HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-11-19 RegularMeridian City Council November 19, 2019.
A Meeting of the Meridian City Council was called to order at 6:00 p.m., Tuesday,
November 19, 2019, by Mayor Tammy de Weerd.
Members Present: Tammy de Weerd, Joe Borton, Luke Cavener, Ty Palmer, Anne Little
Roberts and Treg Bernt.
Members Absent: Genesis Milam.
Also Present: Chris Johnson, Bill Nary, Caleb Hood, Brian McClure, Kyle Radek, Berle
Stokes, Joe Bongiorno and Dean Willis.
Item 1: Roll-call Attendance:
Roll Call.
A. Meridian City Council
X__ Anne Little Roberts X_ _ _Joe Borton
X__ Ty Palmer X__ Treg Bernt
______Genesis Milam __X___Lucas Cavener
__X__ Mayor Tammy de Weerd
De Weerd: Well, good evening. I would like to welcome all of you to our City Council
regular meeting and this is -- meeting is totally dedicated to our Comprehensive Plan.
Thank you for your interest and thank you so much for joining us this evening. For the
record it is Tuesday, November 19th. It's 6:00 o'clock and we will start with roll call
attendance, Mr. Clerk.
Item 2: Pledge of Allegiance
De Weerd: Item No. 2 is our Pledge of Allegiance. If you will all rise and join us in the
pledge.
(Pledge of Allegiance recited.)
Item 3: Community Invocation by Tim Pusey of Valley Shepherd Church of the
Nazarene
De Weerd: Item 3 is our community invocation. Tonight we will be led by Pastor Tim
Pusey with the Valley Shepherd Church of the Nazarene. If you will all join us in the
community invocation or take this as an opportunity for a moment of reflection.
Pusey: Thank you. Heavenly Father, we begin tonight by thanking you for the way you
have blessed this wonderful community and the way in which you have made Meridian to
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be such a good place to live and we pray, Lord, for your continued guidance and
watchcare over our city. Your Word instructs us to pray for those in authority over us and
so we rightfully take a moment to -- to pray for our City Council and for our Mayor as we
begin this meeting tonight. We pray for wisdom and guidance for them and we recognize
that there is some important matters on the agenda tonight and so we trust you, Lord, to
go before us all in that, for the -- for the good of this community and, Lord, we would pray
that you would be with our city in these important days of transition as our Mayor and
several of our Council Members pass the baton to others, may you continue to bless and
guide this community and, Lord, may Meridian always be a place that recognizes the
needs of people and may it always be a great place of compassion, in Christ's name we
pray, amen. Thank you.
Item 4: Adoption of Agenda
De Weerd: Thank you. Okay. Item 4 is adoption of the agenda.
Borton: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Borton.
Borton: I move we adopt the agenda as published.
Cavener: Second.
De Weerd: I have a motion and a second to adopt the agenda as published. All those in
favor say aye. All ayes.
MOTION CARRIED: FIVE AYES. ONE ABSENT.
Item 5: Announcements
De Weerd: Item 5 under announcements. Just that we will be closed for Thanksgiving
and -- both Thursday and Friday -- the Friday following Thanksgiving. And City Hall is
closed tomorrow for an all employee meeting. So, with that any other announcements
from Council?
Item 6: Future Meeting Topics - Public Forum (Up to 30 Minutes Maximum)
De Weerd: Okay. Item 6 under future meeting topics. Mr. Clerk, any signups?
Johnson: Yes. Madam Mayor. We have one sign up. Colleen Carrera.
Carrera: I didn't know I was going to be first.
De Weerd: Good evening. If you will, please, state your name and address for the record.
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Carrera: The whole street, too, or --
De Weerd: No. Just your name and your address.
Carrera: Colleen Carrera. 1133 North Caucus Way, Meridian.
De Weerd: Thank you.
Carrera: So, shall I go ahead and start?
De Weerd: Yes, please.
Carrera: Okay. This has happened to me or I have seen it happen in the last two months.
It has to do with people selling puppies alongside the road and I live by the Walmart store
down Records Way and the first time I saw it was in the summer and the couple had come
from Emmett and were selling their Husky puppies and, then, two weeks ago on a Sunday
on the grassy area there was another group of people -- I never asked them where they
were from, but they were also selling Husky puppies and so I don't know if they kept
breeding the mother dog or what, but, anyway, I asked the girl do you have any
documentation showing that these puppies have been vaccinated? Oh, no. But the
doctor said, you know, they are healthy and the reason I'm so passionate about this and
so concerned is I had to recently put my German Shepherd down. She had many many
anxiety issues and I got her at a German Shepherd puppy mill and I had to deal with this
for six whole years. Her anxiety issues culminated in physical trauma and arthritis and I
had to put her down. So, I asked the little girl further -- well, how come you don't have
any documentation? Well, we left it at home. And I went up and talked to these people
and I said you may want to pull back from buying any of these puppies, because they
don't have any documentation and because I got my dog at a German Shepherd puppy
mill, not knowing what it was, because I had never acquired a puppy in my life, they were
always grown -- grown dogs. So, after Heidi and seeing all these anxiety issues and how
these people in a huge puppy mill knew who the mama and the daddy was , there was
probably a lot of inbreeding and so I highly believe Heidi was a product of inbreeding.
Well, this could be the same thing with these Husky puppies. The people are coming into
our area -- it could be anybody coming anywhere and selling puppies alongside the road.
But I think, you know, you see a puppy and people go, oh, how cute. Well, they don't
realize what's involved and what the background could be and they just go ahead and
buy a puppy and, then, deal with the -- the aftermath of -- of a dog like this. So, I'm -- I'm
wondering if you folks could think about this and maybe pass some kind of law or
something that would say that people are not allowed to be selling puppies alongside the
road.
De Weerd: Thank you for joining us and -- and what I will ask is if you could perhaps
leave your phone number with our city clerk, we can have someone give you a call and
follow up --
Carrera: Yeah. That would be great.
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De Weerd: -- and chat with you further about that.
Carrera: Okay.
De Weerd: Okay.
Carrera: Thank you.
Item 7: Action Items
A. Public Hearing for New Comprehensive Plan (H-2019-0101)
(CPAT & CPAM) by Meridian Planning Department
1. Request: To replace the existing Comprehensive Plan (the
Plan) for the City with a new long- range planning document.
The application includes but is not limited to the following: 1)
approval of new text, both background and policies; 2)
adoption of a new Future Land Use Map of the City, including
Area of City Impact boundary changes; and 3) accepting new
goals, objectives and action items of the Plan, by Meridian
Planning Department.
De Weerd: Thank you for joining us. Okay. Item 7 is our Action Items. Item 7-A is a
public hearing for our Comprehensive Plan and because this is a big item and a big issue,
we will look at a different format. I just wanted to first have a conversation with you on
that. Our Comprehensive Plan is our vision document and it is a blueprint and a guideline
for how we anticipate to grow. This is not the code and there is a difference and I think
that staff will -- will discuss where we have come and how we have gotten to this point.
To date we have had a great deal of participation and if you are sitting in our audience
and you have participated in this process, thank you for that. I see a couple of our steering
committee members as well. There has been a lot of time and talent put towards this
effort. So, tonight we ask you to be courteous and kind and the decorum is to be
respectful and providing an atmosphere that people feel comfortable providing their
comments. We do want to hear everything that people have to say and we do expect that
there is probably spokes people in the audience tonight that are here representing an
HOA or a large group of -- of people that have a special issue that they would like to
share. So, before I open this public hearing I would ask for those spokespeople if you
would stand up and I'm going to ask you who you represent and your name. We will ask
you individually to come to the podium and offer that information, so our clerk can call on
you first. So, when I asked you to come forward I will also ask those to raise their hand
if this person is representing you and , then, I will explain the process from that point on
after we get through that. So, for those spokes people, if you will, please, stand up. And
I will ask you individually to come forward and offer your -- your name and area you are
representing. So, we will start on this side of the room. If you will just state your name
and the area that you represent.
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Overton: My name is John Overton and I will be the spokesman for the HOA for the
Woodbridge Subdivision.
De Weerd: Okay. And -- no -- no applause. Now, I just gave you the respectful dialogue.
Okay. Well, be the example. For those that he represents will you, please, raise your
hand? Okay. Thank you. Thank you, John. And, then, sir. Good evening.
Hatch: Good evening, Mayor de Weerd, fellow Council Members. My name is Jeff Hatch.
I'm representing the Venus Development and it's a light industrial area just west of
Cloverdale on Franklin.
De Weerd: Thank you very much. And do you represent a group then ?
Hatch: Ye s.
De Weerd: Are they with you tonight? If you could raise your hand. Thank you very
much. Thank you, sir. Yes. Good evening. Thank you for joining us. If you will, please,
state your name and the areas that you represent.
Ward: My name is Kenzie Ward and I represent Rock Range Estates in southwest
Meridian.
De Weerd: Thank you. And those you represent here tonight raise your hand. Okay.
Thank you. Good evening.
Webb: Thank you. My name is Wendy Webb and I represent the Southern Rim Coalition
tonight.
De Weerd: Okay. Thank you, Wendy. Can the Southern Rim members, please, raise
your hands? Okay. Thank you. Sir in the very back. Now we will work front. Good
evening.
Claiborne: Good evening. My name is David Claiborne. I will be representing Locust
View Heights Subdivision.
De Weerd: Thank you, sir. And those that are with you tonight if you will raise your hand.
Thank you very much. Ma'am. Good evening.
Rinehimer: Good evening.
De Weerd: If you will talk into the microphone.
Rinehimer: Our representative Mindy Lin for Stetson Estates, she's on her way. She's
going to be late.
De Weerd: Okay.
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Rinehimer: Just wanted to let you know.
De Weerd: Well, that -- that's helpful. We appreciate that and those that -- and what was
the area?
Rinehimer: For Stetson.
De Weerd: Stetson?
Rinehimer: Uh-huh.
De Weerd: Those that are here for -- from that area if you will raise your hand. Okay.
Thank you very much.
Rinehimer: My name? Carol Rinehimer.
De Weerd: And it's for Mindy Lin. Okay. Thank you. And, then, in the back. Good
evening.
Byam: Madam Mayor, City Council Members, my name is Jane Byam. I live at 6050 El
Gato Lane and I represent the residents of -- on El Gato Lane, Pine Lane and Puma.
De Weerd: Okay. Thank you. And those that she is the spokesperson for if you will raise
your hand. Okay. Thank you very much. Sir. Good evening.
Manwaring: Good evening. My name is Ryan Manwaring and I'm representing a group
of Meridian residents, 150 individuals who had signed a petition about preserving some
agricultural land in Idaho -- in Meridian.
De Weerd: Okay. Thank you. And anyone here that is represented by this gentleman?
Okay. Thank you. Any -- any other spokesperson I haven't had a chance to recognize ?
Good evening.
Pond: Gilbert Pond. I live on El Gato Lane with other people there. I just wanted to say
a few things just after they are done.
De Weerd: We will -- after our spokes people are called on we will take individual
testimony and we will ask that the individual testimony not repeat what has already been
said, but if you have to add to it we -- we welcome your comments. So, with that said,
Mr. Clerk, were you able to record all those names and -- you got it?
Johnson: Yes, Madam Mayor.
De Weerd: Okay. Very good. Well, the staff will present an overview, as I mentioned,
and talk about how we got to this evening. We will do the large group presentations.
They are allowed ten minutes each and on the podium there is a computer screen that
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has the time allotment on there and you will see it ticking down. We also have a sound
indication. Mr. Clerk, will you play that. When you hear that your time is up and so we
will ask that you summarize or -- and, then, allow the next person their -- their equal time.
So, with that we will go ahead and I will open this public hearing and ask for staff
comments.
Hood: Thank you, Madam Mayor, Members of the Council. It's my honor and privilege
to present --
De Weerd: Caleb, I just have one more thing.
Hood: Okay.
De Weerd: I know there is a full house. I don't want you to have to be here all night. So ,
I did talk with the Council President and if Council will allow, we would like to take
testimony tonight and if -- if the hour is reasonable and Council feels that they have heard
all the testimony, they can close it. But we are not looking for a decision this evening.
So, we will ask for action next week if -- if that's appropriate for Council. Any issues with
that at this point? Okay. And I -- I will call the -- we are not taking public testimony yet.
If it gets too late it -- we don't want the Council making a decision after 11:00. I don't know
-- and what -- we would like to respect your time, so you can offer your testimony. You
can leave and not think that something's going to happen when you are not here. So, it's
best to do this next week, unless Council thinks otherwise. Okay. Mr. Nary.
Nary: Madam Mayor, because I don't know what the gentleman is holding, nothing the
city has produced said you would make a decision tonight. So, I don't know what
information he had, but the city hadn't provided anything that required the Council to make
a decision today.
De Weerd: You know -- and, Tim, really we -- we try to make decisions in a timely fashion,
but this is -- this is an 18 month process and we don't want to -- we want to -- the Council
to be able to contemplate what they have heard this evening , have a chance to sleep on
it and have further discussion next week. I -- we certainly understand that and you can
tune in online for next week and -- and watch the discussion, too. Okay. I'm sorry, Caleb.
I did want to make sure people were informed on that .
Hood: No problem. Madam Mayor, as you just alluded to, this is a huge project and it's
-- it's my honor to present to you tonight for your consideration and potential adoption --
in the near future, anyways, a new Comprehensive Plan for the city. My name is Caleb
Hood, I'm the planning division manager. I have been part of this process for a little over
two years now. You are right. And, then, 18 months we have actively been doing this
project or thereabouts, but for over two years we have been communicating and getting
direction from Council to -- to go forth and do this project. Brian McClure is an associate
city planner with the city. He's been the project manager on this, been involved all along
the way. And, then, Bruce Meighen is our consultant that will also be kind of co-presenting
tonight. So, we are not going to pass the baton back and forth too many times, but we all
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have pieces that we would like to cover this evening. And, again, it is a larger project, so
a couple of -- just kind of clarifications for you. We are going to stay sitted -- seated here,
if that's okay. Bruce may go up to the podium. A little more comfortable if we can work
here and look at some of our notes and things, if that's okay. And it is a little bit longer
presentation than we typically give. There is a lot to cover here. Some of that is even
hopefully educational. We hope you find this beneficial to set the -- explain the process
that we have gone through the last couple years . What a comp plan is and those types
of things. So, hopefully, you bear with us and this information, hopefully, is -- is
educational, beneficial to folks about this process. So, with your blessing I will just go
forward into our -- our presentation. So, I thought we better start at the beginning with
what is a comprehensive plan. It is a state mandated planning document. It guides our
growth and development. It's not a blueprint for that growth, but it does paint a picture for
our community, what we want it to be and how services will be provided to all portions of
future city limits and we will talk more about that. But at a basic level the comprehensive
plan is some texts are words and there is multiple exhibits and maps, but the main was a
future land use map or FLUM or FLUM you might have heard it referred to as those
different things. So, those are the biggest tools or elements of a comprehensive plan.
Those policies, again, direct how we change and grow over the next couple of decades
or so. So, what's included and not included? And this is something that does get a little
bit of confusing. It was not code. Madam Mayor, you alluded to that in your opening
remarks. It does not include development standards. It does not include things like thou
shalt provide a certain amount of open space. It can't do th at. It doesn't do that. But it
does set the foundation for those codes and in Meridian our code is the Unified
Development Code, Title 11 of the Meridian City Code is where those standards are that
say thou shalt provide that amount of open space or streets that do this. But, again,
included in the plan is text. So, the way the text is organized is we have background that
kind of tells the story and leads up to the policies and the policies are largely referenced
as we are reviewing new projects, whether they be city-initiated projects or development-
initiated projects for change, but those policies, then, again, guide and direct that growth.
Our implementation plan with some new policies. So, we are calling this a new plan,
although we didn't throw out all of the existing plans. We looked at all of them, but we
retained some of them, too. There is some good stuff in there and we changed, modified,
tweaked some of that stuff , so it met -- met today's needs of the community. But largely
this is a new plan. Another element of the plan -- so, the text and the map. The other
one that we aren't touching and that's why it's not highlighted in this bullet, is the existing
conditions report. That -- that looks backwards. It's who we were and are as a community.
It's got demographic information, how many fire stations we have. But, really, it's who we
were and are as a community versus the text and the map is who we aspire to be going
forward. So, that's kind of the difference there. There is 17 components that are required
that be addressed in state code. I will go through those a little bit more here in another
slide or two. We are proposing also to revise our area of city impact. So , that is our --
what we envisioned to be our ultimate city boundaries. It's our planning boundary. So,
we work with the county and other cities to establish that and, then, what land uses occur
in there and who provides what services within those areas. Again, just to highlight what's
not included -- code. We can't change the code with this, but it does, again, influence the
code and sets us up for success in the code to get what the vision states that we want to
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be as a community. This does not annex or rezone any property. That's a big one. I
know it gets confusing with the future land use map there is designations, talking about
residential and commercial. That is not zoning. This does not zone anyone's property. It
doesn't annex anybody into the city. It sets that up for the future and it's used to plan for
with -- when and if those properties propose to annex into the city, what zoning we would
consider as a city to annex them and the development that would, then, go along with it
-- with any future request. And the third bullet really is more for staff and Brian will touch
on this a little bit as we get into the map, but we didn't propose anything -- a change to
the future land use map that would conflict with anything that's directly on the ground. So ,
if there is an industrial use we wouldn't make that a school say. So, a lot of -- in fact, just
the opposite. A lot of it was clean up to kind of do the opposite. And, then, what it also
doesn't include is any locations for any proposed roads. We have other tools that do that
and other plans. The master street map. We have other working with our transportation
agencies on where collectors should go and the width of arterials and front and backage
roads. So, this plan is not -- the map does not include -- or the text doesn't include exactly
where roads are going to go, it doesn't get to that level of detail in the plan. There are a
couple of policies that say explore, for instance, a Linder Road overpass or a connection
downtown using Broadway or Idaho to get through to Locust Grove . There are others --
there are some policies like that. But, again, it's not so down to the neighborhood level
of where roads are laid out and collectors and arterials. There are other tools that do that.
So, those are some kind of common misconceptions about what's included in the plan.
Again, there is a -- there is a relationship with a lot of those things and other plans, but
that is not -- not the plan. So, we -- we hope that this plan does represent Meridian's
future and it's something that we can aspire to be over time. Housing types for -- housing
is a big deal right now and we envision will continue to be. So, having a diversity of
housing stock on different lot sizes, neighborhood identity, building on the quality
neighborhoods we already have and experiencing more of those into the future. Districts
being engaging places. So, quality, livable places to recreate, to live, to work. Supporting
parks, recreations, and open space. So, the Parks Department has a master plan. This,
again, works in conjunction and supports the Parks and Recreation master plan, including
pathways and all that. So, it is lockstep with that plan. Meridian's historic and community
character. So, strengthen that. Lay on that, to some degree preserve that, and I'm sure
we will talk some more about that, what -- what is our historic and community character.
But, basically, a family friendly, small town feel. Those are some of the things we have
heard from the community that they want to strengthen or preserve . Mobility. So, being
able to get around from different places via different modes. Walking. Biking. Buses.
Driving. All different modes. And, then, partnerships. Are they public-private partnerships
or working with developers or other agencies to have a thriving economy is also part of
the plan. And, then, finally, tools that help us get there. So, we like to say, you know, the
right project in the right place at the right time. So , realizing that through the right tools
and implementing the plan. So, real quickly -- I'm not going to -- I'm not going to dwell on
this too long. Our current plan for most communities 2002, you can probably get away
with using the same plan you adopted in 2002. Our community has changed so much in
the past 17 years and even with a major reformat that we did, an update in -- in 2010 -- it
was adopted in 2011. But it was largely -- a lot of the work was done in 2010. Our
community's changed so much and, again, this isn't -- Council understands that and most
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everyone in the audience I'm sure understands that, too. We are not the same community
that we were at the turn of the decade and that's why we are developing these plans. But
these plans for most communities can last ten, 15, 20 years. But, again, you authorized
us to go forward with this sooner to really understand what this community's needs and
wants and visions are for the next couple of decades. I won't touch on the second part of
that too much more, as I think I have -- I have hammered that in, that there is text and --
and the existing conditions report. Just maybe a little bit more on why we plan and I
jokingly say because we have to. I mean the state says we have to, but just because it's
mandated doesn't mean that necessarily it's a good idea. We do it because it's mandated,
but we also do it for other reasons. We plan because I believe we want to control our
own destiny to some degree. I mean we want to be forward thinking and ensure that we
are providing for the services and the land uses that we want and if you aren't -- don't
have a comprehensive plan you are likely to get whatever comes in your door. So, this
should -- again, I hate to be a broken record, but guide growth and development
strategically into the future and part of that is going to be working with our agency
partners. As you can see the 17 state required elements that are addressed in our
Comprehensive Plan, that means working with others. We can't do this as a city
organization in and of ourselves. We have many many partners to make our plan come
together. Again, to make -- we don't control our own destiny, if you will, on some of those
areas, like schools and roads. So, we need to work with those service providers and
make sure that our plans and their plans drive together and we are rowing in the same
direction. Again, I won't read to you the slide, but just trust that these things are addressed
in the plan as required by state code. So , the general scope of work, where we started.
We audited what we already had. So, the current plan, looking at our policies, looking at
water and sewer master plans, ACHD's plans, seeing, again, what's still valid, maybe
what needs to be updated and other studies that other agencies have done. COMPASS.
VRT. Making sure we understand kind of the -- the foundation we are going to be building
on and, then, really jumping into -- and the second part of that first bullet -- understanding
the value and the vision of the community. We spent a lot of effort in doing that and we
will talk a little bit more about that as -- as this presentation goes on. We focused on early
and these are some of the things we have added through you as we look ed to hire Logan
Simpson for an assist to co-develop this plan with us. Strategic growth management and
looking at our public services. So, looking at where -- again, what levels of service and
where we need to expand our services into the near, middle, and longer term and what
are those impacts of growth. Again, a lot of this has to do with coordination and
communication. We are not the only one that provides those public services. We have
Idaho Power, again schools, roads, and making sure that we are -- we are all growing
together, coordinating and communicating and transportation and economic development
was the other kind of key focus area that we wrote into our contract with Logan Simpson
as far as scope of work goes. What we -- what we realized I think fairly early on was the
intense land uses. There is a need for that. There is also a need for less intense land
uses. So, where do those more intense land uses make more sense and so that was part
of what the overall steering committee, as well as a focus group, so kind of moving down
the slide a little bit on the transportation and housing focus groups really looked a little bit
more about that. What corridors make sense for potential future transit corridors. We
aren't going to run a public bus up and down every road in Meridian. We don't have the
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density. We don't want the density. But there are -- there is a need for some density in
some areas. Some activity centers and some corridors that make sense to connect them.
And, then, you could, again, have some -- maybe alternate for those that want to take a
bus, they could locate along those -- those areas. So, we looked at that. And, then, there
was -- there are some specific area concepts that we developed and Brian will touch
largely on these as we move forward. But that was looking at these area s early on we
knew we needed to touch and understand if what we currently had adopted for their future
is really the future that is envisioned , again, 20, 25, 50 years from now. So, we spent
some time in those areas as well. There is the public involvement. Again, planned
development. The market analysis was done by a sub consultant that was part of the
Logan Simpson team. Leland came to town and interviewed some stakeholders early on
and the first couple of phases of our project to understand from som e of our major
employers what the market -- market really looked at. We looked at some past studies
we had done as a city and even other agencies in our area and looking at some of what
the future holds in the Treasure Valley and what Meridian's role is in that. So, looking at
that market analysis. And, then, the transportation corridor analysis was also done largely
by Kittelson and Associates, but also Leland. Again, some of -- looking at some of those
-- what land uses can and should we support a nd -- and transportation simultaneously.
So, we really had four phases and I will touch on that as well kind of moving forward. I
think I want to spend a little bit more time here on the steering committee. There were 22
committee members -- actually had a couple that came off and a couple that came on,
but regularly we had about 22 members and these were not only stakeholders in the
outcome, but a vast majority of them -- somewhere in the neighborhood of 18 or 19 of
those 22 were Meridian residents, as well as subject matter experts. So, they are either
in the housing industry, a developer, banking, finance, just different groups, right, but they
also lived here. It wasn't just that they did that, that's not why they were asked to serve,
it was because they also have another hat they wear and that's as a Meridian resident or
-- and/or business owner. So, we had a really good diverse group. Some of those
meetings were -- we didn't always agree all the time on everything, but -- but they were
productive and really appreciated that time together. But we had , again, varied
experience and knowledge from folks that were , again, from residents to folks that have
been lifelong residents of the city on that group. And, then, we broke up into some focus
groups. I already mentioned that. Not everyone in the subcommittee served on a focus
group, but we tried to have the core of the focus groups be on the steering committee , so
they could relay some of that information back to the -- the overarching steering
committee on whatever may have come out of those focus group meetings. And , then, I
would just highlight that the application that staff submitted about two months ago is
largely the application that the steering committee recommended. There were some
changes and even the Planning and Zoning Commission last month made a couple of
changes, but it's largely the plan that this group of 22 recommended for approval tonight.
That's largely what you -- is before you tonight. You know -- and I don't think I will spend
a whole lot of time on this slide, but just to reiterate that we did coordinate with others that
play a role in the success of our community into the future. And, then, we reached out --
I mentioned, you know, Brian and I last summer were at a lot -- I don't know what the
number was, but we were at a lot of different parks and events and town halls and coffees
and just different things. So, we tried to get the word out. We did everything we knew
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how to to let people know this was happening and to be involved and so we are pretty
proud of that. We got some kudos, actually, from people I wouldn't have expected that
from. Like, hey, I heard about this, you know, wow, way to go. The comp plan isn't the
most exciting thing, but I heard about it. So, that kind of makes me feel good, anyway,
that we -- we tried to engage. Now, we got roughly 120,000 people in our community.
