HomeMy WebLinkAbout21-2289 Urban Renewal Accepting report on eligibility for the Linder District Area as an Urbal Renewal Area CITY OF MERIDIAN RESOLUTION NO. 21-2289
BY THE CITY COUNCIL: BERNT, BORTON, CAVENER,
HOAGLUN, PERREAULT, STRADER
A RESOLUTION BY THE MAYOR AND THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MERIDIAN,
IDAHO,ACCEPTING THAT CERTAIN REPORT ON ELIGIBILITY FOR THE LINDER
DISTRICT AREA AS AN URBAN RENEWAL AREA AND REVENUE ALLOCATION
AREA AND JUSTIFICATION FOR DESIGNATING THE AREA AS APPROPRIATE
FOR AN URBAN RENEWAL PROJECT; DETERMINING THE AREA IDENTIFIED IN
THE REPORT AND WITHIN THE CITY OR WITHIN THE CITY'S AREA OF
OPERATION, TO BE A DETERIORATED AREA OR A DETERIORATING AREA, OR
A COMBINATION THEREOF, AS DEFINED BY IDAHO CODE SECTIONS 50-2018(9)
AND 50-2903(8); DIRECTING THE URBAN RENEWAL AGENCY OF MERIDIAN,
IDAHO, ALSO KNOWN AS THE MERIDIAN DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, TO
COMMENCE THE PREPARATION OF AN URBAN RENEWAL PLAN SUBJECT TO
CERTAIN CONDITIONS, WHICH PLAN MAY INCLUDE REVENUE ALLOCATION
PROVISIONS FOR ALL OR PART OF THE AREA;AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE
DATE.
WHEREAS, the City Council (the "City Council") of the City of Meridian, Idaho (the
"City"), found that deteriorating areas exist in the City, therefore, for the purposes of the Idaho
Urban Renewal Law of 1965, Chapter 20, Title 50, Idaho Code, as amended (the "Law"), created
an urban renewal agency pursuant to the Law, authorizing the agency to transact business and
exercise the powers granted by the Law and the Local Economic Development Act, Chapter 29,
Title 50, Idaho Code, as amended (the "Act") upon making the findings of necessity required for
creating the Urban Renewal Agency of the city of Meridian, Idaho, also known as the Meridian
Development Corporation("MDC");
WHEREAS, the Mayor has duly appointed the Board of Commissioners of MDC (the
"MDC Board"), which appointment was confirmed by the City Council;
WHEREAS, on October 8, 2002, the City Council, after notice duly published, conducted
a public hearing on the Meridian Revitalization Plan Urban Renewal Project,which is also referred
to as the Downtown District(the "Downtown District Plan");
WHEREAS,following said public hearing,the City Council adopted its Ordinance No. 02-
987 on December 3, 2002, approving the Downtown District Plan, making certain findings and
establishing the Downtown District revenue allocation area (the "Downtown District Project
Area");
RESOLUTION NO. 21-2289- 1
WHEREAS, the City Council, after notice duly published, conducted a public hearing on
the Ten Mile Road Urban Renewal Plan(the "Ten Mile Plan"). The public hearing was continued
to June 21, 2016, for further testimony;
WHEREAS, following said public hearings, the City Council adopted its Ordinance No.
16-1695 on June 21, 2016, approving the Ten Mile Plan, making certain findings and establishing
the Ten Mile revenue allocation area(the "Ten Mile Project Area");
WHEREAS, the City Council, after notice duly published, conducted a public hearing on
the First Amendment to the Meridian Revitalization Plan Urban Renewal Project (the "First
Amendment to the Downtown District Plan");
WHEREAS,following said public hearing,the City Council adopted its Ordinance No. 20-
1881 on June 9, 2020, approving the First Amendment to the Downtown District Plan deannexing
certain parcels and making certain findings;
WHEREAS, the City Council, after notice duly published, conducted a public hearing on
the Urban Renewal Plan for the Union District Urban Renewal Project(the"Union District Plan");
WHEREAS,following said public hearing,the City Council adopted its Ordinance No. 20-
1882 on June 9,2020, approving the Union District Plan,making certain findings and establishing
the Union District revenue allocation area(the "Union District Project Area");
WHEREAS, the City Council, after notice duly published, conducted a public hearing on
the Second Amendment to the Meridian Revitalization Plan Urban Renewal Project(the "Second
Amendment to the Downtown District Plan");
WHEREAS,following said public hearing,the City Council adopted its Ordinance No. 21-
1933 on July 13, 2021, approving the Second Amendment to the Downtown District Plan
deannexing certain parcels and making certain findings (collectively,the Downtown District Plan,
and amendments thereto, are referred to as the "Existing Downtown District Plan," and the
Downtown District Project Area, and amendments thereto, are referred to as the "Existing
Downtown District Project Area")
WHEREAS, the Existing Downtown District Plan, the Ten Mile Plan, and the Union
District Plan are collectively referred to as the"Existing Urban Renewal Plans"and their respective
revenue allocation project areas are collectively referred to as the "Existing Project Areas;"
WHEREAS, it has become apparent that additional property, a portion of which is located
within the City, and a portion of which is located within the City's area of operation within
unincorporated Ada County, may be deteriorating or deteriorated and should be examined as to
