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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMcMillan/Meridian Middle School AZ 05-008 MERIDIAN PLANNING & ZONING MEETING April 7,2005 APPLICANT Joint School District No.2 ITEM NO. 7 REQUEST Public Hearing: Annexation and Zoning of 41.27 aCres from RUT to R-4 for a new mIddle school- NEC of McMillan and Meridian Roads AGENCY COMMENTS CITY CLERK: CITY ENGINEER: f2¿ CtJ In ~ tW( /tpprovat -h C¡c See attached staff report 3 --0 CITY PLANNING DIRECTOR: CITY ATTORNEY CITY POLICE DEPT: CITY FIRE DEPT: CITY BUILDING DEPT: CITY WATER DEPT: CITY SEWER DEPT: CITY PARKS DEPT: MERIDIAN SCHOOL DISTRICT: SANITARY SERVICES: ADA COUNTY HIGHWAY DISTRICT: CENTRAL DISTRICT HEALTH: No comment No comment NAMPA MERIDIAN IRRIGATION: SETTLERS' IRRIGATION: IDAHO POWER: INTERMOUNTAIN GAS: OTHER: "'-'tactod, ~~ ~- ~ 11&-06 .Phone: .... 91~- ~{ I 7] Emailed: tÀl\...r..o¡v.....J Staff Initials: ~1t.' Malertall prelenled at public meellngllhall become property 01 HIe City Me'¥an. MAYOR Tammy de Weerd CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS Kefth Bird Christine Donnell Shaun Wardle Charles M. Rountree "'- g /"~ œ ,¡.. IJYl ð1i di;:'lt '\ .;. IDAHO J :1rt ' (è~ "TfIE^"u.f,V~' IfK1 LEGAL DEPARTMENT (208) 466-9272 ,Fax 466-4405 PUBLIC WORKS BUILDING DEPARTMENT (208) 898-5500 . Fax 898-9551 PLANNING AND ZONING DEPARTMENT (208) 884-5533 . FAX 888-6854 MEMORANDUM: Transmittal Date: April I, 2005 Hearing Date: April 7, 2005 To: Mayor, City Council and Planning & Zoning Commission Josh Wilson, Associate City Planner r1~ ~ Bruce Freckleton, Development Se~ ~anager ~ RECEIVE,D APR 0 ~. 2005 CITY OF MERIDIAN CITY CLERK OFFICF From: Re: Middle School e Request for Annexation and Zoning of41.27 acres fi'omRUT (Ada County) to R-4 (Low Density Residential) for a new middle school, by joint School District No.2 (File No. RZ-O5-008). We have reviewed this submittal and offer the following comments, as conditions of the applicant, These conditions shall be considered in fUll, unless expressly modified or deleted by motion of the Meridian City Council: APP' .rATION "TJMMARV The applicant, Joint School District No.2, has applied for the annexation and zoning of a 41.27 acre parcel of ground on the northeast corner of Meridian Road and McMillan Road. The applicant intends to use the land for the construction of a new núddle school. The middle school will be a pernútted use in the requested R-4 zoning designation. LOCATION The property is located on the northeast comer of Meridian Road and McMillan Road. SURROUNDING PROPERTIES North: Recently approved Ventana Subdivision, zoned R-8. South: Rural residential, zoned RUT (County). East: Saguaro Canyon Subdivision, zoned R-4. West: Existing residence and vacant land zoned C-G and R-40. ANNEXATION & ZONING ANALYSIS According to Ordinance 11-15-11, General Standards Applicable to Zoning Amendments, both the P&Z Commission and Council are required "to review the particular facts and circumstances of AZ-O5-O08 Middle SchooLAZ Planning & Zoning Commission/Mayor & City Council April 7, 2005 (Hearing Date) Page 2 each proposed zoning amendment in terms of the following standards and shall find adequate evidence answering the following questions about the proposed zoning amendment. " Ihefollowing is the list of standards found in 11-15-11 and analysis by staff: C. D. AZ-QS,OO8 A. Will the new zoning be harmonious with and in accordance with the Comprehensive Plan and, if not, has there been an application for a Comprehensive Plan amendment; The subject property is designated as "Medium Density Residential" on the Future Land Use Map. Staff finds that the requested zoning designation, R-4, is harmonious with and in accordance with the adopted Comprehensive Plan and Future Land Use Map. The proposed use as a middle school is a permitted use in the R-4 Zone, per the Zoning Schedule of Use Control in MCC 11-8-1. B. Has there been a change in the area or adjacent areas which may dictate that the area should be rezoned. For example, have the streets been widened, new railroad access been developed or planned or adjacent area being developed in a fashion similar to the proposed rezone area; Surrounding properties include rural residential properties, future commercial and multi-family developments and recently approved residential subdivisions. The area around the subject property has changed dramatically in the last decade with literally thousands of new residential lots being added. This change in use ITom agricultural land to residential has created the need for additional schools in the area. Staff finds that the requested zoning designation ofR-4 for a middle school will be harmonious with the existing and future developments. Will the proposed uses be designed, constructed, operated and maintained to be harmonious and appropriate in appearance with the existing or intended character of the general vicinity and that such use will not change the essential character ofthe same area; Staff finds that the proposed use (núddle school) will not change the existing or intended residential character ofthe area. See discussion under "B" above. Will the proposed uses not be hazardous or disturbing to existing or future neighboring uses; Staff does not anticipate that the proposed uses will be hazardous or disturbing to Middle SehooLAZ Planning & Zoning Commission/Mayor & City Council April 7, 2005 (Hearing Date) Page 3 future or existing neighbors. See discussion under "B" above. The Commission and Council should rely on public testimony to determine whether or not the proposed use will be disturbing or hazardous to the existing or future neighboring uses. E. Will the area be served adequately by esseutial public facilities and services such as highways, streets, police and fire protection, drainage structures, refuse