Again, is the plan representative of everybody's view and vision for our community, no,
I'm not here to represent that, but we at least tried to engage and understand from those
that would engage what -- what they value and reflect that's in this plan. I will just note -
- move to other things like -- that didn't show up there just kind of informally. The Chamber,
the Kiwanis, the BCA, other neighborhood meetings and associations , you know, HOA
meetings, those types of things. So, we are -- again, we tried to get out there, so -- I'm
not going to -- I'm not going to land on this slide too long either, but just -- here is the
timeline. Again, roughly 18 months, you know, in earnest we really started in May of '18,
maybe a little bit before that, but that was our first public involvement meeting. It was a
Coffee with the Mayor. We kicked it off then. But we had been working, again, well in
advance of that to kind of put the scope together and we have hashtag there as some of
our social media outreach, but it also represents the phases. So, it's four phases in what
we did from crafting the vision to the values and bringing on the move and plan
development and the plan has been on the project website since basically the 4th -- well,
I don't remember the exact date, but it was the first week of July and iterations there
forward have been on our website and available to review. So, those are the five
overarching themes that emerged from the -- really the first two phases. So, the values
and the vision document, these are -- this is what kind of came out of that and you will
see this even come through in the final document and how the structure of the document
is organized. These value -- with value themes and the statements that support them and
the vision statements in the next slide. So, you can kind of see -- again, the introduction
doesn't really have a lot of that, but it even explained some of what I'm talking about, how
the plan is structured and how we engage with the community to come up with this plan
and, then, it jumps into -- in blue you see below those are, again, the state required
elements that are addressed in each chapter that nicely tie in with overarching theme or
-- or chapter there. It was kind of a nice cheat sheet, if you will. If you are looking for
transportation, connected may not be the first thing you think of, but it's -- it is there. So,
there are roughly 500 policies. I think Brian said somewhere around 504, somewhere in
there, 506. Not here to read them to you tonight and it's a little bit of a shame, if you will,
that there is, essentially, this one slide that paraphrases them. There is a lot of good
information there. There is a lot of things, again, that guide growth and development in
our -- of our community. But that's not what a lot of people want to talk about and you will
-- you will see that tonight. So, again, I take some pride in this. It's not perfect. I'm not
saying that it is. It could always be improved on. But I think we have got it largely right
tonight. Just to kind of summarize some of those -- and, again, this isn't exhaustive of all
the policies, but there is quite a good dialogue about, yes, Meridian is a family friendly
city, but we are multi-generational, too. So, it's making sure that we accommodate for the
needs of everyone from infants to elderly and everythin g in between of all ages and
abilities throughout the community everywhere all the time and so we really tried to have
that come through in a lot of the policies that the -- a traditional family isn't necessarily,
you know, our target, if you will, that it is, again, Meridian is -- is friendly to everybody.
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Steps. This one might take -- might take a little bit of explaining. The currently adopted
Comprehensive Plan allows a step up or down in density based on your designation. For
example, if your property has a medium density designation , a developer could request
to step up to medium high or down to low without doing an amendment to the map. That's
just a request. You have to validate -- you have to request why, but it's almost a given.
We took a lot of scrutiny, particularly the last few years on that. It had been used quite a
bit and we were hearing a lot of the feedback, well, what's the value in having a medium
density designation, which, by the way, allows between three and eight dwelling units,
right, and I can step up to 15 -- eight to 15 is medium high or down to zero. So, now zero
to 15 -- that's everywhere. That doesn't give -- that's no type of a guide. That doesn't tell
you what to expect as a nearby resident or even as a property owne r. It says you can do
some type of residential and if you are between zero and 15 we are open to it. So , we
have -- we have gotten rid of that. What the current plan says is your designation is your
designation. Now, if you have two parcels and they have different designations, you can
use part of some of that designation, because you -- you are -- you -- you own that
property in whole. The plan still isn't parcel specific. It tries to use roads, it tries to use
property lines, but those things change. So, it's generally to show how land uses will
transition and change from area to area, but not necessarily parcel to parcel, if that makes
sense. But, again, the main -- main point there is we don't allow a step anymore, you got
to do a comp plan map change. If you want to go from the medium to high -- or medium
high or down below in that same example you would have to apply for a map amendment.
I haven't heard anybody say don't do that. Everyone is supportive of this change, so --
and to that end, too, we have defined density in our comp plan. You would get some that
would propose 3.4 dwelling units per acre. Well, if the range was 0 to 3, is 3.4 above
three? Well, yeah, it is, but you can't have .4 dwelling units. You're either a dwelling unit
or you aren't. So, we have clarified that. If you are 3.4 we will round you down to three.
If you are 3.5 or 3.51 and above, we round you up to four. So, that's clear anyways.
Again, does everybody agree on that? No, but it's clear in the text that that's how we are
going to do it in Meridian, we round to the nearest whole number and we have -- have
included sample zones in the text as well. So, for example, again, in the medium density,
which allows three to eight dwelling units per acre, sample zoning that now explicitly lists
in the text -- sample zoning is R-4 and R-8. Those are the zonings we expect you to ask
for when you have that designation. You ask for these zones that generally reflect the
future land use map when it's time to request annexation in the zone in the city. So,
hopefully, those, kind of in conjunction, clarify and give a little more -- still allows some
flexibility, right? Three to eight is medium. That's still quite a bit of flexibility, but at least
narrows down what the expectation is. Again, if I'm a property owner and an adjacent
property owner. Sorry to spend so much time on that, but that's a big one. That's a big
one that we -- we have heard about over the past few years. Need for improved public
involvement and neighborhood meeting process and increased collaboration , not just with
the city, but this is really about have new projects coming in, having them in our process
in the planning department, talk with neighbors earlier and often in the process, not just
five days before submitting an application, but working with the adjacent neighborhoods
to understand what their concerns are or needs are in a project and so this isn't directly
part of the Comprehensive Plan, but there are policies in the Comprehensive Plan that
we plan to initiate if you adopt this plan that we will change our policies that say here is
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the new expectation, you meet with them 30 days before you meet with us or whatever
that is. We have got to develop that policy, but that's the intent is that we would make it
a more collaborative process and not so contentious. Hopefully when it gets before you
there is very little issues. Everybody's been communicating, understanding or maybe it's
down to one or two issues, but not big issues when it gets to Council. So, that's a lot of
the -- the thought there with some of the policies in the draft plan. Identifying and
strengthening neighborhood identity. There is a lot to this, too. And this is loaded and
not fully developed. We have talked about everything from districts, so -- and I know
Council talked about this, too. Assigning seats to different areas of town. It could be that.
It could also be empowering neighborhoods as associations. So , independent or on top
of the district idea I just talked about. Could be just saying we recognize the Southern
Rim say as an example. We will recognize that area and develop a plan and adopt that
plan as part of the city's plan, so that there is consistency in when new projects come in
and change and change happens in those areas , there is an expectation for the
development committee and those that are already there about what to anticipate as far
as development standards go and we haven't developed those standards yet, but that's
what the policies in the plan say. Hey, explore establishing these associations, but, then,
hopefully, make that process smoother. And, then, specific area plans and we will talk
about this a little bit. I think Bruce actually is going to talk about this a little bit at the end
of the presentation, about next steps and the specific area plans to get into the detail.
Ten Mile specific area plan is a good example. That one's a little bigger than maybe what
some of these are, but it is getting down to the details of we envision two story buildings
on this roadway. It's the roads that I mentioned aren't in the plan, but with the specific
area plan and we can do those -- that level of planning. And, then, strategic growth. This
is one another kind of next step one that there is policies kind of ingrained throughout the
chapters of the draft plan about improving our coordinate -- I can't tell you how many
times -- you know, everyone generally that I talked to likes -- loves living in Meridian,
playing in Meridian. Proud to be in Meridian. But traffic and school overcrowding and
even the rate of growth were the things that I heard of most concerned folks when we
were talking with them. So, what we have got in the plan is we need to improve our
coordination with -- and this is sort of a -- we knew it and -- and we are really going to
document that solidly and, as you know, we have been talking with the ACHD and ITD
and even Ada county on -- we need you to come alongside of us and we need to talk with
you and make sure that this plan -- we can -- we can realize our full potential. But
improving that coordination with primarily schools and roads , but not just schools and
roads. Those are the big ones. And, then, exploring targeted growth in certain areas. I
mentioned the right projects in the right place at the right time and so some of that we will
talk about a little bit more kind of going forward or even with the next Mayor and Council
that concept a little bit about targeting growth, not just responding to growth, but really
directing growth. Where can we put our services , even including schools and roads,
where can we plan to put that infrastructure necessary so we are ready for that growth ,
not just responding to where ever growth happens and trying to catch up, but have a plan
for where we want that infrastructure. So, more to come on those. Again, those aren't --
I don't have all the answers to all that. Those are the -- the concepts, the policies that
say go do this. Doing it, though, is going to take some more work. And, then, premier. I
mean this is -- this is raising the bar. Again, most people are proud to be in Meridian.
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They don't want to see us take a step back. They want us to , in fact, raise the bar and
this is even, again, next steps. We recognize our current open space and amenities
requirements in the UDC are lacking. It's not as simple as saying we are ten percent and
it will be fixed. It's just -- unfortunately it's not that easy. But we have heard that , we are
getting ready to work on that. That is one of the next things we are going to try to address.
But that takes collaboration, too, and understanding and -- and working together to solve
that. And, then, just finally what I would say on this slide is f ollow the plan; right? I mean
we have -- you have taken flack for this. I know that I have. You got a plan where we
have invested over lot of resources, time, money, energy, blood -- well, I don't if any blood
-- sweat and tears into this plan. Follow the thing. You know, this is -- there is a lot of
effort that went into this. It's not perfect, but we shouldn't be changing this every other
month, you know. It really should be respect it, follow it, make as few changes as possible
to the thing. So, I think with that I -- that's -- that's generally the process, the background
and I tried to cover the text there, too, but we really didn't focus in on any of the policies.
But I just wanted to make sure we are on the same page. If you have any questions on
that stuff we are going to jump into some map stuff here in a second, but I just wanted to
pause and make sure we are tracking okay.
De Weerd: Thank you, Caleb. Council, any questions at this point? Thank you.
McClure: Mayor and Council, so I'm going to be discussing the future land use map.
Most of the map has not changed. Many changes that have been made are cleanup.
Some examples of that are things like ACHD real property, such as stormwater ponds
and facilities.
De Weerd: So, Brian, we got used to Caleb speaking directly into the mic, so you want
to pull that over.
McClure: Closer?
De Weerd: Yes.
McClure: Okay. Schools, churches, subdivisions approved previously with steps and
those types of changes, so we kind of consider those cleanup, because they -- they,
basically, already exist as something else. We have also been updating the existing and
future facility icons on the map. That includes coordination with West Ada School District,
Fire and Police. Some of the other changes were consolidation of similar types. An
example would be civic Ten Mile in the Ten Mile plan, we just made that civic. So, imagine
citywide. The legend already says to see that plan for details on those designations in
that area. All these changes in the application were reviewed by consultants and vetted
through the steering committee. The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended
two changes to Council, which we will detail later. I'm not going to claim that this map is
perfect or that this is the only way you can get to a place , but the aggregated totals in this
are very important. We have had a lot of transportation, market analysis done, that -- that
we basically need these sorts of that diversity of uses in the city to provide the
opportunities we are looking for in the future. They have had an extensive amount of
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analysis done to market, transportation and service utility. Some of that is vocational and
some of it's not. So, I'm not saying there is not room for changes, but we need to be
careful about where we make those changes at least off the cuff. Lastly -- and before
getting into some of the details, keep in mind that the future land map -- future land use
map is a 100,000 foot view tool to help implement the plan. Again, Caleb said there is
500 policies and all that text, that's really the heart of the plan. The map is how we --
helps us to implement that. It is not a specific plan. It is not a master plan. It is not a
pathway plan. It's none of those things. It's a future land use map and it's a really high
level. Anything warranting a -- kind of a closer dive is probably one of those things Caleb
mentioned, such as a specific plan, a general -- a master plan or just a neighborhood
plan. But, really, further detail requires further planning. This is a summary of changes
and change types to the future land use map. You can see that the AAOC removal there
at the top and general changes make it a significant area, but the vast majority, as I
previously said, remains unchanged as you can see there. Caleb will touch more on
AOCI changes later, the area of city impact. Cleanup changes or language changes to
match existing conditions, again, where the use is not likely to change in the next ten to
20 years. I won't go through that again, but mostly to reflect what's existing. Just briefly,
the neighborhood center overlay called out there, that is an overlay. So, it was applied
over mixed use neighborhood and mixed use community. It had some additional
requirements as to what could go in that area. It did not allow any additional allowances.
That's being removed. It has not worked well historically and that type of development is
also incredibly hard to incentivize when you have commercial on the hard corners just a
half a mile away. But you won't see the neighborhood center overlay anymore, but the
underlying land uses aren't changed unless they were called out as a change. General
changes are the biggest section here, other than the area unchanged. Most of these are
within the staff initiated areas. I will touch on that in a minute. But we also have some
changes proposed by the steering committee a nd, then, by proper donor request. So,
major examples include changes within The Fields area. Again, I will go over that.
Overland and Eagle area. I will go over that. Rustler Place area. I will go over that.
Amity and Eagle mixed use areas. Black Cat and Cherry and the railroad area. I will go
over that. The Waltman area. The Discovery Park area. And the West Overland corridor.
Cavener: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Cavener.
Cavener: Sorry. Brian, before you go on to the next slide, can you go back and your note
at the bottom, can you give me a little bit further explanation about what that note is trying
to designate?
McClure: Council -- Mayor -- Mayor Tammy, Councilman Cavener, yeah, definitely. So,
the area of city impact is our growth boundary area. Within that area we have land uses
-- future land uses. Those land uses do not cover every square inch of the plan , because
we have some significant areas, such as the rail corridor and the interchange corridor and
even portions where the State Highway 16 is starting to come in where we don't have
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land uses applied there, because they are just basically not land uses, they are huge
piece of infrastructure.
Cavener: Okay.
De Weerd: Any further clarification needed?
Cavener: Madam Mayor, sorry, yeah.
De Weerd: Uh-huh.
Cavener: The lined areas with applied FLUM designation is less. I guess I'm not tracking
with what -- what you are suggesting with that.
McClure: Councilman Cavener, my -- my apologies. So, the area of city impact is 37 --
37,000 square acres. The areas with future land use designations are less than that,
because they don't cover things of right of way and railroad, those things.
Cavener: Great.
McClure: Does that help?
Cavener: That helps tremendously. Thanks. I appreciate it.
McClure: Briefly I just wanted to cover some -- a few general changes that we made
throughout. These are -- account for a significant area, so I just want to kind of highlight
a few. The -- on the left you see what the adoptive plan is and, then, on the right you see
what the proposed plan is. In this case it was a -- a school that has been developed there
and we are just reflecting that. So, we all have our parks and all of our schools, after they
go in, if they are not already -- have a civic designation applied to them, we apply it to
them, so -- these are a few more changes. This is within the Ten Mile interchange specific
area plan. In the new -- in the new plan we have consolidated the civic Ten Mile, as I
previously noted. We have also consolidated the gas pipeline land use designation,
because we only applied it within the Ten Mile area and it wasn't citywide before and
because the Northwest Pipeline prefers it not be shown in great detail anyways. So, that's
being removed. We also removed the -- for example, that park area citywide. We use
that -- we use civic for that. In this case also the pathway plan addresses this area and
the pathway plan is actually different and, then, also the entitlements here are different
as well. So, the pathway is going through there, but it's not as shown and because it's
inconsistent with the civic designation we just consolidated all those. So, all those
changes that you can see we just basically applied the land use that was adjacent to it
for the whole area. The civic Ten Mile there in pink, that was a school site that had been
initially contemplated there and they are no longer going there. That site has entitlements
already, which includes a concept that is not the school. So, it's -- it's already entitled.
Real quick before I get into some of the bigger changes, we wanted to touch base on the
Wastewater Resource Recovery Facility, the sewer plant there on Ten Mile and Ustick.
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We have heard from a number of stakeholders that that area there designated around the
facility, the mixed use nonresidential, is too large and that they feel like it encumbers our
property and there is better uses there. In hindsight, having a nonresidential designation
behind residential isn't necessarily the best idea either. For example, you don't want
industrial driving through residential traffic to get to the industrial. So, we recognize that
some changes are needed in this area. However, the -- the facility is currently undergoing
a significant upgrade. Public Works has committed to doing an assessment after the
upgrade has been completed to understand the impa ct. So, noise and odor primarily.
And, then, to determine what changes may be appropriate and what other -- what the city
might need to do to better plan for that. So, we are going to look at this area in the future,
we just don't have enough information to do that properly right now. So, I just throw that
out there.
De Weerd: So, Brian, essentially, you are keeping it as is until the area of specific activity
happens.
McClure: Madam Mayor, that is correct. Yes. But there is -- there is a certain stigma
when you have an adopted plan and, then, you want to change the adopted plan and we
don't want to fall within ourselves, we are just trying to put that out there now, so we -- no
one points a finger at us later. The Fields area here was one of four areas we had gone
into the plan knowing we wanted to study. The other three were southwest Meridian, the
Southern Rim, and the Magic Bridge area. These areas -- these areas had some
significant changes, so just briefly kind of covering each of those and some others. This
area is generally north of Ustick Road, east of Can-Ada, south of State Highway 26 and
west of McDermott and the future State Highway 16 extension. A workshop with the
stakeholders and the proposed plan attempts to mesh diverse opinions, while providing
an opportunity for a unique sense of place. A significant consideration for the future land
use designations in this area with the Intermountain Liquefied Natural Gas Plant. You
can see there on the left and the right the gray area and on the right you will see the arrow
pointing to the -- where the tank is effectively at. Is important that this critical infrastructure
be considered in regard to separation of land uses and quality of life impacts related to
light, noise, and other impacts. Intermountain wanted a one quarter mile or approximately
one thousand foot buffer around that facility. The topography out there and the actual
location of the tank, the canals generally make a good break point for that, so you will see
in the right the -- the kind of color lines around that are canals. The exception there would
be south of it where that buffer also fell was on the property. Similar to the comments I
just made about the wastewater treatment plant, we don't want to put nonresidential
behind residential, so that entire area there we designated with mixed use nonresidential.
That would allow anything but residential. State Highway 16 is also worth calling out .
This area is generally separated by a highway or by a future highway with grade
separated underpasses and interchanges. That's the dashed line pink and white there
west of McDermott Road. It will feel unique for the rest of Meridian. And so one of the
conversations and requests we had was to have their own neighborhood commercial
center. With commercial on State Highway 20-26 and commercial that naturally wants to
go around high schools, that's a little easier said than done. What you are seeing here is
an attempt to preserve a core kind of condensed area, rather than stripped commercial
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along the arterial roadways and, then, per a market analysis the rooftops have been
increased within this area to support that desired commercial center. Staff is not
proposing any revisions to the steering committee or to the Planning and Zoning
Commission recommendation, which is what you see here. We just wanted to put you
on notice that this is one of the areas that may be prioritized for additional work. So, we
discussed potentially doing a master plan, specific area plan, neighborhood plans, things
of that nature, to fully realize this area. It would -- we should probably do some more
work here in the future to identify parks, specific roadway alignments, pathways and even
drill down into where some of the uses go.
Bernt: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Bernt.
Bernt: Sorry to interrupt, Brian. Thank you. Quick -- just real quick question. In the
steering committee we spoke about these more specific areas that were highlighted in
discussion. We were going to provide some type of a way in which people or developers
or future applicants would know that there is more specific -- like a -- more of a specific
plan in regard to this area. Are you still going to continue to do that or do something
different to make -- make sure that future developers know that we are looking for certain
items going on here?
McClure: Madam Mayor, Councilman Bernt, we don't have -- so we can do that. So, for
example, the Ten Mile plan has a red dashed -- red dashed outline around it. We could
do something like that. We are not contemplating that here, because for development to
really take off here west of what's already been improved requires some significant
infrastructure improvements and we feel like we have some time before that kind of
flushes itself out and takes place.
Bernt: Madam Mayor, follow up. Without getting into the weeds, just -- just -- just so
people will know -- just like how -- just so they know in the future we have -- the city has
a more specific plan going on here for this land use. That's all I'm saying.
McClure: So, the proposal you have before you tonight does not reflect that, but you are
certainly welcome to propose that as part of how we move forward or next week. As I
mentioned, transportation, parks, and pathways all need a deeper dive and some master
plan -- specific area plan to ensure that they meet the larger vision would be helpful. I
should note some of that might not be land use changes . Some of that might just be
architectural standards, open space -- specific types of open space, things of that nature.
As much as -- this area, much like south Meridian, will be disconnected from the rest of
north Meridian and may benefit from additional design architectural standards to ensure
it retains a sense of place and, then, a commercial center is an anchor and attractor and
a destination. So, this is the Overland-Eagle area. Obviously, east of Overland -- north
of Overland Road, west to the Ridenbaugh Canal and south of I-84. Not all areas in this
section, while contemplated change to the future land use map, the subject area generally
applies to be -- what's known as the Rolling Hill and Jewel Subdivisions in unincorporated
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Ada county. Essentially, the light green area on the left is an enclave of count y stuck
between annexed areas of the city of Boise and the City of Meridian. Staff is supportive
of this change and the Planning and Zoning Commission did recommend this forward to
City Council. However, given the rapid speed of development of the commercial property,
speculation and acquisition and high visibility and traffic in this area, there is some
concerns with the proposed mixed use regional land use designation absent of some
additional planning work. There is a high degree of opportunity for fragmented services
-- services and development that could exacerbate transportation issues on Overland
Road, which is a planned seven lane road in ACHD's capital improvement plan. The area
should be considered as a whole and access maintained to all properties without one-off
access onto Overland Road. The city -- the city should not be put in a position where
access to Overland Road -- Road must be provided simply because some property takes
longer or redevelops first. If approved please expect staff to recommend and prioritize
some additional review to consider transportation and connectivity, services, and
threshold -- thresholds for phased implementation of improvements. Changes -- if you
have been out here, change is rapidly occurring in this area, so -- in summary, there is no
changes here. What you are seeing is the steering committee and Planning and Zoning
Commission recommendation on the right. We just need to do some more work sooner
than later. This is the Southern Rim area and was one of the four areas of study I
mentioned before. There is lots of changes in here. Most of them were to the mixed use
areas or to existing and entitled areas. An example would be the Tuscany and Reflection
Ridge areas. These were identified on the future land use map as low density residential,
but developed as medium density residential. So, that was one of the kind of , quote,
cleanup changes we made to the area. Aside from the area adjacent to the Mary
MacPherson Elementary School, neither the consultants or staff were able to identify any
additional view opportunities for low density residential, which had been an original goal.
So, what I mean by view -- view is southern rim is -- is -- has a -- has a great view and we
were hoping that maybe we could provide some opportunities for additional estate kind
of CEO home locations, but if you kind of look at the gray lines on this map, so you can
see a huge amount of -- it's already basically developed, either in the county or in this
city. This area remains distinct nonetheless and there is a great deal of opportunity for
next steps and other work may benefit additional architectural guidelines , open space
considerations, neighborhood districts and more, some of those things that Caleb
discussed earlier. Our policies for some of that -- and we will have to prioritize that with
other work as part of next steps if the plan is approved. One other note, but on the left is
the adopted plan. What you are not seeing there, because of the labels, is some of the
existing neighborhood center overlays. So, some of those that exist in this area currently,
they are not being shown simply because they don't fit, but they are there. The Planning
and Zoning Commission did recommend this -- did not recommend any additional
changes in this area and what you are seeing on the right is their recommendation to you.
I do want to stress the areas being shown here or described, the highlighted areas in kind
of that teal and aqua green color, those are the areas I'm speaking to you right now. There
have been some other changes contemplated as part of the staff recommendation, as
part of the steering committee recommendation to you, outside of this area. So, the
Planning and Zoning Commission did not make any changes within the highlighted areas,
but there are some changes outside of that and those will be discussed later. And to cut
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to the chase, the Rustler Lane -- the Rustler Lane area on Ten Mile and Amity is one of
them. This area -- we have been folding referring to it as Magic Bridge. It is the Magic
View and Locust View and Woodbridge area. Most of the area you see there on Franklin
-- or I guess you don't see it on Franklin, but most the area just south of Franklin is
developed. This area is diverse in land use and age of structures and infrastructure. It,
however, suffers from extremely poor connectivity among city and county subdivisions .
Other neighborhoods is this area is the Locust View Heights neighborhood, which
includes several smaller subdivisions there along Locust Grove. This is an older county
subdivision and it has no vehicular outlet towards Eagle Road or connectivity to
Woodbridge, the subdivision to the north. The land use consists of largely one acre lots
in this area and each have their own well and septic systems. This neighborhood fronts
both I-84 and Locust Grove, which has signalized access on Bentley Drive. Early on in
the plan development process staff had hopes the neighborhood, like some other older
county subdivisions, would be interested in redevelopment long term , maximizing the
location visibility and potentially selling for higher values. Also the stakeholders were
interested in providing written and verbal comments. The majority of residents -- and I
will underscore majority -- did not buy into this concept. This is a unique situation with a
secluded estate size lot county subdivision in the heart of the community. There is lots of
nearby development on major -- on a major interstate and bookended by local arterials,
namely, Locust Grove and Eagle. This property being located in the area of city impact ,
we need to plan for providing urban level services, an opportunity to address service
issues, to improve connectivity, and to provide these opportunities to capitalize on
synergies with healthcare related education and employment was explorative with the
residents, consultants and stakeholders. From the services standpoint the important
concern here is how the subdivision will become part of the city someday. Individual well
and septic systems in such a close geographic area is not sustainable long term or in
anyone's best interest. Maintaining these systems on only one acre and in such close
geographic density is a long term liability. Residents in Locust Heights were mostly
opposed to any future change to the future land use services or the current way of life.
