HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-10-29 Bob Flaten
Charlene Way
From:Chris Johnson
Sent:Monday, November 3, 2025 8:00 AM
To:Charlene Way
Subject:FW: Hoping for Help
Also for the record.
From: Robert Simison <rsimison@meridiancity.org>
Sent: Thursday, October 30, 2025 11:37 AM
To: Bob flaten <bobflaten11@gmail.com>
Cc: Bill Parsons <bparsons@meridiancity.org>; Chris Johnson <cjohnson@meridiancity.org>
Subject: RE: Hoping for Help
Mr. Flaten,
Thank you for reaching out and sharing your thoughts about the proposed project behind your home. Because this
project is part of an open application, City Council members and I are prohibited from having conversations and
commenting outside of the public hearing process. That said, we take public feedback seriously and want you to
know that I have received your email and have read your comments.
I have copied our City Clerk so that this correspondence can be included in the project public record. I have also
copied our Planning Manager Bill Parsons. He is able to speak with you about the process issues or any other
component of the proposed development. I would encourage you to engage with him directly to see what, if any,
concerns he can address.
Respectfully,
Mayor Robert Simison
City of Meridian
All e-mail messages sent to or received by City of Meridian e-mail accounts are subject to the Idaho law,
in regards to both release and retention, and may be released upon request, unless exempt from disclosure by law.
From: Bob flaten <bobflaten11@gmail.com>
Sent: Wednesday, October 29, 2025 10:48 PM
To: Robert Simison <rsimison@meridiancity.org>
Subject: Hoping for Help
External Sender - Please use caution with links or attachments.
October 29th 2025
Dear Mayor Simison,
My name is Bob Flaten and I am writing this in hopes that you may be able to help my family. We live at 1111
North Adkins Avenue (previously Adkins Lane). The property we live on has been owned by my family since the
early 90’s and has been the epicenter of activity for both close and distant relatives alike. This has been a safe and
1
quiet area to live since I was little boy walking down the dirt road to my neighbor Opal Ferringtons’ house as she
would often give me candy just to brighten my day. For years we have welcomed new neighbors to the area. We
have made many acquaintances and even a few close friends as we watched the area around us grow. The
property currently holds a very long standing land agreement in Ada County (1901-current). So long, that it literally
precedes the city of Meridian itself. We had hoped to be able to live here for many more years, continuing to make
memories with our loved ones as we have for so long. Unfortunately, that future is now in jeopardy.
There is a field next door to our house that has been around since before I was born and undoubtedly, we all
knew that it would eventually sell. Well, that land being sold is more than understandable and expected but what
wasn’t expected is what we are now being told may be in store for our future. In September we were notified via
public hearing notice that the property was in question for being rezoned to R15 from its previous zoning of R4 like
the surrounding area. At first glance this may not seem like much, but this is absolutely devastating for our home
and many others who would be greatly impacted if this rezoning were allowed.
During the first hearing, many others within the neighborhood came to voice their opinion on the matter as
well but it seems that our voices may be not enough. We are small and our opposition seems unbeatable. When
put on the podium to voice my concern I very much expressed feeling like our story shares similarities with the
story of David and Goliath and that feeling holds more true now than the day I said it. It just flat out seems like our
happiness and the peace within our homes are being pushed aside so that someone else can make as much
money as possible.
After speaking with many of our neighbors and hearing their side we have found that like us, none of them
support the idea of rezoning the area in question to R15. We all have our own reasons and the statements can be
seen and heard as it was recorded but I can only speak with authority on some of the reasons why it is so bad for
us. For starters our property has more land that butts up next to the perspective project than any other property.
We would be looking at an estimated 4 large 2-3 story and possibly even bigger buildings being built right out our
front door. Approximately a mere 25 feet away. This would very literally cut us off from sunlight leaving our family
in the dark. We are being told they are not being designed for multifamily homes but we have great reason to
believe this is not true. This would greatly impact traffic, noise, litter, and likely crime while reducing privacy,
safety, peace and overall enjoyability of our home. While not certain, it is very possible to also diminish current
land values to perceivable buyers in the future.
We do not believe what the architects have been telling us as they have already proven to be deceitful. The first
example I have of this comes from the first time we met with them. This meeting occurred on Adkins Avenue next
to the field. The meeting was the first opportunity for current residents to ask questions about the intentions of the
new owners and why they would want it rezoned. Many questions were asked but very few answers were provided.
