HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-09-13 Meridian Development Corporation MERIDIAN
104 E.Fairview Ave
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REVIVE • RENEW• REDEFINE
208.830.7786
www.meridiandevelopmentcorp.com
September 13, 2021
Meridian P&Z Commissioners
33 East Broadway Avenue
Meridian, ID 83642
RE:AZ-H-2021-0048
Dear Commissioners:
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on this application.My apologies that I will not be able to attend
the hearing in person but please accept these written comments as my testimony.
In March 2021,the Meridian City Council and the Meridian Development Corporation ["MDC" or"Agency"]
Board of Commissioners met in a joint session to discuss pursuing a new urban renewal district known as
the Northern Gateway.This discussion between the two decision-making bodies came after a year of
research and study by staff,reviewing the long-term goals of the guiding document for downtown Meridian
known as Destination: Downtown,and determining what could feasibly be accomplished by the Agency
prior to the Downtown Urban Renewal District sunsetting in 2026.
Both decision-making bodies authorized MDC and City staff to move forward with studying the potential
de-annexation of a portion of the existing District for the purposes to study the creation of the Northern
Gateway District.
The purpose of pursuing the creation of the Northern Gateway District is two-fold:
1) Most of MDC's current financial resources for the existing District are committed to the Old Town core.
The existing District was hampered in the late 2000s and early 2010s by the recession.As a result,this
affected the increment the Agency has received,it has delayed important projects,and it ultimately delayed
private investment coming into the downtown core by 8-10 years.
2) The Agency's existing District is sunsetting in five [5] years.As mentioned,the existing District sunsets in
December 2026.With the current project and financial commitments and reviewing the estimated
revenues through the remaining life-cycle,there are many projects as identified by the Destination:
Downtown Master Plan that the Agency will not be able to achieve prior to sunsetting; mostly for the
properties north of Pine Avenue.
The creation of the Northern Gateway District is a method to ensuring these projects can move forward. It
is the City's and the Agency's goal to have this District in place by the end of the year.
As City and Agency staff studied the projects and identified the properties that should be included within
the new district it became clear the development and re-development opportunities extended across
Fairview Avenue/Cherry Lane. Including these properties within the new district would provide much
needed opportunities to assist with identified and much needed public infrastructure improvements.Staffs
analysis includes the annexation request for this particular property at 104 West Cherry Lane.
Once identified as a potential future project, City and Agency staff reached out to the property owner to
discuss the new district and if Mr.Tamura would be willing to be included within the district.Over the
course of two months of conversations,Mr.Tamura agreed to submit an application for annexation into the
City by early July 2021 so the 17-acres could be considered for inclusion into the new district. It was
explained to Mr.Tamura that timing was critical given the complex process for the creation of the new
district. Mr.Tamura agreed and the plans the Commission has before them are the result of those
conversations.
While we understand there is only a concept plan presented for consideration at this time,and that there
will need to be further discussions with this Commission and ultimately the Council for a portion of the
project,the Agency would respectfully request that you approve the Annexation and its conditions as
presented by city staff in the report.The Agency feels comfortable with the level of detail as provided by
Mr.Tamura and anticipates working closely with Mr.Tamura on the overall development plan and to
ensure it fits within the parameters of the Comprehensive Plan and the forthcoming Northern Gateway
Specific Plan. It is also envisioned that the Agency will be entering into their own agreement related to the
development of the project and the reimbursement of key public infrastructure improvements.
As previously stated,timing of the Commission's decision on the 16th is critical to staying on-track with the
creation of the new district by the end of the year.The Agency believes a thoughtful and well-planned
project could bring in approximately$3M in increment over a twenty-year timeframe.This will ultimately
benefit the City from the long-term revenue perspective.The Agency asks the Commission to approve the
project as conditioned and to allow for the City Council hearing to be scheduled.
Thank you for the consideration, Commissioners.
Respectfully,
Ashley Ford-Squyres,Administrator
Meridian Development Corporation