HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-12-10 Regular MinutesMeridian City Council December 10, 2019.
A Meeting of the Meridian City Council was called to order at 6:05 p.m., Tuesday,
December 10, 2019, by Mayor Tammy de Weerd.
Members Present: Tammy de Weerd, Joe Borton, Luke Cavener, Genesis Milam, Ty
Palmer, Anne Little Roberts and Treg Bernt.
Also Present: Chris Johnson, Bill Nary, Bill Parsons, Warren Stewart, Jeff Lavey, Joe
Bongiorno and Dean Willis.
Item 1: Roll-call Attendance:
X__ Anne Little Roberts X_ _ Joe Borton
X__ Ty Palmer X__ Treg Bernt
_ X___Genesis Milam _X___Lucas Cavener
__X__ Mayor Tammy de Weerd
De Weerd: I'm going to go ahead and start tonight's meeting. Sorry that we start a few
minutes late, but thank you for your patience. For the record it is Tuesday, December
10th. It's five minutes after 6:00. We will start with roll call attendance, Mr. Clerk.
Item 2: Pledge of Allegiance
De Weerd: Item No. 2 is the Pledge of Allegiance. If you will all rise and join us in the
pledge to our flag.
(Pledge of Allegiance recited.)
Item 3: Community Invocation by Ed Mechtel of Calvary Chapel Meridian
De Weerd: Tonight we will be led in the community invocation by Ed Mechtel also with
Calvary Chapel here in Meridian. If you will all join us in the community invocation or take
this as an opportunity for a moment of reflection. Thank you, Ed, for joining us.
Mechtel: Thank you for having me. It's a privilege and honor. If you guys would pray
with me. Lord God, we just thank you so much for each one in the room tonight . Lord,
we know that you have created each one and, Lord, that you have them on a mission that
you see fit each one. Lord, we lift the City Council Members to you this morning and
those others that are here and pray that you would give wisdom and discernment and the
ability to understand and project the decision that's best for the City of Meridian. Lord,
we lift Mayor Tammy to you this evening and, Father, we thank you so much for her
commitment to the city and, Lord, it's almost heartbreaking that this is her last year, but
we pray that you would be with her and her family, Lord, that, you know, you would bless
them and we lift them on high to you. Lord, we pray the transition to the new member --
or the new mayor would be smooth and it would be a great thing for the City of Meridiem.
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Father, we pray for the blessings from you onto the City of Meridian and all that goes on
here. We thank you so much for what you have done here, what you continue to do, and,
Lord, for those that are in position to make the City of Meridian what it is. And, Lord, we
just pray that, you know, your -- you would be present in each heart tonight, Lord, that
you would help guide and direct this meeting tonight, Lord, and that each one would have
joy here tonight in the decisions that they make and they are called to do. Father, we
thank you so much for your love, your mercy, and your grace and, Lord, we pray that you
would be with each one of us tonight, in Jesus' name we pray, amen.
De Weerd: Thank you, Ed. We appreciate you kicking us off.
Item 4: Adoption of Agenda
De Weerd: Item 4 is adoption of the agenda.
Borton: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Borton.
Borton: There were no changes as published, so I move we adopt the agenda.
Cavener: Second.
De Weerd: I have a motion and a second to adopt the agenda. All those in favor say
aye. All ayes.
MOTION CARRIED: ALL AYES.
Item 5: Announcements
De Weerd: And under announcements -- Christmas in Meridian continues. We have
Twilight Christmas Market that kicks off tomorrow from noon to 7:00 here at City Hall.
Also going on right now until -- well, it's over, so -- but we do have a new showing in Initial
Point Gallery and a number of artists have their -- their talent hung up on -- on the walls
and it's a beautiful exhibit. As well we have the 3D filled and that's very interesting as
well. So, I would invite you to go upstairs and -- and take a look. Thursday we have an
employee open house from 3 :30 to 5:00. And, then, the public from 5:30 to 7:30 to -- to
say their farewells and, then, on Saturday, December 14th from 10:00 to 3:00 at the
Meridian Boys and Girls Club we have the Children's Winterland Festival that the Parks
Department does every year. If you haven't been it's -- it's a great time for families and
definitely our kids. And don't forget the letters are still being taken in Santa's mailbox and
as long as the letters have a legible return address they will receive a letter back before
December 20th and I think that goes to the 12th; is that correct, Garrett? Okay. Is there
anything else?
Milam: Madam Mayor?
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De Weerd: Yes, Mrs. Milam.
Milam: So, you stole of all my things -- almost -- on my list of announcements from the
Parks Department. The Santa's mailbox is until December 20th and the Salvation Army
Angel Tree still has some tags on it out there. That is good to the 12th. So, gifts need to
be brought back here by the 12th. Thank you for --
De Weerd: Very good.
Milam: -- covering most of my stuff. I appreciate that.
De Weerd: You bet. And next -- next Tuesday between the work session and the regular
session we will have a reception for our outgoing City Council Members. So, encourage
you all to come and join us.
Item 6: Future Meeting Topics - Public Forum (Up to 30 Minutes Maximum)
De Weerd: And if there is nothing further, we will go ahead and move on to Item 6 for
future meeting topics. Mr. Clerk, any sign-ups?
Johnson: Madam Mayor, there is one sign-up. Paul Orlando.
De Weerd: Okay. This section we take -- is an open public forum. We can't make any
decisions, but we have three minutes and, Paul, would you like to come up and join us.
Good evening. If you will, please, state your name and address for the record.
Orlando: My name is Paul Orlando. I live at 4922 South Bittercreek Avenue in Meridian
and my office is on Eagle Road in Meridian.
De Weerd: Thank you for joining us.
Orlando: Thank you. Good luck, Mayor de Weerd, with you.
De Weerd: Thank you.
Orlando: Council, thank you for having me. I live in the Bittercreek Subdivision just a --
since I only have a few minutes to share. My subdivision 12 years ago had an
arrangement where the city was going to provide us sewer and a couple years after that
when we moved in the subdivision two years after the 12 years they reaffirmed the
agreement. A few years later the city decided not to do sewer there and we made a new
agreement where the city would get us connected to Kuna at some point in the future.
Several years have gone by, we still don't have sewer. We are using a microbic system
in our subdivision. The city agreed to -- the last two years to provide us with inspections
on our city sewer and this last year the company called Wastewater Management had a
lot of problems that we found out and discovered this year. One , we had a break-in in
one of the homes that the person was -- that came in and broke into somebody's home,
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so the police were called. In addition to that four homes had wires cut on their microbic
systems to bypass the alarms that are set up on them and 20 out of 25 homes today h ave
problems that are considered somewhat major, two to three thousand or more in damage
that has been done, because we weren't notified that the systems needed maintenance
on them or needed to be dumped as they were in the past. So , today there is 20 homes
that have substantial bills that are coming their way and certainly we feel -- because we
haven't been provided sewer in the last 12 years and/or the folks that the city hired to do
those repairs are failing and putting us in a bad situation , we ask that you guys do two
things for us. One, continue to help us get sewer, because 12 years is a long time not to
have it when we were intended to have it within a couple years. But , more importantly,
help us take care of the systems that we have proble ms with now in our subdivision.
