HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-03-22 Regular Minutes Meridian City Council March 22, 2022.
A Meeting of the Meridian City Council was called to order at 6:00 p.m., Tuesday, March
22, 2022, by Mayor Robert Simison.
Members Present: Robert Simison, Joe Borton, Luke Cavener, Jessica Perreault and
Brad Hoaglun.
Members Absent: Treg Bernt and Liz Strader.
Also present: Chris Johnson, Bill Nary, Alan Tiefenbach, Tracy Basterrechea, Joe
Bongiorno and Dean Willis.
ROLL-CALL ATTENDANCE
Liz Strader X Joe Borton
_X_ Brad Hoaglun Treg Bernt
X Jessica Perreault _X Luke Cavener
_X_ Mayor Robert E. Simison
Simison: Council, call the meeting to order. For the record it is Tuesday, March 22nd,
2022, at 6:00 p.m. We will begin this regular City Council meeting with roll call
attendance.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Simison: Next item is the Pledge of Allegiance. If you would all, please, rise and join us
in the pledge.
(Pledge of Allegiance recited.)
COMMUNITY INVOCATION
Simison: Our next item is the community invocation, which tonight will be delivered by
Cindy Reese. If you all would join us in the community invocation or take this as a moment
of silence and reflection. Cindy, thank you for being here. Either one.
Reese: Our Heavenly Father, we are so grateful to be here this evening. We are grateful
to live in this community. Grateful to live in this country. We ask a special blessing at this
time on the parts of the world our brothers and sisters who are involved in conflict that
they may be protected, that this will be ended soon. We ask thee, Father, to be here, that
our spirit-- that thy spirit will guide and direct the discussions and that good decisions will
be made on behalf of the community. We are thankful for the service of those who choose
to lead and we ask the blessing upon them and their families and we say this in the name
of thy son Jesus Christ, amen.
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ADOPTION OF AGENDA
Simison: Thank you. Next item up is adoption of the agenda.
Hoaglun: Well, Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Councilman Hoaglun.
Hoaglun: We do have a few changes to our agenda this evening. Item No. 2 is going to
be continued in order for the city and the applicant to update the public hearing notices
and update the project description to actually straight the increased acreage that is
involved. Also on Item 3 and 7, we are going to open those for the sole purpose of
continuing the hearing to a new date before we get to Items 4, 5 and 6. So, we will move
seven up to like a 3-A and we will handle both those items and, then, with that, Mr. Mayor,
I move we adopt the agenda with these modifications.
Cavener: Second the motion.
Simison: I have a motion and a second to adopt the agenda as modified. Is there any
discussion? If not, all in favor signify by saying aye. Opposed nay? The ayes have it
and the agenda is adopted.
MOTION CARRIED: FOUR AVES. TWO ABSENT.
PUBLIC FORUM — Future Meeting Topics
Simison: Mr. Clerk, do we have anyone signed up under public forum?
Johnson: Mr. Mayor, we did, but they indicated they wanted to speak about the Item 4
Victory Commons and they have also signed up on that topic.
PROCLAMATIONS [Action Item]
1. Meridian High School Wrestling State Champions Day
Simison: Okay. Thank you very much. Well, then, we -- we get to have another
proclamation this evening for Meridian High School. So, with that we will go ahead and
go on down and if any of the Council Members want to join in their garb or otherwise, feel
free to come down, but if I could have the coach and the team join me at the podium that
would be great. Well, this is becoming a great tradition seeing Meridian High School
come in for state championships, not only in wrestling, but we have had some of your
other sports teams here over the last couple years and you see we are wearing last year's
garb, so don't hold it against us. We would all like it and we wear it whenever we can. It
just may be a little snugger than it was a year ago for all of us that -- it's coming out of
winter. That's -- that's what that is. So, we -- we do take -- love this opportunity to
congratulate our youth who are achieving highly in all things, but especially like to do it
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for those in their athletic achievements and so we are going to do a proclamation. Their
names -- we have another proclamation that goes into the record, so their name will
always be in there on that proclamation. We don't try to do it -- so, I don't butcher
everybody's name. But after we do this we would love to have all the team come -- after
the coaches speak have all the team members come up and say their name, their weight,
their year from that standpoint, so we can get that on the record. So, with that: Whereas
being a Meridian High School wrestler is more than scoring points, escapes, takedowns,
pins, and achieving state titles, it is training to build leadership, character, confidence,
teamwork and resilience, all traits needed to succeed on the mat, in the classroom, and
in the real world and whereas after a year of adversity and injuries and not only state title
for 34 years, back to back state championships showed just how far the Meridian wrestling
program has come and whereas the hard work racked up 290.5 points, providing two
individual champs, four second place finishers and eight more places to bring home the
2022 state wrestling championship trophy and whereas the Meridian Warriors conquered
the competition for a second straight 5A state championship banner and whereas the
leadership, training, and discipline of their coaches helped all team members to focus
their talents, passion, and determination to become a winning team, with each player
making valuable contributions to their victory. Therefore, I, Mayor Robert E. Simison,
hereby proclaim March 22nd, 2022, as Meridian High School Wrestling State
Championships Day in the City of Meridian and call upon the community to join me in
congratulating the Meridian High Warriors on the remarkable athletic achievement and
for representing Meridian so proudly in the state tournament. Congratulations. Coach,
would you like to come up and say a few words?
Muri: Howdy, everyone. Hey, there is Isaiah Twait right on time. One of our fine
homeschoolers. Yeah. Just really -- everyone that's here was there at the state
tournament. It was a -- it was a wild year and a wild tournament. I'm just really proud of
this team and the resilience they showed. A lot of adversity overcame at the tournament.
We lost a couple kids to injuries and, yeah, they fought as a team top to bottom for those
two days and definitely made some history. So, just super proud of--just of their grit and
their toughness and really grateful for this group of kids. So, thank you.
