2022-06-17 Jared Schofield
Chris Johnson
From:jaredray@aol.com
Sent:Friday, June 17, 2022 12:12 PM
To:City Clerk
Subject:Centerpoint Mixed use-MDA, H-2022-0035 Comments
External Sender - Please use caution with links or attachments.
To Meridian City Planning and Zoning, Meridian Idaho
This letter is to provide comments to the application submitted by MGM Meridian 2, A California LLC.
The proposed project has a great degree of variance from prior submitted and approved usage designs and intentions.
The most recent approved development, The Villasport Athletic center, was approved by the planning and zoning
commission, although not desired by the immediate surrounding community which consists of mainly single family
residential to the west and south of the property, and small commercial businesses to the east. Within the adjacent single
family properties, homes consist of both single and double level structures, minimizing the overall height to approximately
24'-28' in height and commercial structures with overall heights of approximately 20'. The previously proposed Villa Sport
was slated to be 2 story structure. Due to the height of the new proposed 4 story structures, Several impacts to the local
community occur. First the elevation further impacts the potential view of the existing housing, far greater than the
Villasport structure would have created, and due to the elevation increase, tenants of the proposed apartments would gain
a unrestricted view into neighboring yards and homes. Maintaining the current zoning, limits the likelihood of this time of
personal intrusion to occur.
In a simple review of the surrounding community, no 4 story residential structures were found to encroach on the
personal space of a neighborhood within close proximity. Structures of this nature were found to overlook existing
commercial, vacant commercial, or public park areas as seen around Kleiner Park.
A factor that was brought to the attention of the developer during a community zoom meeting was the traffic increase
through the area. Although any development of the site will increase traffic onto both Ustick and Eagle roads, traditional
commercial business traffic patterns are spread throughout the course of the day. This in and of itself will put a strain on
one of the busiest intersections in the state of Idaho. Should a large volume of apartments be constructed on this
property, traffic patters during critical travel times, 6-9am, 4-6pm will greatly increase and very few of the tenants will have
occupations within walking distance. This will put a large strain on the community at large to see a dramatic increase in
traffic during normal commuting windows, which will increase the quantity of vehicles speeding through residential
neighborhoods to save time. This already occurs on Leslie way to some degree, as commuters who can't wait for several
light cycles in order to proceed south on Eagle, utilize Leslie to cut through. This has caused neighborhood residents, to
witness vehicles exhibiting speeds well in excess of the speed limit, and during times when children are walking to and
from school. A recent incident of this action caused a vehicle to crash into a power transformer, after crossing the
sidewalk.
The local elementary school, River Valley Elementary, as well as Middle and High Schools, are already heavily utilized.
Due to the nature of apartments, a large volume of children can be expected to impact mainly the elementary school. This
impact will negatively effect the existing student body and their ability to learn and maintain state standards, due to
increased student teacher ratio. Although children walking to the school, a continuous sidewalk does not currently exist to
safely navigate along eagle road. This would cause increased bussing needs within West Ada School district, which is
already planning on reducing bus stop locations due to staffing shortages for the last couple of years. This fact in and of
itself will again increase the traffic burden on both Eagle and Ustick roads as parents transport their children to and from
school.
The proposed parking area located to the west, across Centerpoint, will cause a large portion of the tenants to have to
cross the street to access the apartments. Having a parking lot which is confined from the normal parking areas will likely
lead to increased crime associated with the vehicles, which would likely spill over into the surrounding neighborhoods.
Isolated parking such as this, often also leads to increased trash, abandoned vehicles, and illicit activities as can be found
in several highly populated metropolitan environments. During the community discussion with the developer, it was found
that there are no plans for the parking area to be secured, patrolled or electronically monitored. A large volume of
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vehicles coming and going at all hours will have a negative impact to the immediate residential neighbors, and
neighborhoods.
Every past potential developer including Villasport, were in agreement and under the understanding that the masonry
decorative wall, which is located on the western boundary of Sadie Creek Commons, Would continue on the same
alignment and setback as currently constructed, terminating at Ustick Road. The current conceptual drawings, do not
show a wall along the existing alignment, or any kind of wall for that matter.
It should be noted that the development of this property is expected and encouraged for the continued growth, and health
of this community. This property should not be developed if it shall impact the quality of life of the existing property owners
in the immediate vicinity. The roots of Meridian come from a agricultural background, where children and families valued
hard work, and open spaces. This community has now, taken on the model of large metropolitan areas, with little regard
for the history of the valley, and focus only on increasing population. While this action done increase city revenue, It
comes at a cost. It comes with increased crime, lessened community relations, intolerance to others and lessens the
desirability of those who have been established in this community, to remain in the community.
It is my desire that the city deny the CUP that has been requested under this application, citing the several issues as
outlined above, and maintain the current zoning as is.
Jared Schofield
1566 N Leslie way
Meridian Idaho 83646
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