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Home My WebLink AboutWRITTEN RESPONSE - 05-00163 - Comp. Plan Map Amend. - 4 AreasSugar City Planning and Zoning Commission 10 West Center • P.O. Box 56 Sugar City, Idaho 83448 Phone (208) 356-7561 • Fax (208) 359-2654 www.sugarcity.net TO: The Rexburg Planning and Zoning Commission REGARDING: Area 1 of the proposed Rexburg Comprehensive Plan Map Development of the property at the north Rexburg interchange will have an immediate and far-reaching impact on the Sugar City/Salem area. We ask the Rexburg Planning and Zoning Commission to deny the proposed change to the comprehensive plan map as it relates to this area. Sugar City is opposed to having Rexburg move into the core of our community. Negotiation between the two cities is required before this area can be properly designated. Thank you, Sugar City Planning and Zoning Commission Sharee Palmer, Chairman DATE: July 6, 2005 TO: Rexburg Planning and Zoning Commission FROM: Home and Property Owners on Harvard Ave. South 2nd East, East 2nd South, and East I" South. SUBJECT: Gary and Bonnie Anderson Re -Zoning Proposal As a community of neighbors living next to the 1.7 acres of vacant land owned by Gary and Bonnie Anderson we would like to support Anderson's in their goal to develop this long vacant property. However, we believe their proposal for professional/medical offices presents only one option to the development of the neighborhood at large and we believe other options and variations should also be considered. We suggest that the block under consideration is larger than Anderson's 1.7 acres and the re -zoning has an effect on many people and the homes in which they reside. As a community of neighbors collectively owning twice as much of the block as Andersons, it is our suggestion that the block be re -zoned from Low Density Residential 2 (LDR 2) to Mixed Use with the following zoning restrictions which are more likely to protect our property values as allowed under the Project Redevelopment Option: 1. NO NEIGHBORHOOD BUSINESS DISTRICT. That means NO convenience stores, bakeries, doughnut shops, drug stores, florists, barber shops, dry cleaners, etc. as allowed under a typical Mixed Use "Neighborhood Business District". 2. NO restaurants, pharmacies, second hand stores, photography studios, mortuaries, wedding chapels or reception centers as currently allowed under the Professional Office zoning. 3. CREATE A PROJECT REDEVELOPMENT ZONE. It is suggested that this block be allowed to be redeveloped with a density somewhere between LDR2 and LDR3 into a relatively high end patio home/condominium community with a specified overall green space and controlled access avoiding South 2"d East. This redevelopment zone could be targeted at seniors, "empty nesters", and other individuals who desire a nice home with little upkeep and simplified living close to the BYU-Idaho campus, downtown, and near to professional services. It is strongly recommended that this redevelopment NOT be targeted as low end or typical student housing. We believe this option better meets the needs of our neighborhood and would be a nice residential addition to the City of Rexburg. It would promote downtown business and professional office patronage. We believe that there is a need for this type of neighborhood housing in Rexburg which is currently unmet. As the community and the University grow, the options for faculty housing and retirement housing need to expand. This is ideal property for this type of development. We believe that there is already an overabundance of ixE3se zorring-in Rexburg that is undeveloped and/or underdeveloped. There is no need to create additional "unfinished" zoning of this type in this town. With the number of empty professional offices available in Rexburg and the expansion of the hospital to include additional professional office space, there is little or no apparent need to allow this property to be set aside for even more professional office space. Thank you for considering our proposal and recommendations to make Rexburg a better place to live and work. Ralph M. Kern —158 Harvard Ave. i� 2. James Smith —123 Harvard Ave. 3. Blair Fisher — Harvard Ave. 4. Boyd Weatherston — Harvard Ave. 5. Steve Herdti - South 2nd East ,- 6. Jerome Barrick — South 2"d East 7. Doris Groot — East 151 South W V� I ' j1 oov 8. Sid Muir— East 15" South jzi f'}3,+„ 9. Jack Harrell —East 15` South 10. Doralie Gambles —East l sc South 11. Sandra Thomason — South 2"d East 12. Dave Taylor — East 2"d South u c, �YR r no PY�lssldtl e I 6i pli 45 IV m(& beto % 13. Scott Samuelson —East 2"d South 14. Ron Messer—East 2"d South 15. Tom Thornton — East 2"d South � .4 16. Darracq — East 2"d South 37 South Third East Rexburg, ID 83440 Officers Don Sparhawk President 356-6781 Pat Hinton Vice President 359-9064 Jean Baird Secretary - Treasurer 356-3620 