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Item #4A: Existing Conditions Report Update (2014) (CPAT 14-001)
Application(s): Text amendment to the Comprehensive Plan
Size of property, existing zoning, and location: City Wide
Summary of Request: The subject application proposes a host of changes to the Existing Conditions Report (ECR)
which includes revising the text; updating the facts and figures; and reformatting the entire report.
In 2011, the City adopted the Existing Conditions Report with the understanding that it would be regularly updated
and maintained to reflect current conditions in the City. Since the ECR was drafted, the city limits have expanded, a
number of very large developments have opened, and the City's population has increased by approximately 10,000
people. This update to the ECR reflects these and other changes in our community, and provides updates across a
score of metrics from demographics and housing to services.
In addition to updated population and housing related metrics, City staff has also updated the land use and zoning
areas, job force and employment statistics, educational attainment values, retail/office inventories, identification and
expansion of City services, updates on City initiatives and community projects, park and open space descriptions,
and some consolidation of topics. These efforts were largely handled in coordination with other City departments.
The Planning Division requested other division and department staff update sections of the ECR, relevant to their
department, positions, and interests. They were also encouraged to provide general comments of the plan as a
whole. Staff also coordinated with COMPASS, Joint School District No. 2, and others to update relevant sections of
the ECR.
Based on the input provided, Staff is not aware of any opposition to the proposed text amendment. Staff believes the
proposed amendment to the text of the ECR provides an improved guide to future growth in Meridian.
Written Testimony: David Miles w/ the City of Meridian Environmental Division. The proposed changes are
supported by Staff and these changes will be reflected in the final document by the City Council.
Staff Recommendation: Approval
Notes:
STAFF REPORT
Hearing Date: August 7, 2014 0�
E IDIAN
TO: Planning and Zoning Commission I D A H O
FROM: Brian McClure, Associate City Planner
(208) 884-5533
SUBJECT: CPAT-14-001 — Existing Conditions Report Update (2014)
1. SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF APPLICANT'S REQUEST
The City of Meridian Planning Division has submitted an application for a Comprehensive Plan Text
Amendment (CPAT) that proposes to amend the Existing Conditions Report, an addendum to the
Comprehensive Plan as follows:
• Revise the text;
• Update the facts and figures; and
• Reformat the entire report.
2. SUMMARY RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends approval of the proposed text amendment to the Comprehensive Plan based on the
analysis provided below and the Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law listed in Exhibit B of the
staff report.
3. PROPOSED MOTION
Approval
After considering all staff, applicant and public testimony, I move to recommend approval to the City
Council of File Number CPAT-14-001 as presented in the staff report for the hearing date of August
7, 2014 with the following comments: (Add any proposed comments.)
Denial
After considering all staff, applicant and public testimony, I move to recommend denial to the City
Council of File Number CPAT-14-001 as presented during the hearing on August 7, 2014, for the
following reasons: (State specific reasons for denial of the subject CPAT application.)
Continuance
After considering all staff, applicant and public testimony, I move to continue File Number CPAT-
14-001 to the hearing date of (insert continued hearing date here) for the following reason(s): (State
specific reason(s) for a continuance.)
4. APPLICATION
a. Site Address/Location: City wide
b. Applicant/Representative:
Brian McClure, Associate City Planner
City of Meridian Planning Division
33 E. Broadway Avenue
Meridian, Idaho 83642
c. Applicant's Statement/Justification: See applicant's narrative for this information.
Existing Conditions Report Update CPAT-14-001 - 1 -
5. PROCESS FACTS
a. The subject application is for a Comprehensive Plan Text Amendment. A public hearing is
required before the Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council on this matter, consistent
with Unified Development Code, Title 11, Chapter 5.
b. Newspaper notifications published on: July 21, and August 4, 2014
c. A public service announcement was broadcast faxed on July 28, 2014 regarding this
application.
6. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN ANALYSIS
The Comprehensive Plan is a visionary document that contains goals and objectives that encourage
and promote a well-designed community. One of the key ways that the Comprehensive Plan has
become an improved tool for growth is it aligns with other established plans and goals for the City.
One such plan is the Existing Conditions Report (ECR).
The ECR provides the framework for future decision making by detailing the current state, specific
directions and actions taken related to each topical area discussed. The report takes the City's
Mission, Vision and Values and melds it with the City's Initiatives, City Department capital
improvement plans and the initiatives in the current Comprehensive Plan. Keeping these report
current and relevant aids in integrated decision making by taking into account the effects on the
transportation, housing, and economic strategies impacted by community growth.
The specific objectives and actions that support the proposed text amendment are listed below:
• "Ensure that other City departments, area agencies and service providers are informed about and
have an opportunity to participate in the City's development review process." (6.02.02K).
Prior to submittal of the subject application, other City department staff were notified and asked
to update sections of the ECR, relevant to their department, positions, and interests. Staff also
coordinated with COMPASS, Joint School District No. 2, and others to update relevant sections
of the ECR.
• "Review the status of the Comprehensive Plan implementation plan to ensure steady progress."
(7.01.01G)
The ECR was separated from the Comprehensive Plan in an attempt to memorialize the where we
have been aspect of the community. By continually updating this area of the plan, City staff has a
greater efficiency for tracking development patterns of the community based on the latest growth
trends and compliance with the City master plans and initiatives.
• "Update the Comprehensive Plan and the Unified Development Code as needed to accommodate
growth trends." (3.01.011))
See analysis above.
