Public TestimonyRE: Proposed Walmart at Stoddard and Overland
Attn:Pete Friedman and Sonya
33 E. Broadway
Avenue, Meridian, Idaho 83642
August 19 , 2011
Dear Meridian City Council Members
As you are aware, you have voted for a WALMART to be allowed to be put right in our
backyard. Although, it is my understanding that this portion of the approval has already
taken place, I am asking you to do what is right for our subdivision by refusing to allow
the proposed Walmart at Stoddard and Overland to operate 24 hours and reefusing to
have another drive-through pharmacy less than 1 block from the existing Walgreens.
The Coming 24 hour Welme+t with a drive through pharmacy at Overland and Stoddard
in Mbridian is not a good fit for the area due to the following reasons:
- Property values of the Bear Creek Subdivision will decrease further. Having a
Walmart in our back-yards will not help our already desperate housing market
situation.
- The noise generated by the semi-trucks and cars arriving and departing will force
us keep our windpws Closed. thus drdmaticaNy reducing our qualify of life. No-
one wants to feel that they either have to live boxed up in their homes or listen to
noise all night long.
- Stoddard, a 2 lane street, will be greatly impacted by the extra traffic caused by
this "Big Box" store. One side of Stoddard is a very busy Meridian public park
w~h Lgts of children's activikies end on the other sid~3, there ~s a plan for an
elementary school.
- Walmart is not the type of "l=ight Commercial" business that Planning and Zoning
said was appropriate for the area.
- There is no reason to have any 24 hour store at this location nor another drive
through pharmacy which already exis#s with Walgreens. Do we really went
Walmart to run Walgreens out of business and thus have yet another vacant
store in Meridian?
- Operating 24 hours invites/allows SEX offenders to shop after 10pm right near
our community which has a very busy public children's park that hosts many
children's activities, a church and will have a public elementary school a!I within
steps of this `Big Box" store. If you yes vote to a 24 hour Waknart, you are
willingly putting our families at risk for predators.
Additionally, Walmart seems to have a tendency to attract some unsavory individual,
and thus, has shootings, stabbings, and other al#ercations taking place inside and
outside its stores (see examples below. This endangers others in the proximity; other
shoppers, patrons of the veterinary clinic on the north side of Overland, families
visiting Roaring Springs and Wahooz, and the customers of the new ICON Credit Union
and Lowe's along with the residents of the Bear Creek Subdivision.
F~camples: -
1 --Suspects arrested in shooting
at Kissimmee Walmart
Suspect operrod fire in parking lot after verbal argument inside sfiore
January 17, 2011 ~By Henry Pierson Curtis, Orlando Sentinel
2 --Police respond to robbery, gunshots at North Las
Vegas Walmart
Rich Coleman
Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2011 ~ 3:49 p.m.
3 --Wallmart Shooting: 2 Dead, 2 Deputies Injured After
Gunman Opens Fire in Wash. Parking Lot
January 24, 2011 11:32 AM
4 --Off-duty security officer helps catch person who
stabbed a man at Saukville Walmart
Stabbing suspect now held at Chaukee County Jail (Saukville ,Wisconsin )
Justin Williams FOX6 Reporter
10:30 a.m. CST, February 25, 2019
5 --Shooting inside Tulsa Wal-Mart injures teenager
Posted: 03/10/2011
6 --Fresno stabbing victim found dead on a curb
outside Walmart
Friday, March 25, 2011
7 --stabbing at Springs Walmart
A stabbing investigation is underway Sunday night at a Walrnart stone in Colorado
Springs .Posted: 9:54 PM Apr 17, 2011
8 --Teen out of Hospital after Stabbing in Waimart
Parking Lot Sunday
Filed by !_isa Roberson June 9th, 2011
9 ~-Robbery and shooting at Maricopa
Walmart (Maricopa, Arizona }
Posted: Jun 29, 201 ? 7:3? AM PDT Updated: Jun 29, 20?? 8:3? AM PDT
70 --Frisco Police Investigating Shooting In Wal-Mart
Parking Lot
June 21, 20?? 3:00 PM
1 ~ --Female employee stabbed at Clinton Walma-t
Posted.- Jul 02, 201 ? 9:02 AM PDT Updated: Ju! 02, 209 9 5:58 PM PDT
By Cheryl Lasseter -Clinton, MS
I understand that the c~ is interested in generating tax revenue... but, is this really the
way? This choice negatively impacts the peoples living in the Bear Creak Subdivision
for the above reasons. According to the mission statement of our planning commission:
"The mission of the Planning Department is to be an innovative planning team fhat
advances the quality, lifestyle and economy envisioned by our Comprehensiw~ Plan." 1
implore you to refuse Walmart's requests to further upset the quality and lifestyle of this
area. If you wouldn't want a 24 hour Walmart with a drive through pham~acy, or any
other "Big Box" store, in your backyard, PLEASE don't approve one to be put in mine. If
the voted-in members of our council cannot make decisions that protect and benefit this
community, perhaps it is time for new leadership.