It's easy to understand why they want to remain insulated, but there is limited recognition
of long term service issues for the city's responsibility to plan for such services for future
liability and risk of failing services or for increasingly stringent requirements with septic
systems. Without commitment and plans to address services in the future, staff believes
that this neighborhood and the larger community is at risk if conditions slip and there is
not an action plan to provide critical utilities. The Planning and Zoning Commission
recommended the concept on the right to City Council. This recommendation will allow
for the property owners -- this -- this recommendation will allow for the property owner to
do long term development for all portions -- for all or portions of this neighborhood, which
would have to pay for remediation of the existing well and septic systems, new services,
and provide for greater connectivity in the area. In exchange greater intensity of uses
near the interstate would be allowed while transitioning -- transitioning to the less
intensive adjacent uses. Areas not redeveloped could not excluded or nonconforming if
some redevelopment were to make services more available to them and the properties
chose to annex and hook up in the future. This area might also benefit from further master
planning if a greater vision was desired along this corridor. This area encompasses --
this Black -- Black Cat, Cherry, and the railroad area and I think it's over by McDermott
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Road, west of Black Cat and north of the railroad tracks. Staff believes that the future
extension of State Highway 16 and planned industrial uses to the west and south in
Canyon county will drastically shape the look and feel of this area long term. From the
industrial plant in Nampa along the railroad is heavy industrial and impact of those
facilities may extend much further than the property lines . An alternative to the steering
committee and staff proposed recommendations in the staff report was discussed and
recommended forward by the Planning and Zoning Commission. So, this is one of the
changes I mentioned that wanted to change that I mentioned earlier. The concept
previously recommended to the steering committee by the project consultants reduced
the overall industrial area. The industrial area in this concept -- you will see it on the right
-- was pulled down and basically in line where Pine would be extended to the west if it
were to be extended, below the Skyview ranchettes along El Gato Lane and effectively
bound between what would be Pine Avenue to the extension to the west and the railroad
tracks to the south. The Planning and Zoning Commission -- the Planning and Zoning
recommendation would increase industrial opportunity where it was currently planned and
allow for rail access, which is a rare opportunity in the city. There is a need to designate
more lands in Meridian -- in Meridian's area of city impact for future industrial uses. Even
today industrial land is in short supply. The city often struggles with missed employment
opportunities due to limited availability. Industrial lands with rail access is even more
limited. Ultimately this Comprehensive Plan is tasked with planning for the future needs
of the city and a well balanced land use portfolio is important for the long term health of
the community and a balanced and diverse job market . And all concepts of mixed use
area was relocated to the inner city mixed use area on -- along the Cherry Lane was
relocated to the west in alignment with the civic designation there. That is a future
regional park and, then, that will also, then, be on a hard intersection corner where
commercial typically prefers to occur. Part of that justification -- there was also some
property on our request. Again, the recommendation you see on the right is the Planning
and Zoning Commission recommendation to City Council. I'm going to turn this back over
to Caleb now.
Hood: So, all of the map changes that -- that Brian just went through were vetted through
the steering committee. The one I'm going to talk about here for just a minute actually
was a late add, a late request that came in, but really makes a lot of sense from staff 's
perspective, but I just want to disclose that this one wasn't vetted through the steering
committee. I know there is some -- some neighbors in the audience tonight, but you can
see from adopted future land use to the P&Z Commission recommendation -- and I
believe a lot of you -- probably all of you received some e-mails probably about a month
ago, six weeks ago, the past month from a lot of these residents. There is a potential
development -- it hasn't been submitted to us, but we have been talking with them -- kind
of where it says medium density residential on the northwest corner of Linder and Amity,
I think that -- they are going through a neighborhood meeting or having conversations at
the same time this was and so I started to talk with neighbors out there and this came up
and I said, yeah, you know what, low density really makes sense for your properties,
because of what they are and what we envision them being even into the future medium
density doesn't make sense. So, this was one that -- again, that wasn't on staff's radar,
but certainly makes a lot of sense from our perspective and the Planning and Zoning
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Commission concurred last month. This also ties in with some of the rural estate
designation that I will -- that I will talk about kind of concurrently -- a little bit different, but
it -- but it's all kind of inner -- interlinked. So, we know -- we knew going into this project
that we needed to amend our area of city impact with Kuna. Kuna has annexed some
properties in our planning area, so you can see it on the exhibit on the right-hand side
everything that's white there is non -Meridian. So, in -- kind of where it says southwest
Meridian and south of that, Kuna has annexed large portions of that into their city. To that
point, if you look to the exhibit on the left, we had planned for a large portion of those
properties to be rural estate residential. So, we currently have on our map a rural estate
residential designation. My opinion it has not served the city well thus far. All it does is,
basically, push those that want to develop with that designation to another city that will
provide them sewer and water service. It doesn't -- we can't preserve those lands as
rural. You are going to have some of those folks over time -- I'm not saying this
generation, it may not even be the next generation -- sometime down the line they are
going to want to develop that property. Unless they get compensated for that we really
don't have any other tools to preserve, protect ag land. We are exploring things, so kind
of a little bit of a tangent. This plays in with open space a little bit. We are trying to
understand from our community members what open space means to them and maybe
what they would be willing to pay for. Take example the Foothills Levy in Boise. If you
really value ag land you are going to probably have to buy it and so is -- how much do we
value ag land. We are about to find out, but to just put it on this map doesn't preserve it.
We can color it whatever color, it doesn't make it happen in reality. We are going to push
it to Nampa or down to Kuna or if you want to use The Fields area example, Star. Star is
encroaching in our area of impact now. So, if you want to designate some of those good
farmland that's up there, they are going to want to develop it and they will go to Star,
because they will provide the sewer and water service for them. So -- you know, we are
planning for a city here. I like to eat food , too. I get it. We need to -- we need to have
some food to eat and I like it to be close as well and Bruce will talk a little bit about this.
It's just so difficult, we don't have the tools in our toolbox to really preserve large land
holdings of rural -- for agricultural purposes anyways -- properties. So, there is really kind
of three different issues going on here and that's one, right, is -- is agricultural purposes.
In other words, open space. Some people kind of say they want, you know, larger estate
lots for the open space field and that's something that we can accommodate I think with
our low density residential designation, which, again, the density range in there is zero --
a five acre -- you can do a five acre lot, you can do a three acre lot -- ten acre lot if you
wanted to -- up to roughly a third of an acre lot . I mean three dwelling units per acre;
right? That's -- that's what that designation is for. So, open space estate lots and
agriculture kind of all get lumped into some of the same dialogue sometimes and we ca n
address some of that and others makes it a little bit more difficult. But if we don't either
buy those properties or compensate -- buy their development rights or something -- to
just color properties on a map rural estate or designate them agricultural doesn't make it
so. We need to follow that up, then, with -- with some -- a real tool. And we do have
policies -- and, again, I mentioned that even in my opening remarks about increasing the
amount of open space and making it usable and even the ameniti es package, increasing
that. So, that is something that we -- we concur with -- what we are hearing from the
community members. Let's step up our game, raise that bar or whatever you want to say
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there, when it comes to new -- new projects and open space and amenity packages. So,
the Planning and Zoning Commission recommendation, again, is highlighted there in the
southwest Meridian and south rim areas. What you don't see in this one, again, is the
one I showed you on the previous slide, which is the Rustler Lane properties going to low
density as well. So, there is changes to both the map and the legend here. That's -- this
is trying to show -- the other thing that the Planning and Zoning Commission
recommended -- and I'm going to jump to the next slide -- is they heard -- they heard
public testimony and imagine you will hear more of this evening -- that the city should plan
to preserve, again, the agricultural heritage and maintain or enhance additional rural land
uses. The Commission's response was to recommend Council consider an ultra-low
designation and/or to look at transitions and existing rural neighborhoods that will likely
not significantly change or redevelop over time. So, again, I think the properties on
Rustler are a good example of that, where you could see some lot splitting going on , but
you are not going to see wholesale development out there. You might see another home
on a ten acre parcel to have two fives or even a five maybe even being split into a three
and a two, but you aren't going to see those houses razed and new subdivisions go in.
So, in response to the Commission's action and the public testimony, staff, in conjunction
with our consultant team, proposes the following additions to the low density residential
designation and what you see in underline is what is new that we believe addresses what
the Commission, essentially, charged staff or requested Council to look at properties and
come up with an ultra-low designation. I don't know if now is the appropriate time to get
into all the reasons of why maybe staff doesn't support that , but just suffice it to say we
believe we -- for now we -- that we believe that this designation as enhanced really
promotes the more estate residential within low density and the transition, too, to respect
those that have larger lots as you develop next to them to transition appropriately to those,
whether it be through open space, but your overall design and density. So, that's -- it's
just one more point on that. Our -- our low density has a pretty narrow density range. I
mentioned before medium is three to eight. So, five dwelling unit variation within that
designation. Medium high eight to 15. Seven dwelling unit variation per acre and that
doesn't -- this is zero to three. That's a pretty small window. I realize that -- that can be
a big difference; right. If you did a ten acre lot and you did a third of an acre lot, those are
way different sizes, but the zero to three really isn't that much of a range when it comes
to a range of densities in -- relatively speaking to our other density. If you go after medium
high, that's eight to 15. Fifteen to 40, that's a huge variation; right? So, you know, we are
pretty -- no, that's a good chunk of Meridian. Three to four dwelling units per acre is a
typical Meridian subdivision. So, I just want to make that point, too, that that's pretty
narrowly focused in -- in the realm of -- when it comes to density that's -- that's pretty
narrow. To come up with another one that's even smaller than that, again, we just don't
necessarily think that that's needed. And, again, in conjunction with some of the other
policies we have about transitioning and respecting things. I don't want to dwell too much
on this. Again, this is just another exhibit that, essentially, shows the same thing. That
post adoption we will be submitting an application to Ada county to recognize our planning
boundary changes, as well as the new -- new plan in and of itself and we will be likely
jointly filing with the city of Kuna, since we are currently on the same page with them on
this boundary. So, that's just to reiterate that we have been coordinating with them on
this boundary. Okay. So, those are the map -- at least the map changes we generally
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know about tonight or that have been through Planning and Zoning Commission. So,
again, we are going to pause. It may be more appropriate to hear public testimony and,
then, do more questions, but if you have any initial questions we would certainly pause
and try to answer those.
De Weerd: Okay. Council, any initial comments or questions? Okay.
Borton: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Borton.
Borton: I do. Just -- just some initial comments. Thank you, Caleb and Brian, for the --
for the background. I think some added context for the public here and whoever might
be watching on YouTube, I think kind of the -- the methodical process of walking through
this is really important. We have got 300 -- I think 367 letters in the last 60 days, which
we have gone through all of them, and each of them hit on a lot of the elements that we
have heard and one of the -- one of the components of the Comprehensive Plan to make
it successful necessitates that we, in one sense, go slow to go fast and what I think that
process means and where it might -- or the basis for receiving everything today,
contemplating, considering it, in addition everything in writing, and addressing and maybe
a decision if it's next week -- or sometime soon is one of the key elements that -- that this
plan has with it is the action that happens after it and we have got lots of great comment
we have all read from many of you that talks about once the plan is adopted there are
some short term and -- and, then, longer term UDC amendments to code to implement
and to ensure that some of these principles are captured. Those take some pretty careful
thought and consideration. So, as we go through it and all of the detailed testimony that
you have provided to P&Z and in writing and here today, there is some great value in
taking -- just to take your time and chewing on that , because we are going to launch this
with action soon thereafter. So, I think one of the reasons, Madam Mayor, that your idea
of -- of having a hard stop at 11:00, receiving all this testimony and considering it and
discussing it without feeling compelled to -- to rush and act and go, is for a particular
purpose and I think it's going to make it more effective long term. Some -- just for the
public that is testifying, some of the more overarching themes that I saw in all of the -- the
written testimony concerns what both Caleb and Brian referenced and I think maybe your
comments might hit on it, too, is that low density concept, low density, ultra-low density,
rural and if we all understand from our staff and from your comments and the give and
take of what that designation means, but we -- this plan has been developed by you all
and we have stayed out of designing it, try and let the public design it. So, I think that's
one of the principles we have heard -- at least get it to the stage in a lot of the writings
and I have heard staff trying to incorporate that , capturing that low density designation
potential and the other one is open space and the importance of open space and -- and
understanding that when this plan is adopted there will be some relatively swift action to
our UDC to try and ensure those principles are captured quickly. That's what we heard
you all tell us is really important. Those are -- there is many other provisions, quite frankly,
that -- that you have all raised, but we have captured that from the 300 and some odd
letters that's extremely valuable to this process. So, I just thought it might be helpful -- if
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it helps frame some of the testimony that might come, we -- we have read it loud and
clear. Among those principles those two are pretty important and we are going to make
sure the -- the comp plan and the UDC addresses those as well. I think Councilman
Bernt's idea -- Bernt's idea of -- of noting on the map makes great sense, too. We will
work on that. I think that's -- will provide some -- I guess some heads up to developers
and landowners that we are going to -- we are going to identify these specific areas. So,
again, it's not a question necessarily, but it provides some context for our review of the
process and kind of the reason that we are going through it in this fashion. It might seem
a little slow to do it over the course of two hearings , but I think there is valuable purpose
in doing so.
Hood: And, Madam Mayor, if I can. Sorry that we have taken so long to get us to this
point and we are just about ready to hear, you know, public testimony, too. But I do --
again I hope that this is valuable information to set the foundation f or where we are at.
You can take it where ever and go with it, but we thought the things we have shared thus
far are important. I will just quickly -- we have about -- just a handful of slides more before
we are finally done. So, I appreciate it -- everyone's patience tonight, those in the
audience, at the dais, for just bearing with us tonight, so --
De Weerd: Well, I hope that our public also finds value in -- in seeing all of this roll out
and the rationale behind it. So, I think it helps to inform the testimony as well.
Borton: Madam Mayor, just -- just one other point. During one of the breaks our clerk
made additional copies of the map that you are seeing on the screen that I think are on
the table in the back. So, if you need -- want to grab one and look at it while we are going
through this, it might be easier than trying to see it up on the TV screen, so --
De Weerd: Well -- and as we bring up the larger groups I will ask if the clerk can -- or
planning can put it up on the screen what area we are looking for -- at. So, Caleb, did
you say you had a few more slides before we start taking test imony?
Hood: I did. Just -- just a handful of slides here. So -- so Brian -- we are just going to
spend just a minute on what this document, then, will look like online. It's an interactive
document. We just wanted to kind of give you a little bit of a taste of what it's going to
look like post adoption. So, obviously, it's not adopted, this isn't live. It's not -- not there
yet, but we wanted to spend just a minute -- Brian kind of walking you through that.
McClure: So, one of the things we heard, particularly in line with comments like the -- the
step up concept, was just transparency and people being able to understand the
Comprehensive Plan. So, one of the -- the key objectives of the scope of work and what
we wanted to accomplish was a plan that was more transparent and was more accessible.
So, this is not done, so we would love feedback if you have any and that's why I'm telling
you now. Generally, though, this is the landing page. You can see the themes, along with
the elements, so people understand where they need to go to find the topics they are
interested in. There is also a quick links down here to the policy statements. So , for
example, if we click on parks and pathways, you will be taken to a page that has all the
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policies related to parks and pathways. You can view them in bite size or all of them.
They are sortable and searchable. So, it's completely on the fly. So, increase -- these
are all the policies that are related to parks that have the words increase. So , it's meant
to be there on your fingertips. This also does work well in mobile format, so you sit down,
you can see now -- this is how it would look on your phone as a collapsible menu. The
map is interactive.
De Weerd: Not while you are in your car.
McClure: Not while you are in your car. Yes. You have to pull over. The -- the themes
are here. So, if you go to -- for example, this is all of our land use stuff. This is other
resources. The map. Currently we have an interactive version of this, but we have
maintained that and we are also trying to create a better correlation and link with other
agency plans, such as ACHD's master street map. You can get that information from here
as well. So, just super briefly. Please consider looking at this over the next coming weeks
before -- preferably before we move forward to a resolution of some sort and, then, we
can, then, go live with any changes or requests you guys might have. So, I guess lastly
for me there are a few other changes I wanted you to be aware of moving into a resolution
that apparently won't be denied, but next week or weeks after, if you -- if you all appreciate
the new plan, the -- the resolution document will include some additional consistency --
consistency improvements in formatting. So, some things will look more similar, some
things -- the colors. They will be more readable. Just things like that. They are not
substantive changes to text or policies, just touch and fill. There is a few revised photos.
Some of the photos in the current plan are not very good quality and we had a better
quality, so we replaced the photo. And, then, there are a few fun relevant quotes in some
of the -- in some of the sections, such as economic development or community design.
And, then, also removing a few old quotes that seemed a little weird, like Confucius or
something. So, just -- if you have any concerns with those and we have those itemized,
I will be happy to provide them, but none of them are text related and none of them are
policy. Just mostly -- a few next steps for the -- for the website. We plan to add more
hyperlinks, so to our specific area plans, such as destination downtown, Ten Mile plan we
will -- we have got those hyperlinked and we have those indicated early on , but we will
add more of them everywhere. We also plan for -- to update additional resources. Our
cut sheets are incredibly popular. We plan to update those to bring them in alignment
with a new plan and we also plan similar to the website to have interactive versions as
those are available in mobile format without having to downloa d a PDF and, then, lastly,
something I really like to have as a compound specific search function. So , when you
search in another comp plan it doesn't go off two parks, but that's not there yet.
Something we hope to do in the future.
Hood: So, Madam Mayor and Council, I mean Brian's been great throughout this project,
but Cat Roebuck up in IT and Brian and the website is -- it's -- it's going to be awesome.
I know we ran through it real quick there, but I think it's just -- they have been just -- crazy
to watch some of the e-mails back and forth and what they are doing. So, I'm -- I'm really
excited for how user friendly this is going to be once the final version gets adopted and
we are out there. So, anyways, just big kudos to him and -- and Catherine for -- for
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working on it thus far. So, really cool. And, then, in conclusion, Bruce is going to kind of
cover the last couple few slides here. So, Bruce Meighen with -- with Logan Simpson.
Meighen: Hi. Good evening.
De Weerd: Good evening. If you will state your name.
Meighen: Yeah. Bruce Meighen with Logan Simpson. Well, I want to thank you for having
me up here and -- and the good news for yourselves and the audience behind me is I'm
closing with three slides. So, we are almost to the end. But I can tell you to start off with
this has been a great journey. It has been 18 months. I know that, because I turned 50
during that 18 months and my two twin daughters turned 21. So , I can tell you it's been
a little while. But I want to first by -- first start by thanking the community steering
committee, staff, Planning and Zoning, as well as the public for their dedication. It is not
easy to plan for a city of this size and this c omplexity, something that's grown this fast.
So, it is a labor of love and a labor of commitment that you are doing this and the members
behind me, the community and staff has dedicated their last two years to making sure
that this is a great place. To start off with, it is clear that you are at the center -- center of
the valley, center -- center of the nation in terms of where you -- where you are located
and that's just the reality that you live in. It's a blessing for some. For others, you know,
it's something that you have to think carefully on. You are also one of the top five growing
cities in the U.S. Not of a certain size -- not of a small town, but have a large city. So,
you are a city. I think more importantly is you are rated the top pla ce to live. So, this is
the place to live all across the country and the reason you are is because of the amenities
you provide, the affordability that's provided, the housing diversity, and the access to jobs
and that's very important to recognize where you stand and why people care so much
and why the -- this plan is so important. Also something that people may not realize is
you are a city beside a big city and why that's important is people are seeking out places
that are not large large cities, they are looking for places that have access to a huge city,
but are not a large city. Places where you can have the amenities, the parks and open
space and a little bit more space for your families. Places where you can start here, have
the housing diversity to live your life and, then, age in place. That is extremely attractive
not only to everyone in this room, but, more importantly, it is what our young folks -- our
millennials and now as I know back to my -- my kids, Gen Z is what we should be talking
about -- are seeking out -- are these edge areas where there is urbanity, but there is also
a little bit more room to breathe. The result is that Meridian will continue to grow and,
therefore, a thoughtful plan like this one that really stresses our values are very important.
Now, the key to making sure that this works are livability and amenities and making sure
that we preserve this place for everyone in this room , our whole community, but also
thinking for our next generations and sometimes that's hard to do for the people who are
going to come after us and making sure that they have a place to start their lives, to raise
a family, and to retire in a place that they love and I think most importantly is there is a lot
of great things in this plan, but this -- the work really starts now and I actually put this as
a call to action, because the words are in there for open space, for transitions, for how we
move, for how we play and live and so on and those words are in this plan, but they have
to be followed up with the next steps and that's where the real work begins and that's
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making sure that we place the codes, the plans, the design guidelines, the neighborhood
plans and other standards necessary that really results in true implementation and really
fulfills the wishes of our community. On that note thank you very much and I appreciate
working on this project.
De Weerd: Thank you. Council, any questions? Okay. Thank you. Okay. Nothing
further from staff at this time? We will move into our public testimony and I will ask the
city clerk to call up our first -- first spokesperson.
Johnson: Thank you, Madam Mayor. Our first is David Claiborne.
De Weerd: Good evening. If you will, please, state your name and address for the record.
And staff is pulling up the area that you are referencing.
Claiborne: Okay. Thank you.
De Weerd: And that's on the screen in front of you. And, again, the time will be in the
upper corner, so you can keep track of your time as well.
Claiborne: Okay. Thank you, Madam Mayor --
De Weerd: Thank you.
Clairborne: -- Members of the Council. My name is David Claiborne. I am an attorney
with Sawtooth Law Offices. Our address is 1101 West River Street, Suite 110, Boise,
Idaho. 83702. And I'm here this evening representing a group of homeowners within
Locust View Heights Subdivision, which is shown on screen. It is that area northeast of
Locust Grove and Interstate 84. So, it's approximately a 50 acre subdivision, currently in
unincorporated Ada county, but within your area of impact. It has been singled out in --
for special attention by staff in their report and in the P&Z recommendation and they are
calling it the Magic Bridge area as you see there. I would note that through the public
processes -- and I -- you know, I -- these comprehensive planning processes are always
long processes for every community and it involves a lot of public engagement and a lot
of public work. This one I'm hearing tonight was an 18 month process and what you are
seeing on the right-hand side here, this P&Z recommendation, is something that didn't
come along until month, what, 16 in the process after the steering committee had -- had
made its recommendation and suggestions that this neighborhood maintain a low density
character. So, through all the -- the public processes that staff championed -- and I
applaud them for that -- this -- this concept you are now seeing and being asked to
approve is not what the public was engaged on throughout the 16 months of this process
and I think that's important to take note of and important to step back and pause before
you -- before you act. So -- and I don't think it was fairly presented that the steering
committee recommendation -- the application here for this area was a request that this
neighborhood remain in low density character. So , Locust View Heights is -- it's an estate
style subdivision. It was platted and developed in the early 1970s and by I think -- I think
there is an understanding, but by estate style I mean that the lot sizes around one acre
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and it's currently zoned by the county as R-1. They are primarily residential dwellings
with individual wells and septic. A neighborhood of this character and style is fairly unique
in our growing urban areas and one that ought to be preserved. It gives an opportunity
for those that would enjoy open space in their living area, fresh air, quiet, low traffic and
a place where they can have larger animals. It's a -- this place -- this neighborhood is a
place where families have grown, expanded, and lived for generations. There is multi-
generational families in the neighborhood and it's a neighborhood with a character that
provides habitat and buffer between the freeway and more dense development and I think
it's fair to say that this type of -- that demand for this type of a neighborhood can be
expected and housing of this nature can be expected to continue in the future and it would
not decrease in the face of urbanization . I think there will still be a high demand for this
type of living in the city on somewhat of a country -- country type feel. So, the
homeowners within Locust View Heights, they oppose the -- what you see on the right,
which is the P&Z Commission recommendation. They, of course, favor the application as
filed by the steering committee that would maintain the low density designation. So,
essentially, the -- what we are here to talk about is that FLUM, the F-L-U-M. I don't think
that the neighborhood as a lot have concerns with the text of the Comprehensive Plan. It
centers really around the FLUM as amended by P&Z upon staff recommendation and I
think we can all recognize that -- and I think it was mentioned today -- that adoption of the
plan -- it's not annexation, it's not rezoning, but the concern of these neighbors is still not
something to be taken lightly. The Comprehensive Plan creates a roadmap, a guide for
the future growth and development and where you intend to go with this -- with these
people's homes. As Council Member Borton mentioned, that -- that he would expect you
would take swift action implementing this thing and as we all know when you look at
applications for rezone or applications for annexation, one of the boxes you have to check
is whether or not the proposed use is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan. So, the
-- the -- the FLUM is important as we move forward. The steering committee
recommendation was the area remained low density and that had public support and I
assume that's why they recommended it. The staff has recommended otherwise ,
suggesting segregation of the neighborhood into new uses. There is three of them I'm
seeing now. A medium density, a mixed use neighborhood and commercial and that was
also the P&Z recommendation. Not quite sure fully why it's recommended to change it
into these three uses. There are other low density residential areas along the I -84
corridor, even in the FLUM as recommended by staff that has adjacent commercial areas
and they are not suggesting to change that from low density residential. So , this area is
being pointed -- you know, especially pulled out. The statement is made in the staff report
-- heard it here -- here again today that somehow this neighborhood poses a liability or a
long term liability. It's -- it's not safe or it's unhealthy in some way and the neighbors --
the homeowners in here they take exception to that com ment. There is no -- the
statements made without any supporting reference. So, I don't know where they get their
data that there is something unhealthy or unsafe going on in this neighborhood. Yes , they
have wells. Yes, they have septic systems. Lots of communities do. They are still safe
to live in. Septic systems are designed to dispose of waste in a safe way. So , just saying
that people have septic systems makes their property unhealthy and unsafe, this
neighborhood takes exception to that. There is nothing -- no soil studies or anything to
suggest that anything unhealthy is going on in the neighborhood. We would ask the City
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Council to resist the temptation to let staff make its policy, defer to the steering committee
that worked for 16 to 18 months to develop community based policy. The desired future
use -- it would fundamentally alter where this neighborhood would go in the future allowing
incompatible uses with -- incompatible to the -- the one acre style use that's there now.