Thank you.
De Weerd: Council, I guess I will ask our City Attorney and our Public Works director if
they will look into this and get together with Mr. Orlando.
Orlando: Thank you.
Item 7: Ordinances
A. Second and Third Reading for Ordinance No. 19-1856: An
Ordinance Adding Meridian City Code Section 6-2-8(D ),
Regarding Dogs Off Leash in a Public Place; Adopting a
Savings Clause; and Providing an Effective Date
De Weerd: Okay. Thank you for joining us. Item 7-A is the third -- or second and third
reading of Ordinance 19-1856. Mr. Clerk, will you, please, read this by title.
Johnson: Thank you, Madam Mayor. This is an ordinance adding Meridian City Code
Section 6-2-8(D), regarding dogs off leash in a public place; adopting a savings clause;
and providing an effective date.
De Weerd: Okay. You have heard the reading of this ordinance. We have held several
-- a number of public comments. Is there anyone who would like to hear it r ead in its
entirety?
Milam: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mrs. Milam.
Milam: I move that we approve Ordinance No. 19-1856 with suspension of rules.
Cavener: Second.
De Weerd: I have a motion and a second to approve Item 7-A. Is there any discussion?
Mr. Clerk, will you call roll.
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Roll call: Borton, yea; Milam, yea; Cavener, yea; Palmer, yea; Little Roberts, yea; Bernt,
yea.
De Weerd: All ayes. Motion carried.
MOTION CARRIED: ALL AYES.
B. Ordinance No. 19-1866: An Ordinance Repealing and Replacing
Meridian City Code Title 1, Chapter 9, Sections 1-9-1 through 1-
9-3, Regarding Definitions, Investments, and Budget Policy, and
Replacing with New Sections 1-9-1 through 1-9-3, Regarding
General Provisions, Authority and Responsibility, and Policies;
and Providing an Effective Date
De Weerd: Item 7-B is Ordinance 19-1866. Mr. Clerk, will you, please, read this by title.
Johnson: Thank you, Madam Mayor. This is an ordinance repealing and replacing
Meridian City Code Title 1, Chapter 9, Sections 1-9-1 through 1-9-3, regarding definitions,
investments, and budget policy, and replacing with new Sections 1-9-1 through 1-9-3,
regarding general provisions, authority and responsibility, and policies; and providing an
effective date.
De Weerd: Council, we did have our CFO send these out to you some time ago and was
here last week to answer any questions. Is there any discussion on this item? If not, is
there anyone in the audience who would like to hear this read in its e ntirety? Okay.
Cavener: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Cavener.
Cavener: Move we approve Ordinance No. 19-1866 with suspension of rules.
Milam: Second.
De Weerd: I have a motion and a second to approve Item 7-B. If there is no discussion,
Mr. Clerk.
Roll call: Borton, yea; Milam, yea; Cavener, yea; Palmer, yea; Little Roberts, yea; Bernt,
yea.
De Weerd: All ayes. Motion carried.
MOTION CARRIED: ALL AYES.
Item 8: Action Items
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A. Public Hearing for Program Year 2018 Community Development
Block Grant Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation
Report (CAPER)
De Weerd: Item 8-A is a public hearing for Program Year 2018 on the CDBG and I will
turn this over to Crystal. Thank you for joining us.
Campbell: Thank you, Madam Mayor, Members of the Council. As you may recall I was
here a couple weeks ago talking about the end of year report, which we refer to as the
CAPER. So, I'm here tonight for the public hearing and also just to give everybody a brief
reminder of what was in the CAPER. So, the first thing that we focused on were the
goals. So, this year we worked on improving accessibility, providing social services,
admin and fair housing and enhancing homeownership -- homeownership opportunities.
As far as expenditures, we spent 342,000 dollars in admin and fair housing, homebuyers
assistance, sidewalks streetlights and a picnic shelter, as well as extended care
scholarships with the Boys and Girls Club and homelessness prevention through the
Jesse Tree. Funds not spent by the end of the program year were around 367,000. Of
these the majority of it went into construction projects. The first one was the Carlton area
sidewalks. Those are anticipated to be completed in the next week or so. The Chateau-
Chief Joseph streetlights, phase one of that was completed in November, as was the
Crestwood-Fenway streetlights and the Meridian Library restrooms were completed in
October. So, the majority of that has been spent at this point. Funds that we know need
to be reallocated during this upcoming program year are for the homeownership program.
There was some funds that they weren't able to find enough households for and there is
also some admin and warehousing costs that we didn't need. The focus of the CAPER
is also on planning for the upcoming year. We try to look ahead to identify the most
effective use of funding. One area that we really look at is affordable housing . To -- to
address this we fund childcare through the Boys and Girls Club extended care
scholarships. We also offer homebuyers assistance program and for this coming year we
are working on a homeowner rehab program. I'm also working on a proposal for a formal
work group that could address fair housing or, I'm sorry, affordable housing in a more
broad scope. There is a lot of collaboration involved, so that we can try to keep our hand
on the pulse of what's going on in the community. We work closely with Our Path Home,
Behavioral Health Board, Meridian Anti-drug Coalition, Housing and Homelessness
Roundtable, Neighbors United and Unity Through Inclusion, which it just got its official
name. Last time we referred it to as the Diversity Workgroup, but it's the same thing. So,
there are not many updates. There were no changes to the content. I did forget to include
the introduction last time. So, I added the introduction, which, basically, just talks about
what the CAPER is and what the timeline is that we are reporting on. And the other
update is to Attachment One, public comment. There were no public comments. So, I
noted that in there and I also -- I included the legal notices from the Idaho Statesman,
Meridian Press Tribune and a screenshot of the website showing that we did put it out
there for public comment. So, we are almost done with the CAPER. The final steps left
tonight are the public hearing and closing the public comment. When that's closed , then,
I will finalize the CAPER and submit a resolution next week and as soon as that's
approved, then, I can submit it to HUD. And with that I will stand for questions.
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De Weerd: Crystal, I guess I just want to make a -- a comment. I think this is the cleanest
that this program has ever been and I just want to thank you for all your efforts. This is
so impressive to see how you have been able to wrestle this program, get it on a solid
track forward, and just want to tell you how much we appreciate it.
Campbell: Thank you. I appreciate that.
De Weerd: Council, any questions? Okay.
Cavener: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: I'm sorry. Mr. Cavener.
Cavener: Crystal, would you mind just giving us a little bit more info on the diversity
through inclusion?