whether such an area is eligible for an urban renewal project;
WHEREAS,in 2021,Kushlan I Associates commenced an eligibility study and preparation
of an eligibility report for an area approximately 195 acres in size including properties and
roadway, referred to as the Linder District Study Area, which is an area generally
RESOLUTION NO. 21-2289- 2
bounded by Ten Mile Road on the west, Interstate 84 on the north, Overland Road on the south,
and what would be an unimproved section of Linder Road on the east. Additionally, the Linder
District Study Area includes three (3) parcels located west of Linder Road and north of I-84 (the
"Study Area");
WHEREAS, MDC obtained an eligibility report entitled Linder Urban Renewal District
(Proposed) Eligibility Report, dated May 2021 (the "Report"), which examined the Study Area,
which area also included real property located within unincorporated Ada County, for the purpose
of determining whether such area was a deteriorating area and/or a deteriorated area as defined by
Idaho Code Sections 50-2018(8), (9) and 50-2903(8);
WHEREAS, the Report, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit A, found the
existence of one or more of the statutory criteria for the area to be considered eligible for urban
renewal activities;
WHEREAS, pursuant to Idaho Code Sections 50-2018(8), (9) and 50-2903(8), which
define the qualifying conditions of a deteriorating area and a deteriorated area, several of the
conditions necessary to be present in such an area are found in the Study Area, i.e.,
a. age or obsolescence;
b. the predominance of defective or inadequate street layout; and
C. faulty lot layout in relation to size, adequacy, accessibility, or usefulness; obsolete
platting;
WHEREAS, the Study Area contains open land or open area;
WHEREAS, under the Act a deteriorated area includes any area which is predominantly
open and which,because of obsolete platting,diversity of ownership, deterioration of structures or
improvements, or otherwise, results in economic underdevelopment of the area or substantially
impairs or arrests the sought growth of a municipality;
WHEREAS, Idaho Code Sections 50-2018(9), 50-2903(8) and 50-2008(d) list the
additional conditions applicable to open land or open areas, including open land areas to be
acquired by MDC, which are the same or similar to the conditions set forth above;
WHEREAS, such additional conditions regarding open land or open areas are present and
are found in the Study Area;
WHEREAS, the effects of the listed conditions cited in the Report result in economic
underdevelopment of the area, substantially impair or arrest the sound growth of a municipality,
constitute an economic or social liability, and are a menace to the public health, safety, morals, or
welfare in their present condition or use;
WHEREAS, MDC, on May 26, 2021, adopted Resolution No. 21-024 (a copy of which is
attached hereto as Exhibit B and incorporated herein by this reference, without attachments
thereto) accepting the Report and authorizing the Chair, Vice-Chair, or Administrator of MDC to
transmit the Report to the City Council requesting its consideration for designation of an urban
renewal area and requesting the City Council to direct MDC to prepare an urban renewal plan for
RESOLUTION NO. 21-2289- 3
the Study Area, which plan may include a revenue allocation provision as allowed by law;
WHEREAS, MDC also authorized the transmittal of the Report to the Ada County Board
of County Commissioners for purposes of obtaining a resolution determining such area to be
deteriorated and/or deteriorating and appropriate for an urban renewal project;
WHEREAS, the Report includes a preliminary analysis concluding the base assessment
roll value for the Study Area along with the base assessment rolls for the Existing Project Areas
and any proposed revenue allocation areas or amendments thereto, do not exceed 10% of the
current assessed valuation of all taxable property within the City;
WHEREAS,under the Law and Act, specifically Idaho Code Sections 50-2018(8), (9) and
50-2903(8)(f), the definition of a deteriorated area and a deteriorating area shall not apply to any
agricultural operation, as defined in Idaho Code Section 22-4502(2), absent the consent of the
owner of the agricultural operation except for an agricultural operation that has not been used for
three (3) consecutive years;
WHEREAS, the Study Area includes parcel(s) subject to such consent;
WHEREAS, Idaho Code Section 50-2018(18) provides that an urban renewal agency
cannot exercise jurisdiction over any area outside the city limits without the approval of the other
city or county declaring the need for an urban renewal plan for the proposed area;
WHEREAS, a portion of the Study Area includes certain real property located within the
City's area of operation and within unincorporated Ada County;
WHEREAS, MDC submitted the MDC Resolution No. 21-024 and the Report to the Ada
County Board of County Commissioners and the Commissioners were asked to adopt a resolution
finding the need for an urban renewal project for the proposed Study Area;
