HomeMy WebLinkAbout2/21 Lettter from Cathy Floyd / Shawn NickelMachelle Hill
From: Shawn Nickel [shawn@landconsultants.net]
Sent: Thursday, January 03, 2008 3:11 PM
To: C. Caleb Hood; Machelle Hill
Cc: 'Ross Erickson'; 'Jay Kaplan'; rjw@ctcweb.net; rchaddock5@msn.com
Subject: RE: Development on Waltman Lane
Hi Caleb.
Page 1 of 3
.~~.~.:~
J,~,`y d :, ZQ(~
C ~ GF ~~1~R1~rgN
CLERK C~F,t=1CF
Thanks for forwarding this to us. As you can imagine, I am rather upset to receive this, as we thought that we had
consensus with the three neighbors to the north after our last meeting with them on December 18th, with the
concept of vacating right of way and providing the neighbors with berm/buffering/landscaping. I have contacted
Christy Haddock, and expressed my disappointment with the a-mail. It sounds like maybe all of the family is not
on the same page. I guess the reason for my a-mail, since hers went to all of the City Council, is to get on record
that we have never misled the neighbors, have been upfront with them from the moment I got involved, and have
had three rneefings with them (not all required) to keep them informed, and have included their input into our
application. Because of our deadline to submit the application before the holidays, I felt it was appropriate to meet
with the neighbors and we did, during the day, as a courtesy. Three neighbors were notified and three neighbors
attended. We are not trying to "slip something past" anyone! I also want it on record that we will continue with our
commitment that we gave to the neighbors to work, within reason, with them on being a good neighbor and
helping with compatibility issues. Unfortunately, this kind of nasty, mean spirited letter that contains other
untruthful statements, is completely unnecessary and has the potential to damage what we thought was an
honest working relationship.
Thanks for your time.
Shawn L. Nickel
Land Use Planner
S L N P L A N N I N G
148 N. 2nd Street, Suite 101
Eagle, Idaho 83616
208 938 3812 Office
208 938-5873 Fax
208 794-3013 Cell
From: C. Caleb Hood [mailto:hoodc@meridiancity.org]
Sent: Monday, December 31, 2007 10:06 AM
To: Tara Green; Machelle Hill; Will Berg
Cc: Shawn Nickel
Subject: FW: Development on Waltman Lane
From: Cathy Floyd [mailto:cathyfloyd@hotmail.com]
Sent: Wednesday, December 26, 2007 9:40 AM
To: C. Caleb Hood; Keith Bird; Charlie Rountree; Joe Borton David Zaremba
Subject: Development on Waltman Lane
1 /4/2008
Page 2 of 3
Caleb Hood and City Council Members:
I am writing to keep you informed on the proceedings of recent development plans on Waltman Lane. I
would appreciate your support in maintaining minimal traffic and responsible development on Waltman
Lane and in Meridian.
We have heard several different versions of plans (a different one each time we have met) for the 38-
acre parcel off Waltman Lane. On the 14th we were told that Robert Weiner wanted to meet with us
again to discuss changes to his plans. Planning a neighborhood meeting the week before Christmas and
on such short notice is rude, and frankly seems like he intends to slip something past us. Not to mention
that only a few of the neighbors were able to attend.
One plan we discussed with Robert Weiner was ideal and we had finally come to an agreement on the
planning of the 38 acres directly across the street from our property. In this proposal, Waltman was kept
a quiet lane even with commercial development across the road. We were told that this plan was
changed because the current buyer didn't approve of it. In a delicate situation like this, where changes
to a dead end, residential lane are being considered, both the residents and buyers must come to a
compromise and not have dictated to us what will be happening.
Robert had taken our wishes into consideration with his prior plan, but this plan was obviously created
for the first potential buyer that has come and now our requests have been completely dropped and
forgotten.
Of course I know the land near the freeway is ideal for commercial development. I would simply like
the city to look at the whole area when developing the roads and traffic patterns. The 38 acres proposed
for development by Robert Weiner and Boise Waltman LLC is just a small piece of the total land
available running adjacent to I-84. A frontage road that parallels the freeway would make more sense
and deter high levels of traffic from Waltman Lane and the neighboring subdivisions. A similar pattern
to what I'm referring to is found in the business park across Main where WinCo is located. The main
road (and traffic to that area) circles the entire perimeter of the area. This discourages people from
cutting through and keeps traffic speeds low.
Also making a dead end residential lane into a major thoroughfare with heavy traffic is not acceptable
for the residents that have lived here for 20-50+ years and will not improve the already congested
Meridian and Main Street area. When development does take place in this area it should be AFTER the
Ten Mile overpass is complete so the thousands of people who use the Meridian exit have alternate
routes on Eagle Road, the new Locust Grove Overpass, and Ten Mile Road. Another option is making
an overpass at Linder Road where a busy, high-traffic street makes more sense.
Robert has mentioned on more than one occasion how the City of Meridian will pay to improve the
current bridge over Ten Mile Creek and pay for a new bridge to connect Corporate Drive. In order to
make this land accessible improvements such as these obviously must be made, but they should be
funded by the developer and not by ACHD or the city. Last March at the Meridian Split Corridor
meeting, ACRD informed us that the top of Waltman Lane would be widened, but any further changes
were the sole responsibility of developers. If this is not the case, the local news media will be informed
of this unusual arrangement between the City of Meridian and this particular developer.
When Boise Waltman LLC purchased this property in 2004 they knew the land was virtually
inaccessible. However, according to Robert Weiner, Meridian residents will be forced to pay for Boise
Waltman's poor business decision and have inferior traffic conditions. What awin-win situation for
1 /4/2008
Page 3 of 3
Boise Waltman LLC & no-win situation for Meridian residents!
Recently I attended a city council meeting and was shocked that all proposed items on the agenda that
day were quickly approved. More scrutiny should be given to make sure they work for the whole
community... not just to help developers make a quick buck. Many believe that in recent years the city
of Meridian has approved developments without regard to their effect on our city. We are all aware that
business and commercial development brings in more taxes and funding. However there is no need to
rush these major decisions and it is in everyone's best interest to carefully plan our growth. It is worth
taking considerable time and effort in creating an ideal plan because the traffic and mess poor planning
causes (especially in this area right off the Meridian exit) could be detrimental. Let's keep Meridian a
place where we all enjoy living.
It is the responsibility of the city council and planning and zoning to keep developers in check.
Residents and businesses must co-exist together in order for a city to thrive. Thank you for your service
to the City of Meridian, I hope this information will help you in making an informed decision and shed
some light on the issues facing development on Waltman Lane. I would appreciate your support in
maintaining minimal traffic and responsible development on Waltman Lane and in Meridian.
Sincerely,
Cathy Floyd
520 Waltman Lane
Meridian, ID 83642
884-4413
cathyfloydna_ .hotmail.com
Don't get caught with egg on your face. Play Chicktionary! Check it out!
No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.5.516 /Virus Database: 269.17.13/1206 -Release Date: 1/1/2008 12:09 PM
No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.5.516 /Virus Database: 269.17.13/1207 -Release Date: 1/2/2008 11:29 AM
1 /4/2008