HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-04-09 Thurston Family April 7 , 2026
Mayor and Members of City Council
33 . E . Broadway Ave .
Meridian, ID 83642
RE : Letter of Support — VTRE 's Proposed Light Industrial and Flex Project at 5201
and 5035 W. Franklin Road
Dear Mayor and Members of City Council :
We are the current owners of the property located at 5201 W. Franklin Road and we write
to express our family's support for the light industrial development proposed by Van Trust Real
Estate on this site.
Our family farmed the property at 5035 and then 5201 W. Franklin Road for over 50
years, and all three Thruston children grew up in the home that's still standing at 5035 W.
Franklin Road. Like many long-time residents, we have watched as the area around us has grown
less agricultural and more urban, with farms turning to industrial projects like Butte Fence and
AT Industrial and residential subdivisions further east. These changes along with broader
economic forces have made farthing harder and harder. We also learned within the past few years
that all of Meridian 's growth would require the widening of Franklin Road—and the demolition
of our family ' s original home . This property is no longer workable as a farm or as a residence,
and will also have negative impacts on our current property as well.
After much thought, we decided to sell this property to Van Trust last year. We believe
their vision for the site is the right one because the proposed light industrial use is consistent with
what's happening in the area and aligns with the comprehensive plan, and we ' re confident the
new use will create lots of good local jobs . We ' ve also appreciated working with Van Trust on
this process . They' ve been transparent and nice to interact with, and we are confident they will
create a project Meridian can be proud of.
As long-time, invested members of this community, we stand behind this project. We
respectfully ask you to approve this application so our family can move on to the next chapter of
our lives . Thank you for your time and dedication to Meridian.
Sincerely,
The Thruston Family
208 - 8094916
Cis
o o � Cd
3
r' W �" 5C ci
c� �
� � � � � OU014
�' U
00
rn b�A G� O
O O cc3 O U 00
ycn
3 >,
CIO
cn
MOO + U
'ti
Cd dj • P cC3 O M . c 'O
�3
N o
cl
�'
owl �, v .0 • o , � � . � � ,