Sincerely,
Lori AAcBride
Bear Creek Subdivision resident
http:/lwww.wahnartcrimereport.cam/report.pdf
Here are some highlights from the shaver referenced article regarding how Unsafe WalMart is and how it
actually increases costs cities across America!!!
Among the critical findings of the "ls Wal-Mart Safe?" study:
Wai-Mart stores experience a significant number of police incidents. In 2004, pope received
148, 331 calls for service for the 551 Wal-Mart stores analyzed;
-The average number of reported incidents per store for the 551 stores analyzed was 269;
-The Wal-Mart stores in our sample that reported the most incidents in 2U04 experienced higher
average rates of reported police incidents than nearby Target stores;
-Based on the average rate of reported incidents for thc 551 Wal-Mart stores analyzed in this stay,
we estimate (fiat in 2004 police may have received almost 1 million calls for service at Wal-Mart
shores ar parking lots - or 2 reported police incidents per minute in 2004;
Nationally, Wal--Mart shores cost local taxpayers an estimated $77 million in increased policing
costs in 2004;
-Wal-Mart could implement roving security patrols at all stores nationwide at an estimated cost of
4 cents per monthly customer visit.
~; ~ .~, n~ . ~. ~~..~ f ; ~ _ ~ -
i~~`, Epping, NH: Town officials in Epping, NH ~g~! ,~ ~ ....... ,~o
~w.
~~~e~41 r Ca1Is to the police, arrests, and complaints filed at the store in its
first four months of~eration led to a 7.5 percent 'nc a in the to 's crime [Union reader
{Manchester NH), May 23, 20(14 and Union Leader (Manchester, NH), November 16, ~OOSj
• Hermar~town, MN: Wal-Mart's plan to expand in Hermantowo, MN would increase dice
calls
for the already understaffed police department. [Duluth News-Tribune, February 20, 2005]
• Tega Cay, SC• In 2004, throe Tega Cay Planning Commission members completed a study that
said a proposed Wal-Mart would bring more crime and traffic than previously thought.
Commission member Dan Colangelo said two more Tega Cay police officers would need to be
hired to handle the additional police calls. [The Herald (Rock Hill, S.C.), November 26, 2004.]
• Beech Grove, IN: Beech Grove, Indiana estimated in 2004 that increased calls from a new
WalMart would necessitate the hiring of an extra police officer budgeted at $75,000. Fishers, IN:
Fishers, Indiana police responded to 292 calls from Wal-Mart in just the first 8 months of 2003.
Greenwood, IN: In 2004, planners in Groettwood, Indiana projected that a new Wal-Mart would
net the city an additional $27,933 a year but had only estimated $5,000 in additional police costs
to come up with that figure. Those projections were off given that Marion County police had to
respond to 511 calls in 2003 at their Wal-Mart. [Indianapolis Sfiar, March 17, 2004]
• Port Richey, FL: In 2002, Port Richey's Wal--Mart was projected to pay $75,000 in property
taxes for the year. To handle increased police calls, the police department spent $72,2'75 in
overtime in just the fast seven months of its fiscal year. Because of the small size of Port Richey's
police department, sending two officers to Wal--Mart takes np the entire force working on a given
shift. As the number of calls to Wal-Mart rose, police response times increased on other nonemergeucy
calls. [Tampa Tribune, July 23, 2003]
• Pineville, NC: In March 2003, town leaders in Pincville, NC turned down a proposed Wal-
Mart.