For example, we asked about grade, height of houses and how many buildings may be built. When my wife asked a
particular question expressing irrigation and drainage concerns she was told that the question could not be
answered because the engineer was not available to be on site that evening. This seemed like a reasonable answer
until we went in front of the city council to plead our case. While at that hearing the same woman answering
questions in the street would also speak on behalf of the architects for the project. In doing so she introduced a
man in their group as the project engineer. That very same man was in fact at the meeting in front of Adkins. They
lied. Either to us, the city council, or both. The second example I have was at the same hearing. When starting the
hearing the architect got to make the opening statement. In that statement they minimized everything we had
discussed on the street and stated that she had not spoken to any naysayers from the surrounding homes and
whomever she had spoken with supported the project. This is also an absolute lie and I respectfully brought that to
the attention of the committee when it was my turn to speak. The architects representative also got to speak at the
end even though we the people only had minimal time to share our concerns. Overall they give very vague answers
even though they clearly have some sort of plan. This leads us to believe that they are either lying in full in hopes of
pushing it through with minimal resistance or they honestly don’t know the future of the property meaning anything
could happen if the property does get rezoned. If that is the case how could they accurately depict the future to
us? Or, if they do know the intended plans why aren’t they being completely forthcoming with the details as it
greatly affects our ability to be happy in our own homes?
Mr. Mayor, I can’t stress this part enough. We are NOT asking to be treated better or more importantly than
our future neighbors but rather we hope to be treated as equals. All we want to do is live on a level playing field
with our surroundings. We fully understand that the future residents’ matter, but we should matter too. Even the
2
name of this development “Ferrington Heights” tells the true story and is very demeaning to all the current
homeowners (sidenote, this would have made Opal sick to her stomach as she greatly valued the happiness of her
neighbors). We are literally being forced to beg just to hopefully be able to protect the enjoyability and livability of
our homes and the potential loss of that is being rubbed in our faces. Please, please help us protect our homes.
There must be a way that we can all maintain our way of life while being able to welcome and add new neighbors to
the area. If you would like to get in touch with me for any reason my number is 208-573-5731. Call or text, I will
make the time whenever is best for you.
Most Sincerely,
Robert James Flaten
3
Charlene Way
From:Chris Johnson
Sent:Monday, November 3, 2025 8:00 AM
To:Charlene Way
Subject:FW: Hoping for Help
For the record please.
From: Bill Parsons <bparsons@meridiancity.org>
Sent: Friday, October 31, 2025 3:39 PM
To: Robert Simison <rsimison@meridiancity.org>; Bob flaten <bobflaten11@gmail.com>
Cc: Chris Johnson <cjohnson@meridiancity.org>; Nick Napoli <nnapoli@meridiancity.org>
Subject: RE: Hoping for Help
Good Afternoon Mr. Flaten,
I also appreciate you sharing your concerns about the proposed development. My colleague, Nick Napoli, has
been in communication with your wife regarding the specifics of this project. He is currently working with the
developers to address some of the concerns raised by you and others. The developer has requested a continuance
of the project in order to modify the plans. Once the revised plans are submitted, we will include them as part of
the public record for review. Nick and I are available to answer any additional questions you may have.
Sincerely,
Bill Parsons, AICP | Current Planning Supervisor
City of Meridian | Community Development Dept.
33 E. Broadway Ave., Ste. 102, Meridian, Idaho 83642
Phone: 208-884-5533 | Direct: 208-489-0571
Built for Business, Designed for Living
All e-mail messages sent to or received by City of Meridian e-mail accounts are subject to the Idaho law,
in regards to both release and retention, and may be released upon request, unless exempt from disclosure by law.
From: Robert Simison <rsimison@meridiancity.org>
Sent: Thursday, October 30, 2025 11:37 AM
To: Bob flaten <bobflaten11@gmail.com>
Cc: Bill Parsons <bparsons@meridiancity.org>; Chris Johnson <cjohnson@meridiancity.org>
Subject: RE: Hoping for Help
Mr. Flaten,
Thank you for reaching out and sharing your thoughts about the proposed project behind your home. Because this
project is part of an open application, City Council members and I are prohibited from having conversations and
commenting outside of the public hearing process. That said, we take public feedback seriously and want you to
know that I have received your email and have read your comments.
1
I have copied our City Clerk so that this correspondence can be included in the project public record. I have also
copied our Planning Manager Bill Parsons. He is able to speak with you about the process issues or any other
component of the proposed development. I would encourage you to engage with him directly to see what, if any,
concerns he can address.
Respectfully,
Mayor Robert Simison
City of Meridian
All e-mail messages sent to or received by City of Meridian e-mail accounts are subject to the Idaho law,
in regards to both release and retention, and may be released upon request, unless exempt from disclosure by law.
From: Bob flaten <bobflaten11@gmail.com>
Sent: Wednesday, October 29, 2025 10:48 PM
To: Robert Simison <rsimison@meridiancity.org>
Subject: Hoping for Help
External Sender - Please use caution with links or attachments.
