2022-10-20 Mike and Malissa Bernard
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN POLICIES KINGSTOWN
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN POLICIES KINGSTOWN
Medium Density Residential This designation allows for dwelling units at gross densities of three to eight
dwelling units per acre. Density bonuses may be considered with the provision of additional public
amenities such as a park, school, or land dedicated for public services.
No additional amenities to warrant density bonus. Infill may be considered for a density
bonus, yet one must look to the surrounding environment, and this ask may be far too
much.
Gross density is buoyed by the huge estate piece. Net density without the estate piece is
rounded down to 6 homes per acre (6.02). Net density with the estate piece included is
rounded up to 5 per acre (4.76).
Roads and open space account for 2.723 Acres. The estate piece is 1.32 acres.
Phase 1 average lot size is 5245 SF or .12 acres, or net density of 8.33 homes per acre in
Phase 1.
Phase 2 average lot size is 18020 SF with the estate parcel and 12374 SF without the
estate parcel in the math.
Net density at the northern border (smallest lots) is 3.58 home lots per acre in Alpine
Pointe.
Net density at the southern border using the smallest lot size is 4.03 home lots per acre.
While the gross densities appear to be compatible, they are not when the Estate is
factored in, and the open space and roads are factored in. Net densities are too high.
Our neighborhoods’ gross densities are lowered further as our roads and amenity are
factored in as well. We would not comply with Medium Density residential if all
components are adding to the math.
2.02.02C Support infill development that does not negatively impact the abutting, existing development.
Infill projects in Downtown should develop at higher densities, irrespective of existing development.
This is the center of a square mile surrounded by lower density product. Incompatible.
The infill’s new traffic patterns and road specs are not designed to handle the coming
traffic demands in a manner that will not adversely impact residential neighborhoods
with cut-through traffic. Keep the higher density parcel traffic and the commercial
traffic to the South where they are sited as they have many adequate ingress/egress
points to the highway and arterials.
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN POLICIES KINGSTOWN
2.02.02D Apply appropriate design and construction standards to infill development in order to reduce
adverse impacts to existing development.
Incompatible to adjacent lower residential densities with the estate parcel used to buoy
a lower gross density number and lower net density number. Two stories, smaller lots,
and closer rear setbacks are also incompatible.
3.01.01A Evaluate comprehensive impacts of growth and consider City Master Plans and Strategic Plans
in all land use decisions (e.g., traffic impacts, school enrollment, and parks).
There will be definite negative traffic impacts with this proposal.
3.01.01C Ensure that regulations and plans support and encourage desired development and land use
patterns within the Area of City Impact.
Medium density has a range, and removal of the huge estate parcel from the
advantageous math shows the product to be closer to six to 8 units per acre, net. The
average lot size is 5245 SF in Phase 1 and 18020 SF average lot size with the estate
included for Phase 2. The average lot size without the Estate Parcel is 12374 SF for the
seven newer lots in Phase 2. More density could come forth if there is a modification
request sought based on the higher density sought in Phase 1.
3.01.01D Evaluate development proposals based on consistency with the vision as well as physical,
social, economic, environmental, and aesthetic criteria.
The traffic impacts and social/well-being impacts as in the many units to one larger
parcel or impacts of invasion of privacy with a close-set two-story product.
3.05.00 Ensure that all planning, zoning and land use decisions balance the interests of the community
by protecting private property rights for current citizens and future generations.
This plan with its transition, product type, and traffic impacts affects existing
surrounding citizens.
3.05.01 Enact land use ordinances, policies, and fees, and make decisions, including land use restrictions
and conditions of approval, that do not violate private property rights.
Conditions of approval should be R-4 zoning, 10000 SF minimum lot size against lots of a
larger size, one story or one story with front bonus room against one story product, and
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN POLICIES KINGSTOWN
traffic mitigation built within the development and considered down the road from this
proposal, if not a newer road approach entirely, especially as we have to wait for the
way overdue light at Troxel/Wingate to take the southern portion of this square mile to
the commercial area, as in there are mainly left turns via Locust Grove and Ustick for
citizens to try to get to the Commercial area at the SE corner. The roundabout or light at
Locust Grove/Leigh Field is overdue as well.