Campbell: Sure. We are -- we are -- actually identified the first strategy that we are
working on right now we are going to take the next several meetings -- we are meeting
once a month for two hours and we are going to try to put together a little bit more data
on what's going on in Meridian and see if there needs to be a community assessment or
if we can pull together some data that's already out there from other assessments and,
then, we want to bring it to Council and the Mayor to -- to let you know what's going on
and, then, at that time we will be able to identify and ask whether it's looking into like a
human rights commission or something like that or whether it's just supporting us as
moving forward with the city. So, I'm not really sure what the ask is going to be , but
probably this summer, then, we will be doing that and presenting it to you guys.
Cavener: Madam Mayor. Crystal, I just applaud you and it sounds like a committee's
worked on this. Something I have got a unique interest in and look forward to hearing
from you this summer.
De Weerd: Very good. This is a public hearing. Is there anyone, Mr. Clerk, that is signed
up to testify?
Johnson: Madam Mayor, there is nobody signed in for this.
De Weerd: Is there anyone in the audience who would like to testify on this item? Okay.
Crystal, what are the next steps?
Campbell: So, I will submit the resolution and the final CAPER on your Consent Agenda
next week and that's all you guys have left to do.
De Weerd: Okay. So, we will close the public comment tonight.
Bernt: Madam Mayor?
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De Weerd: Mr. Bernt.
Bernt: I move that we close the public hearing for the program year 2018, Community
Development Block Grant Performance and Evaluation Report, the CAPER.
Milam: Second.
De Weerd: I have a motion and a second to close the public hearing. All those in favor
say aye. All ayes.
MOTION CARRIED: ALL AYES.
De Weerd: And this you will see on the agenda next week. Crystal, nice job.
Bernt: Thank you, Crystal. Good job.
B. Public Hearing for Goddard Creek Townhomes (H-2019-0068) by
SI Construction, Located at the NW Corner of W. McMillan Rd.
and N. Goddard Creek Way
1. Request: Modification to Development Agreement (Inst.
102012598) to allow the development of SFR homes (i.e.
townhomes) instead of offices, and
2. Request: Rezone of 5.03 acres of land from the R -4 to the R-
15 zoning district, and
3. Request: Preliminary Plat for the re-subdivision of Lot 2, Block
1, Goddard Creek Subdivision Consisting of 4.62 Acres of
Land into 44 Building Lots and 8 Common Lots.
De Weerd: Okay. Item 8-B. this item cannot be heard. The applicant did fail to post the
site as required and so, unfortunately, we cannot. It looks like from the lack of people in
the audience that Mr. Clerk must have done a good job in letting people know that, so --
Johnson: Thank you, Madam Mayor. We tried.
De Weerd: Any comment from staff on -- on -- of note?
Parsons: Madam Mayor, Members of the Council, certainly had communications with the
applicant last week. He did communicate to me that he did not post the site, felt like there
was an error on the city's part and we have looked at the public record and that is not the
case. The applicant just did not follow the statute and post the site within ten days prior
to the City Council hearing. So, on Friday -- late afternoon on Friday I prepared a memo
and asked for you to continue this this evening. I'm not sure on what da te the Council's
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pleasure that -- which date you would like to have this placed on, but I know the 17th is
capped. The January 7th you have committed for other items. So, I didn't know if the
14th was the next available hearing that you would like to hear it on or if you -- if the
Council would like to even go out further with it, since it is a residential project. Just leave
it up to you and whether or not you want the applicant to re-notice and pay those re-
noticing fees and repost the site per our standards. I will stand for any questions.
De Weerd: Do you think that because this would be reheard -- or heard in January it
should be renoticed?
Milam: Oh, for sure.
De Weerd: So, Council, what -- what date are you --
Borton: Mr. Borton.
Borton: I think even a week later perhaps.
De Weerd: Is your mic on?
Borton: It is.
De Weerd: Okay.
Borton: It is. Yeah. A week later.
Cavener: 21st?
Borton: It gives people a better opportunity to participate and become informed after the
holidays.
De Weerd: So, on the 21st?
Borton: 21st?
De Weerd: Okay. And, you know, that -- renoticing at the applicant's expense.
Milam: Yes.
De Weerd: Okay. So, I would entertain a motion to --
Borton: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: I guess do we need to continue this if it's not even open? Oh, yeah, because
it was published. Yes, Mr. Borton.
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Borton: Madam Mayor, I move we continue Item 8-B to January 21st, to be re-noticed
and posted at the applicant's expense.
Milam: Second.
De Weerd: I have a motion and a second to continue Item 8-B with the appropriate re-
noticing at the applicant's expense and -- all those in favor say aye. All ayes.
MOTION CARRIED: ALL AYES.
C. Public Hearing for Percy Subdivision (H-2019-0097) by Schultz
Development, Located on the East Side of S. Meridian Rd. and
South of E. Amity Rd.
1. Request: To De-annex 0.42 acres of land currently zoned R -
4 for the purpose of combining the property with the adjacent
County RUT parcel to the South; and
2. Request: A Rezone of 30.02 acres of land from the R -4 zoning
district to the R-8 zoning district; and
3. Request: A Preliminary Plat consisting of 113 single-family
residential lots and 11 common lots on approximately
28.51 acres in the proposed R -8 zoning district; and
4. Request: A Modification to the Development Agreement
(Instrument No. 2016-007091) to incorporate the requested
Preliminary Plat.
De Weerd: Okay. Item 8-C is a public hearing for H-2019-0097. I will open this public
hearing. Is there anyone new here this evening that has not participated in a public
hearing process? Okay. Well, then, young man, I will explain our process for you.
Borton: Good for you.
De Weerd: Thank you for raising your hand. During this -- this portion of our agenda, the
land use, we do start with opening remarks about the application and our staff introduces
the entire application and goes over their staff report and what has happened to date.
Then the applicant has up to 15 minutes to discuss their application and add anything
that is pertinent that they want to make sure is highlighted in front of City Council. At that
point we have our public comment period. The public is invited to comment up to three
minutes and once that public comment concludes we, then, ask the applicant to wrap up
and answer any questions that might have come up during the -- the public testimony.
The Council has the opportunity to ask any questions to staff , applicant, or those that
testified. And to keep in mind that we do have a public record already for each of these
items that Council has had an opportunity to review, as well as reviewed the Planning and
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Zoning meeting minutes. So, there is a lot of information that this Council is briefed on in
their review process before this. So, with that I'm going to turn this over to Bill.
Parsons: Thank you, Mayor, Members of the Council. Next item on the agenda this
evening is the Percy Subdivision. The property is currently zoned R-4 within the city. The
applicant is here tonight to discuss a DA modification, de-annexation of a piece of
property, rezone of the property and preliminary platting of this particular property as well.
