2020-04-23 Anna Casacca Letter to JUB Engineers on 4-23
April 23, 2020
Wendy Shrief (planner for JUB Engineers)
Re: Proposed Annexation Southwest Corner of Meridian and Victory Roads
Dear Wendy,
I would like to address the proposed annexation and zoning to develop the 17 acres of land at the
Southwest Corner of S. Meridian and Victory Roads. Recently our Strada Bellissima HOA
President, Larry Chase, addressed his concerns regarding the proposal of an apartment complex
on said 17 acres of land. I too am a resident of Strada Bellissima and I wholeheartedly agree with
Larry’s very valid concerns, which is why I am submitting this letter of opposition.
First of all there is the issue of traffic, which is already extremely busy at that intersection,
especially during rush hours. There have been many times when I cannot exit our subdivision by
making a left hand turn from Alfani Way onto Victory Rd. Quite often traffic is backed up from
the light all the way back to Alfani Way and beyond. Additionally Victory Road, especially from
Strada Bellissima up to the stoplight, is not wide enough to accommodate additional traffic. There
is no middle turning lane for vehicles turning left out of our subdivision, nor for vehicles coming
from the West and turning left into our subdivision. Also there is not a long enough left hand
turning lane once vehicles get up to the light. And there is not a separate lane for traffic turning
right onto S. Meridian Road. Which is another reason as to why traffic gets backed up to beyond
Alfani Way.
Additionally, because there has been so much development going on out towards Kuna, traffic
heading South gets backed up from north of Valley Shepard Church all the way up to the light at
Victory. Impatient travelers, not wanting to sit in backed up traffic, have been exiting Meridian
Rd. and are turning into Strada Bellissima at W Maestra Street. They zigzag through our
subdivision, exiting at Alfani Way by making a left hand turn onto Victory. Same thing happens
when an event is held at the Church. It’s ludicrous trying to make a left hand turn onto S. Meridian
out of Strada Bellissima, at W Maestra Road. So again, traffic comes through our subdivision,
goes up to Alfani Way and turns left onto Victory. This intersection was never designed for the
hundreds of vehicles that already come and go all day long. Additional vehicles will compound the
problems that already exist. The map that I have seen for proposed apartments shows the
entrance/exit would be directly across from our entrance/exit into Strada. I hate to think about
how jammed up traffic will become with the additional vehicles coming and going. Another thing
to consider is Victory Road has a very tricky “S” in the road just west of the proposed annexation.
Travelers are already frustrated with the amount of traffic we currently have, and with frustration
comes accidents.
Also there is the issue of schools. Can our existing schools handle more children in them? I doubt
it since all I ever hear is how crowded our schools already are. An apartment complex consisting
of 188 two bedroom units would put additional strain on already overcrowded schools.
If you need to develop that parcel of land put in a commercial building. We could use more
restaurants on this end of town.
Meridian needs to put the brakes on and stop all this insanity. We need to start thinking about
our roads and schools. It’s darn near impossible to get around as is with roads torn up all over
town.
Respectfully, Anna Casacca, 275 W Fortini St., Meridian, ID 83642
cc Meridian City Council, ACHD Idaho