Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutLetter from Fitzroy Belcher~: ~ ~n~a. _..~ r City Council City of Meridian 33 East Idaho Avenue Meridian,lD 83642 Re:Proposed Redfeather Estates Subdivision No. 2. ~~~~ ®~ ~~~~~-A~ 2920 Duane Drive ~~~'~ ~~~~{{ ~~~~~ Meridian, ID 83642 ~• //G/p c[ I am Fitzroy A. Belcher. I reside at 2920 Duane Drive and I am the President of the Perkins-Brown Neighborhood Association, representing the 18 homeowners on Duane Drive and three on Ustick Road. Also located within the subdivision is a church and funeral home. The major concerns of our subdivision are traffic and housing density. Although the density of the proposed subdivision falls within the limits for moderate density, it will in fact be high density, {some 5000 sq. ft lots} when compared to the surrounding existing subdivisions. Although, lots this small are smaller than the size required for moderate density the Planning and Zoning staff justified the variance because the square-footage of the houses is also in variance with the code or guideline. This "high density" adjacent to our rural subdivision will have an adverse impact on us. It is my understanding that by code or guideline proposed development must not adversely impact and should blend with existing sub- divisions. There are 18 homes and a church located on Duane Drive. The parcels vary in size from five acres to one acre; most parcels are two and a half acres. Most of the residents have livestock, one of the reasons for living on Duaue Drive. Six homes have changed ownership in the past year; the vacancies caused by the previous owners having too many animals, divorce, older age, or job changes. All the new residents have said that they purchased on this street for the same reasons, little traffic on the signed dead end street where kids could safely play and ride bikes. It is a small oasis isolated From the city traffic and noise. We are all concerned that the proposed development will lower our property values. On a personal note, we decided early last year to move to a more modern home somewhere in the valley. We looked for two months, spent time with a realtor who finally said, °~ you won't find anything to match the location you now have". We refinanced the house, moved out and had an extensive three-month remodeling done. . Duane Drive is 1980 feet long, 25 feet +- wide with no shoulders, sidewalk or gutter and is landscaped to the pavement edge. For mast of its length the pavement is turnpiked above the lots. Irrigation drainage is provided in the ditch formed by the turnpike. The Ada County Highway District approved connecting Duane Drive to the south only for emergency traffic and pedestrian access by means of a locked swinging gate. The Commission was split on opening Duane Drive and approved emergency access only after a compromise was proposed. Three members were for keeping it closed permanently. The density proposed for the twenty acres south of Perkins-Brown Subdivision will generate an estimated additiona1900 vehicles per day on Duane Drive if opened. There was some discussion at the Meridian Planning and Zoning that the City Council should consider opening Duane Drive, we strongly oppose any opening other than for emergency vehicles and pedestrians. We request that the City Council consider that housing development on the twenty acres south of Perkins -Brown be deferred until such time as the proposed sub- street, E. Palm Drive is extended to provide access to Eagle Road. If it is decided that Duane Drive has to be opened to unrestricted traffic from the south, we request that Duane Drive then be improved to it's platted 50 foot width with sidewalk, curb and gutter. In the interest of Fairness to the residents of the street who don't want nor need the improvement now, the cost of the improvement should be borne by the developer. Our concern extends beyond the 900-vehicle trip per day of the proposed development. Duane Drive lines up with the new traffic light and sub-street, Records Ave on Fairview. Although, we have seen no plans or heard of any development for the land south of the proposed development, I am sure that the sod farm and soccer fields are very temporary. If this connection were. made this would make a wonderful cut-though for Wal Mart traffic trying to avoid Eagle Road.