HomeMy WebLinkAboutLETTER - 18-00701 & 18-00711 - Lorene Street - Rezone to MDR2January 14, 2019
Deborah Lovegood
Rexburg Planning and Zoning Committee
Dear Board Members
As concerned citizens of our growing community, Neil and Sherri Erickson would
like to share a few thoughts about the proposed rezoning of the property behind
Carlow Apartments on 7th North and behind the old Wal-Mart location on Second
East. This is property near the Stonebridge Subdivision.
Our first preference, of course, would be that this property is saved for future
single dwelling family homes. Or least be considered as part of a long term plan
for our city.
We have lived in Madison County our entire married lives and have seen many
changes. Some have been short sighted with long term consequences and some
well-planned with excellent results. We hope this rezoning is the later and if this
truly is the best plan for our city we would hope the following concessions be
made:
1) With rezoning moving from commercial to low- mid density housing,
traffic flow out of the existing subdivision and the future growth of it is
dangerous at best. We think that additional exit routs would be
necessary for convenience, but most importantly for safety reasons. One
good option is a through road north or south of Albertsons where stop
lights can control the flow of traffic. This road would connect to the
plats laid out for future home building in the Stonebridge subdivision. If
not there needs to be some additional access to Second East from the
Stonebridge Subdivision, easing the traffic flow off of 7th North even if a
stop light is in the future plans for the corner of 7th North and Second
East.
2) Our second concern is what happened with Carlow Apartments with the
encroachment of privacy of the existing development. Even
understanding that our town is growing, this could have been avoided
with proper courtesy to current home owners, forethought and
community minded planning. Surrounding an existing single family
dwelling subdivision with apartments devalues the homes of those who
have chosen to live there already. This is a growing concern throughout
our community.
3) So, we're thinking that at the very least some kind of buffer and barrier
between the potential apartments and the Stonebridge subdivision
could help keep the community feel of Stonebridge and maintain this
area as one of the few desired single family dwelling in our town. This
buffer could be a park, a sizeable green space or neutral zone and/or
one story condos closest to the Stonebridge development to maintain
privacy in back yards and create a clear division.
We hope you will consider these options in your rezoning thoughts and planning.
Concerned Citizens
Neil & Sherri Erickson
PS: Neil will be at the meeting on Thursday to answer questions or give other
concerns.
Thank you for your time. I am reading this letter on behalf of Cathy Griffith, who is
out of state. She and her husband live at 698 Tanglewood Drive, which is on the east
side of the Stonebridge subdivision.
Point One I found the public hearing notes a little confusing and conflicting but
from what I can gather, it appears that on 3 January, Justin Hodges represented a
shared concern from many of the residents. According to the minutes: "Keith Esplin
confirmed the changes to the roads and intersections would be prior to development in
this area. The City is meeting Mr. Hodges request"
What exactly does that mean?
Point Two After further research, I found Standard Journal article dated 14
February 2007, which describes the following:
"Last week the Rexburg City Council voted to approved a "Resolution ForAdoption
of Vision 2020 Rexburg Comprehensive Plan Map" that changes the land -use
designations in eight areas throughout the city ...... The area that received the most
public comment during the public hearing on the resolution was Area 4, which
currently consists of mostly open farmland between the shopping center where Wal-
Mart is now located and Seventh North.
The land, which was previously designated as "moderate -high residential" on the
city's Preferred Land Use Map, has now been listed as "commercial" with a
nonfarm land area in the southwest comer designated as "open space." The City
Council approved the zoning change for Area 4 along with a motion that directs the
Planning and Zoning Commission to ensure that adequate buffers are provided to
separate residential areas from the effects of commercial development. The
residential area that would be affected most is the Stonebridge subdivision."
I believe that change is necessary and even desirable but Planning and Zoning should
be made with proactivity and consistency of principles, not simply reactive and based
upon trends. Part of an equitable compromise should be designated buffer areas to
protect homeowner's privacy and the price they pay to live in a single dwelling
home.
Thank you,
Cathy Griffith
913 704- 7912