The -- if -- and I understand tonight that there may not be action taken -- a vote taken,
but, you know, one thing we wanted to ask was that -- and take note of was that if you are
not prepared to -- to reject the Planning and Zoning recommendation on this area, if you
are not prepared to adopt a Comprehensive Plan that's consistent with the application
made by the steering committee, that perhaps the action be tabled. We understand the
city's in -- in a transition nature right now with a new Mayor and new Council Members
expected soon and they may have a different feel and a different vision and it would be a
shame if we bound the city to a new Comprehensive Plan without their input, particularly
where the new Mayor was part of the steering committee that recommended that this
subdivision remain low density in character. So, thank you for the opportunity to present
the comments. I would, of course, take any questions that anyone might have. Thank
you.
De Weerd: Thank you. Council, any questions?
Cavener: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Cavener.
Cavener: This is more of a process question for us for tonight. Beginning of what I expect
to be a significant amount of public testimony, heard from -- this individual is representing
a group, has posed some questions. From a process standpoint are you wanting us to
collect those questions and, then, give staff the opportunity to respond at the end, a
significant amount of closing responses, or are we wanting to maybe take them as each
piece of testimony is presented?
De Weerd: I think it's very beneficial if you have questions at this time to ask those of the
spokesperson.
Cavener: Madam Mayor, then, I guess a couple of questions for -- for Caleb and/or Brian.
For me there is two. This individual referenced the change was made at month 16, maybe
giving Council some understanding as to why that change was made and, then, the
concern about -- the basis of your concern around the health and safety because of these
county residents using a septic and well system, what's the basis of your concern, why
did you decide to share that with us.
Hood: So, Madam Mayor, Members of the Council, we actually reached out in February
to the neighborhood and had two or three different concepts -- that's what I was trying to
pull up was the concepts we shared at the meeting that was held here in conference room
A-B. It didn't look exactly like what you see on the right, but it was really, really close.
There were some more details, like roadways and potential open spaces. So, we kind of
tried to dress it up a little bit, so it kind of brought some reality to it, because this is pretty
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dry when you just look at browns and yellows on a map, so we tried to kind of color in,
but, essentially, those concepts were developed in February and shared with the
neighborhood. Quite frankly, the steering committee went back and forth between
adopted and leaving the subdivision low density and a concept on the right , although,
again, there were some versions of that of where do you transition the commercial and
the mixed use neighborhood in there, but this -- it isn't necessarily new and it has been
vetted through the steering committee. The last vote that the steering committee had --
and just, by the way, the steering committee didn't really vote on the se things, but
generally there was consensus on -- on everything that the -- that the steering committee
did. This one, though, we talked about several times throughout our 14 different meetings
and the last time we talked about it was what was presented on the left , essentially. The
leave -- leave it alone. But the concept, again, wasn't -- it didn't just come about a couple
months ago, it's been on the table, so to speak, for at least since February. Regarding
the -- and I haven't read that. I think the -- the intent that what we are trying to really call
out -- and maybe if Brian wants to address the second part of that question. Yeah, septic
systems and wells are designed to function. Over time, though, being in the middle of a
city, if it's going to be an all planning area, we are charged by state code with planning to
provide services to those properties. So, at some point in time we envision those not
drilling new wells, not putting in new drain fields, but instead hooking up to city service --
services. Water and sewer. So, we aren't trying to mischaracterize that there is a -- today
a life safety health issue out there, but really saying that over time our job is to plan for
serving this area with some level of the size of pipe and so if it's going to be just for single
family homes, that's one size of pipe. If it's going to be for mixed use and more intense
uses, that's a different size of pipe. So, I'm sorry if we offended anybody in that analysis
and I haven't read it just now. That -- that certainly wasn't the intent. But like with Meridian
Heights, over time you just can't keep drilling and putting in septic drain fields when those
services are so close and DEQ and others say, hey, the service is relatively close, it's time
for them to hook up and if we haven't planned for that, then, we are going to be stuck in
an emergency situation and so -- I don't know if Brian has anything to add, but, again we
weren't trying to insinuate or even explicitly say there is an imminent safety health threat,
but just that over time the more reliable service would be city services.
De Weerd: Well -- and -- and certainly we have experience with that and other county
subs that we have had to provide city services to when their systems have failed. So,
yes, there is a reason we have to plan long term. Brian, did you have additional
information?
McClure: Madam Mayor, yes. So, this goes back to the DEQ and their requirements.
They don't permit new septic systems -- existing ones are different. But they don't permit
new septic systems under five acres for a reason. It's because every time you drill in
there -- every time you provide a new seepage bed and you add a well or septic system,
you are increasing the opportunity for something to go wrong, something to happen. They
-- DEQ -- they want these properties to become integrated into our services someday.
There is a health safety concern there. That's why they do have those requirements. We
did have neighbors out there -- some of the ones who were on the fence and some of the
ones who did testify that are having well and septic issues out there now. Septic issues
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is the ones coming to mind right now, but some of them -- you know, one of them shared
the story with the county that they don't let their -- they don't let their kids use -- flush
paper anymore, because they are running out of room for seepage beds and a lot of the
neighbors out there told me their systems are in good condition. So, there is -- there is a
variety of things out there. The concern is an aggregated total -- all them at some point
having an issue like Meridian Heights and the city having to -- at the last minute basically
provide this service for them and not necessarily being compensated for all the things ,
including staff time, that goes into doing that. So, that was the thought that went into that
there. Certainly -- yeah, I can tell you honestly -- and some of the neighbors out there
say they have brand new systems out there and they are functioning very well. It's a long
-- the staff report does say that's long term consideration and concern.
De Weerd: Thank you, Brian. Anything further? Okay. Well, thank you for your testimony
this evening.
Claiborne: Thank you.
De Weerd: Thank you. Mr. Clerk.
Johnson: Thank you, Madam Mayor. Next is Kenzie Ward.
De Weerd: And so we are taking this in the order of how people signed up , instead of
how they came forward to say their names. So, we wanted to respect those that signed
up earlier. If you are wondering why it's in a particular order.
Johnson: Madam Mayor, I did just the -- the HOA reps first. Did you want --
De Weerd: Right.
Johnson: Oh, you did.
De Weerd: Yes.
Johnson: All right. Thank you.
De Weerd: Mr. Borton.
Borton: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Yes.
Borton: If anyone in the back can't hear -- we mumble sometimes. Just raise your hand
and we will --
De Weerd: And we will ask them to speak louder. So, thank you.
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Borton: Thanks.
De Weerd: Thank you for joining us. If you will, please, state your name and address for
the record.
Ward: Okay. My name is Kenzie Ward. My addresses 4605 South Rock Ranch Lane
and I'm representing Rock Ranch Estates. So, I'm a resident of Southwest -- west
Meridian in a rural neighborhood surrounded by families with five to ten acre properties
who all enjoy small scale agricultural practices and love living in our area of Meridian,
because of the wide open spaces and the beautiful view sheds of the Boise range. I'm
here representing my neighbors of Rock Ranch Estates and sharing our concerns with
the new Comprehensive Plan and the future land use map. First off we just want to say
a huge thank you to all the people who have spent so much time and effort into building
this plan and providing a vision for the future of Meridian. The foundation of this plan
being built on surveys from Meridian stakeholders was exactly where it needed to start.
However, we felt like somewhere along the way the visions and wishes of these residents
have been kind of buried deep down in this plan. So, our goal tonight -- and I think the
goal that we all have is to help bring the wishes of the people of Meridian back to the
forefront of this plan. I have lived in the Treasure Valley since I graduated from high
school, but before that I grew up on a dairy and have ridden horses my entire life and
have always dreamed of continuing on that rural lifestyle for my family and my children.
Five years ago my husband and I purchased a five acre lot in the outskirts of southwest
Meridian to build our forever home and have literally put blood, sweat, and tears into that
place, have done all the hard labor by ourselves. So, very few people have this
opportunity to grow up with enough open space to have livestock and horses . So, one of
our biggest concerns with this draft of the comp plan is the elimination of the rural
designation, which makes our rural lifestyle that we love impossible for future families in
Meridian. The comp plan itself has objectives indicating that Meridian needs a rural
designation to preserve prime farmland, especially in the area of impact as stated in
Objective 4.5.3, which states to preserve prime farmland within the area of city impact to
maintain rural character and to provide opportunities for local produce and continuing
farming operations. Eliminating the rural designation for large lots and farming operations
is also the elimination of the future of our farming operations, large and small, in Meridian.
A rural -- a very low designation needs to be kept in order to protect our open space and
agricultural practices. Our biggest concern with the future land use map is that it sorely
misidentifies the rural area of southwest Meridian and our neighborhood off of Amity as
medium density. This area is composed a brand new custom built five to ten acre rural
estate properties that will be around for many many years to come. The city planners
which have been awesome, they recommended to change Rock Ranch, as well as our
neighbors at Stetson Estates to low density, which is greatly appreciated and a huge step
in the right direction for us. However, a designation that could still include three houses
an acre, meaning as many as 15 to 30 houses on one of our five to ten acre properties is
still a huge misrepresentation of our current use and is not in line with the Objective
3.6.1A, which states to maintain the future land use map to reflect existing facilities. Even
a low designation of up to three houses an acre is not accurate for our existing uses and
we feel our area should be re-designated to stay rural, so that we continue our freedom
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and small ag practices. According to the draft comp plan it states as part of the city's
vision more neighborhoods should emphasize diverse open spaces and amenities to start
engaging places and identities and Meridian's strong historic character and charm. It also
states in Action Item 4.5.1F to preserve, protect, and provide open space for recreation
-- recreation, conservation, and anesthetics. The preservation of parks and open space
is also one of the key topics of land use according to the Meridian resident surveys. We
feel that one of the best ways to accomplish protecting our open spaces is to require a
higher percentage of open space in all new developments. The minimum requirement of
ten percent right now in the UDC is not nearly enough. In order to really help Meridian
preserve our rural heritage and remain a premier community, that number should be
immediately increased for all new developments. We feel it should be a high priority item
by updating the UDC as soon as possible to make sure that higher open space
requirement takes effect immediately. We also agree with the residents of the community
outreach survey and the importance of preserving neighborhood character and
sustainability and support making residential design standards and aesthetics p riority
items when it comes to future neighborhoods. Our area of southwest Meridian has a
distinct rural identity composed of families who love having space to garden, raise
livestock, ride horses, grow crops and have distance from our neighbors. We woul d like
to keep this area rural and support the creation of a neighborhood district identity in
southwest Meridian to provide design future land use guidelines to help implement --
implement Action 2.2.2F to ensure that new development within existing residential
neighborhoods is cohesive and complimentary in design and construction. We would
also like to see more language and policies that require adequate transitions between
different -- adjacent zoning designations, both between commercial, residential, and
varied residential densities. Language that requires adequate -- adequate landscape
buffers and large setbacks should be a part of this comp plan to protect existing
neighborhood identities from encroaching developments and more dense neighborhoods.
With that we urge you to follow the wishes of the stakeholders as indicated in the surveys
and bring their desires, as well as ours, back to the forefront of this plan. Most importantly,
bring back the rural designation to preserve what is left of the rural lifestyle of Meridian.
Increase the required open space for all new developments. Development distinct
neighborhood identities and require proper transitions between adjacent zoning
designations to help keep Meridian the city that we are proud to be part of. Once again,
we are all here because of our love of Meridian and concerned enough about our future
here to share our thoughts of how we wish to see this plan improved to help guide our
city in the future. You as our Mayor and our City Council Members are the only ones able
to set a higher bar for the future of our city and to tweak this draft plan to keep Meridian
the charming place that we all fell in love with. And thank you for your time.
Borton: Thank you, Mrs. Ward. Appreciate your comments. Council, any questions?
Bernt: One question.
Borton: Mr. Bernt.
Bernt: Was it Kenzie?
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Ward: Yeah.
Bernt: Thank you, Kenzie.
Ward: Thank you.
Bernt: So, in your -- in your -- when you were talking you mentioned, obviously, you want
the rural designation to stay, but you also mentioned an ultra-low designation. Would you
also support that?
Ward: I kind of feel like those are the same. I guess I'm not sure what ultra low versus
rural would be, but I guess in my mind --
Bernt: Depending on what the definition would be.
Ward: Right.
Bernt: Okay.
Borton: Any other questions?
Cavener: Mr. President?
Borton: Mr. Cavener.
Cavener: Not another question, just a comment, maybe a request. Kenzie, I hope that
when the City Council passes a comprehensive plan, whatever it looks like, your
comments about a neighborhood or district identity I think is important, something that
many years ago when I worked for the city and we really tried to engage the public on
and didn't get a lot of support. Hearing from the public that's something that we want gets
me really excited and I hope that when we get to that place that you come back and re -
engage in the process. We need people specifically in your part of our community to
really be a voice. So, I appreciate that. Maybe a question from that. I'm just spit balling
here now that I'm on my soapbox. What's -- what's -- what's your opinion in terms of how
big those districts should be? I mean are they -- we do four kind of quadrants of Meridian?
Is it --
Ward: I feel like it's -- it's going to be different, depending on the area of Meridian you are
in. I feel like southwest Meridian we are not technically right in the lines of southwest
Meridian, but I feel like our area -- we are right next to Rustler Lane, which was shown on
the map earlier. I feel like our area of southwest Meridian would be fairly large, because
there is fewer people, but I think I would group them as similarities of large lots or
similarities of different housing types I guess in different areas of the city.
Cavener: Thank you for your testimony. Appreciate it.
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Ward: Ye ah. Thank you.
Bernt: Madam Mayor, follow up?
De Weerd: Mr. Bernt.
Bernt: What would you define a large lot to be in your opinion?
Ward: I would go like one to ten acres is my feeling.
De Weerd: Any other questions or comments from Council?
Ward: Okay. Thank you guys.
De Weerd: Thank you so much. Okay. Mr. Clerk.
Johnson: Thank you, Madam Mayor. Next is Wendy Webb.
De Weerd: With the Southern Rim Coalition.
Webb: Good evening. Do you need me to restate my name and address ?
De Weerd: Yes, please.
Webb: Okay. Wendy Webb and my address is 2299 East Lodge Trail Drive in Meridian.
Tonight I'm speaking on behalf of the Southern Rim Coalition. We encompass several
neighborhoods in the southern area of Meridian and have quite an outreach of members.
Tonight we are asking and requesting for a creation of a rural or very low residential zoning
designation as stated in the last testimony to support the intent and the values of the new
Comprehensive Plan. The stakeholders asked the city to preserve and protect our semi
rural and estate properties and the comp plan specifically includes language that states
these housing types will be provided. The draft comp plan also includes goals to protect
our rural and semi rural properties. However, we believe the FLUM doesn't provide
adequate protection for agricultural uses or transition to those existing uses. Although
the low density residential zoning allows for rural and very low density properties , the
range of LDR, low density resident designation, will be far too broad as we have heard
already, allowing for a home -- one home on 20 acres or 3.4 homes per acre. It's just way
too broad. South Meridian has numerous enclaves of five, ten, 15, 20 acre rural estate
properties. To plan medium density residential zones adjacent to such properties is to
encourage inappropriate adjacent transition. The current low, medium, and medium high
residential zoning designations have a far tighter range. So , another request as -- as a
revision, we request a revision to the FLUM for south Meridian to accurately reflect
existing uses, what's already there in place, and to ensure appropriate transition as the
vast acres of raw land in our residential districts are developed. The proposed -- the
proposed zoning designations for southwest Meridian do not accurately reflect numerous
existing uses. Therefore, proposed zoning and contiguous areas next to those areas are
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planned for higher density than is appropriate. So, in addition the Southern Rim also
supports -- strongly supports the creation of districts to help us preserve and protect our
existing role identity and, then, two, we also strongly appropriately support the immediate
adoption of a minimum standard and I say minimum, that's just a starting spot, a 15
percent of qualified open space in most residential districts, with an increased set aside
for the city's high density districts and a 25 percent discount if a development is within a
quarter mile of a public park. We support this initiative, because we believe open space
is a critical component of a community's livability, community attachment, and economic
development. In comparison Meridian currently only requires ten percent open space,
compared to Eagle, which requires 18 percent, with increased aside for higher density.
Idaho Falls requires 25 percent. Nampa requires 20 percent in planned unit
developments. Salt Lake City requires 20 percent, with a 25 percent discount if they are
within a quarter mile of a park. We know that in collecting information from the residents
of the community open space was a really big concern, that we wanted to preserve our
open space and the rural feel of Idaho. We know that it's been shown in study after study
-- multiple studies -- you just Google it online and the pages -- there is numerous pages
of studies showing how open space is a large part of creating sustainable communities .
The World Health Organization stamps it right on their main page, green -- green space
to maintain great communities like we already have. We are losing the fields that we --
we built forts in when we were children. We are losing the canal banks that we had grand
adventures on. We are losing the empty lots that we used to play baseball and our
children and the adults in our community still need green space to maintain a great life.
So, in conclusion we are asking for a rural, very low residential zoning designation,
revisions to the draft FLUM for the south Meridian to accurately reflect the existing uses
and the immediate adoption of a minimum standard, a 15 percent qualified open space
in most residential districts. Thank you so much for your time and your patience in
listening to our testimonies. We appreciate it.
De Weerd: Thank you, Wendy. Council, any questions?
Cavener: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Cavener.
Cavener: I feel like this is going to come up a lot, so I'm going to -- I'm going to jump over
to staff again, maybe giving the public and Council some historical background about why
the removal of the rural piece in light of such strong community survey response in favor
of that -- that rural element and I think we received a lot of correspondence about that. I
think it's the second of two testimonies that we have heard about that and I think it would
be maybe beneficial for us as Council and the public to hear the process that the steering
committee and staff went through for that removal.
Hood: Yeah. Madam Mayor, Members of the Council -- and I will -- I will start I guess.
There is other members of the steering committee that could chime in. This was
something that early on staff had identified for discussion. Again, largely because of what
has occurred on our southern boundary near Lake Hazel and how we didn't believe that
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the rural estate designation was serving us well. To clarify, that designation in the text
talks about these minimum five acre lots, where we would not be providing sewer and
water. It's -- it's not dense enough for it to pencil out or to pay long term to extend services
of something that -- that's of those densities. So, that really is the main difference, then,
between the existing rural estate designation and the low. Everything else is essentially
the same. Again, you can -- yes, you can do up to three, but it also allows you to do a
ten. No developer is going to do a ten acre subdivision and bring sewer and water. You
are just not going to make any money on that. You might do it for your family, right, if you
are planning on living there as your own place, but you are not going to develop it for a
lot. So, the process really was early staff proposed that to the steering committee and
vetted that. Quite frankly, a lot of this conversation about -- and I don't want to
mischaracterize this, because some of the things we heard kind of throughout the process
was, again, our agricultural heritage and some of those things , but as far as the rural
estate designation, a lot of that is brand new -- that we didn't hear until after it had been
submitted for adoption and approval. We didn't get comments on the website saying don't
get rid of the rural estate designation. Again, that's -- that's been in the last couple of
months, if you will, type of a thing that has come up. So , essentially, it was -- it went
through that process and we are hearing about it more now through the public hearing
process. Does help the --
De Weerd: Yes. Just to -- to give you a little bit more historical perspective, we have
listened to the neighbors in the southwest portion of our community and that is why in our
last Comprehensive Plan you saw low density residential and it was the rural density and,
then, the same neighbors that wanted that designation started annexing into Kuna,
because the state does not allow us to plan for an area of impact and -- and give a vision
that is solidified, because a property owner can decide to step out of an area of impact
that has planned to serve them and choose another that might give them a better density.
So, I think staff is just trying to bring a plan that we can plan for, plan our sewer to, and
our Police and Fire and Park services, because it's not just all about sewer and water, it's
about designing a community. But because the Local Land Use Planning Act that the
state has makes you plan for your area of impact, but gives you no regulation that that is
going to be the area that you will serve long term. It's -- it's a balancing act and -- and as
you can see what is the right answer, it's -- it's hard to plan when a property owner can
just step in and change the complexion of a long term vision that will impact others around
them. But we didn't have any say in that. Another elected body and another city did.
Cavener: So, Madam Mayor, maybe to that question -- Wendy, I kind of want to jump into
the weeds with you, because the Southern Rim has been such an active and engaged
group and like -- like you I grew up here and built forts in those fields and don't tell my
mother, I played in those ditches, I --
De Weerd: I did, too.
Cavener: I have been to far too many of a ribbon cutting where I would go pheasant
hunting as a kid in Meridian. It's hard to believe that's what we used to do. So, part of
me is someone who has seen those farm fields develop. I struggle with -- because
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Meridian is not the community of my youth, but because I have seen so many of those
farms develop and homes emerge, I see that just because something is rural today,
doesn't necessarily mean it's going to be rural tomorrow. So, is it -- is it the Southern
Rim's kind of belief that these areas that kind of have rural areas should remain rural
forever? I mean that's -- that's somewhat counter to how our community has grown and
changed. I'm just --
Webb: You know, that's a complex question, one that I have thought about a lot myself.
I have thought about those people who are retiring and they have been planning on se lling
their ten acres to fund their retirement and is it fair that we have designated their land,
you know, as such that a developer wouldn't be interested in their property and might not
be as highly valued and I -- and I asked myself that and I think is that fair and I know some
of those people and when I think of -- I lived in England for a couple of years and I know
in their country they have set aside farmland that can only be farmland and it's been a
sacrifice, but for the future generations it's been a blessing and so I think we have to think
about the next 20 years versus the next 50 and really dig in and think about what we really
want. When I think about this rural land designation, maybe we could put it as one home
per acre and that's certainly different than 3.4 homes per acre. It really is, so -- but yet I
don't know if the one home per acre would save Kuna from coming in and taking it. I don't
know. But those are more complex questions that I have thought a lot about . Yeah.
Cavener: Madam Mayor, I appreciate it. I have no doubt that's something you have
thought a lot about and your group has. I think like we as the Council, we -- we wrestle
with this, especially those of us who have lived here and seen this community change so
much --
Webb: Right.
Cavener: -- it's hard to say -- to your point we know -- but I know most -- many a farmer
who have worked very very hard, has made the decision that they want to leave and go
do something else and to tell them no forever, it's something I just philosophically struggle
with and so that -- I hear I think where you are coming from and where I think many of the
folks are coming from. There is nothing wrong with -- we want to keep our land that way
today and this document is a visioning piece and --
Webb: Right.
Cavener: -- so is it going to be that way in 50 years? Because Meridian looks so much
different even today than it did 20 years ago. It's a hard piece for everyone. So , I
appreciate your feedback. Thank you.
Webb: Any other questions?
De Weerd: Any other questions?
Webb: Okay. Thank you.
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De Weerd: Thank you.
Johnson: Madam Mayor? Madam Mayor, next is John Overton.
De Weerd: Thank you for sticking with us. If you will, please, say your name and address
and the area so we can pull it up on the map.
Overton: Madam Mayor, my name is John Overton. 1922 East Bowstring, Meridian.
Representing Woodbridge as the HOA president tonight. And just a little bit about history
first before I go on this and I won't use all ten minutes. When I moved here I was 13. I
have lived in Idaho 42 years. St. Luke's was pheasants . Just a field. I haven't seen
pheasants in years. There was an old county subdivision across the street from where I
grew up, which was Green Hills Estates, which is next to the subdivision I live in now.
That subdivision that was across Eagle Road is now Buffalo Wild Wings, Portico, and
most people that live here don't even know that that was an old county subdivision.
De Weerd: Magic View.
Overton: Things change. Eagle Road was a two lane road with a stop sign at Fairview.
I mean it was a whole different world. But we are in a city that changes. It changes on
us drastically. So, I'm going to stick to this, because I can go off script and blow the time.
De Weerd: We know.
Overton: Yes. I know. Madam Mayor, Members of Council, city staff, Caleb and Brian,
thank you. We appreciate the efforts you guys have put into this whole process. You
have worked very well with our development. We have been that squeaky wheel over
the last several years for good reason. You know, not every subdivision is built perfectly.
We were built with a situation where we ended up becoming the go to, go through
subdivision between Locust Grove and Eagle Road. With all the land to the east of us
we became highly concerned on each and every project on how those were going to
develop and we were part of this process. City staff brought us in. I -- I sat on one of the
focus groups, I believe it was transportation as a matter of fact, and another board
member sat on another one. We have been part of this since the very beginning to try to
be as involved as we could be as an HOA and the city was very good to us. We knew we
had trouble years and years ago. We modified our -- or monitored ACHD with traffic
counts, traffic coming through. I was going to put in here some stuff about the old way
the city used to talk about live, work, raise a family, but I put it tonight is just designed for
living safely, because that's really what we are all about in Woodbridge and when we talk
about the Magic Bridge map and what we are here tonight to support is the P &Z
Commission I think has made the right choice f or Woodbridge on the designations on this
Magic Bridge parcel. I think it gives us the best development with the lowest amount of
impact, with lowest amount of additional traffic counts compared to what we were faced
with fighting every time a development came into our area. It allows us a buffer of medium
density around us. It designates mixed use neighborhood , which we would much more
prefer the mixed use community. We believe mixed use neighborhood is a better fit for
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that area. We believe it should be more like what it is now, where we are seeing a lot of
the senior type developments. We are seeing the assisted living, medical, all of those
things that support -- if anybody remembers -- and I know several of you do -- the vision
-- the vision for the medical corridor, which this whole area was supposed to be years and
years ago. Well, we haven't forgotten and we are still hoping that that remains a focus of
that area. We believe that these developments will impact Woodbridge traffic less than
other higher density and more intense developments. We know that they are going to
bring traffic, but we are trying to support growth, but also support the growth that's going
to bring the least traffic counts through our subdivision in the future at the same time and
I think what's been brought here in this plan through Planning and Zoning and through
the Commission and now in front of you, is probably the best plan we have seen to do
that. We would like to request Council approve this future land use map for Magic Bridge.
I understand it's, obviously, not unanimous. There is still some concerns from other
subdivisions. But for the portion that affects Woodbridge and how this would work for us,
we think the city's done a great job and we would like to see it approved. I would stand
for any questions.
De Weerd: Thank you. Any questions for Lieutenant Overton ? I can't -- I can't call you
anything other than that. Any questions?
Cavener: Thanks for serving on your HOA board.
