HomeMy WebLinkAboutBrian Bartley_2024_12_01Brian Bartley
4618 Gap Creek Ave
Caldwell, Idaho 83607
Caldwell City Council
205 S. 6th Ave
Caldwell, Idaho 83605
December 2, 2024
Dear Caldwell City Council:
My name is Brian Bartley, and I live in the Cumberland Estates subdivision which sits Southeast
of the Soterra Project. I have multiple concerns regarding this project.
First, I would like to take a moment to thank the Planning and Zoning Commission, for listening
to our concerns about this project and recently voting four to zero against the proposed changes
to this project. I would also like to state that we are not against developing Caldwell. I
appreciate that this developer has multiple projects in Caldwell and wants to be a part of the
community. However, the proposed changes to this project will have a negative impact on the
community.
My first concern is that when this project was first approved it was described as a subdivision of
homes of equal or similar size and value to the homes in Cumberland Estates. The current
median home value in Cumberland Estates is $625,000 (as per Berkshire Hathaway Home
Services Silverhawk Realty). Now the developer no longer wants single residence homes but
wants to change the project to multiplex style apartments and townhouses, which will decrease
the property value of the homes in Cumberland Estates and other surrounding subdivisions. At
the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting in September the developer stated that since this
project was first proposed home prices have risen significantly and he is right they have, which is
why multiplex apartments and townhouses is not the correct answer to this issue, it is the reason
that will lower property values in the area.
East Pineville Street is slated to run from the Soterra Project into Cumberland Estates, being one
of only two entry and exit points for Soterra. The other exit being Ustick Road and Kimball
Avenue. The amount of traffic that will be pushed into Cumberland Estates is going to be
astronomical and will be a detriment to the residents of Cumberland. There are multiple families
with small children and special needs children who live on Gap Creek Ave. that will be greatly
impacted by allowing that large of an apartment complex with hundreds of cars traveling back
and forth daily through Cumberland Estates. Gap Creek Ave. is going to be a major thoroughfare
of traffic for people avoiding Ustick and Kimball and trying to make their way to Tenth Avenue.
This is already become an issue with work trucks who have been asked multiple times to use the
entrance located at Ustick and Kimball, and not to come through the Cumberland Subdivision.
Not to mention the trucks who use the Phyllis Cannel Access road (Via Laster St.) causing dust
dirt and other debris to be kicked up and thrown into the backyards of the homes along Gap
Creek Ave. This will ultimately destroy the value, family friendly and quiet nature that
Cumberland Estates is known for.
There is a lack of commercial infrastructure on this side of Caldwell. We currently have only on
gas station (Maverick) and one grocery store (Walmart Neighborhood Market), both located on
the South-East Corner of Ustick and Tenth Ave. The addition of multiplex multifamily
apartments is only going to add additional strain on these establishments. There is a lack of
amenities on this side of Caldwell, what we need is more commercial establishments not more
apartments or multiplex multifamily style housing.
All of these new rental properties are located within the Caldwell School District, which is
already overwhelmed with the number of students in the district. The school district recently had
to rezone the entire district, closing one elementary school due to funding issues and is currently
looking to relocate a high school due to infrastructure issues. How will the Caldwell School
District be able to accommodate the influx of new students to the district? Class sizes are already
well above the state standard and are underfunded. At the Planning and Zoning Commission
meeting in September we heard from a representative for the Caldwell School District who said
that the district owns land near the Soterra project, and they can build a school. How long will
this take to build a new school, not to mention the current infrastructure needs in the area of
better roads, water districts being overwhelmed?
This area of Caldwell needs to have more commercial establishments and improved
infrastructure, not just add more multifamily housing. The City Council must stop allowing
developers to have their way with Caldwell at the expense of the residents of Caldwell. This is
not the first time that a developer has submitted a plan to the city that was approved, and then
later submitted changes to that plan and given blanket approval. The Toll Brothers Project,
Pradera Subdivision on Tenth Avenue South of Cumberland Estates submitted a request to raise
the height of the homes in their subdivision after construction had already begun and were
approved. Please stop allowing developers to submit a plan they feel the community will be okay
with and then at the last minute after work on the approved project has already begun, to
drastically change that plan knowing that it will be approved by the City Council against what
the residents of Cadwell want in the area.
We understand that the growth of Caldwell is important, but not at the expense and detriment of
other subdivisions in the area, which is exactly what will happen to Cumberland Estates, as well
as other subdivisions in the area, with the amount of multifamily multiplex style housing and the
amount of traffic being added. Caldwell is not an apartment first city, lets fill the apartment
complexes and homes that sitting empty just approving the next multiplex, multifamily complex.
Caldwell needs to build commercial establishments that can meet the needs of its residents
before continuing to just build apartments and multiplexes on every corner.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Brian Bartley