J.Muri: Hello. I'm John Muri, associate head coach, one forty-nine. But really proud of
this group. This is a -- it was a wild ride and looking forward to running back for -- for a
three-pete next year. But really awesome group.
Simison: If each of you want to come up. I also have a City of Meridian pin that we will
provide to you and, then, we will do a group picture after that. Sound good?
Gooley: All right. Carson Gooley, wrestled at 195, and I'm a sophomore.
Kimes: Zac Kimes, wrestled at 126, and I'm a senior.
Arnold: Gabe Arnold, 98 pounds, and a freshman.
Papa: Matthew Papa. Well -- Matthew Papa, 120, and I'm a sophomore.
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Mack: Parker Mack. Wrestled 152. I'm a senior.
Howie: Judah Howie. One thirty-eight. Also a senior.
Argana: Fabrizio Argana. Wrestled at 190 and I'm a sophomore.
Smith: Alex Smith, 220, and I'm a junior.
Ohlund: Lizette Ohlund, 126, I'm a junior.
Sears: Lucas Sears, 170, senior.
Gonzales: Jamiah Gonzalas, 106, I'm a freshman.
Dickerson: Teigan Dickerson, senior, 113.
Smillie: Tristan Smillie, 160, and I'm a junior.
Sunada: Brodyn Sunada, 152, and I'm a senior.
Mara: Jason Mara, 138, and I'm a sophomore.
Ramos: Hunter Ramos. I'm 145 and I'm a senior.
Twaite: Isaiah Twait, 170, and I'm a junior.
Hoaglun: Well, Mr. Mayor, as you are getting the podium ready for our meeting time, just
want to comment as an alum of Meridian High School I'm -- I'm -- I'm looking forward to
a dynasty starting right now. I think that would be awesome. We can bring these up
every year and -- and for the guys -- they can -- I think they can still hear me out there.
Remember this moment when you spoke before City Hall. Okay? Remember the weight
you said, because 40 plus years later you are going to go I weighed that? Anyway, just a
piece of advice.
ACTION ITEMS
2. Public Hearing and Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law for Apex
West Subdivision (H-2021-0087) by Brighton Development, Inc.,
Located on the North Side of E. Lake Hazel Rd., Approximately 1/4 Mile
West of S. Locust Grove Rd.
A. Request: Preliminary Plat consisting of 208 building lots (207 single-
family and 1 multi-family) and 34 common lots on 96.08 acres in the
R-2, R-8 and R-15 zoning districts.
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Simison: All right. Council, so with that first item up is Item 2, public hearing and Findings
of Fact, Conclusion of Law for Apex West Subdivision, H-2021-0087. The public hearing
is still open. Mr. Nary.
Nary: Yes. Thank you, Mr. Mayor, Members of the Council. So, in our conversation
yesterday with Planning and with the applicant we realized as we resolved the issues of
the land that we had discussed at the prior hearing about whether there is a parcel or the
entire parcel, we reset it, we added 34 acres onto this parcel and we didn't send a new
notice out. So, I spoke with them, they are in agreement, we will renotice it for the April
5th meeting. That's the only glitch in this and so we just asked for a continuance to that
date and we can finalize the --
Simison: April 12th.
Nary: April 12th. Yes. You are right. April 12th. I apologize.
Simison: Council, do I have a motion?
Hoaglun: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Councilman Hoaglun.
Hoaglun: And I move that we continue the public hearing for H-2021-0087 to April 12th.
Cavener: Second.
Simison: I have a motion and a second to continue the public hearing until April 12th. Is
there any discussion? If not, all in favor signify by saying aye. Opposed nay? The ayes
have it and the public hearing is continued.
MOTION CARRIED: FOUR AYES. TWO ABSENT.
3. Public Hearing for Eagle Crossing (H-2021-0104) by Wadsworth
Development Group, With the Project Location Encompassing the
Five Existing Lots Located at the Southwest Corner of S. Eagle Rd.
and E. Ustick Rd.
A. Request: Modification to the Existing Development Agreement (Inst.
#2019-121599)for the purpose of updating the existing concept plan.
Simison: So, next up is a public hearing for Eagle Crossing, H-2021-0104. This -- I -- I
know that this -- do we open this one or do we not do anything since the posting was
incorrect?
Nary: So, Mr. Mayor, yes, so this one the posting was incorrect, so we can't open the
public hearing, so it is just a continuance.
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Simison: Okay. Do we need a motion to continue it?
Nary: Yes.
Simison: Okay. No, he said we don't open it, because it wasn't -- that's what I was trying
to figure out.
Hoaglun: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Councilman Hoaglun.
Hoaglun: I move that we continue H-2021-0104 for April 12th.
Cavener: Second.
Simison: I have a motion and a second to continue the public hearing until April 12th. Is
there any discussion? If not, all in favor signify by saying aye. Opposed nay? The ayes
have it and the public hearing is continued until April 12th.
MOTION CARRIED: FOUR AYES. TWO ABSENT.
Simison: Next up is a public hearing for Victory Commons Condominiums, SHP-2022-
0002, and we will open this public hearing with staff comments from Alan. Oh, I'm sorry.
I apologize. So, I need to do Item 5 next or seven next?
Nary: Seven.
7. Public Hearing for Copper Canary (H-2022-0009) by ALC Architecture,
Located at 2590 N. Eagle Rd.
A. Request: Modification to the Existing Development Agreement (Inst.
#104129529) to remove the subject property from the agreement
and prepare a new development agreement with an updated
conceptual development plan, removal of the requirement for
conditional use approval of any future uses on the site, and
requirement for access to be taken from the north via the future
backage road with emergency only access from the south.
Simison: Okay. Okay. Sorry. Next up is public hearing for Copper Canary, H-2022-0009.
