HomeMy WebLinkAboutWRITTEN RESPONSE - Bryce Owen - 340 & 348 W 2nd S - CUP for dormitory housingDecember 1, 2003
City of Rexburg
Planning & Zoning Commission
I am writing in objection to the granting of a conditional use permit for dormitory style
student housing for the properties located at 340 and 348 West 2"a South.
Dormitory style housing would not be safe at this location because many young children
must walk to Kennedy School using West 2nd South. Although there are sidewalks in
front of the 7ecific property the increased traffic would endanger our children as they
walk from 4 West to 5`h West where there is not a sidewalk in place.
I am also concerned that because the sidewalks are against the curb of the street the snow
pushed onto the sidewalks by the snowplows would not be removed in a timely manner
by an absentee owner or students living on the property.
Also, even now the extra cars packed into the driveway and on the grass in front of the
properties are extremely unsightly. Since city code requires parking areas to be paved
even if there was enough parking spots off the set back or in the back yards of these
properties, paving these areas would only further reduce the very limited green space in
this area most likely below the 30% requirement. I would also emphasize that green
space should be primarily in the front yard.
And finally, these are two really nice homes in this area. By letting the area become
overrun with shoddy looking rental units such as the ones at 164 and 174 South P West
further decreases the attractiveness of Porter Park and wastes the large investment the
city and many private citizens have made in the carousel.
If in spite of these compelling reasons the commission still decides to grant this
conditional use permit, I ask they first verify compliance with the all city requirements
especially the following:
❑ 30% green space
❑ Parking lots with proper sized stalls and access routes especially around the telephone
pole in between the two properties.
❑ Appropriate fire escapes from all ground level bedrooms, and windows in basement
bedrooms
❑ Appropriate hand rails
a Appropriate entrances, the entrance to the basement apartment on the 340 property is
currently through the garage.
I apologize for not being able to attend this meeting.