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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLetter from Citizens Dear Meridian Zoning Members, RECEIVED APR 2 6 2007 April 26, 200~ITY OF MERIDIAN RZ07-008 &;c1JP~rRK OFFICE Regarding the proposed variance to the current zoning ordinance and simultaneous request for a zoning change at Cherry Wood Village on the SW comer of Cherry Lane and Linder, adjacent to the Vineyards subdivision (application RZ 07-008 of Richard and Roy Brown to rezone from C-N to C-C, and further conditional use permit CUP 07-007 for a retail sail and service of motor scooters within the C-C zoning district). A general description of the area: lbree comers have commercial properties bordering residential subdivisions. Meridian High School is a half-mile South on Linder. Meridian Middle School and City Library are half mile East on Cherry Lane. Tully Park sits half a mile North on Linder. A new school has just been built a mile and a half North on Linder. The intersection boasts a gas station, a car wash, three pizza stores and a drive through cafe. All but two pizza stores and the cafe sit on the SW comer, at or adjacent to the properties on which the proposed changes are to occur. The SW comer already has two variances that make it the busiest comer at the intersection. The noise level is high. Short-term traffic on the SW comer is the highest for the intersection. Arguments against rezoning and variance: 1) The comer already bears a high level of noise and traffic, yet it has no sound barrier between the commercial and residential activities. It is reasonable to insist that a sound barrier cinderblock wall be erected prior to granting any zone change or variance to the property that would increase traffic and/or noise. 2) The intersection lies near three school zones and the library. It is a poor choice of locations from which to test an unfamiliar motor vehicle for the first time, or to test the capabilities of one that is recently repaired. The commercial- neighborhood designation is needed to support the activities and kinds of shops that will support a student population of minors. A vehicle sales and repair shop does not serve a commercial-neighborhood need. The comer is properly zoned as IS. 3) The commercial-community designation allows far more noisy and disruptive activities than a scooter shop. Once rezoned, there are no further controls on these activities. This includes auto repair and vertical housing developments that even a sound barrier wall is unlikely to alleviate. Due to the risk of detrimental impact to the enjoyment of residents adjacent to this area, a zoning change is not in our interests. These concerns have been expressed to the property owner at the neighborhood meeting. Residents or their representatives have indicated they would oppose the proposed chang~s und~r th~ curr~nt conditions. Despite objections, the owner has chosen to pursue the zoning change. His tenant has already moved stock and inventory to the location, and repairs and tests are on going at the lot in question. This has given us some indication of what the impact is likely to be. As a home owner adjacent to this property, I ask you to please reject the request for a zoning change and variance on the property as currently developed for any or all of the aforementioned reasons. Sincerely, Of -~ /I qw VlCj t!H~. ~ 0^JrtL6 Il)j~ t~~ft"_4~ ~yt5;;g; - ,pho'i'ograpIis and notes on ~es discussed follow: This is the Back of the property seeking a variance and/or zoning change. The building is not designed for interior engine work. To safely run and test engines, the doors will have to be open. This is also the primary entry/exit for inventory and repair items, and to test vehicles. Note the cedar privacy fence. It is the only barrier between the commercial and residential areas. It extends the length of the property between the residential and commercial area. This property is adjacent to and existing Maverick gas station/convenience store, and a car wash. The proposed vehicle repair shop is next door to a Domino's Pizza establishment (that delivers). Because the restaurant is on the comer, drivers use the side and rear for parking. Similar establishments on the adjacent block are not on the comer, and use the front entrance primarily. This commercial comer of the intersection bears the greatest brunt of short term traffic. Lines at the Maverick are often 3 deep. This is the commercial block located North of the proposed zoning changes/variances at the same intersection. Note that where the business and residential areas connect, there is a sound barrier cinderblock wall. There is NO automobile access to the rear of the building, no gas stations and no car washes. This is back of the commercial block located East of the proposed zoning changes/variances at the same intersection. It has a Java drive through and a pizza shop, no gas stations, no car washes and no motor vehicle repair. It also has a seven foot sound barier cinderblock wall between the commercial and residential properties. Vineyards Homeowners Association 1864 E. Lochmeadow St. Meridian, In 83646 RECEIVED APR j 0 2007 CITY OF MERIDIAN CITY CLERK OFFICE April 30, 2007 City Council City of Meridian 33 E. Idaho 81. Meridian, ill 83642 Dear City Council: RE: proposed rezoning at Linder and Cherry Lane On behalf of the Board of Directors and residents of The Vineyards subdivision, I writing to express concerns about the proposed change of zoning from C-N to C-C requested by Richard and Ray Brown. They intend to operate an A-I Scooter of Boise business from the shopping mall at the comer of Linder and Cherry Lane. They indicate the business will be for the retail and service sales of scooters. They say all the displays, service, and retail activities will be conducted entirely inside of the premises. The Vineyards has several concerns about this business and the consequences of rezoning the area to C-C. In the brief time this business has been in the mall we have seen all terrain vehicles and off-road motorcycles in the business, so we question whether this business will limit sales and service to scooters. The application says all activities will be conducted inside of the premises, but test rides will be done outside of the premises, probably including the rear access driveway adjacent to homes. The noise from test driving scooters, off-road motorcycles, and ATV machines would have a considemble negative impact on residents of the Vineyards. Secondly, we are concerned that a C-C zoning would allow future developers to construct multi-story shops in the area. The C-N zoning limits stores to single story. Multi-story buildings would definitely have a negative impact on residents by