HomeMy WebLinkAboutANN23-000016 DownsFrom:Downs, Dawn (dawnd@uidaho.edu)
To:PZCc:Downs, Dawn (dawnd@uidaho.edu)
Subject:Public Testament for public hearing to be held on April 2nd 2024Date:Sunday, March 24, 2024 2:10:47 PM
April 23,
2024
Case Number ANN23-000016, CPM23-000011, DEV23-000004, PUD23-000006, SUB23-000042, & ZON23-000009
Brighton Development
Dear City Council Members,
My Name is Dawn Downs, and I am writing this letter of concern on behalf of myself, and my Husband Wes Downs.
Our property is located at 9568 Hwy 20/26 Caldwell Idaho. We have lived at this residence for almost 8 years.
Our properties run South to North and consists of 2 separate parcels of land encompassing both our home, horse facility, and our farmland.
Our combined parcels constitute approximately 20acres.
Parcel #1 is approximately 4.0 acres at the north end of our property and includes our 3,400 sq. ft. custom -built home and landscape, a 7-stall barn with
attached runs, fenced irrigated horse pasture and a large arena with additional horse runs on either side.
Parcel #2 consists of just over 15 acers of active farmland that borders Hwy 20/26 and encompasses both sides of our driveway. Our farmland to the East
runs from 20/26 to the North end of our property line while the West side runs from 20/26 and stops at parcel 1.
Wes and I have worked and lived almost our entire lives in the treasure valley, specifically, Caldwell. We love our community and our city.
We understand how important growth and expansion is to its continued success, but Wes and I ask ourselves how much more do our residents need to
sacrifice?
The proposed sub-property rezones and developments are smack in the middle of some of the best agricultural farmland in the valley. Does it fit the
cities mission and also simultaneously protect those citizens that will be negatively impacted by these continuous and never-ending decisions?
When Wes retired (he will be 80) and sold his Auction business in Caldwell and I retired from The University of Idaho Veterinary Teaching Center in
Caldwell (I will be 70), we began our search for a secluded rural property where we could spend our final years while continuing to enjoy our love of
being outdoors, farming and horses. We found the perfect place, just outside of Caldwell on Hwy 20/26 where all of our priorities were met. Complete
privacy, beautiful views, surrounded by farmland in every direction, with less than a handful of neighbors within site and the most amazing sunrises and
sunsets most people only dream about. This property is our piece of paradise and the biggest financial investment we will make in our lifetime.
That being said, I am sure it is evident that regarding all 4 proposed sub developments, our primary concern is the re-zoning and development of the
Highline/ Hwy corridor project slated for commercial use. This specific parcel borders the entire Western length of our property from Hwy 20/26 to our
Northern property line which is directly at the corner of our horse barn.
This abutted shared property line is extremely concerning to us, not only during the construction and building process, but its future use as commercial
infrastructure and the attached highway corridor.
The negative impact this development will have on our life will be devastating to our current peaceful existence, and our farm and residential property
values.
Our concerns during construction of the commercial Highline and Hwy corridor include our loss of privacy during development and the inevitable dirt
and dust. Our wind primarily comes from the West, and we know firsthand, after 8 years surrounded by farmland, how fast it can cover everything on a
windy day. The continual noise, vibrations , machinery and truck traffic that accompany any development project of this size will have a huge influence
on our current environment.
Will there be conditions and regulations in place to address based on proximity
Dirt and dust remediation / control
Restrictions on noise decibel levels
restrictions on hours and days of operation
Will there be a construction barrier in place between properties
Our Concerns post development are, foremost, the loss of complete privacy and feeling of security along with the constant noise and
continuous traffic a large commercial development and Hwy corridor will bring.
Visually, it's hard for us to imagine looking west and only seeing a mass of concrete block buildings and artificial lights every night instead of open
farmland and a beautiful sunset. Will there be development agreements and conditions implemented to address the challenges faced by the changes in
zoning and city limits. IE: A now zoned commercial development with a Hwy corridor in City limits that will now abut our active agricultural and
residential property which remains County zoned?
Will the traffic pattern of the infrastructure and corridor run internally, within the development, or along our western property line
Will the development agreement address the necessity of a visual and noise barrier along our West property line. ( In our position, this should be
non negotiable)
Can the project easements be adjusted beyond the city code as a separation out of consideration to give us more space between the project and
our property.
Wes and I do not have all the answers, we are just ordinary people who are finding ourselves in uncharted territory. We are not familiar with county and
city processes in situations such as this.
We are unsure, if the pending projects are approved, who will advocate in our behalf to ensure our quality of living moving forward remains as
undisturbed as possible and we can maintain the current enjoyment and environment of our home and property.
All we ask is that the Council takes our thoughts and concerns to heart as you, yourselves, would want in in similar situation.
Sincerely;
Wes and Dawn Downs
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