De Weerd: Yes. Thank you.
Johnson: Madam Mayor, next is Mindy Lin.
De Weerd: With Stetson Estates.
Lin: Good evening. I'm Mindy Lin. Sorry I wasn't here earlier to introduce myself and I
want to all -- first of all appreciate all of you taking time this evening to hear all of us.
De Weerd: Mindy, if you will give us your address.
Lin: Oh, sorry. We went through this last time. Can I give -- is it okay if I give my business
address again? Okay. 12336 West Overland Road.
De Weerd: Thank you.
Lin: Ye ah. Absolutely. I am a resident of Stetson Estates off of Rustler Road, which you
have heard -- Rustler Lane that you have heard a lot of testimony about this evening.
Again, I want to thank you all for this evening and taking the time to hear us all. I know it
makes for a long evening for all of you , so I don't envy any of your positions. And Caleb
and Brian even less envy your position this evening. Mr. Borton, I just wanted to thank
you for the comments you made earlier this evening about taking time and just having
regard for the process and the amount of time that it takes and I think that the -- the slow
down to hurry up is the right approach and so I just wanted to commend you all for having
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that strategy and be willing to do that. My husband and I moved to Idaho in 2005 to
escape crime and start a family where we could lay roots, to build a foundation that would
allow a balance of working hard and having space to enjo y rural living. We now do that
in driving distance to our corporate headquarters and we don't mind the drive one bit to
escape to our rural gem with our children. We purchased a ten acre remote and rural
property in Stetson Estates with a breathtaking view of the valley and an unobstructed
view shed of the Boise range. We have cattle, chickens, and grow our own produce. We
are proud to create jobs in the valley and honor to employ and expand as we grow. We
have 30,000 people that have joined our mission across all 50 states and yet there is no
other state that we have chosen to headquarter this all within , nor has there been a better
community than Meridian to offer to our employees as a great place to live. We are
neighbors to our closest friends, who also own multiple businesses in the valley and our
children ride back and forth to each other's properties every single day with peace of mind
in the remote safety that we all have here. We live and work in paradise and understand
entirely by why federal law states that we are entitled to peaceful enjoyment of our
property. However, I can confidently tell you that we believe this peaceful enjoyment is
gravely at risk. After attending a recent neighborhood meeting for a much higher density
development adjacent to ours and realizing that our rural neighborhood is labeled medium
density on Meridian's future land use map as you have heard this evening and as has
been raw land that is being pursued currently. A medium density development next to ten
acre real properties cannot provide adequate trans -- transition and it will -- will devalue
our neighborhood. The plan that we learned of -- myself and my neighbors learned of
and the collector roads that are attached to it would devastate the life that many of us
have built here. Our ten acre farm property could be dissected by a collector road that
would run directly next to our cattle and chickens. That plan ned collector road would
continue passed our property and run right through our neighbors, chopping their land in
half, separating them and their children from their livestock and pasture. We would
overlook the 357 rooftops and have two story homes on 70 foot lots adjoining our property,
thereby dropping the value of the properties that we have all worked so hard for. Some
of our neighbors would be in even worse shape with upwards of 16 homes running along
their property line. I find it hard to believe this in any way, shape, or form aligns with the
spirit of the Comprehensive Plan and the city's goals of appropriate transition and I just
want to clarify we keep saying rural, but these are incredibly beautiful executive homes
on those properties and we have -- my two closest neighbors are building million dollar
homes right now on five acre lots. These are brand new homes that are under
construction. They are going to back up against ten, 12, 15 homes right up against their
fence line. Many of us have sent you lots of photos through your e-mail, but understand
that coming out and seeing this is truly the only way for you to best understand how sacred
it is and that absolutely comes with a sincere invitation for each and every one of you to
come and learn and see for yourself. I think one of the reasons it's so important we slow
down this process is because that due diligence has not been done to the point that we
are misdesignated on the future land use map and I hear you when you say get involved
in the process, be part of it. I wish I was here and a resident at that time when that was
happening and a lot of my neighbors it's the same situation. Yes . Sorry. Recently built
rural custom and sit upon acreage ranging from five to ten acres. Our properties cannot
be subdivided into smaller than five acres and most of us that you -- our homes are
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situated in the middle of our properties. That's not even feasible. Please hear the
concerns of myself and my neighbors and demand comp plan revisions and a rural , very
low density future land use map designation for those of us fighting to sustain and protect
Meridian's rural identity, the identity of a rural homesteads and the very lifestyle our
stakeholders value and ask to be protected. Please understand, although we live in your
area of impact, as rural neighbors of executive homes, we are invested in Meridian and
appreciate the opportunity to be heard and to support and encourage the city however
we can in preserving both Meridian's identity, as well as our peaceful enjoyment of it. We
respectfully ask that our neighborhoods be designated rural, very low density, and the
adjoining parcel will also be designated as low density residential as well. Thank you . I
will stand for your questions.
De Weerd: Thank you. Council, any questions?
Little Roberts: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mrs. Little Roberts.
Little Roberts: Madam Mayor. Mindy, thank you so much. You mentioned -- you said
misdesignated, but I didn't quite understand if that was an opinion or if there was an actual
error somewhere.
Lin: We were designated as medium density and Caleb and Brian spoke about that earlier
and it wasn't until we were in the process of a developer trying to come in that we went
and looked and we -- we saw -- how did they think these -- this is an appropriate transition
to put 16 homes up against -- up against another. Well, if you look at the FLUM Rustler
is designated as medium density. It's not at all and you will see that in the picture that we
sent. It's absolutely rural and so that's where we met with the city and the city said, no,
this is definitely misdesignation. You guys are -- we can definitely see that you are low
rural and that was brought up at the Planning and Zoning. One of the Commissioners
had made the point -- well, should the property adjacent to it even be labeled as medium
density, because it makes sense if they thought ours was medium of course they would
think next would be medium or not. We are not even -- not even close.
Little Roberts: Thank you.
Lin: Uh-huh.
De Weerd: Thank you for your testimony.
Lin: Absolutely. Thank you.
Johnson: Madam Mayor, next is Jane Byam.
Byam: Good evening.
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De Weerd: Good evening. Thank you for joining us. If you will, please, state your name
and address for the record.
Byam: My name is Jane Byam. I live at 6050 El Gato Lane.
De Weerd: Thank you, Jane.
Byam: Madam Mayor and City Council Members, thank you for allowing me to speak on
behalf of the residents of the El Gato , Puma, and Pine Lane area. I would like to echo
Kenzie's comments and description of the Rustler neighborhood. Our neighborhood
consists of homes on five or more acres. Small -- small farms. Many -- many of the
residents there have livestock and large gardens. The houses there consist o f homes
that have been there since the inception of the Skyview Ranchette Subdivision in the
early '70s to a few brand new homes and the residents consist of people who have been
there since the '70s, to a few young families who have recently moved into the area with
the hopes of raising their families on small hobby farms. Many of my comments this
evening -- for many of my comments this evening I would like to reference comments
submitted in writing by Mr. Chuck Sundby and his wife Gloria Beatty of 6155 West El Gato
Lane. Mr. Sundby represented our neighborhood at the October 17 Planning and Zoning
meeting, but he is unable to be here this evening and has asked me to take his place . In
response to the FLUM contained in the Comprehensive Plan a petition was submitted on
October 7th to the city clerk by Gloria Beatty and Chuck Sundby on behalf of and in
cooperation with the residents of El Gato , Pine, and Puma Lanes, designated as the
affected area in the petition and in my comments forthwith. The petition has 81 signatures
and clearly states the opposition of the signatories to the proposed change to the future
land use map designation from the affected area -- of the affected area from low density
residential to general industrial. The petition identifies five specific areas of concern which
conflict with the core principles of the comprehensive -- the draft Comprehensive Plan.
One, does -- it doesn't consider existing development. Two, it doesn't protect private
property rights. Three, it doesn't preserve existing farmland. Four, it doesn't address
public comments submitted in response to the Comprehensive Plan survey. And, five, it
doesn't consider more suitable parcels for the transition to industrial. I might suggest that
a more suitable area might be up near that Intermountain gas storage area to take up
some of the slack for the industrial area that's needed, since that area is already zoned
industrial. The petition identifies -- or sorry. Supporting information is provided for each
of those concerns in that petition. Additionally, numerous public comments were
submitted by individuals in and near the affected area, both prior to the petition submittal
and the subsequent Planning and Zoning hearing held on October 17th. All comments
expressed opposition to the proposed general industrial land use classification for lands
within that affected area. On October 17th additional comments were submitted to the
city clerk by Chuck Sundby for further consideration by the Planning and Zoning
Commission at the public hearing held on October 17th. These comments in part reflect
information contained in the Planning and Zoning staff report published on October 11th.
As a designated representative of the residents in the affected area, Mr. Sundby testified
at the hearing and emphasized points expressed in the written comments. While not
contesting the conclusion of the planning team as to the future need for additional
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industrial land use in the Meridian area of impact, the point was made that there are six
significant impediments to this industrial land use occurring in the affected area in the
foreseeable future. A lot of the future land use planning being done is in consideration of
the future extension of Highway 16 and the ease of freeway access from the proposed
industrial area when the project is complete. It should be noted that the four to five
hundred million dollars needed to complete that project has not yet been obtained and
the state has yet to determine when the project will actually begin , whether it will be
completed in sections, and, if so, where they will start, north at Chinden coming -- north
at Chinden coming south or at I-84 heading north. It's highly probable that the
Comprehensive Plan update will be necessary prior to this demand for property
designation as industrial materializing. There will, however, be immediate negative
impacts to the residents in the general industrial area use classification -- can be expected
to adversely impact current marketability as low density residential properties . The
presidential -- or the preservation and protection of the current way of life for the residents
in the affected area of El Gato, Puma, and Pine Lanes and the avoidance of adverse
impact to existing agricultural small -- small acreage properties is a key element of the
Comprehensive Plan. While we recognize and understand that the FLUM is not code
and is currently -- and we are currently governed by the county of Ada, the area of impact
-- we would prefer that nothing beyond record showing that the city proposes to change
our neighborhood to industrial as that will immediately caused a detrimental effect upon
our property values. Multiple residents of the affected area attended the public hearing
to demonstrate support for Mr. Sundby's statement, as well as provide additional
comments supporting retention of the current low density residential use for this area.
There was no public testimony given that evening in support of the proposed general
industrial land use designation. We are grateful that the following -- that following the
discussion, during which key elements presented in public comments were acknowledged
by individual members, the Commission and staff concluded that a reasonable
compromise is to retain the low density residential use classification north of Pine and
impose the general industrial land new south of Pine Lane and the Purdum Drain. This
removes the El Gato land parcels from the industrial area. However, it excludes six
properties -- six of the eight properties that are residential parcels along Pine Lane. This
compromise is depicted on the map shown on the top of page 20 in the staff report
prepared by the City Council hearing. From a standpoint of residents along El Gato Lane,
this compromise presents a reasonable and acceptable solution. However, we would,
please, urge the City Council to consider the arguments and rationale presented to the
Planning and Zoning and its applicability to those existing properties along Pine Lane,
assuming these residents express the desire to retain their current land use. This could
be accomplished by using the Purdham Drain to delineate the boundary between general
industrial and low density residential. In this case the land designated as future industrial
is limited to undeveloped agricultural ground with rail and highway access and makes for
easier access directly off Black Cat along the railroad tracks, as opposed to coming in on
El Gato to where Pine Lane currently takes off heading to the southwest. Additionally, we
would like to express our concurrence with and support of the staff r ecommendation
presented in item three, outstanding issues for the City Council on page 28 of the staff
report. Section two relating to low density residential and estate lots. This appears to be
a positive approach, in addition to the updated Comprehensive Plan and we would like
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this consideration for the El Gato area as well. In summary, we support Planning and
Zoning recommendations for revision to the FLUM for the existing residential parcels on
El Gato, but respectfully request that the City Council reconsider the change in land use
classification additionally for the six existing residential parcels found on Pine Lane.
Thank you, Mayor de Weerd and City Council Members.
De Weerd: Thank you. Council, any questions?
Cavener: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Cavener.
Cavener: Just one. You referenced and I didn't catch it, the name of the drainage that
you kind of --
Byam: Purdham. Purdham Drain.
Cavener: Thank you.
De Weerd: I had that same question.
Cavener: And -- Madam Mayor, follow up if I can. My -- my -- oh, it's like Council -- or it's
like staff is reading my mind. That's exactly what I was going to ask about. So, where
the staff's moving the arrow, that blue line that kind of runs right to the word general
industrial on the right-hand side --
Byam: Yes. Yes.
Cavener: That's the drain?
Byam: That's correct.
Cavener: Great. I appreciate that. Thank you very much.
Byam: Okay.
De Weerd: Okay. Thank you so much.
Byam: Thank you.
Johnson: Madam Mayor, next is Ryan Manwaring.
Cavener: Madam Mayor?
Manwaring: Madam Mayor?
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Cavener: Sorry. Before -- before you begin your testimony, I just want to say thanks for
joining us tonight. Appreciate the groups that you recommend -- or that you represent. I
think your work as an advocate is to be commended. I'm just -- I'm going to ask you -- I
had the opportunity to watch the Planning and Zoning Commission. Would just ask that
you keep this conversation neighborly, refrain from any type of aggressive comments or
conversation directed to staff. I think that we are all here for the same reason and hope
that you could -- can join us in that joint effort.
Manwaring: All right.
Cavener: Great. Thank you.
Manwaring: Thank you. Madam Mayor and City Council, I'm representing a group of
Meridian residents who signed a petition about preserving some agricultural land in -- in
Meridian and let me tell you a little bit about the population that I'm here to speak for.
These are individuals who are from various racial ethnic minorities, some with children
with developmental disabilities, and some individuals who can't necessarily -- don't have
the means to just, you know, buy some -- some land and -- and enjoy some space and,
you know, the agricultural lifestyle that comes with that and so they -- they turn to a lot of
us for some respite and ways to kind of get out and be among farm -- you know, play with
the farm animals and have some space. Many of these kids do 4-H and they -- they need
places to be able to, you know, raise animals and many of them just love coming and ,
you know, picking fruit and -- and we have, you know, many of these individuals, you
know, several times a week just from the community just asking to come and, you know,
hang out on the farm and we love having them. I want to point out a specific group that
is not here tonight, but is very much a part of our community in -- in Meridian and I'm not
sure if you are aware, there are about 7,500 residents in Treasure Valley who are -- have
gone through the resettlement process. So , these are refugees from places like
Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan -- there is a very extensive list and so that's 7,500
and Meridian is a big -- a big central piece of this resettlement process. Many of them --
they have come from pretty war torn areas, they have experienced, you know, pretty
horrific torture and abuse, some unspeakable things. They suffer from trauma, mental
illness, and as I visited with -- with some of these individuals, you know, one of the saddest
things that I have heard from them is that it's been difficult in their transition . Mind you
here they are in a totally new culture, totally new language and totally new rules of
survival. They have to kind of like figure this all out , meanwhile trying to, you know,
recover from some of the things that they -- they have experienced and one of the
interesting things about that that they say is that we are -- we are farmers and they -- you
know, they come to these places and, you know, they are doing the best they can to
survive, but they live in areas that have, you know, HOAs and all these CC&Rs and, you
know, granted, they can't -- they can barely afford to -- you know, to live in some of these
areas with the rising cost, but also they can't -- they can't even have like, you know, a
chicken or something and that's just like really foreign to them and that is something that
is -- is challenging and if you think back, you know, 20 years ago there was a meeting
where, you know --
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De Weerd: So, Ryan --
Manwaring: Yes.
De Weerd: I don't -- I just want to redirect you to your testimony as it relates to the
Comprehensive Plan. I understand what you are saying and certainly the population you
represent, but how can we apply your testimony to the Comprehensive Plan?
Manwaring: So, we would recommend that you -- the particular area that's of concern we
have, you know, a low density area here in El Gato that is being labeled as -- for future
use as industrial. That's so different than, you know, even mixed use, that's totally, you
know, opposite what the land -- you know, with the residents and what this community of
people who enjoy coming to this area enjoy about it and so what I'm -- Madam Mayor,
you know, we have heard that this is a plan that, you know, it's going to carry out over 20
and 20 -- you know, several years down the road and so I'm pointing out how the choices
that we make now affect refugees and many people that are going to live here 20 years
from now.
De Weerd: So --
Manwaring: I'm pointing out some of the situations that individuals are in who have been
resettled here and it starts in a planning meeting that happened, you know, many years
ago, certain land is labeled for a future use and they say follow the plan and once we are
committed to it you can't get out, it's going to be that way for the next, you know -- you
know, until the land is developed and that's it and we are here now to speak and oppose
that. So, it does apply here. This is important and this does affect people who are going
to be resettled here down the road and maybe you might say, well, how -- you know, we
are trying to increase the amount of housing, right, and maybe that benefits them. Well,
it doesn't because any developer who buys this land is going to try and get the most
money out of it; right? A quote here earlier was a developer -- so, someone isn't going to
buy the land if they can't make any money on that. They are not going to develop it. And
so what typically happens is, you know, these parcels are -- are bought, they are
developed for -- you know, with the future use of whatever -- you know, industrial or mixed
use and, then, even if it does go to housing for -- to increase, you know, options for people,
like who were homeless, guess what, they are not exactly charging, you know, very low
rates. They are brand -- these are brand new places and, you know, they are charging
as high as they can and it actually causes this -- it adds to this inflation; right? Property
taxes just keep going up. Who all pays for this in the end, all this -- these up steps --
stepping up and all the -- the zoning here? It's the people who are in poverty that pay for
it. The most the price gets passed down to them . People who are homeless, whether
mentally ill, people who have been resettled, they are the ones who pay -- pay at the most
and so, you know, the whole argument of, oh, we are just trying to, you know, increase,
you know, housing down the road. It doesn't really measure up if you look at other cities
that have done similar plans, you know many years ago, and they follow the plan just like
they were supposed to and everyone did what they -- well, I mean look at Salt Lake, they
-- they have got one of the, you know, biggest homeless crises on their hand -- on their
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hands because none of that actually served our most vulnerable populations. You know,
it's -- it serves the -- the developers and, you know, wealthy people coming out of state,
hey, look at the land, I can get -- sell this for industrial use, I can develop it, and they --
and they -- and they cash out on that and so we are not asking you to -- to go out of your
way to just, you know, preserve this for us, but just to make it a little bit easier -- you know,
for one, don't hold, you know, signs over us saying that it could be -- could go industrial,
because that affects who is going to buy it; right? And all it takes -- so, it starts with a sign
being held over -- over an area that directly influences who is going to be buying it in the
next five, ten years and the purposes they have for it, so -- and, then, a few more, you
know, people come and buy that. All it takes is a few people to come and change , you
know, the CC&Rs and, you know, create HOAs where you can't have any, you know, farm
animals anymore and I'm -- I'm saying that that really does affect people who -- this is
their way -- this has been their way of life and -- and we can relate a little -- well, not in
many ways. We had -- we have -- we are totally -- we are out of touch with, you know,
everything they have experienced, you know, but some of the common ground we have,
you know, we are -- you know, we are farmers, too, that's what we love about Meridian
and, you know, we can kind of, you know, bond over this -- this -- this commonality, this
is how humans have been living for thousands and thousands of years and it's pretty
integral to survival to have some land and -- and we can keep pushing it out farther and
farther by just continually stepping up things into more increased density, but at what
cost? We get a little bit extra tax revenue. Yeah, sure, we -- we create, you know, more
jobs and that's great and everything, but -- but what's the cost, you know, 20, 30,40 years
down the road to -- to these --
De Weerd: So, if I -- if I can ask you your -- your group would like to keep the designation
the low density residential and not include the general industrial.
Manwaring: Correct. From Cherry Lane down to the train tracks as low density
residential.
De Weerd: Okay. I just wanted to make clear that that is what your request was.
Manwaring: Yes. Yes. And at the beginning of this meeting you asked me who I represent
and I hope I have done a good job trying to represent a group of people that maybe not
have been able to make it to this -- maybe they don't even -- they don't understand enough
English to be able to get on here and understand what's going on and how it's going to
affect them ten years from now and now I'm going to ask all of you respectfully, City
Council and Madam Mayor, who do you represent. Who do you represent tonight? Do
you represent developers 20 years down the road who are going to want to -- to purchase
this, people out of state, or do you represent the people who live here now --
De Weerd: We represent 115,000 people. That's who we represent, so --
Borton: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Borton.
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Borton: If I could dovetail on that. I was going to ask you the same --
Manwaring: Well, hold on, I'm not done.
Borton: Wait a second. I'm talking.
De Weerd: Your time is up.
Manwaring: Well, you -- but you interrupted -- you did ask me a question during my time.
De Weerd: Okay. But for now I'm going to let Mr. Borton --
Manwaring: Okay.
De Weerd: -- continue his question and, then, I will ask you to respond.
Manwaring: Okay.
Borton: Thank you, Madam Mayor. I just wanted to know who you represented in the
context of were there individuals -- like some of the other groups where they said, hey,
Ryan, I can't make it to the meeting, but on behalf of our organization would you show up
and provide testimony for us or was it something less concrete than that?
Manwaring: Yeah. No. Very concrete. Yeah. It was very concrete. Yeah. I work with
-- with people in pretty vulnerable population and, yes, I have spoken with --
Borton: Okay.
Manwaring: -- with individuals who have asked this.
Borton: They said, Ryan, come and talk on my behalf, I can't be there. And the reason I
ask -- I wasn't tracking the testimony with regards to this property adjacent to the rail
corridor and El Gato and how that would correlate to future opportunities for future refugee
location here. It didn't -- I couldn't connect any of the dots there and I didn't find anything
in the record that connected any of the dots, so that was the reason why I asked if anybody
specifically said our community group is interested in preserving this property near El
Gato for future refugee relocation. I find --
Manwaring: I'm not saying it's for future refugee relocation, I'm saying it's -- it's an
opportunity for them to -- whether or not to just -- to come out there and to be close to
something that is a lot more familiar to them.
Borton: Okay. That's helpful. Thank you.
De Weerd: Thank you for your testimony.
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Johnson: Madam Mayor, next is Jeff Hatch.
De Weerd: Good evening, Jeff. If you will, please, state your name and address for the
record and -- and I believe you had mentioned you're on the east side off of Franklin -- if
you will indicate the area.
Hatch: Good evening, Madam Mayor. Jeff Hatch with Hatch Design Architecture,
representing Venus Development and the industrial area west of Coverdale. Because
this hasn't been presented in -- in the graphics that were in -- in the presentation, we felt
that it was necessary to bring a presentation to kind of explain what our rationale is and
get, hopefully, meaningful feedback from City Council. We had a pre-application meeting
in late summer for this property and at that time the staff instructed us to present to you
and get feedback as far as -- if this is something of value for consideration. So, our
presentation this evening is for the purpose of consideration of the light industrial area.
De Weerd: Jeff, if you will hold on. Mr. Nary, it looks like this is about a specific application
or --
Nary: Madam Mayor, Members of the Council, I -- I'm not sure if this is about a specific
property designation that is currently in the --
Hatch: It's for -- it's for the zoning of the MU, mixed use regional area --
Nary: Right.
Hatch: -- along Franklin.
Nary: But this is not -- this is -- this is the whole Comprehensive Plan, not one -- I guess
I'm not sure what staff told you, but I'm not sure if this is appropriate for this hearing. It
sounds like evidence for a specific application you want to make. If you already had a
pre-app, then, you're talking about filing an application to develop some property, what
I'm guessing what you're saying is the current comp plan designation doesn't match what
you want.
Hatch: Correct.
Nary: Okay. That's an application for a completely different thing. That's not what this is
about.
Hood: Well, Madam Mayor, Mr. Nary, maybe if I can clarify. So, we don't have an eminent
pending application; right? And I wasn't at the pre-app meeting, but what we have been
telling folks as we are going through this process and after we adopt a new plan we are
not likely to change anything in the next six months , a year, two years. We are going to
respect the plan, so --
De Weerd: So, we are not talking about one specific property, but more the area --
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Hood: Yeah. There is multiple parcels here --
De Weerd: Okay.
Hood: -- but there is a pre-app -- a development potentially, but, again, they are kind of
late to the game, but earlier than adoption, so that you are probably not real receptive to
changes in March; right? So, I think that was probably some of the direction given.
De Weerd: I just wanted to make sure you weren't talking about a specific piece and a
potential application in the process. So, thank you for allowing me that -- that clarity.
Hatch: Okay. Thank you. And I knew this was going to be kind of unique , because Bill
was like just go talk to them, but you are kind of late in the game. So, I do apologize, but,
you know, yeah, this -- this came to pass and we have been working very actively the last
couple months to try to present some evidence and just wanted to get feedback as far as
if this is something that fits within the Comprehensive Plan as you see it or -- or if it's
something that you would consider. So, thank you --
De Weerd: Thank you.
Hatch: -- for your time. Along Franklin we have a light industrial area that kind of U
shapes around a regional use -- or a mixed use regional area and to the west of us we
have Auric Energy. We have an Albertsons distribution center also to the northwest. To
the northeast we have an overhead door company. Horizon Distribution, an AC
distribution company. And, then, to the east we have FedEx and -- and also a moving
company. So, a horseshoe amount of industrial light areas around this mixed use regional
area. Directly south of us we have residents which are separated by a canal and so if we
look at the Comprehensive Plan, which is what we are here to discuss, we have these
parcels that are designated as mixed use residential -- or regional and the intent of the
mixed use regional is to promote, you know, residential above commercial or office, high
density residential, retail shops -- it kind of encompasses a range of different uses. One
of the key factors of that mixed use regional is the residential use should compromise --
or comprise a minimum of ten percent residential use and we feel that, you know, being
adjacent to a railroad that these parcels have an opportunity for an industrial use that
surrounds them that isn't being taken advantage of and versus having the railroad as
something that could be a hindrance, to something that's mandating residential use, we
would like to use that as a promotional piece to enhance the value of these properties
and to -- to utilize a commodity that's relatively limited in our valley and with that we have
an industrial area to the west of this -- it actually has a road that is designated to go
through these parcels and, then, connect back onto Franklin and so do we really want to
promote residential or high density or commercial over that adjacent to railroad tracks
where you have an industrial use that's going through that connected area and really
wanted to express that it's a unique feature and we wanted to utilize that versus having it
as a hindrance. As a consideration we did go out and meet with the property owner that
is directly to west and also has some of the property that is in that RU zone and they gave
us a letter of support of this -- yeah, presentation if we want to call it that, but we do have
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a copy of that signed letter, which we can give to staff or if you guys want to see a copy
we can certainly do that.
