Public Testimony / Letter from Chris Verkerk"~ N - 0.....d.
P p
,7
'' S ~ a
SEP ~ ~~~~
R I L '.' ~. 1 ~' I ~
t ~ L~ ~. ~ , ,.j~ !) ~ ~ ~ e September 13, 2011
Written testimony in opposition of proposed rezoning of Chesterfield Extension
Madam Mayor & City Council,
I first apologize for my absence to the city council meeting in which this proposed rezoning is being
heard. I am out of town on important business and unable to attend.
I am a home owner in Castlebrook Subdivision, managed by Castlebrook HOA which includes
Chesterfield Subdivision. I am also an ex-board member of the Castlebrook HOA. I would like to state
some history about the Castlebrook/Chestenfield HOA.
In the early phases of development of Castlebrook Subdivision, the builder and developer of the
subdivision originally planned for a community pool in Phase 1 of the development, after several changes
the pool amenity was built several years later in Phase III. This pool amenity was built for the capacity of
these phases of Castlebrook Subdivision only.
After the beginning of Phase III, the builder still had control of the Castlebrook HOA by power of 3 votes
per lot owned by the developer. The builder then purchased a section of land to the south of
Castlebrook off of Pine Rd, now known as Chesterfield Subdivision. In an effort to reduce cost and
increase profit and sales, the builder having a majority power of the Castlebrook HOA, voted single
handedty to have Cheste~eld Subdivision included in the Castlebrook HOA. This would include allowing
homeowners of the Chesterfield Subdivision use the common areas, amenities and pool facility located
in the Castlebrook HOA.
After the build out of the first phase of Chesterfield the home owners of both subdivisions were able to
outnumber the builder in votes and thus control of the Castlebrook/Chesterfield HOA was transferred to
the home owners and a board established. For the last 4-5 years the board has faced many challenges
due to the subdivisions being combined. The main challenge has been the overcrowding and
maintenance of the pool facility that was originally designed to provide for the single subdivision of
Castlebrook.
During my three years on the board I was tasked overseeing the pool facility to include maintenance and
upkeep. This pool is enjoyed by well over 1~ children and adults on any given day. Last year we had the
pool reviewed by a professional pool installer and it was determined that the pool sanitation and
cleaning system was designed to accommodate around 20 children or 30 adults. Seeing that the pool is
used mainly by children, you can see that the system was well under designed for the amount of load it
is currently being used for. The board has had to use additional measures, not originally designed for the
pool, to keep up with the sanitation standards set by the Department of Health for a public pool. This
has strained the HOA's budget, again which was not set up to add on another subdivision.
I would like you to also consider the public safety impact of our homeowners. Continuing to add to the
overcrowding of the facility will lead to unsanitary conditions at the pool, overcrowding, additional
vandalism and higher risk for trespassing. My concern with the pool has always been for the safety of
the homeowners and guests. An increase in homeowner usage could lead to sickness, injuries and
heaven forbid a death due to even further overcrowding.
Lastly, for the last several years we have enjoyed the participation of the Chesterfield Subdivision and I
am by no means suggesting that the HOA divide the two subdivisions into separate HOA's. Rather my
opposition is to adding an additional 148 homes to the already stressed facilities that were originally
under designed to accommodate the high use. I ask that you deny the rezoning and thus addition of 148
homes unless the builder and developer agree to increase the pool facility to accommodate the added
load, and/or add an additional facility that will accommodate the Chesterfield Subdivision. I would
support the recommendation of our current Castlebrook/Chesterfield board in either case.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
R ,p~ su~tted,
g-~~-~i
Chris Verkerk
1014 N Manship Ave.
Meridian, ID 83642
208-891-0867
Chris_verkerk@msn.com