WHEREAS, on June 14, 2021, representatives of the City and the Agency presented the
Report to the Ada County Commissioners requesting the Commissioners to consider adopting the
findings concerning the proposed Linder District Area;
WHEREAS, the Commissioners did not take action at that time, and the Agency was
directed to obtain the agricultural operation consents from the property owners located within
unincorporated Ada County, which consents for agricultural operations have been obtained from
the property owners south of Interstate 84;
WHEREAS, following transmittal to the Ada County Board of County Commissioners,
and based on ongoing discussions, it appears the proposed project area will be smaller than the
Study Area. Specifically, the parcels located north of Interstate 84 and west of Linder Road are
included within the Study Area boundary; however, those parcels will not be included in any
proposed urban renewal plan or project area boundary. A copy of the proposed project area map
noting those eligible parcels that are not intended to be included in any future project area is
attached hereto as Exhibit C;
WHEREAS, additional information was transmitted to the Ada County Board of County
RESOLUTION NO. 21-2289-4
Commissioners staff as requested;
WHEREAS, the Ada County Board of County Commissioners adopted MDC's findings
concerning the proposed Study Area by adopting Resolution No. 2676 on September 30, 2021,
which Resolution is attached hereto as Exhibit D, without exhibits attached thereto;
WHEREAS, pursuant to Idaho Code Section 50-2008, an urban renewal project may not
be planned or initiated unless the local governing body has,by resolution, determined such area to
be a deteriorated area or a deteriorating area, or combination thereof, and designated such area as
appropriate for an urban renewal project;
WHEREAS, Idaho Code Section 50-2906 also requires that in order to adopt an urban
renewal plan containing a revenue allocation financing provision, the local governing body must
make a finding or determination that the area included in such plan is a deteriorated area or a
deteriorating area; and
WHEREAS, it is desirable and in the best public interest that MDC prepare an urban
renewal plan for a portion of the area identified as the Linder District Study Area in the Report
located in the city of Meridian, and within the City's area of operation in unincorporated Ada
County.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF MERIDIAN, AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. That the City Council acknowledges acceptance and receipt of the Report.
Section 2. That the City Council finds and declares that the Linder District Study Area
identified in the Report, attached hereto as Exhibit A, is a deteriorated area and/or a deteriorating
area existing in the City and the City's area of operation, as defined in Title 50, Chapters 20 and
29, Idaho Code, as amended, and qualifies as an urban renewal project and justification exists for
designating the area as appropriate for an urban renewal project.
Section 3. That the City Council finds and declares there is a need for MDC, an urban
renewal agency, to function in accordance with the provisions of Title 50, Chapters 20 and 29,
Idaho Code, as amended,within a designated area for the purpose of establishing an urban renewal
plan.
Section 4. That the area identified as the Linder District Study Area in the Report includes
certain properties within the City's area of operation and within unincorporated Ada County. The
Ada County Board of County Commissioners has adopted a resolution finding the need for an
urban renewal project for a portion of the proposed Linder District Study Area.
Section 5. That the Ada County Board of County Commissioners has limited the inclusion
of parcels located within the City's area of operation and within unincorporated Ada County to be
included in any proposed Linder District project area to those certain parcels south of Interstate
84, and therefore, the City Council directs the parcels north of Interstate 84 shall not be included
in any proposed Linder District project area.
RESOLUTION NO. 21-2289- 5
Section 6. That having made such designation, the City Council hereby directs MDC to
commence preparation of an urban renewal plan for the Linder District Study Area described in
the Report, excluding the parcels north of Interstate 84 and west of Linder Road, for consideration
by the MDC Board and, if acceptable, final consideration by the City Council in compliance with
Title 50, Chapters 20 and 29, Idaho Code, as amended.
Section 7. That City staff has obtained the necessary agricultural consents from the
property owner(s).
Section 8. That in the event the parcels located within unincorporated Ada County are
included in any proposed urban renewal plan or project area, the City Council will seek to obtain
an agreement with Ada County, Idaho, as required by Idaho Code Section 50-2906(c).
Section 9. That this Resolution shall be in full force and effect immediately upon its
adoption and approval.
