2020-05-21 Annie Torrence
Charlene Way
From:annie minard <annieminard@yahoo.com>
Sent:Wednesday, May 20, 2020 10:38 PM
To:City Clerk
Subject:Apartments Chinden and Balck Cat File #H2020-0022
To the City Clerk,
I own a home in Spurwing Heights and have several concerns about the development of Apartments Chinden
and Balck Cat File #H2020-0022. My main concerns with this development are the density, the fact that it will
bring a transient population and the lack of open space provided per person in this development that will
necessitate them sprawling into our common spaces.
1) The development is going to be very densely populated. Compared to Spurwing Heights and Spurwing
Greens (the closest neighbors both zoned R4) this neighborhood is about 6 times the density. This kind of
development does not match the developments like Spurwing Heights or Spurwing Greens as they are high end,
have large properties and a lot of community and green space. The type of of development being proposed
would be more suited to downtown or a more urban place with access to public green spaces and amenities.
2) With high density living, no private yards and nominal green/community space, people need somewhere to
go. These residents are boxed in by Chinden and an adjacent gated community. To go for an evening stroll,
walk their dogs, send their children to go out and play, or for the teenagers who want to escape their parents and
smoke and swear are going to naturally gravitate to our park, our green space, our fire pit and seating by the
pond. The residents of Spurwing pay a premium in both property taxes to the city and HOA fees for these
privileges. Although these individuals are not to be blamed for wanting to enjoy some lovely open space, they
will affect the the peacefulness of our neighborhood and thus the developer, by default is parasitizing our space.
3) The fact that these are rental units, means that the residents will not have the same "pride of ownership" that
comes with owner occupied properties. Rental units bring a transient population who are using that space
temporarily until they move on, purchase their own homes or settle down. When people don't own their own
property it is much more tempting to not care as 1) it is not their problem 2) they will be gone soon anyway.
Multiple realtors have attested to the fact that a development like this on our doorstep will decrease our property
values. Personally, if this development were here before I purchased, it would have made me think twice about
purchasing the property here.
4) Parking is likely to be an issue. I have rented multiple apartments during my life and have visited many
friends in rental units. I have NEVER found parking to be easy as a resident or a guest. Most of the units in the
proposed development do not have attached garages. The parking is either street parking or carport style
parking. Not only does this visually detract from the neighborhood, it will likely end up that residents and/or
guests will need to find parking on N Tree Farm Way or in the streets of the residents of Spurwing Heights.
My preference is that this land be developed into something similar to Spurwing Heights or Greens. This
property should be similar to ours in that it would have ample green space and single family homes that are
owner occupied.
Thank you for your consideration.
Annie Torrence
1
Agrarian Ave N, Meridian
(Spurwing Heights)
2