HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Testimony by Gary & Kay Fors 3/20TO: MERIDIAN PLANNfNG AND ZONING March 20, 2014
RE: TEN MILE CENTER AZ-14-001
We are writing to express our views regarding this proposed development. We live at 843 Lilac
which is directly south of the section currently zoned TN-C, so the type of development will have
a direct effect on us. We moved to this subdivision 36 years ago to avoid city traffic and
maintain privacy on a 1-acre lot, so you can understand why we are upset that this will end. We
4vould like to explain how we feel the land could be developed without completely
overwhelming our neighborhood.
First, we question the proposed transitioning from residential to commercial use. To create the
least impact on the existing neighborhood, it seems logical to go from low-density 1-acre lots to
light commercial. Placing single-level office buildings along the south border of the
development would protect those of us whose residences adjoin the development and prevent
high-rise buildings from overlooking our front yards.
We went through similar issues with the property to the west being developed by Brighton.
They had planned to allow residential usage adjoining our west boundaries. After receiving
input from both our subdivision and Brighton, the Planning & Zoning Commission agreed to
change the zoning to allow only commercial usage. We appreciated your efforts to understand
our concerns and hope you will consider something similar with this development.
By keeping both of these large developments primarily commercial, we would not be facing
traffic issues on Waltman and Lilac (as addressed next).
Second, we ask you to reconsider opening Lilac to be athrough-street from our neighborhood
into the new development. We understand this may be an issue handled by ACHD but want you
to understand the impact of doing so. Our streets are basically local roads and not built far a lot
of traffic (there is already an issue with Peregrine School). We do not want increased cars on
Waltman. If Lilac is extended, we will have to contend with vehicles from subdivisions along
South Linder that will drive west on Waltman, take Lilac and proceed to Ten Mile. In reverse,
the new traffic will be funneled eastward down Waltman to get to Meridian and Boise, as that is
currently the only access other than Ten Mile. The concept that hundreds of vehicles from a
large-scale area of development would have to utilize snout-of-the-way local neighborhood
road is hard to understand.
We believe good access in and out of this large-scale development should be arranged to
promote an efficient traffic flow. The logical route is to direct the traffic to Franklin Road. The
primary reason for widening/improving Franklin Road was to handle existing and future traffic
from new developments. Until such access is approved to Franklin, we do not believe
residential building should be permitted.
GARY AND KAY FORS F~~--./
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