ADOPTED By the Council of the City of Meridian, Idaho, this 5th day of October, 2021.
APPROVED By the Mayor of the City of Meridian, Idaho, this 5th day of October, 2021.
APPROVED:
Robert E. Simison, Mayor
ATTEST:
Chris Johnson, City Clerk
RESOLUTION NO. 21-2289- 6
C� fIEN DIA]O :,,
DAH
MEMO TO CITY COUNCIL
Request to Include Topic on the City Council Agenda
From: Victoria Cleary, Community Development Meeting Date: October 5, 2021
Presenter: Victoria Cleary Estimated Time: 15 minutes
Topic: Resolution No. 21- : A Resolution by the Mayor and the Council of the City of
Meridian, Idaho,Accepting that Certain Report on Eligibility for the Linder District
Area as an Urban Renewal Area and Revenue Allocation Area and Justification for
Designating the Area as Appropriate for an Urban Renewal Project; Determining the
Area Identified in the Report and Within the City or Within the City's Area of
Operation, to be a Deteriorated Area or a Deteriorating Area, or a Combination
Thereof, as Defined by Idaho Code Sections 50-2018(9) and 50-2903(8); Directing
the Urban Renewal Agency of Meridian, Idaho,Also Known as the Meridian
Development Corporation,to Commence the Preparation of an Urban Renewal Plan
Subject to Certain Conditions, Which Plan May Include Revenue Allocation
Provisions For All or Part of the Area; and Providing an Effective Date
Background
Early this year, Community Development Department and the Urban Renewal Agency of
Meridian, Idaho also know as Meridian Development Corporation ("MDC") staff began to explore
strategies to encourage development in the area between Ten Mile and Linder Roads, south of
Interstate 84 and north of Overland Road. This area includes parcels that are within City limits,
as well as parcels located within unincorporated Ada County, but within the City's Area of City
Impact.While there has been some interest in the area, a lack of sewer infrastructure, and the
additional requirement for local east-west roadway improvements seem to be the impediments
limiting private investment in the area.
Also earlier this year, the City Council prioritized support for a Linder Road overpass, a much-
needed local and regional transportation improvement, allocating$2.5 million to the future
project which is a joint effort of Ada County Highway District (ACHD) and Idaho Transportation
Department.
The creation of an urban renewal district in this area can spur investment to generate the
revenue necessary to assist with the completion of public improvement projects to support the
Linder overpass project as well as provide a funding mechanism for reimbursement of qualifying
public improvements necessary for the area to develop.
Without urban renewal efforts to encourage the private investment necessary to support
transportation and utility improvements, it is likely the area will remain undeveloped until such
time as property values, development costs, and lease rates provide the returns needed to justify
private investment.
Alignment with City Initiatives
Staff views this area as one of the three remaining undeveloped areas of significant size within
the City's Area of City Impact that can accommodate substantial future employment of family-
wage jobs.
In addition, the establishment of an urban renewal area ensures that public improvements
needed to serve the area are funded through new tax revenues generated by development in the
area.
The proposed Linder District addresses several goals and strategies identified in three of the six
Focus Areas in the Citywide Strategic Plan:
Focus Area Goal Strategy
Utilize impact fees, cooperative agreements, Utilize urban renewal districts for
Responsible urban renewal districts and other tools to redevelopment and infrastructure
Growth ensure that development pays its needs in the community.
proportionate share of service impacts.
Advance construction of transportation Utilize City funds and partnership to
Transportation & projects on priority arterial roadways to advance construction of identified
Infrastructure reduce commute times and improve efficient priority road projects.
movement within and about Meridian.
Support business development that Work with the development community
increases the number of family wage jobs to to facilitate the creation of business/
allow employees to live and work in industrial/research parks.
Business & Meridian.
Economic Vitality
Utilize urban renewal areas and specific Create targeted urban renewal areas to
area plans to promote business investment spur investment and needed
in targeted areas to meet community needs. infrastructure improvements.
The Study Area&Anticipated Improvements
This urban renewal effort is strategic and intentional, limited in size and scope. The Linder
District Study Area shown and cited in the Eligibility Study is approximately 19S acres.As set
forth below and due to further planning efforts and direction provided by the Ada County Board
of County Commissioners, the parcels north of Interstate 84 and west of Linder Road will not be
included in any proposed future revenue reallocation area. Any proposed further revenue
allocation area would encompass 18 parcels within 171.3 acres.
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Revised Linder Study Area
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* The above map reflects the proposed project area boundary, which is smaller than the Linder District
Study Area and shows the elimination of the three parcels north of I-84 that were shown in the original
Study Area map(Eligibility Study,page 10).