Hoaglun: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Councilman Hoaglun.
Hoaglun: I move that we continue H-2022-0009 to April 12th.
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Perreault: Second.
Simison: I have a motion and a second to continue the public hearing until April 12th. Is
there any discussion? If not, all in favor signify by saying aye. Opposed nay? The ayes
have it and the hearing is continued.
MOTION CARRIED: FOUR AYES. TWO ABSENT.
4. Public Hearing for Victory Commons Condominiums (SHP-2022-0002)
by BVA Development, Located at 2976 S. Meridian Rd. (Lot 4, Block 1
of Victory Commons Subdivision No 2)
A. Request: Short Plat for 10 commercial condominium units on 2.42
acres of land in the C-G zoning district.
Simison: Now going back to Item 4 is a public hearing for Victory Commons
Condominiums, SHP-2022-0002. Open this public hearing with staff comments from
Alan.
Tiefenbach: Greetings, Mr. Mayor, Members of the Council. Alan Tiefenbach, planner
with City of Meridian. This is a proposal for a short plat. The property is zoned C-G,
located at the northeast corner of South Meridian Road and East Victory Road. The
subject property contains a -- just about a 30,000 square foot building, which was
approved by CZC in 2020. At the time the CZC was approved the property was
constructed on a lot that was in the Mussell Corner Subdivision. Sometime after that in
June of 2020 the property was replatted as Victory Common Subdivision. First it was Lot
4, Block 1, then, they did some adjustments to the lot and, then, it became a Lot -- Lot 2
of Block 2. This proposal is merely to subdivide the existing building into ten tenant
spaces. So, nothing other-- nothing else is happening. You would remember the second
plat came in front of you a few months ago, Council, that you approved. Again, so this
building is existing and they are just subdividing it into ten airspaces for ownership
purposes. We have deemed it as being in compliance. That's really it for this
presentation, Council.
Simison: Thank you. Council, any questions for staff? Okay. Is the applicant here?
State your name and address for the record and be recognized for 15 minutes.
Petersen: Yes. Mayor, Council, Tonn Petersen, 2775 West Navigator, Suite 220, in
Meridian. My name again is Tonn Petersen. I'm with Ball Ventures Ahlquist. I don't need
the full 15 minutes, just need a couple of minutes. It's already been stated pretty clearly
and we are very appreciative of staff and their -- and their help. As -- as was stated this
is a final -- well, before Council previously, dating back two years, a final plat consisting
of four commercial lots and approximately 16.74 acres in C-G zoning district. This is what
we refer to as Victory Commons. The phase one plat of that development was recorded
in 2020 and, then, I think several weeks ago -- in fact, it was four weeks ago the phase
two plat came before Council. That's now being routed. And as stated there is a 30,000
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square foot flex building as we call it, that will have multiple tenants who will own individual
units. In that flex building on this phase one and for that reason we have put forth the
commercial condo plat and we are just appreciative of -- of Council, we are appreciative
of staff. I believe, Mr. Mayor, was -- was at the groundbreaking of this site several years
ago and it's -- it's amazing to see how fast it's -- it's sprung up from there. So, just really
wanted to express appreciation on behalf of the company for the -- the assistance that
we have been provided, as well as appreciation to the surrounding neighbors. Of course,
development and change is hard and we have enjoyed a -- a dialogue with the neighbors
and are always looking forward to -- to find ways to -- to create that continuing dialogue
with them. So, with that I stand for any questions.
Simison: Thank you. Council, any questions for the applicant?
Petersen: Thank you very much.
Simison: Thank you. Mr. Clerk, do we have anyone signed up to provide testimony?
Johnson: Mr. Mayor, we had three people sign up, none indicated a wish to testify, but I
believe some members of the public are here with questions.
Simison: Okay. If there is anybody that would like to provide testimony, if you would like
to come forward now. Please come forward and if you can state your name and address
for the record and you will be recognized for three minutes.
Brown: My name is Tammy Brown and I live directly behind at 2985 South Andros Way.
I just became aware of this from this mailer. My questions are -- is I would like to know
the height of the project and the impact of the traffic. Are already right now -- because
the Kuna traffic is just -- you can't even get out on Meridian without really having to really
punch it to get out. So, the traffic is a big impact there. I wanted to know how much more
traffic those would generate. And also construction hours. What time the construction
would start, how early in the mornings, the types of heavy equipment. Are there going to
be lots of dirt, because we had that nursery there before and everything around our house
is filthy at all times. I wanted to know the type of construction dust and if there are going
to be lots of obstructions, you know, blocking off roads to get in and out of the -- because
it's -- it's a big area right there. So, I just -- I was just wanting to know the impacts to us
as neighbors. Thank you.
Simison: Thank you. Council, questions? Okay. Is there anybody else that would like
to provide testimony on this item? Or if there is anybody online you can use your raise
your hand feature. Seeing none, would the applicant like to come and close?
Petersen: Thank you, Mr. Mayor, Council. Appreciative of -- of I believe Ms. Brown's
questions and I will make myself available to provide more -- more detailed information,
both hereafter and also can -- can meet with Ms. Brown on site to just answer anymore
further detailed questions. On a very high level, the good news is in terms of the
construction hours, this project, that the flex building, is near completion. The construction
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hours are -- they do not exceed what's required under -- under city code and -- and I can
certainly provide that detail to -- to Ms. Brown and in terms of the traffic, the -- the impact
has been addressed through the traffic impact study. The existing traffic that we have
now has been mitigated somewhat by a U-turn that's been -- some enhancements along
the existing arterial roads, including a U-turn there at Meridian, which doesn't seem like a
-- a big deal, but it actually is an incredible enhancement in terms of keeping the traffic
flowing through that site and so happy to provide that -- that information. Again, I will
provide my -- my personal contact information and can meet Ms. Brown and any other
neighbors who would like to out at the site this week. The height of the project I -- I have
Hallie Hart, our associate engineer, with us here today. We are checking the specifics of
that, but I believe it was approved at 30 -- not to exceed 38 feet and I believe it's at 32
feet is what -- up to the parapet. That may be off by a foot or two, but, again, I can make
sure I have that exact information for Ms. Brown.
