2020-01-28 Ada County
Ada County Courthouse
200 West Front Street
Boise ID 83702
208.287.7900
Fax 208.287.7909
www.adacounty.id.gov
Department Divisions
Building
Community Planning
Engineering & Surveying
Permitting
Strategic Planning
Ada County Commissioners
Diana Lachiondo, First District
Rick Visser, Second District
Kendra Kenyon, Third District
Megan M. Leatherman, MCRP
Director
ADA COUNTY
Development Services Department
January 24, 2020
Via Email: bparsons@meridiancity.org
Bill Parsons
Meridian City Planning Department
33 E. Broadway Avenue #102
Meridian, ID 83642
RE: Annexation / Andora Senior Living / 715 S Wells St / H-2019-0127
Bill,
The City of Meridian has requested feedback regarding the annexation of 17 acres
at 715 S. Wells Street for the proposed Andora Senior Living Center. The
development will include 164 dwellings comprised of 76 single-family units and
88 multi-family units. Ada County is in support of the application due to the
proximity of the site to public services and infrastructure. The County supports
and encourages infill development and annexations such as this which result in the
reduction of unincorporated islands within cities. Future residents of the site will
have nearby access to existing parks, schools, commercial services and
employment opportunities.
The proposed application is in compliance with the Ada County Comprehensive
Plan as Goal 2.2f encourages residential development to occur at urban densities
within Areas of City Impact where urban public facilities are available. The
proposed pedestrian connection to the neighborhood to the west also complies
with Goal 4.7a, which supports the creation of a safe network of pedestrian and
bicycle pathways connecting neighborhoods with parks, schools, open spaces and
commercial areas.
The development is supported by the Meridian Comprehensive Plan as the Quality
of Life and Livability section of Chapter 2 calls for the provision of accessible,
suitable senior housing options which are easily accessible to community
destinations in order to allow older adults to remain independent, active and
engaged with the community. The numerous site amenities which are proposed,
including a clubhouse, pickleball court, pet park, putting greens, garden beds,
bocce courts, and walking paths, comply with several Comprehensive Plan goals.
Goal 2.01.01B encourages opportunities for physical activity to be provided, Goal
2.01.01C encourages recreational areas to be built within walking distance of
residential dwellings, and Goal 6.01.01A calls for open space areas to be provided
within new developments.
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Regarding land use, the Comprehensive Plan currently adopted by the County for the Meridian Area of
City Impact designates the site as Office, which allows for offices, technology and resource centers, and
ancillary commercial uses. Meridian has since adopted an updated Comprehensive Plan designating the
site as a mixture of Medium Density Residential and Mixed Use Neighborhood, within which the
proposed development and density would be allowed. Ada County looks forward to working with city
staff in the renegotiation and adoption of the updated Comprehensive Plan.
Thank you for this opportunity to provide feedback.
Sincerely,
Brent Moore, MCMP, AICP
Community & Regional Planner
Ada County Development Services
cc: Megan Leatherman, Director, Ada County Development Services
Mitra Mehta-Cooper, Strategic Planning Manager, Ada County Development Services