HomeMy WebLinkAboutEMAIL 2 - 18-00701 & 18-00711 - 547 E 7th N - Rezone to MDR2-----Original Message -----
From: Laura Rhien [mailto:sco00005@gmail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, January 8, 2019 2:04 PM
To: Val Christensen <Val.Christensen@rexburg.org>
Subject: Rezoning by 7th and 2nd
Hi Val,
I know you have to deal with so many frustrating people on a regular basis and I don't want to be one of those. I actually
would like to help. There was a meeting on Jan 3rd concerning the consideration of the rezoning of the newly purchased
property by 7th North. We only got the letter the day before and many others didn't see the letter til it was too late or
wish had been back in town or time to prepare for the meeting. People in our neighborhood have been talking a lot after
that and I am afraid it could turn into a giant mess for everyone like it did in sugar city recently.
People keep asking me and my friend that were there all the details, but it would have been better if they were there.
They think that the date scheduled for the 3rd was to avoid any trouble from the residents. After how Carlow
apartments went about things, many have lost faith in the city willing to truly hear out the residents. "Trickery "and
such.
I believe that maybe the developers may have been trying to be sneaky, but sitting i am still trying to have faith in the
city. I admit I am a bit shy about things like this and felt the meeting was more of learning information for me. I was not
prepared to make a comment, though I wish I did.
I would like to propose that due to the inequality of the situation, residents be given an equal amount of time that the
developers did, to present an alternate solution that will be more beneficial to the city, developers, and the local
residents. We are not professional and don't deal with these things every day and as a result have a disadvantage. A few
letters, small sign, and a notice in the city's Facebook page cannot really justify that disadvantage.
I also propose that the meeting on the 14th be used as an informative meeting for the locals where residents can receive
all the information and plans given by both developers, and city zoning. I would also think it fair that all those who are
affected no matter how far they are, be allowed to help find balance, not just the first two streets. I would want those
making the final decisions to be fully informed. It appeared than none of the voters were informed in an unbiased way.
I would like the neighborhood to have a high percentage of the vote in the ultimate solution to the rezoning of the area.
Though I love the people of Carlow, I agree with what many of our neighbors have said about how invasive the two-story
eyesore was on the street and those living on stonebridge. Parking lot lights shining into backyards, giant buildings
feeling practically inside the backyard, tearing down hand-crafted fences without notice forcing the owner to replace the
rest of the fence in order to make the fence match, and threatening to sue if their dog got out because the back fence
was missing.
People afraid to sell their homes because they wouldn't be able to sell it for enough to buy a similar home in a place
without apartments up against it. Bad enough traffic that one light wouldn't fix the higher traffic effecting the homes on
7th itself let alone with higher density housing. The extra cost in the city in order to remedy this, the lie about a promise
a light on 7th and 2nd was planned to be in in the spring, at the meeting when people who called were told that it
depends on funding and other things and unsure if it was going to happen, and then turn around and suddenly change
their mind when put on the spot.
These are the complaints and more that I have heard since the meeting. I figured you might appreciate knowing this. I
just want there to be a middle ground accomplished peaceably honestly. I don't trust the developers to not play dirty,
but I do trust the city.
I
I agree that from what I have seen on that map and information from the meeting, and from others from the city,
allowing it to happen the way they suggested could cause some major problems down the road. For a while Rexburg
seemed a desirable city for residences and those with money for taxes wanted to live, now it just seems to be turning
junky and complicating quiet neighborhoods throughout. There won't be enough jobs available for all the growth that is
talked about which will force people to leave, leading to a more rundown looking city. I agree with Mr Hodges that the
city layout plan balances should be considered before allowing places like Carlow and developers.
I think it might help if residences felt like they had say in what is allowed. By "Say', I mean not just fighting against us,
but working with us. I hope this can all work out well for everyone. I really do. I do not agree that Carlow has helped
anyone but the developers in this situation. Carlow got to be the mean ones who couldn't put a decent amount of space
between it and our neighborhood. If they looked nicer, left more space between it and our neighborhood and kept to
one story, we may have responded differently this time. We want to protect those who might build a home that would
be too close and too affected by the high density housing without realizing it. Anyway, if you could let me know any
information necessary to help us out, it would be much appreciated. I believe if any of you were in our situation, you
would try for a better solution too. I hear you are a great person and look forward to helping things move smoothly for
all.:)
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