inevitable, it must be managed with responsibility and
foresight. This project, in this location, reflects neither. We must be more deliberate and accountable in
the choices we make, because they have lasting consequences for the quality of life in our community.
This quality of life is what keeps me and my family of many generations in this area that we lovingly call
home.
We have already seen the disruption caused by the In-N-Out location at The Village. That development
created major public safety concerns due to significant traffic congestion. Meridian Police, ACHD, and
other local agencies had to redirect valuable time and resources to manage the chaos—resources that
are already stretched thin. The noise, traffic, and overflow deeply impacted surrounding neighborhoods.
We should learn from that experience, not repeat it!
Ten Mile Road is already overburdened. Adding another high-traffic establishment like this would push
our infrastructure beyond its limits and diminish the peaceful character of our neighborhoods. This used
to be a peaceful place to live "out in the sticks" where you felt you could let your children play in the front
yard and ride their bikes without worrying about their every move. Now, you can't do that. Ten Mile Road
has more crash statistics than most of the other roads in this area with the exception of Meridian Road
and Eagle Road. It's because you're allowing too many businesses and subdivisions to be built in
populated areas. There is simply not enough space in the area to develop traffic plans that would keep
overflow from this proposed establishment, off Ten Mile and onto private property in a safe and
controlled way. This presents a direct safety risk to both drivers and pedestrians.
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Furthermore, the Idaho Transportation Department’s long-term project connecting Highway 16 to I-84
MUST be completed before any further significant changes are made in this area. This would allow us to
truly see how that corridor will impact the traffic in our area- we can not just assume that it will make it
better and base decisions off of that. That's like counting your chickens before they hatch. Until those
improvements are in place, we do not have the infrastructure needed to support additional traffic
volumes or new high-demand commercial developments. Moving forward without regard to this reality
would be reckless on your part.
Additionally, the infrastructure in this area is not equipped to absorb this kind of development. The
environmental impacts must be part of this discussion. A high-volume restaurant such as In-N-Out will
place further stress on our water and sewer systems, increase demands on trash collection and
disposal, and significantly affect stormwater and wastewater management. Runoff from increased
impervious surfaces like large parking areas can overwhelm drainage systems, leading to pollution,
flooding, and erosion in nearby residential zones. We should not be adding additional environmental
burdens to an area already pushed to its limits.
We have a responsibility to make decisions that protect our neighborhoods, to protect our City, not just
accommodate the desires of large corporations. Not every location is suitable for every business. I
strongly urge the City of Meridian to reject this proposal and identify a more appropriate site—one
situated in a true commercial area that can better support the traffic, utility usage, and environmental
impacts this business will bring. We have to take accountability for the destruction of our own
community.
Thank you for your time and consideration. Please prioritize the well-being of existing residents and the
integrity of our neighborhoods as you evaluate this proposal.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Lahmon
2091 N. Scioto Place
Meridian, Idaho 83646
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