Also, the parcel to the far east was annexed into the City in June 2021. The map above shows this change.
It is anticipated that if the necessary findings are made and the City Council directs MDC to
prepare an urban renewal plan, the future Linder District Urban Renewal Plan will identify three
infrastructure improvements projects:
Linder Overpass: While ACHD has identified the Linder overpass in its Five-Year Workplan,the
City's $2.5 million commitment in combination with tax increment generated by private
investment in the Study Area can help to accelerate the project. Tax increment funds are planned
to support ACHD improvements related to construction of the south approach to the overpass
bridge.
The Linder overpass will improve emergency response times and alleviate congestion at
Meridian and Ten Mile interchanges by providing an alternative route for local and regional
commuters, businesses and others, including West Ada School District and Republic Services
which both have facilities on Franklin Road,west of Linder Road.
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Sewer Installation: To-date, no single property owner or developer has been willing to
undertake the necessary costs for sewer installation to accommodate development. The
significant sewer extension, comprised of 8-, 10- and 12-inch lines, planned south of and parallel
to I-84, is needed to serve more than 60 percent of the proposed District's 171 acres. Preliminary
financial projections estimate that installation of sewer improvements early in the life of the
District will spur the initial private investments in the Study Area to generate the revenue
necessary to fund the identified improvements.
Area Reliant on Future Sewer Service
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Local Roadway: The City's 2007 Ten Mile Interchange Specific Area Plan calls our requirements
for installation of a local roadway to provide east-west connectivity and minimize impacts to
ACHD's Overland arterial.
Once the qualifying public infrastructure costs for the three identified projects are reimbursed,
the district will sunset. Staff anticipates this will occur well before the 20-year district lifespan
permitted by State statute.
It is anticipated that the judicious efforts to establish a district limited in size and scope will
generate the revenue to fund the needed public infrastructure improvements that have
hampered investment and growth in this area.
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Required Actions and Findings
MDC retained Kushlan I Associates to study the proposed Linder District Study Area and to
prepare an Eligibility Report assessing the presence of conditions that may support the
establishment of an urban renewal project area pursuant to the definitions found in Chapters 20
and 29, Title 50, Idaho Code, as amended. The Eligibility Report (Exhibit A of the proposed
resolution) cites the conditions necessary to support designation of the area as an urban renewal
project area.
MDC accepted the Linder Study Area Eligibility Report and, through MDC Resolution 21-024
adopted on May 26, 2021 (Exhibit B of the proposed resolution), authorized its transmittal to the
City Council for consideration and, if accepted as appropriate for an urban renewal project,
subsequent direction for MDC to proceed with preparation of an urban renewal plan. MDC
further authorized transmittal of MDC Resolution 21-024 and the Eligibility Report to the Ada
County Board of County Commissioners ("BOCC") to adopt the findings for the parcels located
outside the City limits and within unincorporated Ada County.
City and MDC representatives presented to the BOCC on June 14, 2021, and the BOCC did not
take action on the resolution at that time. The BOCC staff directed the City and MDC to obtain the
agricultural operation consents from the necessary property owners that had used their parcels
for agricultural operations within the last three years. The agricultural consents have been
obtained from the certain property owners south of Interstate 84.
Following additional consideration, it was determined the parcels located within unincorporated
Ada County north of Interstate 84 and west of Linder Road would not be included within the
boundaries of any future project area. The area that will not be included in any future district is
specifically referenced in Exhibit C to the City Council resolution.
On September 30, 2021,the BOCC considered Ada County Resolution No. 2676, adopting the
findings in the Study and specifically limiting any future project to those parcels south of
Interstate 84. The BOCC resolution is referenced as Exhibit D of the proposed resolution.
A study area is required to meet at least one of ten conditions specified in Idaho Code Sections
50-2018(9) and 50-2903(8) to qualify for urban renewal activities. The Eligibility Report finds
that the Study Area meets five of the ten criteria (Eligibility Report, page 16).
Future Actions
Following Council acceptance of the Eligibility Report and direction for MDC to begin
development of an urban renewal plan, staff and consultants will prepare the Linder District
Urban Renewal Plan.
The Planning and Zoning Commission must review the proposed plan to validate its conformity
with the City Comprehensive Plan before final consideration by the City Council. The BOCC and
City will need to enter into an intergovernmental agreement concerning the administration of
revenue allocation proceeds for the parcels currently located within unincorporated Ada County,
and the BOCC will need to adopt a transfer of powers ordinance. Final adoption of the Plan by the
Council must follow three ordinance readings and a public hearing. It is anticipated that these
final actions will occur in late December 2021 through early January 2022.
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