The site consists of 28.51 acres of land. It's located on the east side of South Meridian
Road and south of Amity Road as well. So, this property was annexed in 2015 with the
South Meridian Annexation that came before you. The R-4 zoning was a placeholder
zone for the applicant as part of the development agreement that currently controls the
site. The applicant was afforded a free -- a free DA modification, along with a free rezone
application to go and coincide with a future development plan and that's why we are here
this evening. You can see here on the property -- on the future land use map that's in the
middle of the screen before you the property has split land use on it. So , a portion of it is
medium density residential and the primary acreage is low density residential and looking
at the density that the applicant's proposing this evening we are talking 3.96 dwelling units
to the acre, which is a little bit higher on the low end, but on the low end of the medium
density residential. So, in this particular case in looking at what was allowed through the
development agreement and looking at that this particular property does have split land
use on it, we felt confident in our recommendation to you this evening that the applic ant
did not need to request a step up in density because of the low end of the density that's
proposed to you this evening and you can see on the aerial that the applicant -- or the --
this particular property is currently vacant, the property being used for agricultural uses.
So, as I mentioned to you, the applicant -- we haven't seen this before, so this is a first
for Meridian where the applicant's actually proposing to de-annex a portion of their
property and the main reason for the de-annexation is the applicant has worked with this
particular -- the property owners to the south and secured a 50 foot wide permanent
easement for the construction of the public street that's going to connect into Meridian
Road at the half mile location, which is consistent with both city code and ITD's policies.
In order for that to happen the applicant -- the owner that was dedicating a 25 foot
easement wanted to be made whole, so the applicant is de-annexing the 0.42 acres of
land in exchange for that easement that's already been granted to the applicant. Staff
had a chance to reach out to Ada County Development Services to see what the process
would be in order to de-annex the property and the applicant would have to rezone in the
county and, then, do a property boundary adjustment in -- through the county once the
annexation -- de-annexation is complete. So, the applicant's already pre-app'd with the
county. The county's already transmitted the application to the city for comment. I was
happy to inform the county that Planning is supportive of the de-annexation request and
the rezone and property boundary adjustment application through their process and it
was consistent with what we would be sharing with you this evening. So , the applicant's
already started that work with the county at this point. So, you can see here the rezone
for -- the rezone boundary of the property consists of 30.02 acres of land and, again,
rezoning from the R-4 to the R-8 zoning district. The DA modification is proposed, again,
to essentially supersede the previous development agreement in order for him to move
forward with the development plan that's before you this evening. The plat itself is -- does
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consist of 113 single family lots and 11 common lots at a gross density of 3.96 dwellings
to the acre. Again, consistent with the Comprehensive Plan designation. The applicant
intends on developing this site in two phases. The southeast portion will be the first phase
and, then, also that would be 53 lots and include all the frontage improvements along
Meridian Road. The second phase would be the northwest portion here and that would
be the last -- the remaining 60 lots at this point. If you look at the color graphic here on
the left-hand side, if you can see my cursor at the bottom of the screen, this is the location
of that collector street that needs to be constructed at the half mile. So , you can see there
is quite a bit of off-site improvement that the applicant's going to have to do with this
particular project moving forward. So, access to this site will be from South Meridian
Road. If you had a chance to look at the staff report , you can see that the Police
Department -- both Planning staff and the Police Department did recommend a three-
quarter movement for that access to Meridian Road. I don't know if the Council is aware,
but ITD is actually doing a corridor study -- study along Meridian Road and at some point
they envisioned a signal being here when -- when it's warranted. So, at this point it will
be restricted until such time as IT D completes that corridor study and warrants whether
or not a signal can go in at the half mile location and allow for full moments at that
intersection. The applicant -- or the applicant's also proposing a broad mix of residential
lot sizes as well as part of the development . So, there is some housing diversity here.
Although they are all front-loaded housing products, you can see minimum lot size is
5,250 square feet, all the way up to 7,300 on average. We thought this was important to
show the Council, given the fact that the Comprehensive Plan is supportive of more
diversity in our residential neighborhoods moving forward. The applicant is required to
provide a minimum of ten percent open space and two amenities per our UDC standards.
The plat before you this evening depicts 12.84 percent open space, which is
approximately 3.66 acres of land. Here is the open space exhibit on your left-hand side
and, then, along Meridian Road, because it is a state highway, the applicant will have to
provide a 35 foot wide landscape buffer with sound attenuation and a concrete wall to
mitigate the noise to the residences and, then, as part of the amenity package the
applicant has the ten foot multi-use pathway along Meridian Road, a central open space
with a tot lot, and, then, if you notice as you enter into the development off of that collector
street here the applicant has a large open space lot with a sitting area, gazebo area for
passive open space for residency use as -- there is also going to be a water feature or a
pond on that entry feature, so residents can use as well and the applicant will have to
comply with UDC standards as far as aerating it and making sure that it's not a mosquito
breeding -- breeding ground per UDC standards and that's conditioned in the staff report.
The applicant also provided residential building elevations for you this evening. You can
see here the mixture of homes that are proposed. Staff is recommending that any homes
up against the state highway provide changes and modulation in building materials and
provide vertical relief to the rearage of those homes that back up to the state highway,
which is a pretty standard condition that we have been requiring from the development
community. So, the Planning and Zoning Commission did recommend approval at their
meeting on November 7th. Testifying in favor we had Matt Schultz. We had Carl
Reiterman, who -- who testified -- commented on the application and, then, also received
written testimony for Matt Schultz in agreement with most of the conditions in the staff
report. If you had a chance to look at the Commission rec you can see that during the
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Planning and Zoning Commission and prior to the City Council hearing the applicant was
able to address a lot of staff's conditions of approval and comments in the staff report and
that's why staff went through the staff report and made some changes, updated it with the
revised plans and changed conditions to coincide with the revised plan that's being shown
to you this evening. So, really the only key item of public testimony -- that was Mr.
Reiterman. He was just inquiring about whether or not sewer and water stubs were being
provided to his northern property, which is currently C2 in the county. So, this -- where
he is -- when the applicant's stubbing the street there is a C2 zoning up against that, but
the city currently has that as medium density on their Comprehensive Plan. So, if that
ever comes in and annexes into the city we would envision more of a residential use than
a commercial use that's currently designated in the county. Key issues of discussion by
the Commission were -- Commission had asked what the minimum number of amenities
were. The applicant's providing one above the code requirements. So , there are three
amenities and open space, again, is at 12 percent, which is in excess of UDC standards.