Simison: Thank you. Council, any questions?
Perreault: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Council Woman Perreault.
Perreault: No questions specifically. I just wanted to say that -- just to clarify that the
purpose of our hearing is -- here this evening is just to decide if the applicant is permitted
to split this into commercial condominiums where they can individually sell. It doesn't
have to do with approval of the building, building size, or location. So, thank you to the
applicant for being willing to answer those specific questions. I hope you can connect
this evening.
Petersen: Thank you.
Simison: Thank you. Council, any additional questions?
Petersen: Okay. Thank you.
Simison: Thanks.
Cavener: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Councilman Cavener.
Cavener: No questions, I -- I move that we closed the public hearing on No. 4, SHP-
2022-0002.
Perreault: Second.
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Simison: I have a motion and a second to close the public hearing. Is there any
discussion? If not, all in favor signify by saying aye. Opposed nay? The ayes have it
and the public hearing is closed.
MOTION CARRIED: FOUR AYES. TWO ABSENT.
Cavener: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Councilman Cavener.
Cavener: I move we approve Item 4, short plat for Victory Commons Condominiums,
SHP-2022-0002 as presented in the staff report on the date of March 22nd, 2022. Thanks
for the --
Perreault: Second. Second that motion.
Simison: I have a motion and a second to approve Item SHP-2022-0002. Is there any
discussion?
Cavener: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Councilman Cavener.
Cavener: A quick comment on me dovetailing on Council Member Perreault's comments.
Ms. Brown, I appreciate you coming and testifying tonight and I know it's frustrating when
you get a card about a project and you want to come and learn more. This annexation
was before us about a year ago and I will tell you Council discussed height at great
distance. I live one neighborhood over you off of Victory, so the impacts on -- on Victory
and Meridian Road were discussed at great lengths up here and I think that the applicant
has done a good job of responding to a lot of the concerns from Council at that time and
I appreciate the applicant wanting to meet with you one on one to make sure your specific
questions are addressed as well. Okay. Not a problem. That's -- that's why-- Mr. Mayor,
sorry.
Simison: Councilman Cavener.
Cavener: I know that we don't try and talk when people aren't on the record, but that's
the reason why we have these meetings, so the public can learn more and get their
questions answered. So, with that, Mr. Mayor, I'm happy to call for the question.
Simison: Okay.
Perreault: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: The question has been called --
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Perreault: Oh.
Simison: Would -- would --
Cavener: I'm happy to -- to relinquish if Council Member Perreault has got some
comments or questions.
Simison: The question has been removed. Council Woman Perreault.
Perreault: Question -- which question has been removed. I'm sorry.
Simison: Oh. The question that he -- he basically called for the vote.
Simison: Oh. Got it. Yes. I did not have any further questions. I just wanted to follow
up on something that -- that Councilman Cavener had stated. If you would like to get in
touch with the city clerk here, Chris, he can give you the link to the project. That was
originally approved and you can look at what was intended with maps and information
and you might be able to also access that from our website, just so you can understand
fully what's intended to happen there. Sorry about that. Thank you.
Simison: Okay. With that ask the Clerk to call the roll.
Roll call: Borton, yea; Cavener, yea; Bernt, absent; Perreault, yea; Hoaglun, yea; Strader,
absent.
Simison: All ayes. Motion carries and the item is agreed to. Thank you. Have a good
evening.
MOTION CARRIED: FOUR AYES. TWO ABSENT.
5. Public Hearing for Moberly Rezone (H-2021-0089) by Carl Argon,
Located on Parcel R0406010125, South of W. Broadway Ave. Between
NW 2nd St. and NW 1st St.
A. Request: Rezone 0.159 acres of land from I-L to O-T to allow a
duplex.
Simison: Next item up is a public hearing for Moberly Rezone, H-2021-0089. We will
open this public hearing with staff comments.
Tiefenbach: Thank you, Mr. Mayor, Members of the Council. So, this is a proposal to
rezone from I-L to OT. The property is roughly .16 acres in size, zoned I-L, located south
of West Broadway Avenue between Northwest 2nd and Northwest 1st, literally just a five
minute walk down the street here. Okay. So, the subject property is an existing vacant
lot. Again, like I said, consisting of .16 acres, which is zoned I-L along Northeast 1st
Street. I will go to some pictures here. If you look at the picture on the right that's
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Northwest 1st Street. This is predominately single family, multi-family, and duplexes.