Existing residents and citizens are stakeholders, too. We have all paid the impact fees in
our new and existing home prices, and we continue to do so with the property taxes and
costs of living here. We are all stakeholders regarding the roads, the parks, City Hall,
and the schools.
3.07.01A Require all new development to create a site design compatible with surrounding uses through
buffering, screening, transitional densities, and other best site design practices.
Best design, traffic considerations, housing product type, and transitional lot sizes apply.
3.07.02 Integrate land use and transportation planning to ensure that they mutually support the
communities' goals and desires.
The current transportation planning and road designs have irrevocable errors and design
flaws that should have never been accepted by Planning. To add more connections
without mitigation plans throughout will inevitably result in a conflict or traffic accident.
We have had our residential light poles hit several times, fences destroyed and replaced,
and mailboxes “killed” due to speed and/or inattentive driving. I myself have almost
been hit walking my dog at night with bright light clothing by a turning left driver that
was obviously speeding via cut-through and not paying attention
3.07.02F Coordinate with transportation agencies to align future needed infrastructure with land use
plans and implement through the development review processes.
Traffic mitigation and conditions should be applied.
5.01.00 Sustain, enhance, promote, and protect elements that contribute to livability and a high quality
of life for all Meridian residents.
Increased traffic without consideration, proper design, or mitigation is not high quality of
life for any subdivision.
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN POLICIES KINGSTOWN
5.01.01 Encourage the safety, health, and well-being of the community.
We do not feel our safety and well-being is being adequately considered by the incompatible
density and design, and the impactful traffic to come.
5.01.01B Provide pathways, crosswalks, traffic signals and other improvements that encourage safe,
physical activity for pedestrians and bicyclists.
Traffic mitigation is needed, and traffic signal at Troxel/Wingate is needed for the southern
portion of this square mile to safely navigate the arterials south and east, as they must use left
turns to get to Centrepoint Way. These traffic improvements and cross walks are important for
the extension and wayfinding for the bike routes in the area as well.
5.01.02 Support beautiful and high-quality development that reinforces neighborhood character and
sustainability.
Increased traffic, cut-through, and incompatible product and transition does not reinforce our
neighborhood character or sustainability as the mid-mile cut-through of choice and opportunity.
5.01.02E Support and protect the identity of existing residential neighborhoods.
See above.
5.01.03 Strengthen community pride and identity.
See above.
6.01.02 Enhance existing transportation systems.
Improve existing transportation variances from standards by implementing traffic mitigation,
traffic calming, and requiring connecting infill to have built in mitigation at the onset.
6.01.02G Work with the Transportation Commission and transportation partners to implement needed
neighborhood traffic calming and address safety concerns.
See above.
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN POLICIES KINGSTOWN
6.01.04F Consider and mitigate undesired impacts of emerging transportation and delivery technologies.
Connectivity will bring emerging impacts via transportation routes and corridors, on local streets
behaving as collector streets.
An existing technology exists as in Navigation Systems. We ourselves have been routed via local
streets in lieu of the arterials and highways to shave of lights and cut corners…we now override
those routes, as one time we were towing a trailer and had been misled by the Navigation
software that peaceful local neighborhood streets were a great time saver.
An existing technology has existed for many years, and that is people. If people are rewarded by
an action via personal decision, they will continue to do so. Cut-through is impactful and if the
roads are designed to reward it punishes the neighborhoods’ residents.
P 108 of 123 www.meridiancity.org/compplan
Compatible – Land uses capable of existing together without conflict or ill effects.
Incompatible.
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Quality of Life – Quality of life refers to the day living enhanced by wholesome food and clean air and
water, enjoyment of unfettered open spaces and bodies of water, conservation of wildlife and natural
resources, security from crime, and protection from radiation and toxic substances. It may also be used
as a measure of the energy and power a person is endowed with that enable him or her to enjoy life and
prevail over life’s challenges irrespective of the handicaps he or she may have.
Two-stories on small lots with a short setback and traffic impacts will reduce quality of life.