HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-08-20 Doug Phillips
Charlene Way
From:Doug Phillips <dougphillips@me.com>
Sent:Wednesday, August 20, 2025 11:57 AM
To:Clerks Comment
Cc:Charlene Way
Subject:Secondary Input - H-2024-0058 In-N-Out Burger at Ten Mile
External Sender - Please use caution with links or attachments.
Douglas Phillips
3656 West Sunny Cove Lane
Meridian, ID. 83646
August 20. 2025
Members of the Meridian City Council
33 E. Broadway Ave.
Meridian, Idaho 83642
Dear Council Members,
I am writing again regarding the proposed In-N-Out Drive-In development adjacent to our neighborhood. I
recognize that the applicant has slightly adjusted their proposal by narrowing operating hours. However,
these minor modifications do not resolve the core problems with this project, nor do they address the
long-term impact it will have on the surrounding residential community.
Limited Adjustments Do Not Address Core Issues
Restricting operating hours does little to reduce the larger challenges of traffic congestion, safety risks,
noise, and light intrusion. The busiest periods for In-N-Out restaurants, lunch and dinner rushes, remain
within the hours they still plan to operate. Even with shorter hours, our streets will face heavy
congestion, pedestrian safety hazards, and a constant inflow of vehicles into a space that was never
intended to manage this level of traffic.
Residential Character Still at Risk
The central problem remains unchanged. This development is incompatible with its location. A high-
volume drive-in restaurant may succeed in commercial corridors where infrastructure and zoning
support it. Placing such an establishment within 750 feet of single-family homes, however, directly
undermines the quiet residential character of the area. No adjustment of operating hours can erase this
fundamental incompatibility.
Precedent for Future Encroachment
If the Council approves this project after previously rejecting it, the decision will establish a troubling
precedent. Other high-traffic and late-night businesses will point to this approval as justification for
1
requesting locations near residential areas. This matter is not only about one restaurant. It is about
protecting our neighborhoods from a gradual shift toward commercial encroachment.
Lingering Concerns of Residents
It is important to recognize that the concerns raised by residents during the first hearing remain
unchanged. We are still facing the prospect of increased noise, diminished property values, odors from
food production, light pollution, and litter spilling into our streets. The applicant’s proposal may have
been altered slightly, but the neighborhood’s lived experience would remain one of disruption and
reduced livability.
The Responsible Path Forward
Meridian’s growth and reputation depend on thoughtful planning. A project of this scale and intensity
should be located in a proper commercial district, where its popularity would be an asset rather than a
burden. We should not sacrifice the well-being of our neighborhoods in order to accommodate a
corporation that has countless other siting options better suited to its operations.
For these reasons, I respectfully urge the Council to uphold its original decision and reject this proposal
once again. Our neighborhoods deserve protection from projects that threaten their safety, livability, and
long-term character.
Thank you for your continued service and for prioritizing the interests of Meridian residents.
Sincerely,
Douglas Phillips
2