PZ - MyMeridian VisionMERIDIANMY
MERIDIANMYMERIDIANMY
#mymeridianplan
MERIDIANMY
#mymeridianplan
#MYMERIDIAN VISION
2
3
8
6
4
Your VisionIntroduction
Mayor’s Letter What We
Heard
16
What’s Next?
#MYMERIDIAN VISION
3
#MYMERIDIAN VISION
Welcome to what we’re calling “#MyMeridian
Vision” – a document that concludes the second
phase of the City’s Comprehensive Plan update
process. This vision document describes the future
of Meridian based on the desires and dreams of
thousands of local stakeholders and citizens that
have participated in developing the new Plan.
The Comprehensive Plan is a guiding document for
growth and future development in Meridian and our
Area of Impact. It focuses on the many services
offered by the City such as sewer, water, public
safety, and parks, as well as plans for land use in
regards to where housing, jobs, and services will
be located. It also helps guide conversations with
community partners that oversee transportation,
schools, and libraries.
One of the most important factors of this Plan is
the viewpoint of our residents. We are now moving
into the third phase of the Plan update focused on
choices –“#MyMeridian Choices”. It needs YOUR
voice to be successful, which is why our team still
wants to hear from you! Help us craft a Plan that
continues to move Meridian forward – one that
is in line with our vision to be the West’s premier
community to live, work and raise a family. Visit
www.meridiancity.org/compplan to get involved.
Mayor Tammy de Weerd
City of Meridian Mayor
4
#MYMERIDIAN VISION
5
#MyMeridian Vision, the community vision for the
Meridian, Idaho, Area (the City Limits and Impact
Area) focuses on the creation and preservation of
the area’s character, evolution, livability, vibrancy,
and connections. The Vision Statements within
this document demonstrate these unique qualities
and reaffirm a desire to preserve Meridian’s
character with the onset of inevitable changes
that come with population growth and demand for
development.
The Vision Statements will be used to update
Meridian’s 2002 Comprehensive Plan and inform
its replacement, a new Comprehensive Plan that
will ultimately be adopted in 2019 by the Meridian
City Council. These Vision Statements and Themes,
intentionally designed to evolve with the process,
will be revisited throughout the #MyMeridian
Comprehensive Plan update process, and regularly
after the adoption of the Plan. A valuable tool to be
reviewed and updated over the 20-year planning
horizon, these evolving vision statements will
reflect the community’s values and dreams for the
future of the City of Meridian.
INTRODUCTION
“It’s probably no surprise that
the number one topic I get
approached about is growth.
It’s happening here and it’s
happening across the entire
Valley. We all know how
awesome Meridian and Idaho
are - and now others have
discovered us as well. Despite
our popularity, it is imperative
that we grow responsibly,
which takes careful planning.”
Mayor Tammy De Weerd, 2018
6
CREATING A VISION
Developing a cohesive vision of Meridian’s future offers
residents, business owners, and visitors an opportunity to be
heard—and the assurance that this city’s blueprint for the future
reflects a collaborative vision. #MyMeridian Vision, developed by
the people of Meridian, represents their strong voice about what
they value in our community and an equally strong mandate for
what they want for our future.
Meridian’s rapid growth means the city is continually undergoing
significant change. Depending upon how such growth is
directed, these changes could be good for the city’s residents,
commerce, and infrastructure. Unguided growth without a
coordinated plan for the city may harm the very qualities we
hold dear. Having a community vested vision helps guide and
inform the decision-making process to define and manage the
city’s future. Therefore the Comprehensive Plan update will
provide elected officials and the community an opportunity to
make sound, informed decisions toward our vision.
Meridian has seen a significant increase in population over
the last 27 years, and it is predicted to grow another 52% by
2040. Along with that growth in population come noteworthy
changes. During the last 10 years (2007 – 2017), we have seen
37%
GROWTH IN LABOR FORCE
OVER THE PAST 10 YEARS
45,567
THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE
HAS FALLEN BY
5% SINCE 2010,
GOING FROM 8.1%
IN 2010 TO
IN 2017.
OUR POPULATION GROWTH
10,000
1990 2017 2040
106,410 155,283
PROJECTED: AN
INCREASE OF
50% FROM 2017
75%
OF 0 - 19 YEAR
OLDS HAVE
WALKABLE ACCESS
TO PARKS AND
OPEN SPACE
MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD
INCOME
$76,783
$74,000
ADA COUNTY
2017
2007
33,035
3.2%
#MYMERIDIAN VISION
7
37% growth in our labor force and a 5% reduction
in our unemployment rate. Our median household
income is well over the Treasure Valley average,
and two-thirds of the children in our community
have walkable access to a park or open space.