De Weerd: Hand it to Mr. Clerk.
Hatch: So, with that we are really just looking at that -- that area as the mixed use and is
that really the best and most intended use for this area as far as what's around it and what
could be utilized. We do have a developer who is interested in using this for an industrial
use, but we would also like to just get feedback from Council as far as can we consider
this as an amendment or is it something that we could present an application, even after
the fact, based on your feedback. Well, we -- you know, in talking to staff they said, you
know, run it by Council and I agree with them that, you know, you have -- you have spent
a long time working very hard on this and so you want to follow that plan and so we
wanted to present this to you to get that feedback and see if this is part of that plan or not.
De Weerd: Thank you.
Hatch: Any questions?
De Weerd: Council, any questions? So, your request is to -- instead of the MU regional,
that you have it designated as industrial.
Hatch: Light industrial.
De Weerd: Okay.
Hatch: Such as what's --
De Weerd: Council, any questions?
Borton: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Borton.
Borton: Is that a designation that the city of Boise has on the property just to the east?
Hatch: The city -- or the property to the east is actually Ada county and they are all
industrial uses.
Borton: Yeah. I apologize. In the Boise comprehensive plan they probably have that
covered -- do they have it planned as being light industrial do you know?
Hatch: I -- unfortunately we had our blinders on just Meridian, since we were focusing on
Meridian. So, you know, those -- those are already developed as industrial uses --
De Weerd: But we can ask them --
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Hatch: -- a distribution facility.
De Weerd: Caleb, do you know the designation?
Hood: Yeah. Madam Mayor, if I can, just use the pointer a little bit, so you can see this
access road -- actually, it's Ada County Highway District owns these properties. It's in
Boise's area of impact and actually zone d in Boise. You actually have another letter this
evening from Engineering Solutions that talks about the other half of this property. So,
ACHD owns property that's bisected, part of it in Boise, part of it in Meridian. It is
industrial, so the request tonight would -- would be consistent both with what's in Meridian
to the west and with what's in Boise on the other side. But I just want to kind of tie that in
with some other testimony you are likely to hear tonight and just put that in the context
that Mrs. McKay is representing ACHD, which is this part -- again, ACHD owns all of this
here. So, just to kind of remember that as -- as she speaks later tonight, so --
De Weerd: Very good. Any other questions? Thank you.
Hatch: Thank you. And apologize for the last minute impromptu kind of format.
De Weerd: That's all right. We just needed a little bit more clarification.
Hatch: Okay. Thank you.
De Weerd: I'm going to call a ten minute break and, then, we will ask for the individual
testimony and we will -- we will continue it in ten minutes. Thank you.
(Recess: 9:04 p.m. to 9:23 p.m.)
De Weerd: Okay. I will go ahead and call this meeting back to order. Well, we have had
a chance to hear from the spokes people and I did ask for people to raise their hand if
they were represented by any of the spokes people and so what we are going to do is go
by area and ask for any additional testimony that the spokes people did not cover the
residents felt needed to be stated, but first we do have a couple of members from our
steering committee and I wanted to allow them an opportunity to give their three minutes
of testimony as well. So, I will ask Mr. Clerk to recognize them as a group and have them
first and, then, we will go to Locust View Heights and Woodbridge. I thought they are the
same area, so we will lump them together. We will, then, go to Rock Ranch and Stetson
Estates and, then, get to Southern Rim and El Gato.
Johnson: Thank you, Madam Mayor.
De Weerd: And, then -- and, then, the rest.
Johnson: Thank you, Madam Mayor. That's Sally Reynolds, Susan Karnes and Denise
LaFever.
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De Weerd: And we won't just limit to you a minute each, you get each three minutes.
Reynolds: Thank you so much. We appreciate that.
Karnes: You know us pretty well.
Reynolds: Madam Mayor, Members of the Council, Sally Reynolds. 1166 West Bacall
Street in Meridian. So, we will be respectful of your time this evening, because we have
already submitted a 14 page very detailed report, which we hope you will get time to read.
First thank you so much for the honor of being part of the Meridian plan steering
committee. It was an honor to be a part of this drafting process for the last 18 months. I
thought it was only 15, but even longer. So, a special thank you to city staff, especially
Brian McClure and Caleb, who guided us from the beginning. They have put in countless
hours to facilitate coordination among the committee consultants and the public . So,
thank you. Now, at the beginning of this process the city wanted to make sure that the
plan was stakeholder driven. So, we feel that as residents on the committee we are
responsible to ensure that the plan and the FLUM reflect resident input and will provide a
clearly articulated guide for strategic growth over the next ten years. So, what did
stakeholders say -- excuse me -- was most important to them. So, in the public outreach
document here are the five statements and they can be summarized by connected
pathways, trails and open spaces, sustainable development, quality community services,
buy-rent places and gathering spaces, smart transportation management and, then, they
also value multi-generational living opportunities, building on Meridian's identity, managed
growth that complements or enhance the quality and character of our neighborhoods,
responsible land stewardship and a downtown renaissance and preserving, protecting,
and enriching Meridian small town historic character and charm. Now, that's a lot to tackle
and synthesize over 14 or 18 months, but I think this draft is almost there. There are
some important issues that should be addressed before its adoption as you have heard
tonight. Two of those were submitted via petition with hundreds of signatures on it,
namely, the creation of an ultra-low zoning designation and defining open space. Susan
will speak to those points. Also there are some issues regarding the FLUM as you have
heard tonight and Denise will talk briefly about those. So , I know I'm short on time, so I
wanted to end with my one main ask is to consider what UDC changes and revisions
could be implemented simultaneously with this plan to give your body the legal foo ting to
carry out the stakeholders request that I referred to earlier. As you know we have been
pretty active in land -- land use applications going on three years now. So, we understand
the common issues that arise during hearings where the plan says one thing, but the UD
code -- the UDC code says another. So, we would urge you to look at our previously
submitted document that outlines some of these very specific ways that the U DC code
can be changed to support and give teeth to this Comprehensive Plan and really make it
a reality. And I will stand for any questions.
De Weerd: Thank you, Sally. And we appreciate you being so concise and -- and also
for all three of you for your service on the steering committee. You were strong and
needed voices and we appreciate what talent and -- and view that you brought to the
group. Council, any questions for Sally?
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Karnes: Going to step all over me. Good evening. I'm Susan Karnes. I reside at 5556
South Graphite Way and I will echo Sally's comments. Thank you for the honor and
privilege of sitting on this steering committee and kudos to staff. I mean talk about above
and beyond and herding cats adeptly if you ever need that done. In my humble opinion
this Comprehensive Plan marks an existential moment for Meridian. Who are we as a
community and where do we want to be in ten years. It's important that we get this right
and build a community that future generations will enjoy as a place in which to live, work,
and thrive. During this multi-month process as we read land studies and case studies
and researched successful communities across our nation, one powerful fact became
clear to Denise, Sally, and me. The residents of Meridian we are asking for the very
assets that urban planning experts tell us are essential to vibrant economically successful
communities that are defined by a strong sense of community attachment. For example,
a distinct community identity. Our residents tell us that the Meridian they hope for will
forever be defined by generous pathways, parks, open spaces, amenities and gathering
places. They want distinctive development and diverse housing options , so we do not
become anywhere USA, but rather a charming Main Street USA community. Shared
values and vision. Our residents truly cherish our agricultural roots and heritage and
value those livability factors that are unique to small towns , safe neighborhoods, friendly
people and the preservation and even enrichment of our story or history. We are on the
cusp of a truly great Comprehensive Plan, one that is stakeholder driven, but we are not
quite there. We believe further refinements will ensure that we fulfill that vision and reflect
the values of our stakeholders among them. We feel that we need stronger language to
protect neighborhood identities, require orderly development, and offer respectful buffers,
berms, and transitions. Why do we support a rural, very low density designation? Well,
to support language in the comp plan about aligning our code with the comp plan.
2.02.01A and 2.01.01C and 2-4 and to protect, preserve, and promote a rural, semi-rural
and estate properties. It may be eventually that we will be an urban community, but we
think it's premature, especially when the stakeholders so strongly value our existing
agricultural and semi-rural properties to bundle them under low density and I'm just going
to step aside and tell you that in the southern rim we are dealing with this right now. We
have had two neighborhood meetings on developments that will go adjacent to estate
properties, but they are zoned medium density and they are coming in with 80 foot wide,
five foot side setback, ten percent open space neighborhoods. That's not appropriate
transition.
De Weerd: Susan, I need you to summarize.
Karnes: Yes. Okay. At the very -- and, then, we would like immediate interim UDC
ordinance amendments to elevate the open space standards and amenity standards as
well and to clearly define open space and amenities. We believe these refinements, along
with those mentioned in our submitted testimony, are justified and encouraged. By urban
planning experts from the Urban Land Institute project for public spaces and more.
De Weerd: Thank you.
LaFever: Hello.
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De Weerd: Hi, Denise.
LaFever: Denise LaFever. 6706 North Salvia Way. When it comes to the FLUM this is
a deal breaker for me as a resident -- resident representative. Why? Between 160 and
200 land use changes were submitted by individual landowners largely with development
interests. I think it was a really prime example of the change in design and the staff's
desire to go back and come to the Council the way they did. The public outreach focused
on Fields, South Rim, Magic Bridge and a small scale southwest. This failed to be a
complete Comprehensive Plan for Meridian. With that said, a deeper dive into the plan
for southwest, southeast, Fields, downtown, Overland, Eagle and Magic Bridge needs to
be further developed. A -- a specific action plan for each of these areas should be
developed to address the values of our stakeholders. That would be our residents here
in our community. A focused effort to identify areas for large lot designations, commercial
-- commercial and high density needs to be specifically placed on the map to ensure
proper transition and successful integration through our community. Basically I'm going
to say the same thing that -- that Susan said. I think we really need to go back and look
at restricting land use changes to March or September, which was in our letter, and in
addition that we need to give two weeks before a public meeting to make sure that staff
reports and all the documents needed to be reviewed by the public needs to be in there
and I would like to give the last minute for Susan to wrap up.
Karnes: In closing I would just like to say that residents, partner agency reps, staff and
our fellow steering committee members invested 18 months of heart, thought, and debate
in this proposed plan. We believe it's only appropriate and, therefore, applaud your
decision to take the appropriate time to thoughtfully consider public testimony and this
plan. Let's get it right. We believe this deliberative process will ensure that this comp
plan and its FLUM are the best possible tools to serve as Meridian's next planning guide
and vision document. If they are carefully and solidly built , we will have assured the
integrity of this plan in the FLUM. Further, given the fact that our residents have elected
a new Mayor and three new City Council Members, we respectfully ask that this Council
consider is it fair to our newly elected officials to be responsible for a guide in which they
have had no voice or is it fair to the public who elected them to represent their interests
through a democratic mandate. We, therefore, ask that you apply your experience and
expertise to deliberate and recommend refinements and revisions, but consider deferring
the final approval to the new council in January. I stand for questions.
De Weerd: Thank you. Council, any questions?
Cavener: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Cavener.
Cavener: First I think this is the first time we have had all three of you up here together.
So, I want to say thanks for your service. I know that your group and our City Council
aren't always in agreement about decisions, but I just want to say I appreciate your service
to our community. You guys are here a lot and you are definitely a watchdog fo r what's
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going on within our community, so I want to thank you for that. My question was, Susan,
you touched on something that kind of resonated with me, which is that we one day will
be an urban community, but not today. So, I'm curious, does the Southern Rim Coalition
or do you have a threshold for when we do become an urban community ? Is it population
based? Is it employment based? I mean what -- what would be your basis --
Karnes: I think it's evolutionary. I think, for instance, let's use Rustler Lane as a case
study. There are two new custom homes under construction. These are all recently built
properties on five to ten acres. They are estate properties. They are enduring. And that's
one reason why we support an ultra-low designation, even if it's just to identify existing
uses, this is important to our stakeholders that we protect our rural heritage and our
existing rural uses. That's something that will likely be in place for decades to come and
in the Southern Rim submitted testimony you will see under footnote some of what we
believe are mis-identified enclaves, especially in south Meridian. We have so many of
them that are similar to that, but we also have some aging enclaves that are semi-rural
and as Wendy Webb testified, she's aware of someone with a ten acre property, that's
their retirement. That's their 401k. So, I think that we have to be open to the evolution of
that, but also protect those enclaves, those neighborhoods, those districts that seem
secure for the life of this comp plan and -- and I think the stakeholders have -- have stated
very clearly they value not only our rural heritage and history, but they want to protect and
respect those existing uses. Does that make sense?
Cavener: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Cavener.
Cavener: It doesn't. I guess. Sorry. I appreciate -- I appreciate you sharing kind of some
philosophy, but you are quick to say we are evolving and we are changing.
Karnes: Yes.
Cavener: But I guess I was just looking for us -- as a group who has been very active
and engaged in our community, I appreciate acknowledging that we are growing, we are
changing and that we one day will be an urban community were the words you used. I
guess I just was still looking from your group as to what -- when would you say that we
have arrived at that place?
Karnes: Madam Mayor, Councilman Cavener, I think it's going to be your call and I think,
in effect, you're being challenged to make a decision with people asking for ultra-low
density. This is your opportunity to draw the line and tell your residents and your -- your
stakeholders, we have now crossed the line and we are now going to be a community
that low density is 3.4 homes per acre and I think the residents if -- if that is the consensus
of Council, I think the residents deserve to know that and have that clarity. The Southern
Rim Coalition does not believe we are there yet. We believe that there is a place in a --
in a community that has a Comprehensive Plan that states we offer diversity of housing
and clearly includes in that description estate and rural, then, we need the appropriate
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designation to support that and part of the reasoning of that is to allow for appropriate
transition. I mean, you know, one thing we heard in steering committee meetings time
and again is the developers and the residents all want the same thing, we want clarity,
we want to understand what are the rules of the road and I think this is a juncture where
you will provide it and it's -- it's important to us. But to have five to ten acre estate
agricultural use properties and identify it on the FLUM as low and, then, place medium
next to it -- no, we don't agree with that. We think it should be designated ultra low and
the buffer to it, it should feather out too low and, then, to medium. That would be
appropriate transition and part of that is we have also a mandate to create a premier
community and distinctive neighborhoods and if we are careless or insensitive in our
transitions, we risk devaluing some of our most desirable districts and I come from a
background of affordable housing and I'm speaking to a very specific thing right now. I
don't want you to think my heart isn't in it also for high density and affordable housing and
so on. I think there is a place for all of that.
De Weerd: Susan, I would agree with you. It wasn't too long -- well, it was a lot -- a while
ago, but I did ask a developer who does estate lots why don't you do that product in
Meridian. Well, because they don't have the protections via our Comprehensive Plan and
our UDC to protect that kind of investment, that they put those kind of resources into
developing an upscale estate subdivision and have a not compatible subdivision next to
it, it devalues their investment and -- and those who buy into it and so I understand what
you're saying. We don't have those tools today to do that and I think that's what the
steering committee has really struggled with and grappled with and -- and I understand
that.
Karnes: And I would like to correct the record, because in the steering committee
meetings I think I was pretty clear in my request that we maintain a very low density
designation.
De Weerd: I think you were very clear.
Karnes: Yeah.
De Weerd: From what I understand.
Karnes: I just wanted to clarify that.
De Weerd: Well, I'm in agreement. You were.
Bernt: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Yes.
Bernt: In my time as a city councilman I have thoroughly enjoyed having conversations
with residents where I agree to disagree, where we have constructive conversation, and
if there are three people that I have had those discussions with is you three and I
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appreciate it, because you bring a different perspective to what we do and you are very
passionate and engaged and whether we agree, whether we disagree, whether you like
it or whether you hate it, that's what community is all about. So, you said something about
character and identity. You spoke about clarity. I think these are all three things that we
need to really talk about and we need to figure out a way in this Comprehensive Plan to
make it -- to make it beneficial to all who live here in this great city, because Councilman
Cavener spoke on his Sunday evening podcast on Facebook -- I don't know if you guys
watch this very often, but I sure do. Every Sunday. And he said this meeting is probably
the most important meeting that we -- that we have had all year long and I could not agree
more --
Karnes: Yes.
Bernt: -- and it's because of the character and identity and clarity that you speak of and
so I just wanted to say thank you.
Karnes: Thank you very much.
De Weerd: Any further conversation? Questions. Thank you.
Karnes: Thank you.
De Weerd: And, again, thank you for the time that you have dedicated to this. Greatly
appreciated.
Karnes: Thank you very much. It was a wonderful experience.
De Weerd: Okay. We will -- first we had David Claiborne and John Overton provide
representation for Locust View Heights and Woodbridge. Are there members of our
community in those -- in those areas that wish to provide testimony that was not covered
by the spokesperson? Okay. I will kind of start from this side of the room and go to that
side. Sir. And remember if you can provide, you know, something that -- that the spokes
people did not bring up. We would appreciate everyone's use of time. Thank you. If you
will, please, state your name and address for the record.
Shaw: Of course. Nathan Shaw. 955 South Well Street.
De Weerd: Thank you.
Shaw: Thank you, Madam Mayor. And if I may say thank you so much for your 15 plus
years of dedicated service and the wonderful things you have done with this city.
De Weerd: Thank you.
Shaw: And thank you to members of the Council. First and foremost, I would like to
extend a huge thank you to the staff , the steering committee, and the countless other
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team members who have worked to develop this plan. Let's see if I can get a mouse
here. So, my property sits -- let me get my bearings here. My property sits essentially
right here. It's a five acre piece of property. So, it's right in the heart of all this discussion
around the Magic Bridge area. Mixed use neighborhood is what's been proposed for my
property and I would like to voice my strong support for that land use designation. I know
there is a choice point on the table for Locust View Heights between what's currently
proposed in mixed use neighborhood and what some have proposed, like the attorney
gentlemen at the beginning by taking that to low density residential and I'm going to s tay
a million miles away from that debate, but what I would like to -- the point I would like to
make is that if you do decide to move Locust View Heights to low density, please, don't
take this area around Wells with it. This -- we need this mixed use neighborhood
designation here to provide a buffer and a transition point between some of the residential
neighborhoods, like our Woodbridge friends to the northwest, and many of the office and
commercial applications around that area, like the hotel just next door to my property and
of the office buildings right across Wells. So, I like that designation and if you do decide
to cut this off at Locust View Heights and move this to low -- low density, I would like to
request that you leave mixed use neighborhood in this area around Wells, as it does
provide a nice transition point as the lieutenant from Woodbridge commented earlier.
De Weerd: Thank you very much.
Shaw: Okay. All right. Thank you.
De Weerd: And now this section. Good evening. If you will, please, state your name and
address for the record.
Newby: My name is Ryan Newby. I live at 1710 Bentley Drive. It's in the Locust View
Heights Subdivision.
De Weerd: Thank you.
Newby: Appreciate your time. Want to quickly mention -- we are in agreement with the
steering committee to have low density designation in our neighborhood and we desire
that greatly for a lot of reasons. I'm going to try to hit environmental, financial, and safety
reasons in three minutes, so -- with two minus. I want to quote Mitra Mehta-Cooper, the
current Ada county and regional county planner for strategic planning managers who
spoke at a Meridian City Council meeting on September 17th. She said we need wide
open spaces to provide quality of life that are safer families, provide housing options that
are less than a half hour away from all. Providing natural rural locations among the growth
is challenging, but much needed and our neighborhood is hopeful that this will be the
case. I loved some of the words that Treg used -- or, excuse me, Councilman Bernt used
with regard to character and we believe that our neighborhood embodies some of the
character of Meridian and some of the things that -- what Meridian represents. My wife
was born into that home and they have had three generations there and we love it and
our kids are learning some of the great blessings of being there as well. With regard to
finances, we had our house appraised recently and we learned that city taxes, HOA fees,
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higher interest rates, variables, differences from one home time -- one home -- one time
homeowner exemption, when we compare that to houses in the area with similar square
footage and acreage that we have, it would double our monthly -- or our monthly house
payment and these aren't alleged, these are houses that were in the same years and so
on and so forth and we can't absorb that, we have other people in our neighborhood who
have fixed incomes, who are retired military, retired educators, who would be in the same
position -- real similar straits. With regard to safety, we love that we have a neighborhood
that doesn't have through streets, collector or connector roads. We would love to continue
that. We don't want to have the problems that Woodbridge has and we understand that,
you know, stated before that Woodbridge would like to pass that over to us. We don't
want it for the same reasons they don't want it and people coming through, it would
devalue our -- our community and make it much less a place to be where we have kids in
the streets and enjoying running back and forth to grandmas' and grandpas' homes. We
hope that the City of Meridian, who is known for being a family friendly place , would
protect our chosen lifestyle by saving and preserving our neighborhood the way that it is
now and -- and to save what we feel Meridian represents, the diversity that we offer in our
neighborhood, the buffer we -- we provide between the freeway and Woodbridge . The
green space that we provide. We have people walking in through our neighborhood all
the time. They enjoy it from the district service center from West Ada and all sorts of other
places that we have horses and places that represent Meridian. Just the way it is. And
that was a very cryptic three minutes, but if you have any questions I would appreciate it.
De Weerd: I think you did a very fine job in getting that all in three minutes.
Newby: Thank you.
De Weerd: Council, any questions? Thank you.
Newby: Yep. You're welcome. And our septic tanks are fine, by the way. We don't need
help from the city to handle that. So, we appreciate it.
De Weerd: Ma'am.
Rennison: I think if -- I am Pat Rennison and I live at 990 Mustang Street in Locust Grove
Heights Subdivision.
De Weerd: Thank you, Pat.
Rennison: And I think all evening -- I know we all want to go like this, but we have all
spoken the same thing. Our neighborhood is what everybody else would love to have
and has talked about tonight. We are a neighborhood that has open space , low density,
family encouraged -- we are encouraged by families, because we have three generation
families. We have four -- four or five of them there and the neighborhood has been there
for 50 years. Okay. Now, I will give you my -- my written part. Our Locust Grove Heights
Subdivision has been dealing with the Meridian City Council since February 2019 about
zoning changes. There appears to be conflict of interest with former and present
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authorities with bias in favor of developers instead of individual property rights. Many of
the developers in the valley are here for financial gain and not the welfare of the
community on the -- in the long run. Some are in favor of urbanizing Meridian, which is
in direct opposite of Meridian's advertising and goals to be family friendly. In recent
survey, an overwhelming majority of homeowners valued larger lots, less urbanizing. Our
subdivision provides the buffer zone to the north of the f reeway with mature trees and
with wildlife and so we are buffering your Woodbridge. You don't have to deal with all of
that.
Bernt: I moved last week.
Rennison: You did? We ran you out? No. Past mistakes by the city of not placing a
through street through Woodbridge Subdivision as originally planned helped the
developer gain financially and now by rezoning our subdivision, the city's hoping a
developer will put a through street down Cadillac Stree t. By shifting the responsibility of
that mistake to us, it is destroying a family centered neighborhood. It will also lower many
of our property values significantly after the first few sales. Individual property rights are
being ignored by this type of rezoning. As the majority of owners choose to remain R-1
zoning with no changes. As county residents -- citizens we have no voting rights per city
decisions. For over 50 years we have supported financially the Meridian schools, fire
departments, churches, community events and community morals. That's it. Okay. Our
-- I would also like to say thank you that I hope that you will help our neighborhood remain
intact, because dividing it into three sections will totally destroy it.
De Weerd: Thank you. Yes. You will need to speak into the mic.
Oyama: I thought maybe I spoke loud enough. Greg Oyama. Live at 2038 Cadillac
Drive. Lived there for 35 years.
De Weerd: Thank you.
Oyama: My big concern here is the revenue loss to the Meridian Irrigation -- Nampa-
Meridian Irrigation District. If this is turned into multi-use, the revenue that is not paid to
the Nampa-Meridian Irrigation District -- I pay 90 dollars a year. It isn't much. But if you
multiply it out by the 50 acres that are affected here over the next 40 years it's 250 ,000
dollars. Meridian Irrigation -- Nampa-Meridian Irrigation District operates and -- and
maintains the ditches around this area and a lot of other areas, so it's really important to
them that they keep this revenue and you are going to knock that revenue down . When
multi-use comes in they don't have to pay Nampa Irrigation District. The other thing I'm
concerned about is there is an aqua fill underneath our land. It's gave us water for the 70
acres that are there now -- right now. Are you aware that one inch of rain over an acre of
land is over 27,000 gallons of water. We get ten inches of rain in Meridian. That's a lot
of water that is not going to go into that aqua fill and one inch of even -- equally distributed
snow over one acre of land is 2,700 gallons of water. We get close to ten -- 11 inches of
snow each year. That's a lot of water that's not going into this aqua fill. That aqua fill
does not -- not only supports my family and everybody in this subdivision, but I don't think
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anybody has researched where this water also goes to. Do you know where the aqua fill
actually spreads out to? Is it going to affect other people? If we don't fill this aqua fill up
we are in trouble. We don't need to take away the water that is used for other things
besides our families. Drinking water. Bathing water. So, this is one thing I want you to
consider when you change this to a multi-use area. The other thing I want you to consider
is when you take 50 acres of land, you can increase the number of families by over a
thousand families. Every family has right at, according to the 2008 polls, 1.9 children
under the age 18. You are increasing a number -- a lot of people into the school districts
that you all know is all crowded right now. Every one of you can't deny it. Not any one of
you can deny that these schools are overcrowded. Well, I think you need to build more
schools before you build more housing. Let's plan for the future and I don't know if
anybody here knows multi-use, what is going to go in this land. Does anybody know
here? No, we don't. So, how can you plan for the future if you don't know what's going
to go there.
