HomeMy WebLinkAboutLetter from NealTammy de Weerd, Mayor
City of Meridian
33 E. Idaho Avenue
Meridian, Idaho 83642
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laity of 1Vleridian
Dear Mayor de Weerd, City ~1~rk pffice
Subject: Opposition to Applications RZ 07-012 -- Valley Shepherd for
Rezone and AZ 07-009 -Queensland Acres for Annexation and
Zoning
As a taxpayer, voter and resident of ~~r' C~'e~f~ (Bear Creek or
Belissima Strada Subdivision) located adjacent to the proposed developments
identified above I appose the Queensland & Valley Shepherd .applications for
rezone for the following reasons:
1. CG Commercial Zone is a si nificant im act on the livabilit of our
nei hborhood and is incom atible with low densit residential.
A. Traffic -Residual traffic into Bear Creek off Alaska Avenue & direct
traffic access through Belissima Strada will create congestion and unsafe streets
for pedestriar~i use. Belissima Strada will receive the most significant impacts
with traffic utilizing Alfiini Way to access Victory Roads lighted intersection. Is it
fair to homeowners who purchased their home in a low to medium density
subdivision tQ suffer the consequences of poor planning, after the fact?
A 2006 study by the Institute for local Self-Reliance advised that this type of
zoning and related stores/developments (the stores in this type of zoning are
known as Big-Box Stores) generate over 10,000 vehicle trips/day. The amount
of traffic is directly related to the size of these stores. The larger the store, the
larger the geographic area from which it pulls customers and thus the higher the
traffic counts.. A 200,000 s.f. store typically generates mare than 10,000 car trips
on weekdays. and more on Saturdays.
The kinds of businesses that often spring up near big-box retailers --fast-food
outlets, gas stations, and convenience stores -also produce large volumes of
traffic.
Traffic and noise depress property values in nearby neighborhoods. More traffic
increases the cost of local government services, such as road maintenance, and
police.
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Traffic would~be greatly reduced if transitional zoning from medium to low density
residential to.;,a higher density residential is approved. for these areas. This
would have far less impacts overall and would significantly decrease traffic
B. Land Use/Zoning
The land use` of the Queensland Acres is currently R-1, one home per acre. The
request for rezone to Commercial CG would essentially jump 4 zones, with no
transitional vane established between the Commercial CG and the residential low
density. Valley Shepherd was rezone from Public/Quasi Public to R-8 (S homes
per acre). Again to allow a rezone would jump zones as well.
A more conducive transitional use would be higher density housing such as
condominiums, duplexes, or apartments. Any commercial rezones should limit
the size of stores, and support smaller neighborhood-type retail businesses
which would have far less. impacts overall and would significantly decrease traffic.
B. Visual Pollution -Commercial CG zoning allows structures with a
maximum of 65' walls which blocks residential views, shades yards, has a
minimal buffer of 25' with very limited planting creating a visual blight that is
unacceptable.
C. Noise Pollution -Commercial CG zoning allows businesses that
create extensive noise which is not compatible with low density residential
housing. De~'iveries at all hours of the day, back up alarms, lighting, loud
speakers, drive through facilities, etc. create noise that is incompatible with
residential areas.
D. Devalues Property - CG zoning will significantly devalue properties
that abut it o', are visually connected to it. Homeowners purchased their
properties fu~ly expecting that their elected officials and City Planners would give
careful thaug,ht and consideration to adjacent land uses & appropriately zone
lands to reflect their own guidance found in the June 2006 Meridian
Comprehen$,ive Plan on page 106.. The guidance states: "Redevelopment of
this type of.'area is to be guided by the intensity of the existing use, the
underlying zoning of th~_propertv_,the surropndina land uses, the location
of the property, and transportation issues associated _with the proposed
development of the property."
2. Lowe's Home Improvement Center Example (currently under
construction off Overland Road on, Bear Creek's North Boundaru See
attached photos)
The Lowe's building is a good example of CG Commercial zoning, that is literally
being built right in our back yards and is totally incompatible with low and
medium den'$ity residential. Lowe's is located on Bear Creek's north boundary
and creates 'intolerable visual and noise pollution, traffic conditions, and property
devaluation. (See attached photos)
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The prior use of the area that abuts Bear Creek's north boundary was agriculture.
Corn fields, and hay pastures are a far cry from 40' walls, traffic, noise from
delivery vehicles, and parking lot lighting.
How would you, the members of the Council, and the Planning & Zoning
Commissionaike to have a building in their back yard that is elevated 6' above
the grade of the property fence and has walls that tower so far above our
residences they block the sun. Nat a pretty sight!
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In summary;~~.as a resident of 3~~r ~~~~ (~ Bear Creek/Belissima Strada,
I am very concerned about Queensland Acres & Valley Shepherd proposed
rezones and request that you and the Council give careful consideration to the
issues surrounding this and do not approve the application for a rezone to
Commercial '.CG. .
Please give serious consideration to these issues in your decision making
process.
Sincere) , "
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cc: Jae Barton,
President, City Council
Keith Bird
City council Member
F'
Charlie Rountree
City Council Member
David.Zaremba
City Council Member
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Michael Rohm
Chairman, Meridian Planning & Zoning
David Moe
Meridian Planning & Zoning Member
Wendy Newton Huckabay
Meridian Planning & Zoning Member
Steve Siddoway
Meridian Planning & Zoning Member
Keith Borup
Meridian Planning & Zoning Member
Attachment
Distance from Lowe's to 4'
fence is 35'
Elevation of Lowe's is 6'
above existing grade
View of wall from
homeowner's dining room
window