Though benefits of growth are possible, fast
growth takes careful planning and a strong vision
to be successful. With a strong vision for managing
how our community will grow, we can continue to
benefit immensely from growth and can ensure it
is an asset for our city.
8
The first step toward creating a vision for any community is
listening. From June to September of 2018 we attended many
public events and created several online surveys to ask residents
of Meridian what they love and what they would improve about
their city. Though this process, we heard from more than
1,500 people including residents, employees, business owners,
community leaders, youth, and stakeholders.
At these events and through online surveys, participants were
asked questions like “What do you love about Meridian?”, “What
would you improve about Meridian?” and “What is your vision
for Meridian’s Future?” This allowed the residents, employees,
and stakeholders the opportunity to provide and discuss their
values, options, goals, and to prioritize future opportunities for
their community. The responses were collected and compiled
to create several prospective vision statements- to become one
common Vision Statement.
OUR VISION
#MYMERIDIAN VISION
9
10
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT MERIDIAN?
• NICE • PARKS • FAMILY EVENTS • MOVIE NIGHTS • FREE CONCERTS • CITY STAFF • GREAT PARKS •
PLAYGROUNDS • NEW • GREAT COMMUNITY • SOCCER FIELD • DOG PARK • FRIENDLY PEOPLE • EVERYTHING,
BUT MOSTLY THE PEOPLE • QUALITY OF LIFE • PROPERTY TAXES • EFFICIENT INEXPENSIVE PARKS • FREE
CONCERTS • MOVIES IN THE PARK • PUBLIC EVENTS • FAMILY EVENTS • FAMILY FRIENDLY • PARKS • THE
EDUCATION SYSTEM • HOW FRIENDLY EVERYBODY IS • THE PARKS • SENSE OF COMMUNITY • THE VILLAGE
• SPLASH PAD • THE PARKS • SKATE PARK • MOVIE NIGHTS • FARMERS’ MARKET • PEOPLE • RELAXED • LAID
BACK • INTERACTION OF SMALL TOWNS • HISTORIC • PARKS • SERVICE INDUSTRY • FRIENDLY PEOPLE • FEELS
LIKE HOME • SMALL TOWN COMMUNITY • SENSE OF COMMUNITY • FAMILY FRIENDLY • PARKS • CONCERTS
• DOWNTOWN MERIDIAN • THE VILLAGE • RESTAURANTS • PUBLIC EVENTS • THE MAYOR • AUTHENTIC •
PARKS • CLEAN • LOCATION • OPEN SPACE • FARM LANDS • PARKS • PROXIMITY TO THE GREAT OUTDOORS
AND THE OPPORTUNITIES IT PROVIDES • MAYOR TAMMY • ACCESS TO THE OUTDOORS • AFFORDABILITY •
ART • CULTURE • FARM LAND AND RANCHES • ARTS AND CULTURE • EFFORT TO BE GREAT • FARMING AND
SMALL ACREAGES • ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS • FRIENDLY PEOPLE • LOCATION • I GREW UP HERE • COMMUNITY
#MYMERIDIAN VISION
11
• PATHWAYS • SPACIOUS NEIGHBORHOODS • REASONABLE COST OF LIVING • LOW CRIME • CENTRAL LOCATION
• LIBRARY DISTRICT • FEEL • LANDSCAPING • SLOWER PACE OF LIFE • LOW DENSITY • SMALL TOWN FEEL
• IDAHO VALUES • MAYOR TAMMY • NATURE • OPEN SPACES • CLEANLINESS • FARMLAND AND PASTURES
• UNDEVELOPED • QUIET • COUNTRY ATMOSPHERE • RESTAURANTS • COST OF LIVING • RURAL ROOTS
• SMALL TOWN LIFE • OLD BARNS AND FARMLAND • AGRICULTURE • SMALL TOWN ATMOSPHERE • THE
PEOPLE • THE GREEN BELT • COMMUNITY FEEL • EVENTS • BEAUTIFUL CITY • CLEAN STREETS • WEATHER
• COMMUNITY • FARMLAND • FRIENDLY NEIGHBORS • LESS DENSE • OPEN SPACES • RURAL NATURE •
RURAL • SPACE • SIDEWALKS • SLOWER PACE AND OPEN SPACE TO BREATHE • ELBOW ROOM • FAMILY
FRIENDLY • PARKS • CONCERTS • DOWNTOWN MERIDIAN • THE VILLAGE • RESTAURANTS • PUBLIC EVENTS
• THE MAYOR • FARM TO TABLE • AUTHENTIC • PARKS • CLEAN • WELL PLANNED • NEIGHBORHOODS •
CITY STAFF • I LOVE MERIDIAN! • OUR PARKS ROCK • ACCESS TO THE OUTDOORS • LOCATION • MAYOR
TAMMY • AFFORDABILITY • ARTS AND CULTURE • CHURCHES • FRIENDLY PEOPLE • CENTRAL LOCATION
• COUNTRY FEEL • OPENNESS • AGRICULTURE • ACCESS TO CITY AMENITIES • RAISING ANIMALS
12
#MYMERIDIAN VISION
Meridian is a premier,
evolving, livable, vibrant, and
connected community.
