HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-08-30 Stephanie Martin
Charlene Way
From:Stephanie Martin <stephanie_n_martin@yahoo.com>
Sent:Saturday, August 30, 2025 10:56 PM
To:Clerks Comment
Subject:OPPOSED – In-N-Out Burger CR-2025-0002 September 2025 Appeal
External Sender - Please use caution with links or attachments.
Dear Members of the Meridian City Council,
I am writing to urge you to uphold the Planning & Zoning Commission’s decision to deny the proposed In-N-Out Burger at
Ten Mile and Lost Rapids. This is not an appropriate location for such a high-traffic establishment, and moving forward
would cause lasting harm to the surrounding neighborhoods. Unlike existing In-N-Out sites near The Village in Meridian or
on Midland Blvd in Nampa-both located in highly commercial zones-this corner is immediately adjacent to residential
areas and simply not designed to handle the same level of volume. Minor adjustments to operating hours and delivery
times do nothing to resolve the core issues.
Key reasons for opposition:
Traffic and Safety
The Ten Mile & Lost Rapids intersection cannot safely absorb the extraordinary vehicle volume this restaurant will
generate. The Costco development area already struggles with congestion, and traffic from this proposal would spill onto
side streets, neighborhood roads, and already overburdened signals on Ten Mile. Unlike other In-N-Out locations, there is
no overflow parking lot to redirect vehicles, creating a high risk of gridlock and blockages. Safety concerns are further
magnified by the proximity of two heavily used city parks and multiple school bus stops.
Residential Impact
This site is immediately adjacent to established neighborhoods. Even with a midnight closure and restricted delivery
hours, the projected increase in visitors would overwhelm already-challenging navigation for daily commuters, park users,
and nearby church traffic. No residential community should bear this level of disruption.
Misalignment with City Vision
This would be yet another drive-thru in the Costco development area. The original plan envisioned a retail hub with limited
drive-thru use—not a “drive-thru central” corridor. Allowing this proposal would undermine that vision and set a damaging
precedent for future development.
Flawed Traffic Study
In-N-Out’s traffic study was conducted over just four days in December 2024—a time that excludes the spring, summer,
and fall activity from nearby parks, schools, and neighborhoods. Real-world conditions already show congestion: the left
turn lane from Ten Mile to Lost Rapids regularly backs up to Ten Mile, and the entrance between the bank and Café Rio is
already a dangerous choke point. Adding hundreds of additional daily vehicles would create constant gridlock along the
north end of Costco. Customers will get creative to work around traffic and delays. I could predict a line up along the Lost
Rapids Blvd residential road, preventing residents from simply leaving their neighborhood without waiting in a line of
traffic.
Community Opinion
Opposition to this project has been unprecedented. At the Planning & Zoning hearing, hundreds of residents submitted
comments, and the overwhelming majority opposed this location. Casual input of surrounding neighbors confirm this
sentiment, with residents repeatedly stating they would welcome In-N-Out in a more suitable, high-volume commercial
area—but not at this corner.
Additional Development Strain
With the approval of the Adero Park neighborhood, Ten Mile between McMillan and Chinden is already projected to face
increased traffic. Adding In-N-Out to this corridor would compound an already unsustainable situation.
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For these reasons, I respectfully but strongly ask you to vote NO and uphold the Planning & Zoning Commission’s denial
of this project. The wellbeing of our community depends on decisions that balance economic growth with responsible
planning and neighborhood safety.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Stephanie Martin
Bainbridge
3721 W. Vanderbilt Dr.
Meridian, Idaho 83646
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