The Commission also had -- had asked the applicant if -- whether or not they could
reorient some of the open space in the northwest corner to a more central location within
the development and given the topography concerns on the site it would -- it wasn't
feasible and given the fact that they only have one acce ss point from Meridian Road into
this site, they have to provide an emergency access out to Meridian Road in this location
as well and so rather than that -- they weren't able to relocate more open space here
without losing additional lots. I would mention to the Council that this area has increased
from the previous submittal based on staff's recommendation and the applicant working
with staff on those changes. So, we believe that the open space is adequate for this
proposed development. One item of discussion at the -- the Commission hearing was
also the extension of the sidewalk along the northern off -site portion of the collector
roadway and the reason why that came up was staff had concerns about how the school
district was going to pick up the children for the school site. We weren't sure if they were
going to drive into the development and -- and pick them up internal to the site or if they
were going to stop on Meridian Road and pick them up at this intersection. So, we wanted
to make sure we had a safe route to school for the kids with this particular development,
because of the -- the amount of off-site improvements. I would let you know that as part
of your packet the applicant did reach out to Joe Yochum, the school district's
superintendent -- or vice-superintendent and he thought that this micro path location
located here along the south boundary of the site was adequate to provide student pickup
area, provided there is adequate lighting there for the students to wait for the bus location
-- at the bus location. And, then, also when this plat originally got submitted the applicant
did have two stub streets to the Brighton property to the east. In discussions with the
applicant and Brighton they have worked out an agreement for one stub location and that
-- in this particular plat here the applicant's actually lost one of the stub streets and added
two common driveways and that's been addressed in the staff report and conditions
updated accordingly based on those discussions. One item -- so, really, the Commission
struck site specific conditions of approval 2-A and 3-A, which really had to do with the
open space and consolidating that to a more central location , which he has done. And,
then, we also gave the applicant -- in the DA we restricted the applicant's turning
movement onto Meridian Road, with the understanding that ITD is doing that corridor
study and we wanted to make it flexible that at some point in -- in the future, if there is a
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signalized intersection at the half mile as anticipated, that the -- that would no longer be
in play, that they would be allowed to have a full movement at the intersection and not the
right-in, right-out, left-in only as it's currently stated in the staff report. And so , really, the
only outstanding issue for Council this evening is the block length. In the staff report there
was -- under the UDC the Council has the ability to grant a longer block length and so this
particular block face is over 750 feet due to abutting a state highway. So, the code gives
you flexibility to grant a longer block length. Staff's recommendation and -- both staff and
ACHD recommendation was to include traffic calming if that was your -- if you were
inclined to approve that this evening as recommended by the Commission and staff. So,
as the plat's shown before you this evening both the Commission and staff do support the
extended block length, with the inclusion of the traffic calming as -- as depicted before
you this evening. Staff has not received any additional written testimony on this
application since the Planning and Zoning Commission. So, really, no conditions of
approval to modify this evening. It's a fairly clean application. So, with that I will conclude
my presentation and stand for any questions you may have.
De Weerd: Thank you, Bill. Council, any questions at this time?
Bernt: Madam Mayor, one question.
De Weerd: Mr. Bernt.
Bernt: Did West Ada really approve a bus stop on a state highway?
Parsons: Madam Chair, yeah -- Members of the Commission, yeah, they are stopping on
the -- on Meridian Road now and picking kids up at those intersections all along there.
It's a pretty common practice.
Bernt: Okay.
De Weerd: Yeah. We still say that's just crazy. That's crazy.
Cavener: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Cavener.
Cavener: I agree it's -- it's something that I know we have got a meeting coming with the
school district, but there has got to be a better approach and, you know, every one of
those neighborhoods along Meridian Road that has young kids waiting to hop on the bus
have access and entrances into those neighborhoods that seem to make a whole lot more
sense from a public safety aspect. So, I hope that's an item that maybe we could put on
our agenda with the school district. They have got to improve that. It's -- Meridian Road
just is not the appropriate place to be picking up or dropping off.
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De Weerd: It's crazy. Okay. Next Council. There you go, Brad. Okay. Would the
applicant like to make comment? Thank you for joining us. If you will, please, state your
name and address for the record.
Schultz: Yes. Thank you, Mayor Tammy and Council. Matt Schultz. 8421 South Ten
Mile in Meridian. Thanks for having me. We work on these things for several months and
it's -- it's always good to finally hear the end and it's been polished up and working with
staff or with ACHD, working with ITD, we think we got it. Kind of start last thing first. I
thought it was crazy as well when -- when staff put the condition in that we extend the
sidewalk out for -- for students. I thought there is no way that the school district is going
-- going to want that, you know, and so I called Joe Yochum and he said the older kids
they will pick up on the highway. The -- I think it's the middle school, high school. The
younger kids they will -- they will come in and pick them up. That's what he told me , that
he said he would agree with this micro path extension . No need to go running it all the
way down for a thousand feet. Either way we fully support you pressing them to pick
them up inside. We have no problem with that. That would be great. That's what I would
support. I drive down Meridian Road all the time and going fast, you know. We go fast
down Meridian Road. It's a 55 mile an hour zone. So, with that said I will start over now.
Just wanted to address the last thing first and, then, we will move forward. This is a site
that we weren't involved in five years ago when -- when it was annexed. I believe there
was 40 different properties -- 20 different property owners. 1,500 acres. I can't remember
the number, but there was quite a bit of land that Meridian annexed and provided services
to some properties, including this one. This does have sewer going through that -- that
northern -- the northerly east-west street. There is an existing city sewer line there that
just happens to land perfectly. They put it in a good spot for that -- for that east-west
street and it goes -- and it goes across the street to some other annexed property that's
undeveloped right now. So, we looked at it, got approached on it earlier this year by Mr.
Percy. We liked it, because we love south Meridian. Being right on the highway gives
you a little bit of pause, you know, how are we going to address this, how are we going to
get access, because we don't have mid mile continuity and so we had to approach the
two southern property owners and that took lengthy amount of negotiations to secure mid
mile access. We have those ACHD easements in hand subject to -- at least with Matias
Azeguinolaza, beautiful Basque name -- can't say it very well. He said that's great. You
give me services, you give me access, but I want -- I want a strip of property back. So,
that's why we are asking for de-annexation. We look at it as a housekeeping item. Maybe
we annexed a sliver too much originally, now we are just tightening that up, so this
property that got annexed can get access. That's where we are at. So, there is this --
this joint application running through the county right now to de-annex -- or to, essentially,
concur, hopefully, with your recommendation to annex and rezone that from a Meridian
R-4 to -- back to a county RUT and that owner is not interested in developing, he's not
interested in doing anything for the near or medium term. It's a long-term deal for him.
So, we looked at it, we looked at -- you know, Bill says we didn't ask for a step up. We
didn't ask for a step up, but we did -- you know, there are small R-8 lots in here. There
are small R-4 lots in here underneath the R-8 umbrella with a development agreement
that locks in this layout, locks in this lot size, locks in all those things. We have a variety
of lot sizes that are -- we like having a mix of R-4 size lots. We have done probably half
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R-4, half R-8 over the last four years in south Meridian and -- so, as far as a spread, we
-- about 24 percent of these are over 8,000. Fifty-three percent are over 7,000. Eighty-
one percent are over 6,000 and there is only 19 percent under six and those are all over
five. So, if you really want to get down and dirty with an R -8, you really dig in and go for
4,000 square foot lots -- probably would have been closer to six to the acre, five and a
half or six. So, we are definitely, like Bill said -- I can't remember what exactly he said,
but we are on the low end of -- of density for -- for an R-8, essentially, at the four. So,
sorry about the colors. Those didn't print out very well. I was about ready to go into a
seizure here. But the yellows are the bigger ones, obviously, and the pink ones are -- are
bigger. They are almost R-4s, but not quite. They are -- you know, they are -- they are
the 7,000. So, if they were just a little deeper they would hit R-4, but they have R-4 widths.