City Planners in Pineville determined that the town would have to hire two additional police
officers to monitor the store and respond to calls there. They estimated the new officers would
cost the town $120,000. An attorney for Wal-Mart stated that the proposed Wal-Mart would have
likely brought the town $100,000 in sales, property, and other taxes
• Ephrata, PA: Brad Ortenzi, police detective in Ephrata, PA said in 2003 that Wal-Mart led to a
"drastic increase" in his workload. "Bad checks, use of stolen credit cards.... During a busy week,
we'll have throe to five retail theft arrests, and with each arrest, that ties up an oi~ficer who has to
go down, take a person into custody" and follow up with paperwork and possibly a court
appearance. [Sunday News (Lancaster, PA) June 8, 2003]
• Vista, CA: Mayor Monris Vance cited increased crime at Wat-Mart as taxing local budgets and
policing efforts. "This is a difficult time for this to happen," Mayor Vance said, referring to the 6
city's strapped budget. "We definitely cannot afford more police officers right now. With the
budget, it's hard to keep what we have." [The San Diego Union-Tribune; June 5, 2003]
Orlando,l?L: In Orlando, the local police blotter indicates that the crime rate in a 5-squarermile
area of MetroWest jumped more than 70 percent in the first year after Wal-Mart's arrival in
August 2001. Traffic accidents rose 31 percent, property crimes 110 percent, robberies 231
percent and car thefts 56 percent, according to the Orlando Police Department. [Orlando Sentinel,
January 27, 2003]
Dallas, TX: A 2002 internal Dallas Police Department memo warned that a proposed Wal--Mart
Superoenter would lead to longer response times. [Dallas Morning News, Jun 5, 2002]
North Versailles, PA: Calls to Wal-Mart and the development that came with it caused the
police department bo have to mom than double its sire, growing from 10 to 26 officers between
1998 and 2002. [St. Petersburg Times, May 20, 2002]
Meridian City Council
33 E. Broadway Avenue
Meridian, Idaho 83642
Attention: Pete Friedman and Sonya
RE: Walmart at Stoddard and Overland
Dear Meridian City Council Members:
As you are aware, you have voted for a WALMART to be allowed to be put right in our
backyard. Although, it is my understanding that this portion of the approval has already
taken place, I am asking you to do what is right for our subdivision by refueling to allow
the proposed Walmart at Stoddard and Overland to operate 24 hours and refusing to
have another drive-through pharmacy less than 1 block from the existing Walgreens.
The coming 24 hour Walmart with a drive through pharmacy at Overland and Stoddard
in Meridian is not a good fit for the area due to the foNowing reasons:
- Property values of the Bear Creek Subdivision wiA decrease further. Having a
Walmart in our bads-yards will not help our already desperate housing market
situation.
- The noise generated by the semi-trucks and cars arriving and departing will force
us keep our windows closed, thus dramatically reducing our quality of life. Na
one wants to feel that they either have to live boxed up in their homes or listen to
noise all night long.
- Stoddard, a 2 lane street, will be greatly impacted by the ex#ra traffic caused by
this "Big Box" store. One side of Stoddard is a very busy Meridian public park
with Lats of children's activities and on the other side, there is a plan for an
elementary school.
- Walmart is not the type of "Light Commercial:" business that Planning and Zoning
said was appropriate for the area.
- There is no reason to have any 24 hour store at this location nor another drive
through pharmacy which already exists with Walgreens. Do we really want
Walmart to run Walgreens out of business and thus have yet another vacant
store in Meridian?
- Operating 24 hours inviteslallows SEX offenders to shop after 10pm right near
our community which has a very busy public children's park that hosts many
children's activities, a church and will have a public elementary school all within
steps of this `big Box" store. If you yes vote to a 24 hour Walmart, you are
willingly putting vur families at risk for predators.
Additionally, Walmart seems to have a tendency to attract some unsavory individual,
and thus, has shootings, stabbings, and other altercations taking place inside and
outside its stores {see examples below). This endangers others in the proximity; other
shoppers, patrons of the veterinary clinic on the north side of Overland, families
visiting Roaring Springs and Wahooz, and the customers of the new ICON Credit Union
and Lowe's along with the residents of the Bear Creek Subdivision.
Examples: -
1 --Suspects arrested in shooting
at Kissimmee Walmart
Suspect opened fire in parking lot after verbal argument inside store
January 37, 2011 By Henry Pierson Curtis, 0~landb Sentinel
2 --Police respond to robbery, gunshots at North Las
Vegas Walmart
Rich Coleman
Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2011 ~ 3:49 p.m.
