2020-03-02 Lori Jones
Charlene Way
From:Lori Jones <lorij@invresources.com>
Sent:Monday, March 02, 2020 3:40 PM
To:City Clerk
Subject:File Number CUP H-2019-0142 (Union 93)
Attachments:Letter in support of Union 93.docx
External Sender - Please use caution with links or attachments.
Dear Sir,
Attached is my letter in support of the height exception for the Planning & Zoning Commissioners to consider.
Regards,
Lori Jones
Financial Consultant
Investment Resources of America
6015 W. Overland, Suite 104
Boise, ID 83709
Ph: 208-887-1786
Fx: 208-575-9102
Securities and Investment Advisory Services offered through Brokers International Financial Services, LLC, member
SIPC. Brokers International Financial Services, LLC and Investment Resources of America are not affiliated companies.
1
February 28, 2020
Planning & Zoning Commissioners
City of Meridian
RE: File Number CUP H-2019-0142
The Honorable Commissioners:
I want to provide my support for the Union 93 (Meridian Station) project’s 100-foot height exception
proposed by the developer, Galena Opportunity Fund.
I have been a resident since my family moved here in 1969. I lived in Redmond, Washington 14 years after
finishing college, and then moved back to Meridian 28 years ago. When I returned in 1992, I established
my business, Investment Resources of America, and then 6 months ago merged my business with another
firm in Boise. Having lived in Meridian when it had a population of 2,500 that has grown to 100,000, I
acknowledge that change happens. We either work to prepare for change in our town, or we become a
dying town—in this case, a dying downtown, and the loss of the town’s central identity.
The proposed development is for a site that is blight and has been for many years! One morning as I drove
past, a badger even ran under the fence! It has not been for the lack of trying to make it a desirable living
area, but the fact that the railroad has now come to the “table” with the proposed developer, is a big feat
in itself!
As far as the height, all one needs to do is look to the west to see the height of both Zamzow’s mill and
the City Hall to see that what is being requested is a rare opportunity to have a development in downtown
with other tall buildings, instead of the building being built in the outskirts of the community.
The 14-year span of time that I lived in Redmond, Washington was at the time Microsoft was beginning
its meteoric rise in the technology world. I witnessed the town growing from a bedroom community of
Seattle and Bellevue to a city with a population of 70,000. The desired growth pattern was to build
housing where the residents will live, work and play, and businesses benefitted by providing for the
residents and to reduce urban sprawl.
All of this said, it shows that times do change, and we now have a developer that is willing to further
revitalize downtown Meridian! I urge you, Honorable Commissioners, to approve the 100-foot height
exception for this project.
Thank you for your consideration.
Kind regards,
Lori Hoalst Jones
3499 E. Quin Dr.
Meridian, ID 83642