Letter by Presbytery of BoiseThe Presbytery of Boise
Rev. Edward Dunn, Presbytery Executive _Y_
201 W Ustick
Meridian, ID 83746
June 1, 2010
Honorable Mayor Tammy de Weerd
Honorable City Council Members
City of Meridian
33 E. Broadway Avenue
Meridian, Idaho 83642
Re: MDA-10-006 -Spring Creek Ustick
Dear Mayor and Council Members:
This letter is in response to the applicants request to modify several provisions of the recorded
development agreement. I write as the executive of the Boise Presbytery who owns the church
property directly west of the proposed Spring Creek Ustick development.
We are in support of the staff recommendation and would like to make note of the following
items for your consideration.
Section 5, #12 -Cross Access
There is an existing, unrecorded cross access agreement between the church and the applicant's
property. The eastern portion of our property is currently graveled along Ustick with field
towards the south of our property. Until we expand our facility or improve the Ustick frontage
with a paved parking lot or drive isle, access from the applicant's property should be restricted to
emergency vehicles only by means of a gate or bollards. If the developer is required to access
Ustick Road through our improved driveway, the drive isle should be paved. Additionally, we
think there should be some shared maintenance agreement for the shared drive isle.
Section 5, #13 -The church's sewer line bisects the Spring Creek property and connects to
Meridian Road. As outlined in the staff report this service needs to be maintained. If relocation is
required, it should be at the applicant's expense to relocate and maintain.
Section 5, #15 -Pressure Irrigation
Both the church and the Spring Creek site have water rights and access to surface irrigation water
from Nampa Meridian Irrigation District (NMID). I spoke with Greg Curtis, NMID, on Friday,
May 28, 2010. He and John Anderson, NMID, are exploring options to extend pressure irrigation
to both the church and Spring Creek properties. Based on information from Mr. Curtis, there is
an existing 4" pressure irrigation line west of the church property that feeds Settlers Park. There
is no extra capacity in that line to feed the church or Spring Creek but they would like to loop a
line from south of Ustick Road, along the west side of Meridian Road, across the Spring Creek
and church properties to tie into the existing 4" line. This would provide pressure irrigation to
both properties as well as increase flow and pressure to the city park.
As discussed during the annexation hearing February 24, 2009, Reflections Church is interested
in pursuing a community garden to benefit the Meridian Food Bank and the Valleys refuge
population. Access to pressure irrigation will help with this endeavor. Upholding the requirement
for the applicant now, will result in better long term compliance with UDC (11-3A-15) to utilize
surface water and limit usage of the city's domestic water system or ground water. Depending on
what NMID determines, it appears there may be a partnership opportunity between the adjacent
property owners.
If the city removes the DA provision #15, we request there be a requirement that gravity
irrigation supply to our property be maintained.
Representatives from the Boise Presbytery will be available at your scheduled City Council
meeting on June 1, 2010 to answer questions.
Sincerely,
Edward Dunn
Presbytery Executive
Cc: Bill Parsons, Associate City Planner
Ruth Hicks, Stated Clerk of Boise Presbytery
David Goebel, Lead Pastor of Reflections Church