Nearly all of this is at least 50 years of age. Some of these houses actually go back
longer than that. West of the property is a mixture of industrial uses. A food bank, a
religious facility and residential, both single family and attached. There is actually
industrial directly behind the subject property. North of the property is single family
attached and multi-family. One of the properties approximately a hundred feet to the
north, you can see here, is actually already zoned OT. There are railroad tracks here. It's
about 200 feet south of the property and there is an alley, which you can't see very well,
but it borders the property and that is what you can see in that picture there. The applicant
proposes to construct a duplex on the subject property once the rezone process is
concluded. Although the plan does specifically mention multi-family residential over
ground floor retail or office uses being part of Old Town, the property is surrounded on
three sides by existing one story residential and multi-family, with only a small number of
industrial and non-residential uses. Although a work/live situation is possible, because
the subject property is on a residential street with no commercial frontage, staff finds the
proposed residential use in this area would be appropriate. The subject property would
be alley loaded. That's, again, what you see here. This -- the reason for this is it brings
the building closer to the street and it removes garages and driveways from the front view
of the house. This is consistent with the new urbanist principles where you want to have
houses brought to the street, buildings brought to the street, porches, those kinds of things
and you want to deemphasize garages. Access would occur via this alley. This is the
alley here. I actually did what I call the Tundra test, which is my gigantic truck and was
able to get it back there to where the -- if I can get my truck back there you can land a
747 back there. So, there is enough room to get in the --the actual access to the property
is right on the other side of this little shed here. You can see that's the alley back there
where that fence is. At present, although you can't really see it, there is a dumpster
blocking the alley. That's what you see here. The way that you have to get in at present,
because of that -- that dumpster is you have to come down Broadway and, then, you go
south on North 2nd and, then, you turn and go east on Railroad Street and you -- you
come up into the alley here. This is a one way street here. Staff supports the -- staff
supports this application and recommends approval. However, at the time we did think
there needed to be some adjustments made to the duplex. The original version, which
you saw in the staff report, it showed like a combined front entrance inset for both units
and there wasn't really any overhang, it didn't really -- it wasn't really consistent with that
new urbanist principle, the front porches, and that whole thing. Because it's near the
downtown core and provides for Old Town, that was one of the things we thought would
be an element of that. Its walkability. Its sociability. Its sense of community. This being
the first project developing in this area, we wanted to make sure that we set the right
pattern for things to continue like that. That was our recommendation -- recommended
condition of approval at the Planning Commission. Since that time the applicant has
submitted revised elevations. So, originally, there was just an inset here. Since that time
they have put on a little porch over here. I think it's six wide by 30 long. They could
probably double check. They -- they could probably correct me on that, but this is
sufficient size. We just want to make sure there was enough room for somebody to
actually be able to sit out in front of their duplex on a summer day or even a cold day.
Meridian Planning and Zoning heard this item on February 3rd at the public hearing. The
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Commission did move to approve this subject zone request. Their only comments were
that they -- the Planning Commission wanted to make sure architectural design and
materials were generally consistent with the neighborhood aesthetics, which totally
makes sense. I looked at this -- if you look at a lot of the buildings in the neighborhood -
- and you can see them here -- a lot of them are brick and clapboard siding with pitched
roof and dormers and that was what I had originally talked to the applicant about to make
sure that the architecture -- we don't -- we don't want to mimic the historic structures, it's
one of the principles of historic preservation, but we did want it to respect the historic
structures. There were a few -- there were a few citizens that showed up to the hearing.
The concerns they expressed were about, first of all, being two stories. They had some
concerns about the alley. The alley is being used for things other than parking or-- or the
alley is being used for parking and the alley is being used -- like they have a --a dumpster,
like I said, blocking the alley. The alley is actually a public right of way. It shouldn't be
used for parking. So, there was some concerns about the access occurring in the parking.
Staff reminded the Planning Commission and the -- and the citizens that you can't park in
the alley. That's a public right of way. The public gets to have access if it's a public right
of way. There was some comments about the -- the area being industrial and some
concerns about whether the rest of it was going to turn residential. The one thing I wanted
to mention is there was a lot of discuss on the -- there was some discussion with the
Planning Commission and the citizens on the two story nature of the house and it's
important to mention to you that the Old Town zone district requires a building to be two
stories and at least 35 feet high. You can't actually build a one story building in OT. It
has to be two stories. That's, again, to -- to try bring that -- that -- that Old Town
walkability and building going -- you know, allowing additional density and trying to
promote commercial on the bottom and -- and residence on the top. So, with that it's a
very simple rezoning. I think the applicant is here this evening and with that I would stand
for any questions.
Simison: Thank you, Alan. Just on that last point, I -- I thought that it -- single family
residential or residential -- is it because it's not a single family residential, it's a duplex
that it's -- that there wasn't the 35 foot height requirement on all structures if they were
just residential, but maybe it's because it's not single family residential.
Tiefenbach: The -- no. The Old Town recommends that -- that structures be at least 35
feet high. It could -- most of this neighborhood is all is zoned in I-L. The only structure
right now that is -- there is only one piece that's zoned OT at this point, but OT requires
35 feet height and at least two stories.
Simison: Okay. Council, only questions?
Tiefenbach: It's the -- it's the only zoning district I know of really in the city where instead
of saying this is your maximum height, it says this is your minimum height.
Simison: I knew it was a minimum, but I didn't think it applied to only residential structures.
Tiefenbach: It's -- it's all structures in OT, sir.
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Simison: Okay. Is the applicant --
Borton: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Mr. Borton.
Borton: Real quick. Alan, is this -- this has to go through design review before it gets a
permit anyway; correct?
Tiefenbach: Yes, sir. This -- because this is a duplex this is required to go through design
review.
Borton: Okay. Thanks.
Simison: All right. Is the applicant here this evening? Online? It looks like they might be
in the waiting room.
Johnson: Being promoted to a panelist right now. I just have to accept that. There it is.
Simison: If you can state your name and address for the record. Sorry, I can't get in and
see what's going on.
Johnson: Unmuted now, Mr. Mayor.
Simison: Okay.
Argon: Carl Argon. 4515 East Copper Point Drive, Meridian, Idaho. 83642.
Simison: Okay.
Argon: Yeah. I'm the applicant, Carl Argon. You know, we are excited to get this thing
approved and through the process. We are -- like Alan said, we are going to work with
design review once it's rezoned to make it something that the city is going to, you know,
approve of and be proud of and we are happy to set the standard for whatever else comes
down that way in -- in the neighborhood. So, we think we will put a good product out there
and something that the neighbors and the community will enjoy and it will be better than
a vacant piece of property that's sitting there right now, so --
Simison: Okay. Council, any questions for the applicant? Yes, Alan.
Tiefenbach: I just wanted to confirm. I read in the UDC to make sure I was answering
your -- your question correctly. It is all buildings are required to be 35 feet or two stories.
