2023-02-11 Jennifer Card
Charlene Way
From:Jenn Card <card.jenn@gmail.com>
Sent:Saturday, February 11, 2023 1:13 PM
To:City Clerk
Subject:Fwd: Orchard Park Application H-2022-0027
External Sender - Please use caution with links or attachments.
Greetings,
My name is Jenniffer Card and I am a resident in the Paramount subdivision. I urge the City Council to not approve
application H-2022-0027 Sagarra (Orchard Park) as it stands (146 units and setbacks).The density is too much for the
area and several items in the staff report have not been appropriately addressed. It is so important that all of the items
be addressed before approval. As citizens of Meridian we have heard so much from city officials speaking about smart
and responsible growth in Meridian, but clearly we have a lack of infrastructure in the area and we have developers
getting approval to move forward on projects without all issues being addressed appropriately.
This developer has continually changed this plan to include more units within the same amount of space. They have let
the residents know that they plan to apply for a 540 multi housing unit on the corner of Fox Run and Chinden.
Another reason to keep the density lower in this area.
I would encourage the City Council members to actually come out to view this area and realize how crowded this area
will be due to the lack of space. Several residents have expressed that they cannot fathom how they can fit so many
units in the area. Lot sizes less than 3000 sq feet for single family homes should not be allowed.
Additional items:
First, the staff report said they believe the proposed development is GENERALLY consistent with the comprehensive plan
for the area. This plan should be completely within the guidelines and be what officials refer to as responsible growth for
the area. Making sure this happens is the responsibility of the City Council.
Traffic calming measures should be done for ALL entrances into the Paramount subdivision. Currently it includes only
Bacall St and Bergman Ave. Director, which is also an entrance, should have traffic calming measures as well.
The staff report also notes that the building elevation is in question as well as the building designs and a final plan
should be submitted before approval.The elevation is not consistent with other buildings in the area nor are the building
designs. The developer has continually made note that they want this area to be similar to Gramercy Park in New York.
This is not New York, it is Meridian, Idaho and we need to be consistent. Even looking at the buildings at The Village you
do not see anything close to these designs and if this developer is allowed to move forward with the elevation and
design this will be a detriment and eyesore to our city.
Landscaping is another area of concern. It is noted in the staff report that the minimum standards are not being met as
parking areas and sidewalk grass were being included in the open space calculations. Open space is critical to making
this development a success and a great place to live. For responsible growth City Council should advocate for additional
open space versus setbacks..
Lighting is mentioned along the pathways on both the south and east side of the development. I would urge you to not
allow streetlights and require the developer to install short lights that are about as tall as half the fenceline.
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Parking is also an issue. Parking should not be allowed at the entrances to the Paramount subdivision. This is
encroaching upon the residents ability to keep our subdivision looking the way it is supposed to and not becoming a
parking lot for Orchard Park overflow.
Along with the concerns regarding safety, I do not think that the fact that we have an elderly care center located on the
corner of Fox Run and Chinden. This is supposed to be one of the main entrances to Orchard Park. This is dangerous for
the area due to the speeds of the vehicles entering through that area considering that many of the residents walk and
take advantage of the area. This is an issue with the schools located in the subdivision. We have children all over our
streets and this is an ongoing danger with so many vehicles going through the neighborhood.
Current issues:
Area has not been maintained properly with weeds that grow 6 to 7 feet tall blocking the visibility of walkers, bicycles
and cars. Garbage is strewn about.
No traffic calming is currently being done with vehicles whose speeds easily exceed the speed limit (double or more)
raising the risk of injury to those in the area. We have no crosswalks and the speed limit is 25 mph. Several times cars
have passed other cars on the roadway. When the library opens this will be a very dangerous area for all pedestrians. I
would request that safety be a prime concern now, not just when the development is completed. If the area is not
currently maintained and safe that leads me to question if it will be safe or maintained in the future.
No information is easily available for citizens to contact the developers about these issues.
The citizens of our city depend on you, as City Council members, to do the right thing for the city. Citizens are aware that
all of this development brings more money to the city, but that is not always the best choice. As City Council members I
implore you to do your due diligence and not rely on the staff report as your only piece of information. So many items
still need to be worked out by the developer before this plan should be approved. If not these issues are not resolved
before approval then we have a risk that the development will move forward with the current plan. Once the
development is done you can't go back and change it.
Please do not pass this plan for 146 units or allow the setbacks being requested.
Thank you,
Jenniffer Card
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