CC - Applicant Letter Regarding school capacity DEVELOPMENT REAL PROPERTY ZONINC
CLARK
WARDLE
T. Hethe Clark
(208)388-3327
hclark@clarkwardle.com
January 14, 2022
City of Meridian City Council
c/o Sonya Allen,Associate Planner
Meridian City Community Development Department
33 E. Broadway Ave., Suite 102
Meridian, Idaho 83642
Dear City Council Members:
On behalf of my clients, we would like to thank you for the proactive discussion regarding school capacity
in the west Meridian area at the December 14, 2021 hearing for Aviator Springs Subdivision. We have
since spent time with West Ada School District (WASD) staff to better understand their planning efforts,
which gives us confidence that WASD will be in a position to serve students in this project.
Having met with WASD staff on January 11, 2022, a few points became very clear:
First, WASD is revamping their data collection to be far more granular. This more granular data
shows that the student generation from this project is lower than anticipated (40 vs. 67).
Second, WASD is in a continual state of enrollment projection based on this data, which tracks
anticipated development, actual applications, as well as actual preliminary and final plat approvals.
Third, while WASD proactively acquires sites,' its approach is reactive with an emphasis on tax
efficiency and fiscal conservatism. As a result, WASD will not design, entitle, or construct facilities until
the actual need is demonstrated. In other words, WASD will NOT proactively propose bonds for areas
that have not yet met capacity; instead, they will maximize use of existing facilities. This avoids
1 It is our understanding that WASD currently owns seven elementary school sites,two middle school sites,and
two high school sites.
T Hethe Clark Geoffrey M_wardle Joshua J-Leonard Darielle Strollo T:208,388,1000 251 E Front St,Suite 310
F:208.388.1001 PO Box 639
clarkwardle.com Boise ID 83701
misinterpretation of growth and saddling the district with facilities that are under-utilized. It also means
that all areas will meet(and often exceed)capacity before new facilities are provided.
Fourth, when WASD reaches the point where facilities are nearing capacity, there are a number
of different approaches it will use in response, including: (i) bussing students to facilities with capacity; (ii)
re-aligning service areas to take advantage of remaining capacity; (iii) temporary classrooms; or (iv)
pursuing bond levies for construction of new facilities.
Finally, when the time comes for new construction, WASD has already acquired sites within each
of these attendance areas, including two elementary school sites within the Pleasant View Elementary
attendance area, one middle school site within the Star Middle School attendance area, and one high
school site within the Owyhee High School attendance area. In other words, sites are available for
construction when the need for new facilities is clearly shown. Only then will WASD pursue a bond levy
for new construction. This approach has been supported by the community with a high percentage of
approved bond passages. Since 1957, 16 of 22 bond levies have been approved. 5 of 6 bond levies since
2000 have been approved. All bond levies tied to a specific facility have been approved.See 'Bond Issue
History', https://www.westada.org/Page/83414.
While WASD continues its monitoring and planning, there are several private and charter schools in the
immediate area that will also help address student capacity concerns. These include: Idaho Virtual
Academy, Compass Charter School, Gem Prep: Meridian, and the planned Cole Valley Christian School
Campus. The Treasure Valley continues to demonstrate a strong partnership between public, public
charter, and private schools to meet the needs of the community.
Given this conversation, we are confident that WASD and the local private and charter schools are
engaged in the necessary long-term planning efforts, entitlements, and school construction to provide
enrollment opportunities for all students in west Meridian and specifically for the projected student
numbers for Aviator Springs Subdivision.
As we move toward the January 25, 2022 hearing,we would also ask the City to consider a few additional
points: The December 14, 2021 hearing revealed no concerns with conformity with the comprehensive
plan. The project exceeds code requirements. The only concern to date is school capacity, but that
conversation deserves to be considered in context. This project is immediately adjacent to Owyhee High
School and a future elementary school site. In addition to the LDS seminary facilities that it would provide
to serve Owyhee High School students, it would also allow all of its students to walk to school. This begs
an obvious question: If school capacity is the only concern, the answer would be to restrict the site to
elderly "empty nesters." This would be an immense waste of an opportunity to avoid bussing and
promote not only walkable neighborhoods but also student health.
Yes,the capacity of our schools should continue to be monitored. But if we stop development,we must
also address all sorts of legal, practical, and affordability questions. One question that will not be
answered is school capacity because, as noted, WASD's approach is to provide additional capacity only
once existing schools are fully utilized. Put differently, this not only puts the City and the development
community in a difficult position, but it does so unnecessarily. Whether you label a denial as part of a
moratorium or a blanket refusal to annex,the denial would not be supported by WASD's actual planning
or practice of only providing facilities once existing facilities are fully utilized.
The simple fact is that WASD is tracking the City's planning and approvals. It is tracking this project in
particular and a revised letter has been provided. We respectfully request approval of the annexation,
zoning, and preliminary plat application for Aviator Springs Subdivision.
Thank you,
Hethe Clark
cc: Matthew T.Adams,The Land Group, Inc.
Ryan Minert, IAG, LLC
Scott Anderson, Acclima