So, we want to get a mix and have a lower density, because we are cognizant of our
neighbors to the south. Not immediate neighbors, but we do have some one acre lots
down to the south and we see this as transitional. The mid mile collector being a good
dividing line, which is -- ended up being a 50 foot right of way with 25 foot landscape
buffers on either side that we will continue all the way over to Locust Grove, you know,
and Brighton is half of that. So -- so, I just want to say we did exceed -- we did increase
the landscape buffer on -- on Meridian Road. Your requirement is 35. We are actually at
45. We are doing ten -- ten feet in there just to make sure people know th ey are not
queuing anymore and we are getting everyone -- you know, we doubled up the required
street trees on there. We really -- we will prod and be a little bit -- because I -- oh, yeah,
look at that, they met code, but we don't want to meet code, we want to exceed code. So,
we went in and we have almost double the amount of trees, added like 500 bushes and
shrubs and added an extra ten feet of width beyond what your requirement is, just so
everybody knows. We thought that was important to do to make sure and we did agree
to do that in the first phase and the requirement is to get at least a ten foot combination
of a berm and a fence wall above the center line. So, our side drops off, so we are going
to do a significant amount of dirt work to get tha t up to a standard borrow ditch and
sidewalk and a wall that -- right now that wall, if we didn't bring in 20,000 dollars of dirt we
would be down 15 feet down to the bottom of that field that. But we are -- it's all going to
be up. So, it will look like a typical barrier and it will be good. It will look -- it will look
good. But we are going to do some significant raising as that road goes up the hill there .
So, Bill, as usual, did a very thorough job of covering all the little tweaks and issues that
we came up with with our neighbors, being Brighton. They contacted me the day after
we submitted and said, hey, we would like to work together on stub streets, so I said,
okay, hopefully it doesn't screw me up, you know, with the timing and we were able to
make the revisions at the appropriate time. So, very inconsequential. Same number a
lots, same size of lots, we just did something that would work better for them. We wanted
to be a good neighbor in that regard. It always pays to get along with Brighton. It's just
-- it's just always better that way, so -- so, with that said we -- we concur with -- with the
staff report and the staff's recommendations, P&Z's recommendations, ITD and ACHD.
So, ITD, so everybody -- so everybody knows, we have met with them, they said, hey, we
are not going to hold you up, we are not going to hold you up on this corridor study, we
will allow you to have a left -- the left-in coming from Meridian and if you are coming out
you can go -- you can go out to Meridian right and you can go in right from Kuna, but you
can't go left out to Kuna and cross traffic. That's okay on this side of the road. We will
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take that. You know, we would rather go to Meridian. So, we have to put a little median
out there to -- to -- to compel that to happen, to make sure people don't cross. So, we
have to do that. And they also -- there was a big subdivision in Eagle, a thousand lotter,
that I think just recently got shot down, but before it got shot down it triggered a bunch of
improvements and the developer didn't like what ITD came up with for recommendations,
so they called the governor and -- this came from ITD. I heard this from the district
engineer and so we are going to try a new policy that everybody pays their proportionate
share on these -- on some -- you know, major signals. Are you -- are you game? Like
whatever you say, you're the state. So, they said we contribute 2.5 percent, I think
roughly, of the Amity-Meridian Road intersection. That's our traffic generation. That billed
out as 2.5 percent per our traffic study. And so, therefore, we are going to ask for 2.5
percent of the cost of expanding that intersection someday. Okay. We will cross our
fingers on what you think that is. Well, they came up with like 1.1 million dollars and so
2.5 percent, you do the math, you're like, oh, it's about 35,000 dollars and we said, okay,
whatever it takes. We just ask if that is the policy moving forward that , you know,
everybody is -- the only thing that triggers that is you hit a hundred lots you have to do a
traffic study, which as you do this analysis -- so, if you're under a hundred you don't even
trigger the analysis and if you're just off the highway you may not trigger it, so we just
hope it's fairly enforced among everybody moving forward. But we did agree to that. I
don't know how they are going to enforce it moving forward, but we are on the record with
ACHD and ITD that we do concur with that recommendation to do our part to the traffic
along there. So, we think we have got a good -- good subdivision. We think it blends in
and -- and on your new comp plan -- I know you guys haven't adopted yet, so, please,
don't resend this, but it is all medium here on the new one, at least last I saw, just for the
-- you know, that we look at it, so I think it's -- not that you need -- need that to make the
decision, but it's okay to do the R-8, like Bill said. There is -- there is a mix here. But just
to -- just some information for thought. So, with that we will stand for any questions. I'm
not sure if we have anybody here to speak , but I'm here to answer any questions and
reserve some time if there is anybody that wants to speak, so --
De Weerd: Thank you, Matt. Council, any questions? Okay. Thank you. I will open our
public comment. Mr. Clerk, any sign-ups?
Johnson: Madam Mayor, there was only one sign-up, but she indicated she did not wish
to testify.
De Weerd: Okay. This is a public hearing. Is there anyone who wishes to provide
testimony on this application? Okay. So, Council, any questions for staff or the applicant?
Bernt: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Bernt.
Bernt: I have some questions for Mr. Schultz.
Schultz: Yes. Matt Schultz here again.
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Bernt: Mr. Schultz, how are you?
Schultz: Doing well. Thank you.
Bernt: Good. After looking over this -- this application or packet, the only -- the only
concern that I had is the -- the -- and I understand that you have enough open space and
you're beyond your open space. I know that the staff has said that your open space is
adequate. Since there isn't like a public park nearby where the kiddos can go hang, you
know, and have fun, is there any way that you could give us just a little bit more open
space in this -- in this -- in this project, somewhere, somehow? Usable open. Like --
Schultz: I hate to say no. There -- the places to gain it in a meaningful area would be in
the central block right here and it would be to narrow those lots up, make them smaller.
So, there is trade offs, make those a lot smaller in order to gain some open space or make
these -- these bigger lot smaller, too, right here. Those are the natural areas. To put it
anywhere else it's -- you're putting a square peg in a round hole, which is not the right
spot to put it. This area right here is actually ramped . There is actually a nice little sled
hill in the future here, probably about 12 feet, 13 feet high. The road right here -- Meridian
Road where my -- where my cursor is is probably about like maybe 12, 13 feet higher
than the ground here and that will be a ramp, you know, meeting fire slopes and all that
and so they can get down in there, so -- and, then, the city sewer line actually runs right
through here. Right down that road. I can remember the street, but it runs right down --
right through to that open space and that ramp comes up here. So, there is a very large,
substantial, very nice city park about a mile, mile and a quarter away. Discovery Park.
