2020-09-08 Barbara Valdez
September 7, 2020
Meridian City Council
Subject: 1625 E. Bentley Drive, AZ-H-2020 0078
To Whom It May Concern,
Our family believes that the proposed annexation of the Land Solutions property at Locust Grove is ill-
timed, inconsistent with surrounding properties, detrimental to traffic flow, environmentally unsound.
and unfair in its effects on adjoining homes:
The property is a home which has been purchased for use as an office. It is the only such property on
the eastern side of Locust Grove between Overland and Franklin. All other lots on that side of Locust
Grove are homes, whether in Woodbridge, adjoining Locust View Heights, or newly constructed
townhomes at the corner of Franklin and Locust Grove, with the exception of one church. Furthermore,
the property is surrounded on all four sides by residences . Such annexation means a major shift in this
historically residential corridor in a number of important ways relating to taxpayer considerations and
implications for the stability and integrity of family dwellings.
Emphasis upon this as a commercial property, a departure from current status, could result in air
pollution, additional traffic, and noise, all of which bear upon the quality of life of longtime residents in
adjacent homes. The intersection already serves—more at some times than at others—traffic from
Idaho State University, Ada West District, and ICOM offices . Additional commercial traffic at this
intersection could impact the departure rate for students and staff headed south to the freeway or
northward to other more streamlined thoroughfares. Currently, the intersection has some open space
and is uncrowded as traffic approaches the I-84 overpass; this less busy intersection also serves to
moderate the speed of traffic along Locust Grove.
From an economic standpoint, Ada County has emphasized in its meetings that a larger percentage of
tax revenues has been coming from residential properties rather than from commercial, given the rate
of increase in value in residential properties. Traditionally, annexation has occurred upon the request of
residents. And a form of spot rezoning has precedent as being illegal. Does it seem wise to convert
existing secure areas in a time of great economic unpredictability when people are already suffering
from unprecedented change and when the costs of adding city services would loom ahead.
Environmentally, the area as it currently functions contributes not only to air quality with its canopy of
mature trees, irrigated gardens and animal pasturage but also to a socially pastoral and peaceful way of
life. COMPASS itself is highlighting the issue of air quality. Most traffic is local and minimal. In
spite of proximity to I-84 and its noise, the corridor buffers and perseveres in affordable, diverse, and
sustainable activity. It does so as an independent extension of Ada County itself and its larger
significance. The land area is unique in its farming heritage and thus far is intact for preservation.
If continued with current residential Ada County unincorporated zoning, the Bentley property could
take a place alongside other home-based businesses which do not call attention to themselves and
which are already integrated within the area, with less civic expenditure, less disruption among citizens,
continuation of invaluable contributions to environmental health, and uninterrupted openness to fuller
development of food production and some domestic services that may become more essential in the
future.
Our neighborhood has demonstrated its value in a pandemic by its self-reliance, ability to share, natural
distancing, as a haven for the elderly and multigenerational families, and as recreationally safe for
children, walkers, and bicyclers. It bears the vestiges of a way of life we may find ourselves seeking
when other more glamorous alternatives are restricted. Please adopt a measured and conservative
approach in judging whether the advantages of the existing status don't far outweigh losses that can be
incurred socially, economically, psychologically, and politically were this property annexed at this time.
Thank you,
Barbara Valdez
2220 E Continental Drive
Meridian ID 83642
208-888-3216