HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-08-21 West Ada School District Letter ��T vA West Ada
,� 1950 SCHOOL DISTRICT
August 20, 2025
Meridian City Council
—33 E. Broadway Avenue—
Meridian, ID 83642
Re: Pine 43 Development
Dear Mayor and Members of the Meridian City Council,
On June 25,2025, we submitted a letter regarding the proposed Pine 43 development. We ask that our earlier comments
be included in your packet for this project.This correspondence is intended to share additional observations and offer
further comments for your consideration.
While the West Ada School District does not take a position for or against specific developments,we recognize that the
Pine 43 project includes several positive featuresfor Crossroads Middle School and other schools in the surrounding area.
Most notably,its pedestrian-focused design provides safe and directwalkways to school bus stops and to Crossroads itself.
This level of connectivity supports student safety and aligns with our ongoing efforts to promote safe routes to schools.
We also note that Pine 43 reflects a higher-density housing model. Based on our demographic studies,these types of
communities typically produce fewer school-aged children than lower-density neighborhoods. Forthis reason,we are
confident that our schools can absorb the estimated 185-191 students projected from this development at full build-out
without undue strain on capacity.
We value the opportunityto continue working in partnership with the City of Meridian to support thoughtful planning that
benefits both the community and our schools.Thank you for your careful consideration of these observations as you
deliberate on the Pine 43 project.
ResTavid
ly,
Dr. einhart
Chief Operating Officer
June 25, 2025
RE: Pine 43 Mixed Use Sub. ALT, AZ, CUP, MDA, PP, RZ H-2024-0071
Dear Meridian City Planners:
West Ada School District has experienced significant and sustained growth in student enrollment during the last ten
years. Based on current enrollment data specific to the area surrounding this proposed development, we estimate a
development consisting of 30 single-family units and 874 multi-family units (604 of which are vertically integrated units)
could house approximately 185-191 school aged children**.
**Disclaimer: The Student Generation Rate (SGR) used for the vertically integrated housing units in this analysis is the
same as the rate used for traditional apartments. While there is reason to believe that vertically integrated units may
generate fewer students, we currently do not have enough local data to calculate a separate rate. Until we have a larger
sample size, we are using the traditional apartment SGR as the best available estimate.
Approval of this application will affect enrollments at the following schools in West Ada School District.
Enrollment Capacity
Meridian Elementary School 480 600*
River Valley Elementary 482 600*
Lewis and Clark Middle School 892 1000
Centennial High School 1699 1900
*Program Capacity
West Ada School District supports economic growth; however, growth fosters the need for additional school capacity.
Future developments will continue to have an impact on the district’s capacity. Should a school exceed capacity, to meet
the need for additional school capacity in this area one or more of the following may need to be implemented:
Transporting students to an alternate school with available classrooms.
Attendance area adjustments if there is availability in a nearby school.
Passage of a bond may be needed in the next 5-8 years to build new schools and fit the enrollment needs
Portable classrooms placed on the property if space is available.
West Ada School District requests developers’ and City Council’s consideration for providing safe walkways, bike paths, and
pedestrian access for our students to schools and community resources.
Sincerely,
Miranda Carson
Director of Transportation & Planning