That was involved in -- way back when, when that thing was first acquired. So, I know
we do have a substantial regional park close by. When this section does develop there
were -- will be internal connectivity over to Locust Grove and up to Lake Hazel and -- and
-- and a regional pathway is just -- just on this next property to our east there will be a
regional pathway down the Williams pipeline easement. That actually goes to a city park
as well. So, there will be -- there will be pedestrian connectivity to that, as well as
vehicular connectivity. But we are a pretty small site , so -- I mean if you're asking for an
extra five, six thousand square feet, no problem. If you're asking for another couple acres,
then, it's like, oh, my gosh, there goes a million dollars for something that's not
programmed or not been talked about before. So, that's all.
Cavener: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Cavener.
Cavener: Matt, first off, nice suit. Very -- very fashion forward.
Schultz: I had to keep up with Bill.
Cavener: Right. I appreciate it. The pond that's there on the southeast corner, what --
what percentage of that open space is that pond and, again, you are the expert, but I tend
to agree a little bit with Council Member Bernt in that you have got some really cool
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diversity of open space, but not a lot that I would consider attractive spots for kids to go
play and use and so that pond is always -- kind of -- I identified as that that could be
smaller, that might also create some area of opportunity to give kids a little bit more open
area to play and so I'm interested in the percentage of the pond versus that area.
Schultz: Thank you, Mayor and Councilman Cavener. Thanks for pointing that out. When
we first threw that in there we threw it in as a placeholder size and we know we need it
for irrigation. It will have a fountain in it to keep the -- keep it aeriated, keep the
mosquitoes out. Bill did point out that we are -- it's going to shrink and your code says 25
percent -- maximum of the open area, which I was aware of, but that is going to shrink to
be 25 percent. So, does that cut in half , is that cutting a third -- you know, two-thirds? It
will shrink and it will increase.
Cavener: And, Madam Mayor, just one follow up. Sorry, Matt. On these maps you have
got that kind of central open space with -- with the top lot and the other image you gave
us it shows a -- depicted the square footage size of each lot.
Schultz: Uh-huh.
Cavener: I think it showed them --
Schultz: Right here.
Cavener: -- top and bottom. I assume this is kind of how you are proposing to be not in
the other area that you showed us?
Schultz: What you see here we are -- with the phasing plan, it does have the updated
square foot of lot and open space.
Cavener: Madam Mayor. So, Matt, can you change to yet another image in your -- there
we go.
Schultz: So -- so when -- when we submitted this originally this is what we submitted and
I haven't updated this for the new layout --
Cavener: Okay.
Schultz: -- you know, on the phasing plan that you saw. So, we did open this up. This
was two-sided, now it's three-sided and we did increase it about ten percent --
Cavener: Okay.
Schultz: -- so, we did make it better by opening it up on three sides and we did increase
it. So, that we -- we did revise during the process.
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Cavener: Madam Mayor, one more. I'm sorry. And this is a question for -- for Fire. Joe,
when I hear 13 foot slope and that's also emergency access, that -- that surprises me. Is
that something you guys are okay with and have you had any communication with the
applicant about that?
Bongiorno: When Matt brought this forward quite a while ago, we did talk about how are
we going to get access through there, because he is going to be, obviously, limited to 30
lots, because he's only got one way in and one way out at this point. So, if he wants to
go past 30, yeah, we definitely have to get that corner -- northwest corner figured out to
get a road out to that area and -- and we had talked about how they were going to do that
at the meeting. That was a long time ago. I don't remember exactly what we discussed,
but we did talk about it.
Schultz: Yeah. Mayor and Councilman Cavener, it's about 250 feet and it's about a 13
foot rise. So, that calculates out about to five -- five percent slope and ten percent I
believe max. So, we have plenty of -- we have ample slope to play with there. And we
have done steeper.
Cavener: Okay.
Schultz: We have done steeper.
De Weerd: So, it's a sledding hill for kids and toboggan for the Fire Department.
Bongiorno: The fire engines. Yes.
Schultz: If the houses are on fire and you can't get in down here.
De Weerd: Any other questions from Council? Okay. Thank you.
Schultz: Thanks.
De Weerd: Council, any further information?
Cavener: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Cavener.
Cavener: I don't need any. Unless Council needs anything else, I'm happy to make a
motion that we close the public hearing on H-2019-0097.
Palmer: Second.
De Weerd: I have a motion and a second to close the public hearing. All those in favor
say aye. All ayes.
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MOTION CARRIED: ALL AYES.
Parsons: Mayor and Council? Sorry, this is Bill over here. Just clarification this evening.
So, right now you heard the applicant testify this evening about paying their proportionate
share for the intersection improvements. That's not contemplated in the staff report,
because ITD didn't give us those conditions of approval. So, if that's something that you
wish to participate and be the hammer for IT D, then, I would suggest you have a provision
as testified by the applicant that they pay their proportionate share and include that as a
DA provision as you deliberate this evening. Just putting it out there.
De Weerd: So, we didn't get anything in writing from ITD on -- regarding that?
Parsons: We -- yeah. Yeah. Madam Mayor, Members of the Council, we did not, because
the conditions came in -- there is -- the application was -- those discussions happened
after our staff report and all those, so we had comments before we got that. That was
new news to me this evening as well. So , that's not captured in -- in the staff report by
any means. This is the first time that I ever actually heard of them kind of taking that
position, too, and changing policies and I know -- I have heard from other planners in
other jurisdictions that ITD was requiring some -- some serious off-site improvement for
developers these days and they are treading on a slippery slope, but certainly it looks like
the applicant said on record that he is -- they are amenable to paying their 35,000 dollars,
but if that's something that you want to endorse and support moving forward , then, those
are things that we would have to capture in -- in a development agreement. So, just --
De Weerd: It sounds pretty arbitrary to me. I mean --
Parsons: I will turn it over to Nary if we had --
De Weerd: I'm all for people paying for their impact, but to arbitrarily make it up without
anything in writing seems a little bit strange.
Cavener: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Cavener.
Cavener: I agree and so I guess I'm going to look for some direction from staff and/or the
Council, if we can -- and should this Council want to approve it, if we -- when we receive
a letter do we want to continue it for a week to allow communication from -- from ITD or
is this body comfortable moving forward regardless?
Bernt: Regardless.
Milam: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mrs. Milam.
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Milam: Since the only information we have on this is from the applicant himself --
De Weerd: And what a nice guy to agree -- I will pay an additional 35,000.
Milam: They are trying to be honest and upfront with us and have this kicked down the
road --
De Weerd: We have closed the public hearing.
Cavener: Madam Mayor, I move we reopen the public hearing.
Bernt: Second.
