HomeMy WebLinkAboutFly - Letter of Opposition_VerbenaRanch_01.10.25
1/10/25
Dear City Council Leaders,
I live in a neighborhood potentially impacted by the Verbena Ranch and Element Ridge and subdivision proposed
developments. I would like to share some concerns I have with the proposals. I am frustrated that this appeal
is being heard despite the motion to deny the application on the part of the commissioners recently. I have been a
lifelong Idaho resident and very much love the area we live in. I have witnessed the growth of our community which
when carefully overseen and planned has brought some great opportunities, people, and places of interest to our
lives. However, it is my observation as of late that the lack of adequate infrastructure and support for the
additional homes being built continues to put pressures on our community that has impacted us in negative
ways. Long commute times, dangerous traffic congestion around our schools, unsafe walking/biking options on
roadways, resource issues with water, poor response times by fire and police, overcrowded schools, lack of
shopping in our area, etc. are a few of my concerns.
10th Avenue seems to be under particular threat of increasing the negative impacts seen. The congestion brought
by 1075 homes as proposed given the lack of road infrastructure alone appears reckless to me. Simultaneous road
improvements along with the building out the proposed neighborhood also seems like an ill-natured pursuit for
those of us that frequent the roads in the surrounding area. Our children attending the surrounding schools and
their experiences traveling back and forth continue to be a reminder of how dangerous the increased traffic can
be. In addition, upcoming “improvements” on Highway 55 have the potential of placing the route of even more
traffic straight through our neighborhood. I am asking that this be considered and addressed thoroughly before
approving such large additions of homes.
There are issues with water as a vital resource related to scarcity and access on the Nampa side of Lake Lowell,
and I am concerned given the proposal for a water tower planned on the corner of David and Airport along with the
substantial increase of use/need for water, that this will impact our small neighborhood of 55 or so homes that live
off of 1 community well. Not to mention the effect this will have on the surrounding homes value due to such a
visual distraction to a presently beautiful area and view.
Our fire and police departments seem to be struggling to keep up with the demands as noted by a member of the
community in a recent city commissioner meeting. Vallivue school district expects to be at capacity even with the
elementary schools not yet built and only with the subdivisions already approved at this time. Please slow down
and consider the impact this is having on the community.
I have commuted to Meridian for many years now from Caldwell and I can say the additional traffic in the area has
drastically affected the time I spend doing so. Even if there isn’t an accident or inclement weather a 17-mile
commute can take 45+ minutes. Adding more homes, thereby adding more cars without the proper infrastructure
is just poor planning.
I ask that there is the same thoughtful and considered approach to develop our wonderful community as was given
to our downtown Caldwell area. Please do not approve more developments than 10th Ave and the surrounding area
can handle. The proposed improvements are clearly not enough to deal with the increase in population. Please
uphold the commissioners unanimous recommendation to deny the application for Verbena Ranch!
Thank you for your time and consideration,
Bridger Fly
15359 Cypress Street Caldwell, ID 83607