#MYMERIDIAN VISION
13
14
#MYMERIDIAN VISION
15
A PREMIER COMMUNITY
• Create safe neighborhoods with diverse
and premier housing, open spaces, and
amenities that provide varied lifestyle
choices.
• Plan for a multi-generational city with
social, educational, and recreational
opportunities and services for all age
groups.
• Support the expansion and retention of
businesses by developing a diverse and
qualified workforce through business and
educational partnerships.
• Complement economic development
opportunities by encouraging via
partnerships the training of local workforce
and students to match employer needs.
A thriving, diverse, clean, safe, and
secure community in which to live,
work, and raise a family.
16
• Manage growth by ensuring that development pays
for itself and complements or enhances the quality
and character of Meridian’s neighborhoods.
• Focus growth in key areas for an efficient and
high-quality development pattern that aligns
with availability and capacity of services and
infrastructure.
• Partner with schools, nonprofit, and community
organizations to provide a variety of educational
opportunities for all stages of life.
• Promote responsible land use and resource
stewardship through sustainable waste reduction,
energy efficiency, and transportation choices which
reduce reliance on single-occupancy vehicles.
A community thoughtfully adapting
to changes.
AN EVOLVING COMMUNITY
#MYMERIDIAN VISION
17
18
#MYMERIDIAN VISION
19
• Connect pathways, trails, greenways, and
bike routes to create safe and walkable
neighborhoods.
• Ensure access to health care, schools,
police, and other community services.
• Provide innovatively designed parks,
preserved open spaces, and diverse
recreational opportunities.
• Build on Meridian’s cultural visibility,
identity, and capacity by promoting the
local arts, and cultural assets.
A community of family-friendly,
healthy, and engaging places.
A LIVABLE COMMUNITY
20
• Accommodate appropriate modes of transportation
by planning, designing, and building facilities for
pedestrians, bicycles, public transit, motor vehicles,
and freight.
• Improve the efficiency of transportation through land
use planning, street design, and new technology.
• Embrace Meridian’s location by ensuring alignment of
transportation network enhancements with new local
and regional growth
• Create transportation corridors that promote the
efficient movement of people and goods.
A community of safe and efficient
transportation facilities.
A CONNECTED COMMUNITY
#MYMERIDIAN VISION
21
22
#MYMERIDIAN VISION
23
• Create vibrant places and gathering
spaces with distinct, engaging identities.
• Promote Ten Mile, Downtown, and The
Village as centers of activity and growth.
• Support a Downtown renaissance as the
City’s next premier destination through
the creation of an attractive shopping,
entertainment, and cultural center.
• Protect, preserve, and enrich Meridian’s
strong historic character and charm.
A community strengthened by
historic character and vibrant
activity centers.
A VIBRANT COMMUNITY
24
WHAT’S NEXT?
The future of Meridian is in your hands.
#MyMeridian Vision provides the aims, concepts,
and thoughtfully developed ideas outlined by
thousands of area residents and stakeholders
for the future they desire for Meridian.
Our community knows that a vision only achieves
fruition through strong goals, policies, and
strategic implementation. A new Comprehensive
Plan that reflects our community’s vision is
needed to responsibly plan for growth, and to
prepare for variable economic conditions in the
years ahead.
Together, we can ensure Meridian becomes a
premier community for our future generations.
The next step is to establish the Plan’s policies
and projects based on the foundation provided
in this document. Then a strategy will evolve
with the use of a thoughtful and deliberate
combination of large and small projects, fresh
programs, and new partnerships.
Now is the time to put your mark on #MyMeridian
Plan. As the process moves forward, it is
important that our community continues to be
involved. Make sure that your thoughts and ideas
are heard. Jump into online discussions, join your
friends and neighbors at public meetings, and
share opinions in surveys and at open houses.
Watch for upcoming public events this winter
and join in #MyMeridian Plan for the future of
Meridian. Visit www.meridiancity.org/compplan
to get involved.