3 --Walmart Shooting: 2 Dead, 2 Deputies Injured After
Gunman Opens Fire in Wash. Parking Lot
January 24, 2011 11:32 AM
4 --Off-duty security officer helps catch person who
stabbed a man at Saukville Walmart
Stabbing suspect now held at Ozaukee County Jail (Saukville ~ Vl~sconsin )
Justin Williams FOX6 Reporter
5 --Shooting inside Tulsa Wal-Mart injures teenager
Posted: 03/10/2011
6 --Fresno stabbing victim found dead on a curb
outside Walmart
Friday, March 25, 2011
7 --Stabbing at Springs Walmart
A stabbing investigation is underway Sunday night at a Walmart store in Colorado
Springs .Posted: 9:54 PM Apr 17, 2011
8 --Teen Out of Hospital after Stabbing in Walmart
Parking Lot Sunday
Filed by June 9th, 2x11
9 --Robbery and shooting at Maricopa
Waimart (Maricopa, Arizona )
Posted: Jun 29, 2091 7:3 ~ AM PDT Updated ~ Jun 29, 2091 8:31 AM PDT
70 --Frisco Police Investigating Shooting In Wa!-Mart
Parking Lot
June 29, 20113:00 PM
1 a --Female employee stabbed at Clinton Walmart
Posted: Ju! 02, 20119:02 AM PDT Updated: Ju! 02, 20915:58 PM PDT
By Chery! Lasseter- Clinton, MS
I understand that the city is interested in generating tax revenue... but, is this really the
way? This choice negatively impacts the peoples living in the Bear Creak Subdivision
for the above reasons. According to the mission statement of our planning commission:
"The mission of the Planning Department is to be an innovative planning Team that
advances the quality, lifestyle and economy envisioned by our Comprehensive Plan.'°
implore you to refuse Walmart's requests to further upset the quality and lifestyle of this
area. If you wouldn't want a 24 hour Walmart with a drive through pharmacy, or any
other "Big Box" store, in your backyard, PLEASE don't approve one to be put in mine. If
the voted-in members of our council cannot make decisions that protect and benefit this
community, perhaps it is time for new leadership.
~~W~
~, ""~
Meridian City Planning and Zoning
We would like to thank you for the opportunity to provide input in the process of the development a
Walmart superstore at the intersection of Overland Rd and Stoddard. We recognize that this development
will bring jobs, increased tax base, and support both. We are confident that Walmart intends to be good
neighbors and has a true interest in working with our subdivision. We too look forward to a good
neighborly relationship that we hope gets off to a positive start.
Stoddard Rd is the primary entrance to the Bear Creek subdivision. This subdivision is one of the crown
jewels of the City of Meridian with a wonderful park and a well thought out traffic plan. We have very little
pass-through traffic and moderate noise pollution, both very attractive reasons to live so centrally located to
downtown Meridian. The Walmart development can add to our neighborhood if done correctly. A few
observations and recommendations are provided below.
Fairview & Eagle
Note the rear of this store has a block wall with landscaping.
Where block wall stops, landscaping is open and sparse.
Islands of landscaping are satisfactorily planted and maintained. The shrubs planted around the trees are
low profile and would not provide screening.
Shopping carts are neatly aligned along a wall but in clear view.
Pallets and compressed cardboard bails, with a forklift, are neatly organized.
Trash containers are corralled but not screened.
Overland & I-84
Landscape is sparse with limited shielding of storage and use.
Trees are widely spaced with only grass in between along the roadway facing the side of Walmart.
Pallets are neatly stacked but in clear site, well beyond any screening.
Bails of compressed cardboard are neatly stacked but again, in clear view and outside any protective
screening.
Semi-Trucks are parked and/or stored in clear view.
Trash containers are neatly aligned along a wall but in clear view.
Landscape planter behind the store is not maintained.
Desired Landscaping
Pictures were taken at the Baldwin Park subdivision. The planting are designed to provide screening and
sound damping. The landscape is elevated to provide screening as well as aesthetics.
We do believe the landscaping should include a large grass buffer with sidewalks, elevation in the
landscaping, mature trees and shrubs with enough density to provide screening and sound dampening.
Thank you for the opportunity to provide input in hopes of being good neighbors with the Walmart
organization.
Another big concern of ours is the traffic, both foot and vehicle, on Overland Rd and Stoddard Rd. We
understand there is a traffic impact study being done but this will be a recommendation (as we were told).
The foot traffic from Wahooz and Roaring Springs can be dangerous if not well thought out. We foresee
the foot traffic slowing the vehicle traffic on Overland Rd if not addressed. We recommend ground lighting
at the crosswalk on Overland Rd or a fly bridge.
Sincerely,
George & Laura Webb
646 W. Christopher St.
Meridian, Id 83642
208-888-6111
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