East Main Neighborhood Association Representing homeowners from First North to Second South & Second East to Ash July 7, 2005 Rexburg Planning and Zoning Commission Rexburg City Hall Rexburg, ID 83440 Dear Commission Members, The members of the East Main Neighborhood Association wish to express our vision for the future of our neighborhood. Both Changes 3 and 4 to the Comprehensive Plan fall within the boundaries of our neighborhood association and these proposals have many of the residents very concerned about the future of our residential area. Currently, all of the area in question is zoned Low Density Residential 2, which provides basic protection for us as a residential neighborhood. Proposed Change #3 The association has divided this proposal into two areas. The first area includes LaRae Clarke's and the late Keith Grover's homes on East Main Street. The association believes these two homes are an integral part of the residential neighborhood east of Professional Plaza. We are united in our belief that these historic homes should be retained as low density residential. If these homes were ever to become commercialized in any way, we believe this would begin the commercialization of this entire residential area. The second and larger area including many residential homes west of Professional Plaza is made more complicated because seven of these homes have already been purchased by Drs. Lovell, Lofgran and Smith for the purpose of additional offices and parking. If these doctors had not already bought these homes, this area would not even be considered for anything else but residential. Currently, this area has very well kept homes, and is conveniently located close to downtown Rexburg. Although some people have sold their homes to doctors, there are still homeowners who desire to live in this fine residential neighborhood. After much discussion about our vision for this area, our association recommends that the area be kept as Residential on the comprehensive plan map. We propose that the city move very slowly in changing the nature of this area. We would like the city to wait five to ten years and then take a look at the needs of this area. In the meantime, we recommend that the city study parking and traffic issues that could arise if any changes were made to this area. Proposed Change #4 The proposed change to an entire half block between First and Second South should be of great concern to the entire city. This could begin a dramatic change along South Second East, a very attractive tree -lined street that leads to the university and eventually to a beautiful temple that will be situated only a few blocks to the south. We believe that with the addition of a temple, this older residential area will become an even more desirable place for people to live. At the same time, we recognize increased traffic along Second East and know some homeowners would like other options for their property. Therefore, it is our recommendation that this area be kept residential in nature. We definitely do not desire any commercialization or retail businesses that would be allowed in a Neighborhood Business District (which is allowed in a Mixed Use area). We also do not believe this is a good area for additional higher density student housing. Instead, our vision for this area is for it remain a residential neighborhood. We would like to see this area retain single family homes, but we also believe it would be an ideal location for patio homes and condominiums that would be especially attractive to older families and retirees. We would like to see strict controls on what is allowed in this residential area and would like to see some architectural controls to ensure that new development blends into the existing landscape. We also would like to remind the commission that the Project Redevelopment Option (Pro Zona) is already allowed in this area. We believe this could be a tool that is already in place to help the Anderson family and others develop their property, while at the same time protecting the existing neighborhood and entire city. Conclusion Our vision for the future of our neighborhood is for it to remain much the way it is today. We already have a good balance of homes and professional offices. This area is one of the best maintained older neighborhoods in the city and we have permanent homeowners who wish to live here for many years to come. We appreciate the support that you have given to our neighborhood in the past, and hope you can help us protect this area from the pressure of economic development that is all around us. While we are supportive of the business and medical community, we believe there are proper places for both. We ask for your continued help in protecting our neighborhood, as well as the future of a very large residential area that lays south and east of downtown Rexburg. Sincerely, Don Spare President