De Weerd: Gregory, if you can summarize.
Oyama: So, that's all I have to say to you is think about what you are doing here. Think
about the aqua fill and the environment that you are destroying by allowing housing and
pavement to cover up the amount of water that enters that aqua fill, which is more
important than anything you can imagine, because you don't know where that aqua fill
goes and what else it serves. You are going to dry up the city. Thank you.
De Weerd: Any additional in this section? I saw some -- yeah. John. Thank you for
joining us.
Forsberg: John Forsberg. 2320 East Cadillac Drive, Meridian. I like everybody else
here, would like you guys just to leave us alone. Low density residential would be great
with us. Okay. But this -- this FLUM takes all of the houses -- the house that I live in and
all my neighbors on the north side and leaves us to look across our street at this MU
development and to me that's the most egregious part about this -- this comp plan is, you
know, we become the buffer for Woodbridge. I mean our entire neighborhood being the
buffer for Woodbridge is -- is a good thing, but just our properties are single properties,
being that buffer is -- is really a pretty egregious thing I think. I mean if you -- if you take
part of it it seems like you ought to take it all. That's all I got.
De Weerd: Okay. Thank you, John.
Forsberg; Any questions?
De Weerd: No.
Forsberg: Thanks.
Hoogland: My name is Pim Hoagland. I have a property at 1625 Bentley. Do you need
my current address or not?
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De Weerd: That one works just fine.
Hoogland: Good. I like the P&Z Commission recommendation. The mixed use -- I'm not
a hundred percent sure on that. I had the property that borders Locust Grove. I have a
road on three sides of my property. Some of you have been out to my house for dinner
25, 30 years ago and you know what it was like when we had the big trees and it was
shaded and it was a nice place to be. You don't want to go there to dinner anymore. It is
nothing but noise and it is terrible to be there. We are not -- my property is not -- is not in
the Locust Grove View Heights. That is behind me. So, I would like to see it -- oh, I did
something there. But, anyway, I would like to see it be a commercial use, rather than a
residential, because it's a lousy place to live. It's -- the quality is gone. It's not there
anymore. I mean it just isn't. So, it needs to change. Even low density housing would
not be desirable in that location. Bordered up against Locust Grove, Bentley, and Truss.
I have -- I have roads on three sides of my property now. That's not the way it used to
be. My kids grew up riding their bicycles and learning to ride skateboards and we had
soccer games in the middle of Locust Grove. In the middle of it. It was a dead end street.
Once that overpass came in it was done. It was over. I moved . Quality life is not here.
I was part of COMPASS back in the '70s and '80s and we had a meeting at the United
Heritage Building. I said come on over here to the window and take a look at your quality
of life or what it's like on the interstate. Back in those days everybody drove through
Meridian, didn't live here. That's changed. Now everybody's starting to live here. So , I
would like to see a P&Z Commission recommendation from Truss to Locust Grove, from
Bentley to the Interstate as a commercial use or a buffer zone. No housing there , because
it's -- I have a house that sits vacant. It just sits there. I can't get people to rent it. It's not
desirable at all. And if I do rent it I don't get very desirable people in there. So , it needs
to be moved. I would also like to make a recommendation that we mo ve on this and get
a vote done. Not knowing what's going to happen to your property is worse than knowing
what's going to happen. I mean whenever you propose d the overpass I wasn't for it. I
didn't like that. But once I knew that you were going to put an overpass in, I could move
on with my family. I would like to thank the City Council for their time. Tammy de Weerd.
Mayor Tammy. Twenty-five years you're retiring. That's great. Also Caleb and Brian has
also been great help when I have asked questions. They have been wonderful also . But
I would like to remind everybody that I am not in the subdivision. The subdivision starts
on the backside of my property. It's been mentioned twice here that I am -- that the
subdivision goes clear to Locust Grove and it does not.
De Weerd: Thank you.
Hoogland: Thank you. Any questions?
De Weerd: We will get this gentleman and, then, we will ask --
Daly: Good evening. I'm Robert Daly. 1155 South Torino Avenue. And out of the Locust
Grove Heights Subdivision. It appears on the -- the one individual here that lives in that
section that is -- so, to Pim's earlier point, growing up in Meridian it was big news in the
1980s when we had 6,000 people. That's 40 years ago. Twenty years ago I bought my
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house. Hey, 25,000 people. Four times the growth. Oh, my God. Here we are again 20
years later, four times the growth. We are at about 110,000 people. This is like a pattern
or trend sort of thing; right? And growing up 6,000 people, we didn't have folks that were
doing things like what they were doing, developing, spending 18 months -- you all have
invested 18 months and a strategy and a plan. I love that. It's wonderful. In the '70s,
'80s we had cows. That's it. We didn't have a plan. No city plan. No one ever expected
we were going to hit 100,000 people. To Pim's point -- oops. That home used to be at
the end of a, you know, two lane dead end road. I-84 was a lot smaller. We have a
wonderful lovely home, but this being said, if you go outside -- if you were to have a City
Council meeting in my backyard you wouldn't be able to hear each other unless you had
bullhorns. It's not livable. We strongly support -- in fact, the -- to counter point the earlier
statement from the attorney, we saw this plan on the right back in February. Tweaked a
variant of it and we supported it then . We support it even more strongly now. All of my
neighbors in this area that I have spoken to support it as well. So -- or those of us that
do live in that red area, we encourage it and hope that you and /or your successors do
vote for it. So, again, thank you all for your support and the time tha t you have invested
in actually strategy and planning. Wonderful.
De Weerd: Thank you.
Daly: We are good.
De Weerd: Thank you for joining us. If you will, please, state your name and address for
the record.
Valdez: Barbara -- Barbara Valdez at 2220 East Continental in Meridian.
De Weerd: Thank you.
Valdez: Mayor, Councilmen, I am here to object to the future land use map change and
zoning for Locust View Heights Subdivision from low density residential to mixed use and
the separation of the northern edge of the subdivision from the rest of the land. I have
responded on three previous occasions to the request for input . Once in February after
a road was proposed. Again in August and before the Planning and Zoning Commission
meeting in October. I have lived at 2220 East Continental Drive since 1972. I'm now 80
years old and care for a disabled son, a Vietnam veteran. Living on this affordable
acreage in this subdivision enabled me to raise three children, teach at Boise State
University for 27 years. The proposed plan jeopardizes my intention for our properties
and that of the majority of my neighbors. That vision was based on our success in
achieving unique, affordable, congenial, healthy safe and sustainable community over a
period of years. Meridian has changed around us. So much is changing of what we have
created here. People depend upon having the space, fresh air, quiet and no traffic for
raising children, stay healthy and safe. Pursue your hobbies. Care for animals. To
conduct their home based businesses. By contrast , this just opens the door for more
change, cancelling our hopes for a continuation of opportunity for others to espouse this
lifestyle, as well as casting our future property values into doubt. Although the claim is
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made that such change will be likely to occur far in the future, the pressures that exist that
city government want to change a 50 acre stretch of land, has no intrinsic value beyond
an expanded mindset. I have four additional points. I have well water. I have adequate
space for drain fields. Have no problems with that. We were never included in the focus
group. We already have what others want, such as the Southern Rim and I think there is
a mismatch -- mismatch or contradiction between saying that a rezone to change things
tomorrow down the road versus saying that septic tanks long term are a problem,
especially given the previous years and filtering and the geology of the area.
De Weerd: Ma'am, can you summarize.
Valdez: Thank you very much.
De Weerd: Thank you. We appreciate your testimony.
Cavener: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Cavener.
Valdez: Oh, I'm sorry.
Cavener: Sorry. A couple things. One, I hope -- you rock 80s -- like well done and I think
it's really awesome that somebody who is 80 years old, has lived in our community for as
long as you have, are here talking about the future of Meridian. I just wanted to commend
you for that.
Valdez: Thank you.
Cavener: Also I didn't want you to -- I know that we are -- kind of the time is near, but I
wanted to make sure that all of your points you felt like you had the chance to convey
and so I heard three and I didn't know if -- if -- if there -- if there was a fourth or if maybe
a couple of them got combined.
Valdez: You know, there is a lot of talk about transition and to go from an R-1 to mixed
use seems like that isn't a very brief transition. I don't understand the zoning , though.
But that was just an impression that I had. And I think I have -- I think I have been able
to express all my thoughts.
Cavener: Thank you.
Valdez: Thank you very much.
De Weerd: Thank you. Was there any further comment on the Woodbridge and Locust
View Heights? Okay. So, we will move to Rock Ranch and Stetson Estates. Any
additional testimony? Yes. And, then, we will --
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Connelly: Good evening.
De Weerd: Good evening. We will let him get that loaded up.
Connelly: While he does that I will give you my name. Paula Connelly. I live at 3878
South Rustler Lane.
De Weerd: Thank you.
Connelly: And have been there for ten years. Thank you. I'm part of the Stetson Estates
community and I support what's been said and I know you have heard a lot about
agricultural practices, but what does that really mean? I'm here to -- to implore upon you
that you really look at the FLUM and when transitions between what are low or agricultural
uses currently match up with maybe a medium density, because these agricultural
practices are an everyday way of life for me and I want you guys to understand what it
means before you put, you know, a medium or a medium high density in next to us,
because what that really means to us as homeowners is , you know, we have noisy
animals, we have chickens, we have roosters. They crow in the morning. They squawk
all day long. We have barn cats running around. We have a donkey that can often be
heard braying in the neighborhood. During the spring and the fall our pastures are being
tilled, cut, and baled. That means noise. That means dust. That means when the manure
is spread as fertilizer it stinks for days. Now, that's my way of life. I don't expect it to be
everybody's way of life. Okay? I don't want to live in a condo or in an apartment building,
but somebody else may want to. It's about diversity. While these agricultural practices
-- you know, most people can get used to and live with, there is one practice a lot of urban
people may find offensive and that's the one I have the pictures of. I will tell you that I
tried to be very respectful in how I took the pictures, because this is not about being
grotesque, this is about what it means to live in an agricultural area. Every year in the fall
my steers that I raise and our neighbors also raise -- there are about half of us that practice
agriculture. This is what happens. We have somebody come out , our cows are killed in
the pasture and they are stripped down, they are, you know, hauled off to be cut and
wrapped. Okay. The steers are shot with high powered rifles in the pasture. They are
decapitated. They are skinned. I don't want some little kid standing on a play structure
right behind my house as part of a 300 house subdivision , you know, running in the house
screaming to her parents or his parents that, hey, guess what just happened in the field
over here and they are terrified. Okay. It is really about transition. I don't want a call from
the sheriff saying I had an irate parent because somebody was shooting a gun in the -- in
the field and, then, this is what was happening. You know, it's -- it's kind of like the person
who moved in next to an airport and, then, it's all of a sudden too noisy and they want it
to go away. So, I will wrap up with -- I respectfully request that the City Council consider
our agricultural area and make it a well thought out and planned community. There are
communities throughout the United States from Massachusetts to Texas to Oregon that
are called community supported agriculture and in those communities of one, two, three,
five acre, ten acre parcels, they are providing local products to farmers markets, which
we have a growing one here in Meridian. Food to local food banks and small businesses
while -- you know, these can be preserved --
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De Weerd: I'm sorry you --
Connelly: -- as communities.
De Weerd: -- need to wrap up.
Connelly: And I respectfully ask that you look at the transitions that happened between
these type of communities that aren't going to go away. They are there. Thank you.
De Weerd: Thank you.
Bernt: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Bernt.
Bernt: I got to tell you, Mrs. Connelly, this has to be the most frank presentation --
Connelly: I'm about realism.
Bernt: I can tell. In fact, I wish my hunt cam had pictures like this. We got skunked
and --
De Weerd: I'm just glad you didn't include the decapitated part.
Bernt: No, but you did -- all kidding aside, I -- it -- this makes it real. I mean this really
puts like a -- this is Idaho --
Connelly: Yeah.
Bernt: -- if you ask me. This is -- this is -- this is what we do. This is what this -- this is
what puts money in our pockets -- a lot of people's pockets and so it -- I -- you made me
think of it in a completely different way than I ever -- don't think I ever would have. So, I
appreciate that.
Connelly: Thank you. Questions?
Cavener: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Cavener.
Cavener: To that point of maybe a question for -- for staff. I can't recall -- do we prohibit
cows within the city limits? I remember when I worked for the city we -- we had a thing
about you were allowed hens, but no roosters or maybe no cows. I -- I can't remember
where we are on that and I think that's important as we frame this --
Connelly: I live in the county, so I'm in the city impact --
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Cavener: I know you're in the county, but I think --
Connelly: Okay.
Cavener: -- and, Madam Mayor, I think the point is even with a -- let's say we created a
rural designation, it complicates the conversation about it, because even -- as I
understand it, this type of use would be prohibited if somebody were to choose to buy five
acres, annex into the city, pay for the sewer and they want to raise their cows in this
manner, our current code would prohibit this use. Is that -- is that accurate?
De Weerd: That's correct.
Cavener: Okay.
Connelly: No. But they could still grow produce and stuff for your local farmers market.
Cavener: And I appreciate -- I appreciate, again -- I'm a farm kid, I -- it's a way of life.
Connelly: Okay. Thank you.
De Weerd: Thank you. We are dairy. I didn't get to see that.
Rinehimer: Thank you, Paula, for the images. Have to go home and watch cartoons
now. My name is Carol Rinehimer and I live at -- well, I don't live yet, but 4182 Rustler.
Just one of the houses that is currently being built. I would like to thank all of you for
listening to our position on the future land map. Just over 20 years ago and newly
married, my husband and I moved to Idaho , because we knew we could not raise our
future children in California. Yes. California. Both of our daughters are native Idahoans
and love that -- all that our amazing state has to offer. One is currently attending BSU
and is a member of the Blue Thunder Marching Band. Both girls were raised in a rural
area not far from here. Eagle. However, with the growth within the last five years,
especially the past year, resulted in us wanting to purchase acreage and build a new
home in another rural setting. Our five acres on Rustler Lane, surrounded by other five,
ten and larger lots and farms perfectly fit our dream. We are currently building our forever
dream home. One other home is being built and two others have moved into the Rustler
Lane within the last year. Young families. Our youngest daughter with special needs will
reside in permanently with us in our home. Living there will enrich her daily life with
experiences of being able to live and work our land, raise -- raise cattle. Her own chickens
for eggs. Witness birds of prey soaring through our yard and even landing on our current
house that's being built and able to do all of this in a safe , open area that is vital to her
well being, as much as ours. Finding solace on one's land void of encroaching civilization
is truly what every individual that lives in such a rural -- rural area longs and works hard
for. This is Idaho and what makes us a desirable state. They say build it and they will
come. As witness to the growth underway around us, it is sadly true. However, this does
not mean that the integrity and uniqueness of Meridian needs to be lost or simply blend
seamlessly into its surrounding cities. This is an opportunity for Meridian to maintain and
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enhance its rich farming and rural living communities and make it a prime location to live
within close proximity of our capital city. As it stands now, our subdivision Stetson Estates
on Rustler Lane, is currently listed as medium density and we are asking that it be
designated appropriately to rural, very low density and that the adjoining rural land be
designated to low density to protect our Idaho heritage, lifestyles, and ensure an
appropriate future transition that is unescapable. Thank you.
De Weerd: Thank you, Carol. Good evening. Thank you for joining us. If you will, please,
state your name and address for the record.
Randall: My name is Andrew Randall. I live on 4570 South Rock Ranch Lane. I didn't
plan on coming up here today at all, but just came to -- to support our friends and the
people here that live in Rustler and, then, Rock Ranch where I live. I'm a business owner.
I own over six different businesses. Most of them actually in -- in Nampa and Caldwell. I
choose to live in Meridian, because I feel like it's a premier place to live. I love the city.
We have a large home and I'm not the guy with like horses and cows. I don't have
chickens. But I love having a premium piece of property and it's beautiful and so when
we are talking about the ultra low or like the low, I also want to just say that the people
with larger homes that -- and the concern of, you know, where are we going to be in
however many years and, you know, being an urban community, I don't know when that
is either, but I would -- I would be concerned, because I won't want to live there where I
live today if it's surrounded by a massive amount of homes. I live there because I love
the ultra amount of property and the beautiful homes and I don't want to have to go and
live in Eagle. Pardon me. But I love where I live and I love that Meridian gives that and
there is a place to live for everybody. So, if there is any way to consider the fact that there
is not just a place for ultra low being rural or -- I think a lot of people will think of farms,
but also a premier or executive homes and properties, because a lot of it seems a little
bit fearful that Kuna may encroach on our area where we are and maybe there would be
a quick decision made that instead of being thoughtful , that there are people that want to
spend a lot of money and have premier and executive homes in the area and if -- if we
are surrounded by medium density -- a comment was made in the Planning and Zoning,
but if -- if there is the option for three to eight acres -- or homes per acre a developer is
not going to choose three if they can take eight. I know that as a business owner it just
doesn't make sense. It pencils a lot better if they can put more homes on it. So, I guess
I'm just asking for definitely considering the low or ultra low and not just for farming or ag
land, but just to consider the fact that there could be an area for premier homes as well.
De Weerd: Questions?
Bernt: Yes, please.
De Weerd: Mr. Bernt.
Bernt: Madam Mayor, thank you. Andrew; right?
Randall: Yes.
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Bernt: Andrew, how do you feel about having homes around your property that are acre
lots?
Randall: I would be much more -- I would be a lot happier if -- even if it was one acre.
Currently there is, you know, development that's got a plan and the first -- the first one we
saw, just against my -- I have six acres currently and it -- and it had I think eight or nine
homes against my one property line on one side. So, one acre would be -- that would be
amazing, you know, and I'm not against development, I think that it's -- it's going to happen
no matter what, but when we are talking about feathering -- it's so important. I think that
it doesn't make sense to see these really amazing communities have, you know, two story,
you know, three to eight homes per acre lots right next to us. I would just love to see
there be a much better transition for that.
Bernt: Thanks, Andrew.
De Weerd: Any other questions? Thank you.
Randall: Thank you.
De Weerd: Okay. Any other testimony on this area? Okay. Then we had Southern Rim.
Any testimony in -- in the Southern Rim area? Okay. El Gato. Sir. Well, see, you got to
spend your whole evening with us.
Pond: That's right. Half of my --
De Weerd: Well, thank you for being here.
Pond: Some of my families that I'm talking about tonight a little bit have gone home,
because they have had kids to take care of, so --
De Weerd: Well, thank you hanging in there.
Pond: Anyway, if you could bring up the El Gato Lane Subdivision. I'm Gilbert Pond. I
live at 5507 West El Gato Lane and if I can get this thing to work here I will show you
where that's at. As soon as he gets to it. There we go. You had it there. I'm approximately
right there. I bank on -- my back property banks onto the drain ditch there on Pine Lane.
There is -- talking about Ernie and Lonnie Sams, who own -- live right here. I have got
Stephanie and Don Dwyer, building contractor, lives right there. And J.C. Brown and --
J.C. and Susan Brown live right over here. And Earl and Fran Jorgensen live right here.
Pat stood a few minutes ago. Told about his experience with Locust Grove and his home
and the -- the sister that stood and talked about her slaughtering cows and that taken
care of in her lot, that happens on my property. That happens on all of these people's
property behind me and I'm -- heard a lot of talk from our great people here who have got
great education and gone and been trained and I have heard a lot about percentages and
we need this much percentage of commercial, we need this much percentage of
residential and so on. I think they need to throw that book out the door and take a look
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at what's actually taking place, because what's going to happen to my area is just what's
going to happen -- what has happened to the gentleman on Locust Grove and the
encroachment on this gal's property here with general industrial on Pine Lane and stuff,
I'm going to be looking at those people that have those lots and that kind of construction
someday down the road. It probably won't happen in my lifetime, but I have got 20 more
years I plan on staying there and I'm 68 -- 68 coming March and I plan on being there. I
built my home to stay there and I built it for a long time. I built it to last out of brick and all
of the -- my neighbors that live there are planning to do the same thing. They are all on
five, four and a half acre lots. Just a little history. This property right here used to be
owned by my father-in-law Kim Barney. Some of you may remember him. He -- he died
sometime early and he developed that. That was his farm. Vern Higginson lived on the
other end and he -- Kent helped him develop his and the five acre subdivision. They were
foresight enough to see ahead of time that the five acre subdivisions -- there is a couple
of three acre lots on there -- are a viable product. As soon as we have some put up for
sale it's gone. I mean the houses sell that fast and I don't understand why we are trying
to cram so many houses -- I'm a plumbing contractor, a mechanical contractor, I don't
understand why we got zero lot line homes and two -- two stories and all of this crammed
into the area. I have got two subdivisions across Black Cat and I have got the apartments
coming in and big time there on Ten Mile and they are moving this way. All of those people
have got to go somewhere. They like coming down El Gato Lane and walking at all hours
of the day and night. I have seen them there at 4:00 a.m. in the morning when I head off
to the Meridian temple and there is a number of places -- a number of things I see, so I
can't understand why P&Z can't allow the railroad tracks to be a buffer. It just needs to
be flatly a buffer to anything industrial and I don't think we need to have -- I think Puma
has a subdivision there. I know it's getting to the end of my time.
De Weerd: No, it is the end of your time.
Pond: It is the end of my time. But Puma -- they have nice homes. They are on a little
bit larger lots and it's an ideal situation. And so I just think it's highly recommendation that
the City Council vote in favor of removing that general industrial and making the railroad
tracks the dividing line and, then, work hard. Thank you.
De Weerd: Thank you, Mr. Pond. Any additional testimony? Well, we will -- I will let you
two fight it out. Good evening.
Anson: Good evening. My name is John Anson. I live at 6220 El Gato Lane. I have
been there for a very short 40 years. I'm here to tell you I support Jane -- all the
information Jane Byam provided and Gilbert Pond provided. The P&Z suggestion is much
-- is definitely an improvement over the original idea of taking -- taking the whole area as
industrial. My preference, however, would be -- would be the adopted future land use
and using the railroad tracks as the buffer, as Gilbert was suggesting. If that's not done,
at least use the Purdham Drain as the -- as the area for the buffer and the -- and take
away that -- that industrial area. Dumping all that traffic onto our road on El Gato Lane
for access both directions, that road is not designed for the traffic, especially when we put
it -- it goes industrial and it's not designed for the heavy trucks, it's not designed for all the
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traffic, it just -- it's just not big enough to do that and that's, you know, running all that right
through the middle of a rural neighborhood is -- is -- is just poor planning on our part. I
-- you know, the -- I also support trying to bring -- use the light -- add the light industrial
area over by the natural gas plant as some additional land. We do need jobs for the
people that are here and that area makes a lot more sense by the natural gas plant with
the expansion that was discussed earlier by Mr. Hood. We -- I want to appreciate your
thoughts and thank you for looking at our area for the open space. That helps turn our
whole city and as a -- and maintain the premier status that we -- that I think we are trying
to achieve. The -- our road El Gato Lane is used so much as a walking -- walking path
bicycle path, it's -- for all the people in the subdivisions nearby is another one mile
extension. On that area I have a horse ranch right now. We have up to 16 horses and a
lot of the other people have horses in our neighborhood. We have a national champion
dressage horse. We have national champion endurance horses. We have some of the
top quality sheep that are being raised. All by different people, not just on my place. And,
then, we support all of Meridian and this is -- by leaving us with the open -- with the open
space and low density or preferably the ultra low or -- and proposed ultra low and
proposed -- proposed rural designations, this is -- by having us there this is some of the
things that we do that -- to help support and makes Meridian into a premier -- premier
operate -- premier city. Just want to thank you very much. Those are the areas I support
and I want you to know some of that, too. Thank you.
De Weerd: Thank you so much.
Anson: Any questions?
De Weerd: Thank you.
Anson: Thank you.
De Weerd: Good evening.
Sams: Good evening. I'm not prepared as well as everybody's been this evening, but I
have enjoyed this. My name is Lani Sams. I live at 5457 West Pine part time. 755
Ostwich, which is a -- a Corey Barton house part time. So, I'm the piece of property that
they are all talking about, whether we do the train or whether we do the river. I'm just
going to say that I'm from Orange county, California. I'm 65 years old. Disneyland was
started when I was a baby. We used to have farmland around our house. It was lovely.
So, I grew up with agriculture and homes. I now moved to Meridian, which was a lifetime
dream to have property. I'm married to a builder. When we moved here we lived in
BridgeTower with green belts around us and we thought this is great. There is green land.
Well, we saw this piece of property and we bought the piece of property. Now, I go down
Black Cat and this is my complaint or my -- what I want just a minute to say is the builders
are coming in here and nobody's supervising them. They are -- they are building houses
-- today I just saw -- why are they taking the dirt away on these main streets, instead of
building up fences and berms? Corey Barton, I'm just -- when I get a hold of him -- I own
one of his homes, but when I get a hold of him -- why can't you make homes beautiful for
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our city. This is a beautiful city we live in that's -- that's getting all torn down with these
houses and I know that people need to live in them. I live in them. But why can't they be
well thought out and I'm asking you as the Council why are you allowing them to build
houses that are right next door to each other. You could spit on your next door neighbor
they are so close and there is no parks around these houses. W here are these children
going to go? They are coming. They are moving in as babies and they are -- they need
land. Where are they going to go? So, that's my biggest -- biggest concern as a grandma.
So, that's why I bought land so my grandkids will have land. But what are we going to do
about these fences that are four foot high in Meridian that we can see into people's yards
as we drive down the road. You are the Council, you are in charge, or is the builders in
charge? They get to build whatever they want. That's my big question of the evening.
Okay. Anybody have an answer please? Nobody has an answer?
Bernt: Definitely not on the record.
De Weerd: Yeah. There is -- we would be more than happy to have staff talk with you
about our ordinances that -- that talk about our open spaces and our fence requirements
and all of that if -- but this is not a place to have that two way dialogue.