De Weerd: I have a motion and a second to reopen the public hearing to hear from the
applicant. All those in favor say aye. All ayes.
MOTION CARRIED: ALL AYES.
Schultz: Thank you, Mayor, Council.
De Weerd: Mr. Schultz.
Schultz: I'm sorry. Shouldn't have said anything. No.
De Weerd: First say your name.
Schultz: Matt Schultz. 8412 --
De Weerd: Thank you.
Schultz: Thank you. That -- that recommendation has been captured in the ACHD staff
report. Maybe just didn't dig deep enough, but it's there. This was worked out over the
summer when we got a staff report. We had to get all that worked out before we could
even submit to you guys. Trust me, I know, it took us two months to get ACHD to approve
our traffic study, which required ITD's concurrence before we could even submit. So, it's
in there. It's -- there is a memorandum for ITD's submittal. I don't know if ACHD didn't
attach it or if it didn't get delivered, but -- or it got lost somewhere, but it's -- it's written.
It's there. That's why I'm just kind of communicating that and reinforcing what's already
been there.
De Weerd: So, you are more of a good guy or less of a good guy than we gave you
credit --
Schultz: I don't know. No comment.
Palmer: Madam Mayor?
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De Weerd: Mr. Palmer.
Palmer: If he had got up and told us that in a conversation with the school district they
had asked him to put up a bouncy house once a year for a party and he agreed to it and
there was something in writing about it, no way on earth we are going to include it in our
requirements. Holy crap, he better put that thing -- he better do that --
De Weerd: Because we really want to enforce that.
Schultz: Right. Right. It is there. It has been written in the staff report. It's fully
documented by ITD.
Borton: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Borton.
Borton: Real quick. Matt, while you're up here, remind me, does -- does your including
the -- the improvements along Meridian Road within phase one, is that our requirement
or --
Schultz: It is. It was asked for by staff and P&Z and we agreed and we changed our
phasing plan.
Borton: And the reason I ask is that -- I appreciate that a lot. I think that's really important,
whether it's inspired or encouraged, those are -- that's an example of something that you
generally don't seem to contest and you appreciate the importance of it , which hats off to
you. And the other thing while you're there is the -- the way you have dispersed lot sizes,
which you have referenced earlier, especially on the east side. I think that's fantastic and
it's going to make this region develop really well. So, greatly appreciated.
Schultz: Thank you. To be honest with you, we didn't think enough about that frontage,
but when it was pointed out to us we agreed with it and for our own sake, for our own
sales, for our own first phase of homes that needed to be in. Thank you.
Milam: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mrs. Milam.
Milam: Oh, sorry. I don't have a question. Matt, it's not a question, just a comment and
it's not something that I would put in a requirement. A gazebo just by itself doesn't get
used. I walk -- I go for lots of walk. I walk by them all the time. So, something -- a
barbecue, something -- this is your project, so I guess I -- I wouldn't put this into any
requirements, but you want this to be a nice subdivision and you want it to be attractive
to people --
Schultz: Barbecue?
Meridian City Council Meeting Agenda January 7, 2020 – Page 52 of 552
Meridian City Council
December 10, 2019
Page 24 of 26
Milam: So, I'm just saying think about it. It's your project, but I just don't see them getting
used if they are just a gazebo.
Schultz: Thank you for the -- for the advice.
Milam: Thanks, Matt.
Bernt: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Bernt.
Bernt: Since we opened up the public hearing, instead of like adding, you know, more
square footage to the open space, what if -- what if you were to take the -- the open space
that is up in the upper east side, right-hand side, that little sliver, the little two lots, and just
swap it out for two lots down here and put houses up there and make that open space in
the middle bigger. Then it's almost like trading square footage, but it seems like that open
space is more usable and bigger. Would that be an option?
Schultz: Mayor and Councilman Bernt, it would potentially. There is always an
underground reason; right? And there is -- there is a fairly large seepage bed in that area
that we are not going to -- it's not a pond, it's not a depression, it's out of sight, out of mind
and you can play on it and throw your frisbee on it and walk your dog on it, but there is --
that's a big drainage facility right there.
Bernt: Okay.
Schultz: That's -- that's the only reason.
Bernt: Got it.
Schultz: Thanks.
Palmer: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Palmer.
Palmer: I move we re-close the public hearing on Item 9-C.
Cavener: Second.
De Weerd: I have a motion and a second to re-close the public hearing. All those in favor
say aye. All ayes.
MOTION CARRIED: ALL AYES.
Palmer: Madam Mayor?
Meridian City Council Meeting Agenda January 7, 2020 – Page 53 of 552
Meridian City Council
December 10, 2019
Page 25 of 26
De Weerd: Mr. Palmer.
Palmer: I move we approve H-2019-0097 and include the waiver of the -- like block length
requirement, to allow what's been proposed.
Bernt: Second.
Palmer: Cover everything?
De Weerd: I have a motion and a second. Any discussion? I imagine the ITD thing, if
it's in ACHD's report or if it's somewhere, it will be captured. Mr. Clerk, will you call roll.
Roll call: Borton, yea; Milam, yea; Cavener, yea; Palmer, yea; Little Roberts, yea; Bernt,
yea.
De Weerd: All ayes. Motion carried.
MOTION CARRIED: ALL AYES.
Item 9: Future Meeting Topics
De Weerd: Any items under future meeting topics?
Cavener: Real quick. Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Cavener.
Cavener: Madam Mayor, I just -- I want to close the loop on this for Council's benefit. I
attended yesterday the Ada County Emergency Management meeting and just wanted to
give Council an update on what that meeting -- what the results were. The only thing that
is -- kind of should be on everyone's radar is that this group approved the purchase of a
device that allows to test for substances, either explosives or other harmful materials. It's
a 60,000 dollar device that's shared throughout the jurisdictions. I'm happy to send a
spec sheet to everyone if there is any interest on that. But the big thing to come away
from this I thought is -- is benefit for our group moving forward is -- and when I got elected
I didn't know who this group was until maybe I had been on the Council for two or maybe
three years and so they are really engaged in their onboarding of both new and existing
mayors and councils. It sounds like they have already met with Mayor Elect Simison. I
would like the opportunity to engage both with our newly elected City Councils, maybe as
well as the body as a whole in January or February. So, just to have that be on everyone's
radar. If anyone has -- other questions about -- the meeting was fairly short. I'm happy
to connect with you all offline.
De Weerd: Okay. If there is nothing further, I would entertain a motion to close the Council
meeting.
Meridian City Council Meeting Agenda January 7, 2020 – Page 54 of 552
Meridian City Council
December 10, 2019
Page 26 of 26
Palmer: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Yes, Mr. Palmer.
Palmer: I move we adjourn.
Milam: Second.
Cavener: Second.
De Weerd: I have a motion and a second to adjourn. All those in favor say aye. All ayes.
MOTION CARRIED: ALLAYES.
MEETING ADJOURNED AT 7:11 P.M.
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