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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-10-16 Melinda and Ray Akhbari Charlene Way From:Reza Akhbari <rezakhbari@yahoo.com> Sent:Thursday, October 16, 2025 5:34 PM To:Clerks Comment; planninginquiries; City Clerk Subject:Opposition to Proposed 18-Unit Multi-Family Development of Borough Village at Corner of Everest and N Jericho Rd External Sender - Please use caution with links or attachments. Melinda & Ray Akhbari 6119 N Jericho Road Meridian, ID 83646 rezakhbari@yahoo.com To: City of Meridian Planning and Zoning Commission Subject: Concern About Proposed 18-Unit Apartment Project at Everest & Jericho Dear Planning and Zoning Commission Members, We’re writing as long-time residents of N Jericho Road to share our concerns about the proposed 18-unit multi-family development at the corner of Everest and Jericho. We live just a few houses down from the site, and we’re very familiar with the area, the current traffic, and the challenges this project would bring. This part of Meridian is made up mostly of single-family homes on larger lots, and smaller residences. Adding a large multi-family complex right in the middle of it doesn’t fit the neighborhood and creates some real issues we think need to be considered: 1. Traffic & Safety: There are already a lot of cars cutting through Jericho, Commander, and Everest—often speeding. We have kids who ride bikes and walk around the neighborhood, and we constantly worry about how fast people drive through here. Adding 18 more units means a lot more cars, and honestly, the streets just aren’t built for that. In addition to this, we only have two access points - from Locust Grove via Commander & Jericho streets and from Chinden via Everest. The access point at Chinden does not have a traffic light, making it quite dangerous to exit the neighborhood that way, meaning most residents will drive down Jericho to leave the neighborhood. 2. School Bus Stop & Street Parking: The school bus stop at Everest and Jericho is already tricky. With cars from the existing apartments parking along the street, it’s hard for buses and other cars to see kids. More units without proper parking will just make this worse—and more dangerous. Parking is already tight; we’ve seen how overflow from the current apartment complex spills out onto the street, and it’s a problem. Our HOA doesn’t even allow us to have more than one car parked on the street per household, yet overflow from a separate development continues to pack our roads. 3. No Room for More Cars: The existing apartment complex doesn’t have enough parking as it is, and this new project would only make things worse. The proposed lot isn’t big enough for the number of vehicles that will come with 18 one-bedroom one-bathroom units with no storage or garages as part of the plan. The current development plan also includes two additional townhouses on the opposite side of the street on the corner lot with a additional commercial garbage box. My heart goes out to the home owner of the house that is on the other side of the fence from this part of the development plan. If this goes forward, the parking overflow will end up on our streets—again—which blocks visibility and makes it tough for emergency vehicles or even just neighbors trying to get through. 4. Neighborhood Feel & Noise: One of the reasons we chose this neighborhood was its quiet, family-oriented feel. Another large apartment building brings a totally different dynamic—more noise, more activity, and more traffic. We’re not against growth, but it needs to match the area. Duplexes or smaller-scale housing with more bedrooms and garages would make 1 a lot more sense here, and would blend in better with the existing homes. We feel that one-bed one-bath apartments would create a constant flow of residents moving in and out. 5. Infrastructure Strain: We also wonder if our local infrastructure—like sewer, water, and waste collection—can really handle this much new development in one spot. We’re already seeing some strain in these areas, and adding 20 more households will only add pressure. We’re not opposed to thoughtful growth. We just ask that you consider how this project affects the people who have been living here for many years. Also, a concern is how this would affected the value of peoples homes. A smaller-scale development—like duplexes—would be much more appropriate for the space and the neighborhood. Thanks for taking the time to hear our concerns. We truly hope you’ll reconsider this proposal Sincerely, Melinda Akhbari 2