Sams: I totally understand that. But what I'm concerned about is that these people that
are coming up -- I have only been here eight years, but these people have lived a lifetime
here to see that land and to see the -- the beauty of Meridian that's going down very
quickly. I don't know if any of you drive on Black Cat , but just drive down Black Cat and
you will see the difference of what beautiful Meridian used to be and what it is now and if
you guys are in charge of making it more like that, this beautiful Meridian is going to go
from number one, two, and three down to 85 with everybody coming here and building
these houses that are ugly. Just ugly.
De Weerd: Thank you.
Sams: Thank you. Sorry, I didn't mean to be so funny.
De Weerd: Any further testimony? Okay. Additional testimony? Yes. Good evening.
Yorgason: Good evening, Madam Mayor, Members of Council. Dave Yorgason,
representing the Building Contractors Association of Southwestern Idaho. My address is
14254 West Battenburg Drive, Boise, Idaho. I'm a Meridian High -- High graduate. Went
through all the schools -- the West Ada schools. I am from here. And I just want to give
a couple quick comments. First of all I want to thank you -- thank the staff for your
diligence for being thorough in the process, for being fully inclusive. Very impressed with
the process and your willingness to listen to the community tonight. I have a couple of
comments. The building contractors support the process and we really don't have a lot
of comments. We are not getting into parcel specific comments that you have heard a lot
of those tonight and I won't address any of those. I recognize the staff will be moving
forward in the city -- moving forward with further defining or clarifying usable open spaces
or maybe changes in open space will be determined here in the city. I have offered up
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my personal services or talking to the staff here they have said they will reach out to us.
We look forward to working with the city in that regard and I just want to make that public
statement for you as well. Lastly, I became aware of recently some questions regarding
matching the zones within the residential land uses and maybe I have a couple questions
with regard to that. I know under the medium density there is ranges of three to eight
dwelling units per acre and I think the proposed zones are not going to achieve that. You
might want to look at that. I would be happy to offer some suggestions, but I think you
are missing one zone there. Likewise, medium to high density, eight to 12 dwelling units
per acre. You are not going to achieve that also with the proposed zones that are written
in there and I can offer those suggestions tonight as well. Those are my comments .
Stand for any questions you have.
De Weerd: Okay. Council, any questions? Have you written a letter? I don't --
Yorgason: Madam Mayor, we did not write a letter. We made public statements and
making those to the P&Z and doing so again tonight.
De Weerd: Okay.
Cavener: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Cavener.
Cavener: I will bite. What are those suggestions, Dave?
Yorgason: Madam Mayor, Council Member Cavener, I think you are missing the R-8 zone
under the medium density. I think it only says R-2 and R-4. You might get three units per
acre. There is no way you are going to get between three to eight units per acre with an
R-4 zone. So, I think you're missing R-8. Medium to high density. So, eight to 12 dwelling
units per acre. I'm not sure I have the best answer for that one, but it says R-8 and R-15.
So, R-15 will get you at least eight. I'm not sure -- you might need more comments,
because I actually don't do as many developments in that area. I think there will be public
outcry if you hear R-40 underneath that label, but that's the only other option under your
current code, so I don't know if I have a suggestion for that one, Council Member Cavener.
Again, you are shooting for your range and your densities, if you want to carve them out
you want to make sure they apply. Just a suggestion.
De Weerd: Thank you.
Yorgason: You're welcome. Thanks again.
Conger: Madam Mayor, Members of the Council, Jim Conger. 4824 West Fairview
Avenue. First I wanted to start by giving my appreciation -- I was invited to be on that
stakeholder group through the whole Compensation Plan update process. So, very much
appreciated being part of that -- part of that. Your -- your city staff, the two you're looking
at mainly, countless -- probably a thousand hours and your consultant out of Colorado
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has been amazing from the pre-interviews that we had all the way through the entire
process. So, I cannot say enough about the process of how amazing it was. You know,
during our entire time -- I guess 18 months. I guess it dated all of us. I thought it was 14,
but we lost count. But lots of involvement, your staff and the consultants. So -- so,
continue amounts of involvement, work sessions within the involvement, the sub groups
that we had some of my -- my employees be on -- you know, in the subgroups. Obviously,
there was a bit of agreeing to disagree as you can hear from tonight , even in our own
stakeholder group. I think I have heard, you know, Mayor Tammy say it before as well, at
some point there is nobody happy with the plan, we must be somewhere near a workable
document, because if one group is extremely happy, another is going to be tremendously
unhappy. So, you know, much -- much to echo what Dave said, we are -- have no -- no
comments on the FLUM. There are certain areas that we -- we didn't quite become
satisfied with, but there are other areas that -- that we did. But I guess the only thing --
and I will pick up where Dave left off -- after 18 months I heard Caleb say tonight -- I think
for the first time that there will be allowable zoning codes attached and I wrote it down ,
so I'm listening -- to the comp plan under each land use designation . So, no, we didn't
provide written testimony because we were going to come spe ak and how wonderful and
transparent everything is. So, we -- we tore through the comp plan and found -- is it
possible to put up the evolving community section, Caleb, for me? Page 3-10 and I will
answer the question that -- that I believe you somewhat asked Dave and -- and we believe
that it's just -- just possibly an error. If you have low density, you have medium density,
medium high and the high, that is the same as the previous comp plan when it talks about,
you know, what the comp plan does and what we all know it does, it defines the density
and the uses that are allowed. We have never before attached zoning codes in a comp
plan. So, A, I believe the last sentence on every one of those paragraphs should just be
removed, but if we don't remove the last sentence of every paragraph, we should -- you
know, R-2 and R-4 on low density, but when we go to medium density we reuse the R-2
and R-4. That's missing R-8 and R-15, which R-15 and medium density will produce six
to seven and a half homes per acre. R-8 will produce four and a half to five homes per
acre. So, we believe that sentence should be struck. We did not know it was there. So,
you know, shame on us. We did go back through what was at P&Z and this was at P&Z.
We don't believe it was on the version before P&Z. So, we need to now take a minute
and go back and reread the entire document, because items like this are a big deal. So,
if you go to the medium high, it's R-8, R-15. Just to -- and I won't -- I will quit driving the
nail down with the -- and quit beating a dead cow, but if you take the medium high density
residential, it has eight to 12 dwelling units. I believe we heard Caleb say earlier it was
eight to 15. The previous comp plan in the entire 18 months I have been on it was eight
to 15, so I don't know where the 12 came from. But that's not even my point. But I don't
know where the 12 came from. But if you look at the eight is the minimum you can do in
a medium high, you go down to the bottom and you have R-8 and R-15. I can't produce
eight homes per acre barely with an R-15. So, the two zones that are there won't get you
there. And I --
De Weerd: Your time is up.
Conger: Oh, well, then -- then my time is up and I just appreciate the process --
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De Weerd: Thought Mr. Cavener might even ask you a follow-up question that will allow
you to talk a little longer.
Conger: Well, you know what, I'm certain I have got the answer for it. But I can work with
Caleb offline. We will provide a written letter if public testimony isn't closed. If it is closed
we won't.
De Weerd: Okay. Any questions?
Palmer: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Palmer.
Palmer: I think I said it so many times I just was driving people crazy, but I tried for two
years to get the -- the zoning letter numbers changed to something that makes more
sense, because when it changed -- or when it became dimensional standards, as
opposed to number of units per acre, it confuses the heck out of every single person that
ever stands before us, because if you -- like -- like exactly what you pointed out, R-8 does
not mean you are putting eight units per acre , but that's exactly what all the citizens
believe and so when they see all R-8 and -- you can't put that in medium density, because
you can't have eight -- eight units in a -- in an acre and call that medium density. Well,
that's not the reality and so I'm -- this is the -- the saddest part to me is that in 18 months
of this whole process that -- and all the effort that went into it, that we didn't put forth the
effort to -- to rename the zones to something that makes more sense. So , if we are not
going to rename them, then, they ought to fit within the -- the -- the density titles that --
that we are calling them. Otherwise, this -- this makes no sense to me. So, I was hoping
somebody was going to bring it up. I'm glad you did, because I don't know how this makes
sense.
Conger: Well, Madam Mayor, Council Member Palmer, I actually did spend 1,800 dollars
on an application to modify the code of the naming. We made it to staff and we made it
to the Planning and Zoning Commission and it was denied and kicked back and not
allowed to move forward and we never appealed it, because we -- we don't need that kind
of attention, but -- but we -- I think the discussion was there will be an opportunity when
the code gets reviewed over the next year process or however that would be the
appropriate time to name it. The Comprehensive Plan, quite frankly, probably shouldn't
even have the zones in it, but it is not the place to rename the zones, because it's in the
city ordinance and code, not in the Comprehensive Plan is what I have been told.
De Weerd: Any other questions? Thank you.
Conger: Thank you very much.
McKay: I have got to get up here before I go to sleep.
De Weerd: Good evening.
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McKay: I'm getting old. Can't stay up this late anymore. Becky McKay. Engineering
Solutions. Business address 1029 North Rosario in Meridian. I have been a planner in
the Treasure Valley for 30 years, believe it or not, and I remember the first time I ever
came to the Meridian planning department there was a little sign on the counter, said
population 9,000 and some odd people.
De Weerd: Six hundred. Nine thousand six hundred.
McKay: Nine thousand six hundred. And -- and to think now we have 115,000 is
remarkable. I mean this city has seen a 92 percent increase in population over 30 years
and I have -- I have been around when Mayor Kingsford, Mayor Corrie, Mayor de Weerd,
and many council members have come and gone and the one thing that's always been
constant is the commitment of all of you people and your predecessors and the ones that
will come after you, to be a good steward of this city and -- and you should be proud of
yourselves. There were -- there were times in the '90s when people said, oh, Meridian is
just a bedroom community of the city of Boise. Well, the city leaders had a greater vision
for this city and they forget their own way and they built an exceptional community that a
lot of the cities look at and go, wow, we wish we were Meridian. We wish we had the
economic base that they have, the diversity that they have, and so you guys should be
proud of yourselves and I'm proud that I have been a part of it for these -- all these years.
I'm here tonight as a consultant to Ada County Highway District. They are looking to
purchase two parcels of land that is located on the north side of Franklin Road, just west
of Cloverdale, right on the periphery of your area of city impact. One of the parcels is a
little over three acres. It's already in the city of Boise, zoned M-1, which is industrial, and
the other parcel, which is about 3.8 acres is in the City of Meridian's impact area, but yet
in the county, zoned RUT and R-1. Ada County Highway District already owns two parcels
located north of these parcels that they currently have storm drainage facilities on. Yep.
There it is. Right there. And they have an access drive that goes back to them . They
have retained me and my firm to help them with their due diligence , to figure out how to
develop this property. It is their desire to have a future traffic operations facility located
on these properties that adjoin those storm drainage lots. So, they would like to be able
to develop under one jurisdiction and so we want the Council to consider the possibility
that this could be removed, that 3.8 acres, out of the area of city impact, so that they could
annex into Boise and be developed under one jurisdiction. And lastly -- I know my time
is up, but -- I'm hurrying. Lastly, my office located out at Rosario that is in the Gem Tone
Center, that has been designated light industrial for many many years. We have a lot of
offices. We have Scentsy. We have Blue Cross.
De Weerd: Okay. You need to summarize.
McKay: In the proposed Comprehensive Plan they want to change that to mixed use and
we would like it to either stay light industrial or be mixed use , nonresident, because the
covenants do not allow for residential and we had a meeting with Blue Cross , Scentsy,
Petra, all of the lot owners and we would like that area to stay commercial. We have got
the residential component that Dennis Baker's building to the west and we would like that
to stay there.
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De Weerd: Thank you, Becky.
McKay: Thank you.
De Weerd: Council, any questions?
Cavener: Becky? I'm sorry. Madam Mayor. putting the cart before the -- Becky, thank
you. So, if I'm hearing you correctly for that piece over there by your office, you are saying
all the landowners within that area --
McKay: Yes.
Cavener: Are kind of -- they are all united in -- in that designation request?
McKay: Madam Mayor, Councilman Cavener, yes. The -- the covenants for the Gem
Tone Center do not allow for residential uses and it allows for office, commercial,
churches, retail, light manufacturing and so we kind of have a combination medical office
-- we kind of see that area as kind of a -- you know, an area that the -- the medical office
area by St. Luke's is filling up, it may migrate down to this area. We just don't feel that
multi-family or residential is an appropriate fit and we had a lot of owners meeting just a
weeks ago and everyone was in agreement that we would like it to stay either light
industrial or mixed use nonresidential.
Cavener: Madam Mayor. Maybe a request. Becky, would you be willing to convene a
joint letter of those lot owners to send onto the city on all their behalf?
McKay: Yes, sir.
Cavener: Kind of being a united piece.
McKay: Yes, sir.
Cavener: It sounds like we are going to -- we are going to noodle on this for a while. If
you could submit that I would appreciate it.
McKay: Yes. Yes, sir. Sam Johnson with Scentsy is our lot owners president, so I will
send him an e-mail and, then, we will -- we will prepare a letter.
Cavener: Thank you.
McKay: Thank you.
De Weerd: Okay.
Leonard: My name is Joshua Leonard. 251 Front Street in Boise. And I know we are
getting close to the time we all turn into pumpkins, so I will be really quick. My comments
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tonight focus on property at the northwest corner of Locust Grove Road and McMillan
Road. Currently designated mixed use neighborhood and it's zoned neighborhood
business. It's already within the city. We respectfully request that the designation at that
location be changed to commercial. During the Planning and Zoning Commission's
discussion that followed it's October 17th public hearing, staff mentioned that our client
likely could achieve a workable development at this location by simply filing an application
for a change to the development agreement that exists there and the problem with that is
that neither the development agreement, nor the zoning could be changed there until we
get the use designation changed, because any zoning change must be in accord with or
must comply with or must be in conformance with the Comprehensive Plan and future
land use map. This -- this -- this area, this little site, is far too small to be a mixed use
with any kind of a residential component. Following the October 17 th Planning and
Zoning Commission public hearing it seemed like Commission Members were generally
in agreement with the size and the configuration of this site, that it would be -- it would be
difficult to get the type of mixed use and the type of scope of use here to qualify it for --
for development under its current designation. Staff, however, wanted to see a
development application, which is -- is understandable and as a result the Commission
opted not to make our requested change. As I mentioned, the problem with that is we
can't make the requested change until the land use designation changes. Like Mr. Hatch,
who -- who testified -- I guess it was quite a while ago now, our client was told that staff
likely won't be willing to support changes to the -- the future land use map here for the
next little while. It's kind of what I called amendment fatigue , because they have been
going through this process for so long. We are amenable to modifying the zoning and
also changing that development agreement. But, again, it's only possible if we change
that to commercial and we respectfully request that that happen.
Bernt: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: What is it currently zoned? Isn't -- I mean that's where the Maverik --
Leonard: Yes.
De Weerd: Is that a Maverik?
Leonard: Yes. Right behind there. Yeah. That's exactly right. It's -- and correct me if
I'm wrong, but I believe it's zoned neighborhood business.
Bernt: Madam Mayor, aren't they -- isn't there a retail commercial building being built on
it currently?
Leonard: This -- yeah. And I'm just talking about the side that's -- that's located right
behind that. You're right, there is a multi-use retail building that's going in there.
Bernt: Because you're wanting like behind -- like further north than that.
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Leonard: Yeah. But not quite to the piece that's still in the county. There is a little enclave
parcel back --
Bernt: Right.
Leonard: -- there that still hasn't -- hasn't come into the city. That's not owned by our
client.
Bernt: Okay.
De Weerd: Can you circle it on the --
Leonard: You bet.
Borton: So, Madam Mayor, is it --
De Weerd: Or are you talking about the brown box?
Leonard: I need to see down a little bit. Just -- yeah. The brown box. You can see where
it cuts over and, then, also the -- let's see. Where is that -- that's a ditch right there to the
-- right above that to the north and along Locust Grove. You can -- you can't really see, I
guess, where the -- I guess you can kind of see where the current multi-use retail is going
in behind the Maverik. Where he is at right now.
De Weerd: So -- but it's in this brown box?
Leonard: Yes. Yes.
McClure: Madam Mayor, the zoning is currently C-N.
De Weerd: And -- and that -- is that your request is to keep it C-N?
Leonard: The zoning we can change once the land use designation on the property on
the future land use map has changed and currently that designation is -- is mixed use
neighborhood. We would like to make that so it's not -- doesn't have the mixed use
element, just make it straight commercial.
De Weerd: Okay.
Cavener: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Cavener.
Cavener: Josh, what's the size of that -- what's the size of that brown box?
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Leonard: That's a really good question. The brown box itself I think is just under an acre,
like .79. Is that right? Or is that with -- that may be my calculation based on looking at
the -- the buildable envelope.
Borton: It's not very big.
Leonard: No, it's not. It's very small.
Cavener: All right. Thanks.
De Weerd: Okay. Any other questions? Thank you.
Leonard: Yeah. You bet.
De Weerd: Okay. Is there any further testimony? Okay. Council, we are a few minutes
after 11:00. We can ask for comments from staff addressing some of the testimony at the
beginning of the next meeting and in the meantime if you wanted to close the public
hearing for public comment, but allow any letters to be entered into testimony or --
Borton: Written submissions. Makes sense.
Cavener: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Cavener.
Cavener: We are all kind of mumbling to ourselves in agreement of what you are
suggesting, but I think for the benefit of everyone here and those still watching online , I
think that's appropriate. I think the message needs to be clear to our community, we are
still open to receiving comment or thoughts, recommendations, suggestions, but to
receive that via letter, e-mail, that can be added to the public record. But I would be
supportive, at least for now, closing the public hearing and give Council time to deliberate
on the public testimony that we have heard tonight and the ample letters that we have
received throughout this process.
De Weerd: I might want to suggest maybe keeping the -- the hearing open for written
testimony and staff's remarks, because they may enter something that has not been
talked about and I hate to close the public hearing and have new -- new testimony.
Cavener: Madam Mayor. Agreed. So, I -- for me when I -- when I talk about closing the
public hearing it is, yeah, related to -- to public testimony, but feedback from staff to me I
think is -- is welcome and encouraged. So, that at least for me is kind of encompassed
-- of my thoughts. Madam Mayor, if I can, you know, just food for thought for those that
are here and for Council -- first, thanks to staff. You know, 18 months ago, barely, we
charged you to bring us a plan before the end of this year and you guys did that in spades
and to hear for the most part public feedback from people who are either in favor or
opposed to this to commend you is an understatement. You guys have been kind of a
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short staffed department for way too long and to be able to produce such a compelling
document for our community is something that's really remarkable. For me , Madam
Mayor, because the amount of time that staff , community stakeholders, Planning and
Zoning, have put into this, I don't want us to -- to rush into this and to say we are going to
make a decision next week. Maybe we will, perhaps we will not, but I think it's important
that the public understands that the Council's taking this plan seriously and we are going
to put the time to make sure that whatever decision we render is best. Madam Mayor, an
additional comment if I may. And this is something just I think for Council to -- to noodle
on. Because it was suggested multiple times throughout the night -- and, frankly, it's
something that I have thought about a lot over the past two weeks -- is when we began
this process 18 months ago we didn't know that come January we would have a brand
new Mayor and three new City Council Members. This body is going to change
dramatically and I at least try to put myself in a new Mayor and new Council's shoes about
inheriting a plan that maybe you didn't have the opportunity to weigh in on and I know that
we have heard written testimony from at least one Council Member elect, but because so
much of the work that comes to this is in terms of policy, I think there is a benefit for having
that new Mayor and new Council the ability to weigh in on it and so I know this body has
really resisted continuing any item for a future Council, but I would at least hope that as
a current body we would maybe consider that as an option related to this, to continue the
deliberative process, to continue I think as has been recommended to maybe make
potential recommendations for changes, but not to adopt this new plan until we have a
new Mayor and new City Council to see it.
De Weerd: Okay. Other comments or -- we are looking for direction.
Borton: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Borton.
Borton: Moving it to -- or continuing this as described to next week, so that as to the first
part of the comments, it makes good sense. That date is relatively light at 6:00 p.m. on
the 26th, but we will see. But I take it that's where you were going on a date to continue
this. The 26th makes good sense. And, Madam Mayor, as to whether or not we act on it
on the 26th, I think of this plan less is one that the seven of us have designed and
implemented, rather than one that hopefully we set out a process over 18 months that
allows stakeholder input to be compiled and vetted and -- and received and -- and kind of
objectively run through a fair process to culminate with us making an ultimate decision ,
so long as that process is fair and thorough and complete I think we can make a decision
the same as new electeds. If -- and if there is any comment that -- that newly electeds
want to provide, by all means, provide it. I think it's fantastic to hear that as well. But if
we -- if we act or we don't act, I think the most important part is the process utilized to get
us to this point. So, that's kind of how I'm looking at all of the data, the information that
we have heard today and what we have read to -- to help make an informed decision, if
that happens this year.
Bernt: Madam Mayor?
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De Weerd: Mr. Bernt.
Bernt: I appreciate the comments of Mr. Borton and Mr. Cavener. I agree with them. I
think this is a process that we need to take our times on -- or take our time on and really
gnaw on this a little bit and different quadrants for our city, make sure we are making
sound, wise, prudent decisions. As far as the newly electeds are concerned -- can you
hear me? Okay. As far as the newly electeds are concerned, we have heard from Council
Woman elect Strader. I would love to hear -- you can't of hear me? Oh. Is that better?
It's way better, isn't it. So, I love to hear from other Council -- elected -- newly elected
officials as well, so -- but I would also like to see how this plays out to a certain degree as
well. So, I mean I'm open to that, but I would like to see where this -- where this goes
next week and -- and see if we can nail this out sooner than later, but if we have -- if it
goes -- if we need to extend it out, then, I'm open to that discussion. I'm not opposed to
it. Sorry, Dean. Can you hear me now? Did you make a motion?
Cavener: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Cavener.
Cavener: I think you are still chairing the meeting. I think a question was posed if I have
made a motion and -- and I have not. I guess this has been more of a -- I think a free
form conversation a little bit before any motions are made. Unless anyone is standing up
to provide any additional comments, I'm -- I'm happy to make a motion that we close the
public hearing on Item 7-A, the Comprehensive Plan, H-2019-0101.
Bernt: Second.
De Weerd: I have a motion and a second to close public hearing.
Nary: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Nary.
Nary: Madam Mayor, Members of the Council, I guess what I heard before is your
intention to close the public testimony, but still take other matters? Because the court
considers it all a hearing. So, I thought you -- your attention was really to close the public
testimony.
Cavener: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Cavener.
Cavener: Mr. Nary, as always, does a good job of very gently reminding me where I have
screwed up. So, yes, what -- what Mr. Nary has stated is my intent. I guess from a
process standpoint is it just, then, to continue the public hearing, but to close public
testimony in terms of a motion -- so, Madam Mayor, if I could revise my motion, which is
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to continue the public hearing for the Comprehensive Plan to next Tuesday, November
-- do we have it here -- 26th. Thank you, Council President Borton. But to close the
public testimony portion of this hearing, if the second would agree.
Bernt: Second agrees. The second agrees.
De Weerd: And that would include written testimony to be allowed and staff comments.
Cavener: Correct, Madam Mayor.
De Weerd: Okay.
Cavener: And the rest of my comments, that's accurate.
De Weerd: Thank you. Okay. The motion is to continue this public hearing, to accept
written testimony and staff comments. Any discussion? If not, all those in favor say aye.
Any opposed? Okay. We will hear this again next week.
MOTION CARRIED: FIVE AYES. ONE ABSENT.
Item 8: Ordinances
A. Ordinance No. 19- 1861: An Ordinance (H-2019-0088 Idaho Fine
Arts Academy) For Rezone Of A Portion Of The SE 1/ 4 Of
Section 18, Township 3 North, Range 1 East, Boise Meridian,
Ada County, Idaho; Establishing And Determining The Land Use
Zoning Classification From I-L (Light Industrial) Zoning District
To C-G (General Retail And Service Commercial) Zoning District
In The Meridian City Code; Providing That Copies Of This
Ordinance Shall Be Filed With The Ada County Assessor, The
Ada County Recorder, And The Idaho State Tax Commission, As
Required By Law; And Providing For A Summary Of The
Ordinance; And Providing For A Waiver Of The Reading Rules;
And Providing An Effective Date.
De Weerd: Ordinance 8-A is 19-1861. Mr. Clerk, will you, please, read this by title.
Johnson: Thank you, Madam Mayor. It's an Ordinance H-2019-0088, Idaho Fine Arts
Academy, for rezone of a portion of the SE 1/4 of Section 18, Township 3 North, Range 1
East, Boise meridian, Ada county, Idaho; establishing and determining the land use
zoning classification from I-L (Light Industrial) Zoning District to C-G (General Retail and
Service Commercial) Zoning District in the Meridian City Code; providing that copies of
this ordinance shall be filed with the Ada County Assessor, the Ada County Recorder, and
the Idaho State Tax commission, as required by law; and providing for a summary of the
ordinance; and providing for a waiver of the reading rules; and providing an effective date.
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De Weerd: We are still meeting.
Johnson: Would you like that again, Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: No. I heard it. Council, if there is no further information you need on this,
would entertain a motion to approve this ordinance.
Cavener: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Cavener. Thank you so much for being president.
Cavener: No problem. I didn't know if we wanted to be here all night. Have a slumber
party. I move that we approve Ordinance No. 19-1861 with suspension of rules.
Little Roberts: Second.
De Weerd: Have a motion and a second to approve Item 8-A. Mr. Clerk, will you call roll.
Roll call: Borton, yea; Milam, absent; Cavener, yea; Palmer, yea; Little Roberts, yea;
Bernt, yea.
De Weerd: All ayes.
MOTION CARRIED: FIVE AYES. ONE ABSENT.
Item 9: Future Meeting Topics
De Weerd: Anything under Item 9? This is where I really would like --
Palmer: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Palmer.
Palmer: I move we adjourn.
Cavener: Second.
De Weerd: I have a motion and a second to adjourn. All those in favor say aye. All ayes.
MOTION CARRIED: FIVE AYES. ONE ABSENT.
MEETING ADJOURNED AT 11:15 P.M.
(AUDIO RECORDING ON FILE OF THESE PROCEEDINGS)
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