HomeMy WebLinkAboutJohnson, Bailey - Letter of Opposition_Springhouse Townes_05.07.25From:Bailey Johnson
To:PZ
Subject:Springhouse Townes Subdivision Opinion
Date:Tuesday, May 6, 2025 5:15:11 PM
To whom it may concern,
I am writing in opposition of the proposed subdivision off of Midway Road.
This subdivision plan will negatively impact the character and appearance of the area. Most of
the properties surrounding the parcel are single family detached homes on large lots and/orwith acreage. Smashing 77 tiny townhomes into eight and a half acres will look ridiculous
next to the existing properties. There is no need to have that many homes in such a small area.The lots are too small. In addition, the style of townhomes being built, with their "modern"
exterior, don't fit in with the character of the area.
This subdivision will have a negative impact on traffic on Midway Road. Midway is a smallerroad with stop signs to control traffic. Adding in that many homes in such a concentrated area,
with only one entrance and exit, will negatively impact the safety of drivers that use that road. Of all the places I have lived, the Treasure Valley has been the worst when it comes to road
infrastructure and traffic. Caldwell is not immune to this. Though I am sure there are manyreasons for this, one of the glaring reasons is that the roads cannot accommodate the amount
of homes being built. Put simply, too many homes are being built too quickly.
This subdivision will have a negative impact on the well systems of neighboring properties.Several neighboring properties have their own well systems. Well systems rely on an aquifer
that is refilled as water seeps through the ground. Building 77 townhomes on eight and a halfacres will require a lot of concrete and will block or redirect water from refilling the aquifer
that these homes rely on.
This subdivision will have a negative impact on local services, specifically police, fire, andemergency services. Adding dozens of homes without also increasing the capacity of the local
services will have negative effects on the existing population. The City of Caldwell's websitesays that Caldwell's current average response time is 6:01 minutes. The national average is
4:00 minutes. Though efforts have been made in recent years to increase funding, at least forthe fire department, growth is not slowing down anytime soon, and as a result, response times
will be affected.
This subdivision will also have an effect on school services. This subdivision would be in theVallivue School District, which has gained 2,328 students, a population increase of 30.8%,
from 2014-2024. Even though two new elementary schools are being built to alleviate thepressure, the school district is projecting that most schools will be over capacity in five years.
https://www.ktvb.com/article/news/local/idaho-press/vallivue-sets-new-boundaries-for-2025-26-school-year/277-e745387f-8514-42a9-9407-3f02aff46067
This subdivision will have a negative impact on neighboring properties and privacy. The area
where this plan is being proposed is not in the city. Downtown Caldwell and downtownNampa are both about 15 minutes away. Most people move to places like this because they
enjoy having space, privacy, and quiet. If they wanted to live on top of each other and owntwo square feet of grass then they would live in attached townhomes or apartment buildings in
the city. I don't know why homes like the ones proposed are being considered so far from thecity center. Maybe if they were built along a large, high traffic road, like Caldwell Blvd? But
this plan isn't on Caldwell Blvd, or Eagle Road, or near downtown. It's off Midway Road,between Caldwell and Nampa, in what used to be a mostly rural area, but is now probably
considered suburban.
At the meeting with Penelope Constantikes, the representative of the applicant, she mentionedthat when you live in a city or urban area, it shouldn't be expected that open space should
remain open. This is true, except, again, the area being considered isn't in an urban area.
This subdivision will have a negative impact on noise levels and light pollution. The reasonsfor this are straightforward. More people = more noise, more homes = more light pollution.
I have laid out several examples where this subdivision will negatively impact the surroundingarea. Though building on this pasture is mostly likely inevitable, this plan is not the right one
for the area. Just because the space can fit 77 townhomes (or more) doesn't mean it should. Ifit can't stay an open, green pasture for the sheep and goats my children and I love watching,
then any proposed buildings and lots on the site should match the existing appearance of thearea.
In addition, I will add that if the city of Caldwell continues to allow every square inch of spaceto be built up with homes, then it should make a concerted effort to match that increase with
an increase in city amenities like parks, recreational spaces, walking trails, museums, libraries,and the like.
Thank you for your consideration. I appreciate the opportunity to express my opinion.
Bailey JohnsonCaldwell Resident
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