Simison: Okay. All right. Seeing no questions from Council for the applicant, Mr. Clerk,
do we have anyone signed up to provide testimony?
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Johnson: Mr. Mayor, we did not.
Simison: Okay. Well, if there is anybody that would like to provide testimony on this item,
if you would like to come forward at this time and you will be recognized for three minutes
or if you are online use the raise your hand feature. All right. Seeing nobody who would
like to provide testimony on this item, does the applicant wish to have any final
comments?
Argon: I do not.
Simison: Okay. Then with that, Council, I will turn it over to you.
Cavener: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Councilman Cavener.
Cavener: Alan, just a -- a quick question for you. About this dumpster, I get -- I get that
there is -- you can't be parking in a -- in an alley. Is -- can a dumpster be placed there?
Do we know who it belongs to? Have we communicated to the owner? Any-- I know that
maybe this may be more of a code enforcement question, but because you -- you brought
it up I'm coming to you first.
Tiefenbach: Sorry. Councilors, Mr. Mayor, I do not -- if you look down the alley here you
can see the green dumpster here. That -- the reason why I found that is because I was
going to try to drive down this alley and I couldn't do it. I think that's the -- the food bank
there. No, you can't put a dumpster in the alley. That -- nobody is complaining, because
nobody is really going back there. Nobody is developed. But you can't park in the alley.
You can't put a dumpster in the alley. It's a public right of way. It would be a code
enforcement issue if we wanted it to be.
Hoaglun: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Councilman Hoaglun.
Hoaglun: We have a representative of the Meridian Food Bank here. Maybe they can
shed some light on that, since they are in the area.
Simison: I'm happy to take public testimony, since we are not there and we can give the
applicant time to respond afterwards, so -- state your name and address for the record,
please.
Clark: Dan Clark. Meridian Food Bank. The address --
Simison: The food bank is just fine.
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Clark: 133 West Broadway Avenue in Meridian. The purpose of the dumpster -- the
dumpster belongs to the gentleman behind the food bank. He puts it out there on the day
of pickup and the truck comes in, picks it up, empties it and, then, comes over to the food
bank. So, that dumpster is only--they are pushed out there like on Wednesday mornings
before 9:00 o'clock or so and, then, it's gone.
Simison: Council, any questions? Thank you. Hearing that, would the applicant like any
final comments?
Argon: Yes, I would like to make some comments. You guys can hear me; right?
Simison: Yes.
Argon: I -- I had to go out there to post the sign for the public hearing notice for City
Council and Planning and Zoning. Each time I went out there during the week nights the
dumpster was not there. I also went back to take down my sign after Planning and Zoning
Commission on a weekend. The dumpster was not there. So, I'm not very concerned
about the dumpster. It doesn't seem like it's a permanent thing. That car wasn't also
blocking the alley as well. So, I'm thinking maybe Alan just -- it was just luck that you saw
it out there the way it was, but each time I have gone out there it hasn't been that way,
so --
Simison: Thank you.
Perreault: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Council Woman Perreault.
Perreault: Question for Alan. Alan, on page two of the staff report it shows a boundary
map and, then, of course, there is a new legal that was recorded recently. Is this
overlapped parcels? Is this going to be divided into two parcels separately or is this going
to stay on the one parcel as it is?
Tiefenbach: Thank you, Council Person Perreault, Members of the Council. It is
confusing. It does look like two parcels. It is actually one. The -- I know that's what it
looks like on the -- and I had the same question to Bill Parsons and we researched it. For
whatever reasons it's showing it two, but it is actually -- the record of it shows it to be one
parcel. It's going to be one duplex on one parcel.
Perreault: Okay. Thank you.
Hoaglun: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Councilman Hoaglun.
Hoaglun: I move that we close the public hearing for H-2021-0089.
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Borton: Second.
Simison: I have a motion and a second to close the public hearing. Is there any
discussion? If not, all in favor signify by saying aye. Opposed nay? The ayes have it
and the public hearing is closed.
MOTION CARRIED: FOUR AYES. TWO ABSENT.
Hoaglun: Mr. Mayor, just a comment before I make a motion.
Simison: Councilman Hoaglun.
Hoaglun: It's exciting to see a vacant lot in Old Town being built upon and have some life
to it and I think it's a good thing as -- as we learned about minimums for Old Town and
two stories. So, that was enlightening. So, I -- I would move approval of after all -- after
considering all staff, applicant, and public testimony, I move to approve H-2021-0089 as
presented in the staff report for the hearing date of March 22nd, 2022.
Borton: Second.
Simison: I have a motion and a second to approve Item H-2021-0089. Is there any
discussion? If not, Clerk will call the roll.
Roll call: Borton, yea; Cavener, yea; Bernt, absent; Perreault, yea; Hoaglun, yea; Strader,
absent.
Simison: All ayes. Motion carries. The item is agreed to.
MOTION CARRIED: FOUR AYES. TWO ABSENT.
6. Public Hearing Continued from January 11, 2022 for Heron Village
Expansion (H-2021-0027) by Tamara Thompson of The Land Group,
Inc., Located at 51, 125 and 185 E. Blue Heron Ln.
A. Request: Annexation of 1.36 acres of land with a R-40 zoning district.
B. Request: Rezone of 4.18 acres of land from C-G and R-8 to R-40.
C. Request: Conditional Use Permit to allow expansion of an existing
108-unit, 5-building m
Simison: So, our next item is a public hearing that was continued from January 11th,
2022, for H-2021-0027. We will continue this public hearing with any comments from
staff.