violating their privacy. Second story businesses would look directly into bedrooms of homes in the Vineyards. Residents are further concerned that there is not a requirement, if the area is rezoned to C-C, that the buffer between the businesses and homes be increased to 25 feet and noise abatement and privacy improvements be required. to be installed. The Vineyards neighborhood asks the City Council to consider the long tenn consequences of the application to rezone this area. Residents already are disturbed by the noise of vacuum cleaners and traffic at the car wash business, and delivery cars rushing in and out from the Dominos Pizza. The added noise of scooters running up and down the rear section of the property, and the potential that multi-story businesses could be developed at the site, will have an adverse impact on the quality of life for residents of the Vineyards and it will affect property values. We ask the City Council to please weight these factors when deciding whether to approve the zoning change to C-C. Thank you. ~~ David Crandall Neighborhood Manager cc: Board of Directors 04/25/2007 13:51 2El83456719 IDAHO HELICOPTERS PAGE 1212 Citr" of MerIdian Hal DaGrange 1450 N. SIIVeracso PI. Meridian, Idaho 83642 ~.... PIla...;..;nIZi:II*lg CQ...." -" n... April 25, 2007 Dear Sir or Madam: This letter Ii in regards to the Notice of Hearing recElived 51i1 Of April, 2007. The application, RZ 07..008 of RiChard Brown and Roy Brown for a rezone of approximately 4 acres from a C-N zone to a C~C zone for Lots 1-6. block 1 of the comer at Vineyards Subdivision fe,r Cherry Wood Village. r am opposed to this re-zone of the above mentioned property and the conditional use Pennlt, CUP 07-007 for the allowance of a retail sales and service of motor scooters, for the following reasons; 1. The allowable conditions available under the rezone of C-C, i.e. Arts. entertainment or recreational facility, outdoor stage or music venue, The property is located within a residentiallilrea, to me the size of propelty could not sustain, If granted. actMtles of such nature, not to mention the noise pollution that is already emitted from this area. 2. Arts, entertainment or recreation facility, outdoor$'. we as residence located at the boundaries of the above mentioned property experience severe noise pollution from the ear wash, pizza delivery, Maverick customers booming stereo's, trash pick up during week ends or early morning hours, vehicles racing In and cut of the Church of Christ parking lot located just south of the property on Linder. Allowing the re-zonlng of this property will only aggravate this condition. 3. The Church of Christ Parking lot Is a magnet to skate boarders, motorcycle riders, roller blades and a general hang out for children. The addition of a motor scooter ~1e8 and selVice facility will again aggravate ihis on going problem. Individuals wanting to test ride these vehicles will ultimately end up in this parking lOt I have spoken With a church representative concerning this matter, and the parking lot is posted wlth "no skate boards/roHer blades ero, I've seen how ineffective this measure has become. The owner of the motor scooter facility 88eures me, that all test drives will be conducl:8d in front of the building. Safety now comes into play. Not only do they have the congestion of the Pizza delivery vehicles in and out of the ares but Motorists who cut this intersection dally, mainly high school kids heading east bound on Cheny lane, cutttng the light, going onto the property and behind the car wash to continue south bound on Linder to Meridian High School. According to the owner, test drivers will just have to be aware and dodge motorists as well. I feel this Is Ii bad combination, someone is going to get hurt, and to prevent that the Church parking lot is the next best place, or behind the bUilding adding more noise to the existing prgblem. Not to mention the noiee crei!tecl during maintenance and trouble shooting being conducted from 1tle back of the building. I have lived in the Vineyards subdivision since 1993, and have seen a lot of changes in the valley since 1969 when I moved to Boise. Growth Is inevitable but I don't see the advantage of re-zoning this property due to its size and location, a small area surrounded by homea. nor the location for a motor $COoter sales and service facility. I only see where It may raise the property value for the owner. I know that this area really only affects a few home owners located within 300 feet of the boundary but still We our sanctuaries we came home to after a long day of work that is being threatened. When we first built at our present address we were told by Holland Realty, by Frank Madsen, that a professional office complex was going in the above mentionad location. I guess thafs what we get for taking his word. ObViOusly, had we known then what we do now, we wouldn't have built here. I have suggested to Mr. RIchard Srown at a previous meeting. to install speed bumps in the parking lot facing north to slow the "comer cuttel$., and also a brick wall sound barrier around the lilOuth and west sides of the mentioned property, similar to the one located at the south west comer of Under and Franklin Road. He mentioned that he would take a look at it and get back with me. He never dicl. This would subdue some of the noise, but would also detour treSpasselll who out through our yards and 04/25/2007 13:51 2883456719 IDAHO HELICOPTERS PAGE 03 . Page 2 April 25, 2007 jump our fences. We have all mended our back fences on several occasiona due to kids cutting through. I have mentioned this problem at B couple of city council meetings years ago, When our phase of the subdivision was being compJeted. Security was a major problem back then and frequently stili Is today. At that time we had asked the developer, to install i!I large border fence or barrier around the border of the Vineyards and the above mentioned property. Had the fence been built years ago, I don't think this re-zonlng would be an IlSSue today. If this re--zoning goes through, the resldence that border the above property can only request the installation of a wall around the perimeter, as ISO many other walls been installed in the surrounding area. At any rate I would like to thank you for your time in reading my concems. J do hope that consider.ation may be applied to the home owners in the Vineyards Subdivision. S2t:?~ Hal DeGrange 1450 N. Silverado PI. Meridaln, Idaho ChY- V'1"'lj iV bod IJ/ II aJ}R._ 1 .' .~-, A-f Rt 'I It;d- ~o 7 Yv,e(2t,l/!f N C,1-?s- f /AAJIJINl Ciw.-I LcJ/Y"J"'8 W~f/t;e...+Jnen/ 6J;J Ari<"/ /g; ?CJcJ7 uJ~ .epee---fec{.y-t-e , / s/ 'J;v c< 5 1? ~ 1 t{ Il2e/.. -rt -c .e J{ c. 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