disposal, water, sewer or that the person responsible for the establishment of proposed zoning amendment shall be able to provide adequately any of such services; Staff finds that the property to be annexed will be served adequately by all essential public facilities and services. F. Will not create excessive additional requirements at public cost for public facilities and services and will not be detrimental to the economic welfare of the community; Staff finds that there will not be excessive additional requirements at public cost and that the annexation and zoning will not be detrimental to the community's economic welfare, G. Will the proposed uses not involve uses, activities, processes, materials, equipment and conditions of operation that will be detrimental to any persons, property or the general welfare by reason of excessive production of traffic, noise, smoke, fumes, glare or odors; Staff realizes that the proposed núddle school will create additional traffic in the general area, but does not anticipate that it will be excessive. The addition of a school near to the new residential subdivisions in north Meridian may actually positively the affect the traffic situation by reducing the distance that residents travel in order to deliver their children to school. The recently developed residential subdivisions in the area have created additional traffic in the area and Staff also finds that the proposed middle school will not create excessive noise or other nuisances that would be detrimental to the general welfare of the surrounding area. Staff has concerns about the lack of pedestrian and bicycle facilities (sidewalks) on the collector and arterial roadways which surround this property. The lack of pedestrian and bicycle facilities related to Sawtooth Middle School, on Linder Road north of Ustick Road, has been the topic of discussion and criticism among area media, community members, and local agencies. As subdivisions in the area AZ-O5-O08 Middle SchooLAZ Planning & Zoning CommissionlMayor & City Council April 7, 2005 (Hearing Date) Page 4 develop, more sidewalks will be constructed along the arterial roadways, but at the present time, there are no improvements on McMillan Road or Meridian Road within one-mile of the school in any direction. H. Will the area have vehicular approaches to the property which shall be so designed as not to create an interference with traffic on surrounding public streets; This item is scheduled to be heard at the April 13, 2005 ACHD Commission meeting. Please refer to ACHD report for specific traffic discussion and see discussion under "G" above. I. Will not result in the destruction, loss or damage of a natural or scenic feature of major importance; and Staff finds that no natural or scenic features of major importance will be lost or damaged by approving the annexation and re-zone. Any existing trees larger than 4" caliper that are removed shall be mitigated for, per the Landscape Ordinance. J. Is the proposed zoning amendment in the best interest of the City of Meridian. (Ord. 592, 11-17-1992)" Staff finds that the annexation of this property would be in the best interest of the City. SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS 1. Sidewalks: Staff has concerns about the lack of pedestrian and bicycle facilities (sidewalks) on the collector and arterial roadways which surround this property. The lack of pedestrian and bicycle facilities related to Sawtooth Middle School, on Linder Road north of Us tick Road, has been the topic of discussion and criticism among area media, community members, and local agencies. As subdivisions in the area develop, more sidewalks will be constructed along the arterial roadways, but at the present time, there are no improvements on McMillan Road or Meridian Road within one-mile of the school in any direction. Staff anticipates working with Joint School District No.2 to generate a solution to the problem of lack of sidewalks in north Meridian around the proposed school; however, nothing has been determined as of the date of this report. The Commission and Council should consider any new correspondence received prior to the hearings fi'om the School District or City Staff regarding sidewalks. AZ,{)5,OO8 Middle School.AZ Planning & Zoning CommissionlMayor & City Council April 7, 2005 (Hearing Date) Page 5 2. Multi-Use Pathwav: The subdivision immediately to the east of the property, Saguaro Canyon, opted to construct a ten foot (10') multi-use asphalt pathway in lieu of a five foot (5') concrete sidewalk along the north side of the Lemp Canal, adjacent to McMillan Road. Staffrecommends that the applicant also construct a ten foot (10') multi-use pathway in lieu of a five foot (5') sidewalk along McMillan Road through the project. ANEXATION AND ZONING COMMENTS 1. The legal description submitted with the application appears to meet the requirements ofthe City of Meridian and State Tax Commission and places the parcel contiguous to existing city limits 2. The requested zoning ofR-4 is compatible with Meridian Comprehensive Plan. 3. The subject property is within the Urban Service Planning Area. Essential City services are or will be available to the subject property. 4. Any existing domestic wells and/or septic systems within this project will have to be removed fi'om their domestic service, per City Ordinance Section 5-7-517, when services are available fi'om the City of Meridian. Wells may be used for non-domestic purposes such as landscape irrigation. 5. Future development of this property as a Middle School shall be in compliance with City of Meridian development ordinances in place at the time of development. RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends approval of the proposed annexation and rezone of the property for use as a Middle School. AZ,O5-O08 Middle SchooLAZ