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Tiefenbach: Thank you, Mr. Mayor, Members of the Council. I'm not going to go through
the whole thing again, because I think we have all heard this very many times. Just --
just so you know what you got it on last week's episode, I hope you get caught up. The
property is -- this is for an annexation, rezoning, and conditional use. The property is
located southeast intersection of North Meridian, East Blue Heron Drive. It's six
properties. Five of them are already in the city. One of them is not and this is what you
see here, R-1 in the county. The purpose of this -- there is now five apartment buildings
with 108 units. They want to build two new apartment buildings on this R-1 zoned lot and
32 new units. A conditional use was approved for the original complex in 2013. We had
a pre-app. The applicant, again, wanted to build 36 more units in two buildings. This was
initially heard by the Council on October 12th. Since this time it's been continued a few
times. It most recently came on December the 7th and, again, was, then, continued to
this date. The issue has been parking, particularly the issue with parking overflow onto
East Blue Heron Lane and the impacts on the residents of the Heron -- Heron Brook
townhouses to the north. Also the Council requested the applicant to justify the number
of spaces they are proposing and looking at some of the parking information that might
be provided from the property management company. So, this was the original proposal
that you saw that came in front of you originally. All that's grayed out is the existing and
this was one building, this was the other building, and, obviously, the rest is parking.
There was an open space here of 70 by 100. Since the last Council the applicant has
resubmitted new drawings. First of all, the -- so, what you are seeing here that's different
is that this Building G has now been moved up to the East Blue Heron Lane and this Park
has been moved to the -- down towards the middle. Part of the reason why they did that
is because people have a tendency to want to walk to the building where -- to park where
the building is closest and if you move the building up toward the street and widen the
parking lot, which is what you see over there, it will help to incentivize people to park in
the lot in front of their buildings. Since -- since the time of the Council hearing there has
been a couple of other things that the applicant has done. The applicant indicates -- let
me see here. Okay. So, with phase one there was 108 apartments and five buildings
that required 204 parking spaces and they--with phase one provided 207 parking spaces.
With -- let me close this little window. It's in my way here. Okay. So, phase two is --
again, It's 36 apartments in two buildings. Their required parking is 69. They have got a
certain number of covered parking and their-- their provided parking is 89. So, what they
have done -- they have -- they have done a few things differently between the last time
this -- the first thing is that that 35 of those stalls they have made them larger. The -- the
city of -- City of Meridian requires nine feet long by 19 feet long for a parking space. In
this particular case they are doing 11 by 20. They are saying that this is to satisfy some
of the larger trucks, like, for instance, my Tundra. I think that the thing that is more
important is -- one of the significant issues that they have had is they have all these
covered garages in the original phase and though -- not cover. Sorry. Fully enclosed
garages with a garage door. And what the problem has been -- not with just -- not with
these apartments, but a lot of different apartments is that people tend to use those
garages for storage and, then, they park their car somewhere else. So, all those parking
spaces are basically useless in the garage. If you remember our recommendation with
phase two, because of the parking issue, is that we -- we proposed to you and to the
Planning Commission that only carports would be allowed in this development, because
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it would keep people from storing things in their garages and parking elsewhere. The
applicant with this proposal is -- is now suggesting to take the garage doors off of the
existing garages in phase one, all of them, and, basically, only allow carports in the entire
development. Again, with the idea that all of that storage that used to be in the garage
would now have to go into their apartments or they have to get rid of it and parking will be
used for cars. It's -- it's a lot easier to enforce whether or not you are parking in your
garage if you can look into the garage and make sure that they are not full of stuff. The
other thing is they have talked to Fire Department and ACHD and they are proposing to
put no parking on the north side of East Blue Heron. The neighbors across the street
have had concerns with cars parked all along that side of the road, parked along near the
corner, so you can't see when they are trying to pull out on Meridian. So, they are
proposing to stripe East Blue Heron Road. So, again, the differences are larger -- 35 of
the parking spaces will fit a Toyota Tundra. They are proposing to make all of the garages
carports and they are proposing to stripe the north side of East Blue Heron Drive. And
with that I think that is everything on my presentation. I -- I talked a little -- I mean I kind
of went back and rehashed on what our recommendations are. They -- they meet all the
requirements, so this is why we recommend approval. In fact, they exceed the
requirements. The applicant is going to have to widen the pathway between East Blue
Heron Lane and North Eureka. There is a -- a lateral pathway there now and they are
going to widen it, so that they have a secondary emergency access only for the Fire
Department. There would be posts or something like that so people can't drive there. We
had concerns with all the condenser units for the AC being along the front of the building.
We thought it would be a little more aesthetically pleasing -- pleasing if they at least had
to soften them up with landscaping and -- and, then, again, as I said, covered parking
shall only be provided by carports and if the Council was supportive of what the applicant
is -- is suggesting, then, you would probably want to add a condition of approval that the
existing carports in phase one be convert -- or sorry. The existing enclosed garages in
phase one be converted to carports, which, again, would keep you from storing all your
stuff in the garage. I hope. With that I have no other comments.
Simison: Thank you, Alan. Council, any questions for staff?
Perreault: Mr. Mayor?
Hoaglun: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Council Woman Perreault.
Perreault: Thank you. Alan, did -- did they -- the -- the parking spaces that are -- that
have been widened and lengthened, did they actually like restripe and add -- are they
going to restripe and add some in different areas of the entire complex of phase one or is
it just all added into this east side in phase two? So, that -- that doesn't really solve our
problem, because we are still going to have people that live way on the west side of the
development and they are not going to park their larger truck way on the east side just
because the spot is bigger.
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Tiefenbach: What I'm seeing, Council Person Perreault, Members of the Council -- and I
very well could be wrong. It will probably look to the applicant, because I wasn't prepared
for that question. What I'm seeing -- are showing the larger parking spaces down here
on the east. Certainly you are privy to tell him to restripe however you would like.
Hoaglun: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Councilman Hoaglun.
Hoaglun: Alan, for the no parking on the East Blue Heron north side of that, is that
something they have to go through ACHD to accomplish and get approval or can we
condition that as well?