October 29th 2025
Dear Mayor Simison,
My name is Bob Flaten and I am writing this in hopes that you may be able to help my family. We live at 1111
North Adkins Avenue (previously Adkins Lane). The property we live on has been owned by my family since the
early 90’s and has been the epicenter of activity for both close and distant relatives alike. This has been a safe and
quiet area to live since I was little boy walking down the dirt road to my neighbor Opal Ferringtons’ house as she
would often give me candy just to brighten my day. For years we have welcomed new neighbors to the area. We
have made many acquaintances and even a few close friends as we watched the area around us grow. The
property currently holds a very long standing land agreement in Ada County (1901-current). So long, that it literally
precedes the city of Meridian itself. We had hoped to be able to live here for many more years, continuing to make
memories with our loved ones as we have for so long. Unfortunately, that future is now in jeopardy.
There is a field next door to our house that has been around since before I was born and undoubtedly, we all
knew that it would eventually sell. Well, that land being sold is more than understandable and expected but what
wasn’t expected is what we are now being told may be in store for our future. In September we were notified via
public hearing notice that the property was in question for being rezoned to R15 from its previous zoning of R4 like
the surrounding area. At first glance this may not seem like much, but this is absolutely devastating for our home
and many others who would be greatly impacted if this rezoning were allowed.
During the first hearing, many others within the neighborhood came to voice their opinion on the matter as
well but it seems that our voices may be not enough. We are small and our opposition seems unbeatable. When
put on the podium to voice my concern I very much expressed feeling like our story shares similarities with the
story of David and Goliath and that feeling holds more true now than the day I said it. It just flat out seems like our
happiness and the peace within our homes are being pushed aside so that someone else can make as much
money as possible.
After speaking with many of our neighbors and hearing their side we have found that like us, none of them
support the idea of rezoning the area in question to R15. We all have our own reasons and the statements can be
seen and heard as it was recorded but I can only speak with authority on some of the reasons why it is so bad for
us. For starters our property has more land that butts up next to the perspective project than any other property.
We would be looking at an estimated 4 large 2-3 story and possibly even bigger buildings being built right out our
front door. Approximately a mere 25 feet away. This would very literally cut us off from sunlight leaving our family
2
in the dark. We are being told they are not being designed for multifamily homes but we have great reason to
believe this is not true. This would greatly impact traffic, noise, litter, and likely crime while reducing privacy,
safety, peace and overall enjoyability of our home. While not certain, it is very possible to also diminish current
land values to perceivable buyers in the future.
We do not believe what the architects have been telling us as they have already proven to be deceitful. The first
example I have of this comes from the first time we met with them. This meeting occurred on Adkins Avenue next
to the field. The meeting was the first opportunity for current residents to ask questions about the intentions of the
new owners and why they would want it rezoned. Many questions were asked but very few answers were provided.
For example, we asked about grade, height of houses and how many buildings may be built. When my wife asked a
particular question expressing irrigation and drainage concerns she was told that the question could not be
answered because the engineer was not available to be on site that evening. This seemed like a reasonable answer
until we went in front of the city council to plead our case. While at that hearing the same woman answering
questions in the street would also speak on behalf of the architects for the project. In doing so she introduced a
man in their group as the project engineer. That very same man was in fact at the meeting in front of Adkins. They
lied. Either to us, the city council, or both. The second example I have was at the same hearing. When starting the
hearing the architect got to make the opening statement. In that statement they minimized everything we had
discussed on the street and stated that she had not spoken to any naysayers from the surrounding homes and
whomever she had spoken with supported the project. This is also an absolute lie and I respectfully brought that to
the attention of the committee when it was my turn to speak. The architects representative also got to speak at the
end even though we the people only had minimal time to share our concerns. Overall they give very vague answers
even though they clearly have some sort of plan. This leads us to believe that they are either lying in full in hopes of
pushing it through with minimal resistance or they honestly don’t know the future of the property meaning anything
could happen if the property does get rezoned. If that is the case how could they accurately depict the future to
us? Or, if they do know the intended plans why aren’t they being completely forthcoming with the details as it
greatly affects our ability to be happy in our own homes?
Mr. Mayor, I can’t stress this part enough. We are NOT asking to be treated better or more importantly than
our future neighbors but rather we hope to be treated as equals. All we want to do is live on a level playing field
with our surroundings. We fully understand that the future residents’ matter, but we should matter too. Even the
name of this development “Ferrington Heights” tells the true story and is very demeaning to all the current
homeowners (sidenote, this would have made Opal sick to her stomach as she greatly valued the happiness of her
neighbors). We are literally being forced to beg just to hopefully be able to protect the enjoyability and livability of
our homes and the potential loss of that is being rubbed in our faces. Please, please help us protect our homes.
There must be a way that we can all maintain our way of life while being able to welcome and add new neighbors to
the area. If you would like to get in touch with me for any reason my number is 208-573-5731. Call or text, I will
make the time whenever is best for you.
Most Sincerely,
Robert James Flaten
3