7. ANALYSIS
a. Analysis of Facts Leading to Staff Recommendation:
CPA TEXT AMENDMENT (CPAT): The subject application proposes a host of changes to the
Existing Conditions Report (ECR) which includes revising the text; updating the facts and figures;
and reformatting the entire report.
In 2011, the City adopted the Existing Conditions Report with the understanding that it would be
regularly updated and maintained to reflect current conditions in the City of Meridian. Since the ECR
was drafted, the city limits have expanded, a number of very large developments have opened, and
Existing Conditions Report Update CPAT-14-001 - 2 -
the City's population has increased by approximately 10,000 people. This update to the ECR reflects
these and other changes in our community, and provides updates across a score of metrics from
demographics and housing to services.
The draft ECR also adopts a more modern format intended to make discussions more accessible and
the document more user friendly. Chapters and sections are better defined, more reference and
example images are included, and charts, graphs, and maps are easier to read.
The ECR was originally separated from the rest of the Comprehensive Plan in an attempt to create
greater relevancy; one plan looking forward, and one report memorializing where we have been. The
ECR is a document to benchmark where we started for comparison of progress moving forward, with
policy largely driven from the Comprehensive Plan. Staff is hoping that this modernization of the
ECR, along with some reductions and streamlining of the actual text, will be an improvement over the
current version. Other than a new section on Agriculture, and some related discussions with South
Meridian and the Fields District, there is no significant variation of the outline or discussion topics
within the ECR, only how they're communicated and presented.
In addition to updated population and housing related metrics, City staff has also updated the land use
and zoning areas, job force and employment statistics, educational attainment values, retail/office
inventories, identification and expansion of City services, updates on City initiatives and community
projects, park and open space descriptions, and some consolidation of topics. These efforts were
largely handled in coordination with other City departments. The Planning Division requested other
division and department staff update sections of the ECR, relevant to their department, positions, and
interests. They were also encouraged to provide general comments of the plan as a whole. Staff also
coordinated with COMPASS, Joint School District No. 2, and others to update relevant sections of
the ECR.
After the print date of the draft ECR, staff received proposed changes from the Environmental
Division. Staff has no issues with the requested changes by the Environmental Division. These
changes will be made prior to City Council action and reflected in the final document. The
specific changes are provided in Exhibit A.
Based on the input provided, Staff is not aware of any opposition to the proposed text amendment.
Staff believes the proposed amendment to the text of the ECR provides an improved guide to future
growth in Meridian.
Due to the size of the Existing Conditions Report, this item will accompany the staff report as
separate PDF Elle.
8. EXHIBIT
A. Department Comments
B. Required Findings from the Unified Development Code
Existing Conditions Report Update CPAT-14-001 - 3 -
A. Department Comments
1. Environmental Division
1) Change Page 4-1, 1" Paragraph, last sentence under Surface Water Program as follows
From: "Although the Ada County Highway District (ACHD) is responsible for all public street
stormwater runoff, the City of Meridian may be required at some time in the future to submit an
application for an NPDES permit, possibly in conjunction with ACHD and others."
To: "Although the Ada County Highway District (ACHD) is responsible for all public street
stormwater runoff, the EPA may seek additional agencies to regulate."
2) Page 5-9, Second Colum, 1" paragraph, 3`d sentence. Change —
From: "These dual-purpose waterways have been channelized and widened to allow them to carry
large flows in the event of a canal failure."
To: "These dual-purpose waterways have been channelized and widened to allow them to carry large
irrigation delivery and return flows."
Existing Conditions Report Update CPAT-14-001 - 4 -
B. Required Findings from Unified Development Code
1. Comprehensive Plan Amendment Findings
Upon recommendation from the Commission, the Council shall make a full investigation
and shall, at the public hearing, review the application. In order to grant an amendment to
the Comprehensive Plan, the Council shall make the following findings:
a. The proposed amendment is consistent with the other elements of the Comprehensive
Plan.
Staff finds that the proposed amendment is consistent with the other elements of the
Comprehensive Plan (See Sections 6 and 7 above).
b. The proposed amendment provides an improved guide to future growth and
development of the city.
Staff finds that the proposed text amendment provides an improved guide to future growth
and development within the city. The update to the ECR monitors the current growth trends
of the community.
c. The proposed amendment is internally consistent with the Goals, Objectives and
Policies of the Comprehensive Plan.
Staff finds that the proposed amendment is internally consistent with the Goals, Objectives,
and Policies of the Comprehensive Plan.
d. The proposed amendment is consistent with the Unified Development Code.
Staff finds the proposed text amendment provides the necessary guidance to effectively
administer the requirements of the Unified Development Code.
e. The amendment will be compatible with existing and planned surrounding land uses.
Staff finds that the proposed text amendment will be compatible with existing and planned
land uses for the area because no changes are proposed to the future land use map, the
legend of the map or any land uses described in the text of the plan.
f. The proposed amendment will not burden existing and planned service capabilities.
Staff finds that the proposed amendment would not burden existing and planned service
capabilities in this area of the city. The proposed text amendment tracks the growth trends of
the community to ensure compliance with the City's master plans and initiatives.
g. The proposed map amendment (as applicable) provides a logical juxtaposition of uses
that allows sufficient area to mitigate any anticipated impact associated with the
development of the area.
NA
h. The proposed amendment is in the best interest of the City of Meridian.
Staff finds that the proposed amendment is in the best interest of the City because it reflects
the current growth trends of the community.
Existing Conditions Report Update CPAT-14-001 - 5 -