HomeMy WebLinkAboutANN23-000016 CutlerFrom:Joshua Cutler
To:PZ
Subject:Opposition to Brighton Development
Date:Wednesday, February 21, 2024 9:10:20 AM
Dear Planning and Zoning Department Members,
We are writing to express our opposition to the proposed development of approximately 407
acres by Brighton development between Middleton Road and Knott Lane, north and south ofHighway 20/26, slated for public hearing on February 28th at 6pm. We live on Knott Lane
with our 4 children, and will be directly impacted by the proposed development.
When we first saw Brighton's proposal, we were shocked at the sheer number of homes thatthey wanted to pack into this area. Up to now, the area has been developed in a way that
attempts to preserve its rural character, with relatively larger lots. Brighton wants to change itinto a high-density urban area. We attended the public meeting that Brighton held last year,
and when they were asked why they were doing this, when Brighton had never done such adevelopment before, they responded that it was because they had never done a development in
Caldwell before. We didn't know how to interpret this other than that Brighton thinks Caldwellis trashy and we can't afford or don't deserve anything nicer. In fact, one of the citizens in
attendance said just that, and the Brighton representatives did not deny it.
The Brighton representatives boasted that they have often built parks or reserved spaces forschools in their developments, but when we asked them if they were going to do that here,
they said no. Our local schools are already overcrowded, and we are already experiencingtraffic problems, but Brighton has no plans to address this. When many people expressed their
concerns about the increased traffic and the additional load on our schools that such a largenumber of new homes would bring, the Brighton representatives just shrugged their shoulders
and said they would only do anything if they were forced to do so, and then only the minimumrequired. We knew that their only objective was to squeeze as many dollars out of the land as
they could, but we were surprised at how much they openly admitted this.
We were surprised that the proposed plan of development completely ignored the widening ofHighway 20/26 that will occur this year. Multiple public meetings had already been held
explaining exactly what the new highway and multi-use paths would look like, along with themoved canal and the new traffic lights. However, the Brighton representatives had not
attended these meetings and they knew nothing about it. They really just seemed like theydidn't care.
In sum, we are very concerned that Brighton intends to swoop into our community, which they
have never been a part of, make as much money as they can and then leave us with theconsequences. Fortunately, we have watched the city of Caldwell take a much more careful
and proactive approach to development than other cities, and we trust that you will continue todo so here. We hope you can work to preserve the great character and lifestyle that make
people love this area. Thank you for your time and service.
Sincerely,Josh and Whitney Cutler