HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-02-23 Philip Bode
Charlene Way
From:Philip Andre Bode <philip.andre.bode@gmail.com>
Sent:Sunday, February 22, 2026 9:41 PM
To:comment@merdiancity.org; City Clerk; John Overton; Brian Whitlock; Liz Strader;
Doug Taylor; Anne Little Roberts; Lucas Cavener; Robert Simison; Public Works; Micah
Bandurraga
Cc:Wifey
Subject:Reference: H-2024-0059 – Latitude 43
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Reference: H-2024-0059 – Latitude 43
To the City of Meridian and everyone involved with the Latitude 43 development,
My name is Philip Bode. I am a husband, a father, and a proud resident of Meridian. I am
a homeowner in the beautiful Woodbridge neighborhood. My home is located on East
Bowstring, which is potentially directly impacted by this project.
When my wife and I bought our dream home in December, we were unaware—and
heartbroken to learn—about the intense and alarming traffic that comes through our
neighborhood on a daily basis, almost nonstop. We are now devastated to hear that it
could get much worse.
No matter how many traffic concepts are reviewed, the reality is that people take the
shortest route shown on Google Maps, Apple Maps, Waze, or whatever app they use.
That route is going to be Concept A—going directly through the Woodbridge
community.
To my understanding, studies have been conducted on the impact of through-traffic in
Woodbridge, and it is over 5,000 cars or more traveling through a neighborhood where
children are playing and families are trying to live normal lives. Many vehicles are
traveling significantly above the posted 25 mph speed limit.
The current status as a resident of Woodbridge is this: any additional traffic impact would
push conditions over the edge and create dangerous and unacceptable living conditions
for residents.
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North Eagle Road is already one of the most congested corridors in the State of Idaho,
and until this is properly addressed, no further development should move forward that
adds additional strain to existing infrastructure and current residents.
Developers—both commercial and residential—should be required to improve roads and
infrastructure as the highest priority before being permitted to build additional projects.
The City of Meridian should pause projects or require developers to fix existing issues
through developer-funded infrastructure improvements, including hiring experienced
traffic engineers from regions that successfully manage high-traffic growth areas.
Living in Woodbridge – A Resident’s Perspective:
Most cars travel 40 mph or more on straightaways.
It is dangerous to exit a vehicle on the street during traffic hours.
Children and dogs have been hit by cars in neighboring areas.
Traffic noise in the morning and evening is significant and not normal for a
residential neighborhood.
Parking a vehicle or trailer in a driveway is difficult on some days; drivers become
aggressive and honk, disregarding that this is a neighborhood.
Drivers have passed other cars within the neighborhood to move faster.
Another concern is the type of homes being built. It appears to be more of a “cheaper,”
faster build, which often comes with issues such as unqualified workers who do not
follow rules or timelines. Contractors frequently take longer than proposed, increasing
disruption to surrounding communities.
Woodbridge is a master-planned community providing walking paths for many children,
residents, and dogs—even for those who do not live there. It provides a setting for family
photos for many Meridian families due to the beauty of its landscaping and the
integration of 5 Mile Creek.
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A development located so close to Woodbridge should at minimum carry the same
theme—working with the land, matching the community character, and preserving the
natural beauty—rather than becoming another development eyesore built solely to benefit
the builder instead of the community and the future homeowners. If developers were
required to improve planning and landscaping quality, the families purchasing these
homes would enjoy a better quality of life.
Well-established planning principles and Idaho municipal authority allow cities to
condition or delay development approvals when infrastructure capacity, traffic safety, or
public welfare concerns are not adequately addressed. Cities commonly require traffic
impact studies, developer-funded road improvements, minimum lot standards, open space
preservation, and safety mitigation measures before granting approvals. Protecting
existing residents from unsafe traffic conditions, excessive congestion, and diminished
quality of life is a legitimate and appropriate exercise of municipal responsibility.
Proposals to Help Current Residents in Woodbridge and the Meridian Community:
1. Remove Woodbridge neighborhood streets from Google Maps and Apple Maps as
through routes and prevent routing through the neighborhood for alternative traffic.
2. Convert Woodbridge into a gated community, with gates and associated fees paid
for by developers.
3. Improve traffic flow on North Eagle Road so drivers do not seek neighborhood
alternatives, with developers contributing funding.
4. Install speed bumps within Woodbridge and reduce the speed limit to 20 mph for
safety.
5. Require minimum lot sizes for new homes to reduce over-density and improve
quality of life for both new buyers and current residents.
6. Require a portion of development land to be allocated toward roadway
improvements that directly address existing traffic issues.
This project, under reference number H-2024-0059 (Latitude 43), will have lasting
impacts on current residents. Growth should not come at the expense of safety, peace,
and the quality of life of families who already call Meridian home.
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Thank you for your help and caring for this community,
Philip, Brittney, Ezekiel & Haven Bode
Sent from my iPhone
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