Tiefenbach: I'm sorry, one more time.
Hoaglun: The north side they are proposing to make that no parking. It was a previous
discussion we had about -- to help reduce impact to the residents on the north --
Tiefenbach: Correct.
Hoaglun: -- side, that they would make that a no parking area on that north side.
Tiefenbach: Correct.
Hoaglun: Is that, though, up to ACHD to make that determination?
Tiefenbach: Ultimately the ACHD, but my understanding is ACHD was supportive of that.
I believe Joe Bongiorno might have had some discussion with them. I will --for sure. But,
yes, it's ultimately their right of way, so they get to decide. My understanding was they
did not like the idea of both sides of it being striped. So, yes, ACHD ultimately would be
the one that would decide. So, you could -- you could condition this and they could say
no.
Hoaglun: Okay. Thank you.
Cavener: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Councilman Cavener.
Cavener: Just before maybe we jump into the public hearing portion --or the presentation
of the applicant, I just wanted to notate for the record -- while I was here for the initial
presentation, I did miss the continuance in December, but I watched it online and followed
through on the minutes and feel prepared to be involved in the conversation tonight.
Simison: Thank you. Council, any other questions for staff? Okay. Is the applicant here
this evening?
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Johnson: Mr. Mayor, I --this is Chris. I have -- Mr. Powell is the applicant. I have unmuted
him, but I see Mysti Stelluto as well, so I'm going to allow her -- I'm not sure who is
representing the applicant.
Stelluto: Hello. This is Mysti Stelluto. Can you guys hear me?
Simison: Yes, we can.
Stelluto: All right. I am representing the applicant Heron Village Apartments. I'm with
Dave Evans Construction. Tamara Thompson with The Land Group is unavailable
tonight. We have Rob Powell, our architect with Dave Evans, available, as well as
Summer Haven, who is the management -- with the management company for Heron
Village. Want to thank you all for seeing our application again and we look forward to
bringing this forward one more step for approval. As Alan was saying with our Option I,
which is that newest site plan that you all see right there, that does provide wider stalls,
as well as relocating the open space and touching with the wider stall option we are
providing 16 stalls that are nine foot by 20, which is greater than code requires and, then,
those 35 stalls that are 11 by 20. And to address the question that one of the Council
Members asked earlier about restriping phase one, that is going to not be very possible
due to the fact that the carport post spacing has determined the spacing of the carport
stalls and so unless, you know, the -- the carports are -- are redesigned and redone we
are not able to restripe those. We believe that making those garages deluxe carports by
removing the garage doors that will help greatly with allowing more residents to be parking
closer to building C and D, since they could just pull in and pull out, they don't have a
garage door, plus they won't be able to use those for storage as well. The thing to take
note of is the property management has done a lot of things to figure out why the parking
situation is the way that it is. They have done numerous audits throughout the -- the last
couple months. Dave Evans Construction has done audits on site the last couple weeks,
as well as doing tenant questionnaires to really see why the tenants are parking where
they are parking and it was determined that -- that there is plenty of parking internally for
everybody to have a spot and to park, but the tenant questionnaires provided was those
stalls are just either inconvenient or they are not large enough for the vehicles that they
do have. And so property management practices, then, needed to be changed to also
make parking within the community more convenient and so what the -- the property
management company has decided to do was make all in community parking free of
charge. So, the garages are going to be free. All the covered and uncovered parking
stalls are free. They have also given one garage space to every three bedroom unit free
of charge and so that's a huge difference from before and, then, they are still continuing
to educate residents of using the garages for parking. Now, we are proposing to remove
those overhead garage doors, which will, like I said, create those deluxe carports, which
make additional parking a lot easier to park within the community, but in the meantime
before that's been approved they are having those garages free of charge and educating
the residences. With our Option I, like I stated, we are providing larger stalls. Now, they
are not centrally located like in phase one, so people with larger vehicles will have to walk
a little ways, but still we are providing ample larger parking stalls for those larger vehicles
to park and we are not proposing anymore garages and the only cover parking stalls that
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we are going to provide is what code requires. Everything else is going to be uncovered,
which will also help curb that issue with the larger, taller vehicles not being able to park
under those carports. Regarding the no parking along East Blue Heron, that definitely is
something that we are willing to work with ACHD and the city about. We have learned
with our discussions with ACHD that that is something that needs to be brought up by the
city and the city needs to -- to request that from ACHD. We have to be on board with it
as well and that will only allow ACHD to go and do like a study to see if no parking is
actually warranted on East Blue Heron. That doesn't -- that doesn't say that they are
going to approve it or they are going to -- they are going to stripe it or -- or sign it no
parking. That just allows them to do the study since ACHD feel that East Blue Heron was
constructed and designed for parking on both sides of the street they are really hesitant
to -- to not allow that to happen, because that's why that road was designed the way that
it was. But we are more than -- we are more than happy to cooperate with -- with you
and ACHD to get that study going to see if -- if -- if the no parking is even possible from
ACHD's perspective. We do agree that at least no parking should be on that north and
south side just west of -- I'm sorry -- just east of Meridian Road west of North Richter
Lane. That will definitely help with the Fire Department's concerns with that visual triangle
being blocked with all those cars. So, we are definitely on board with that as well. We --
we feel that the Option I that we are showing now does provide those larger stalls, it
provides the open space that's more central to both phases being able to use that park-
like setting. It's going to have benches. We are proposing to have barbecue areas. We
are also proposing to have 36 covered bike -- bike -- covered bike stall areas through the
whole entire complex to use and we feel that this is just a really great project to help with
the housing problem that Meridian is having. It's going to fulfill the vision of the
Comprehensive Plan and the future land use plan and we respect your approval and I will
stand for questions.
Simison: Thank you. Council, questions for the applicant?
Perreault: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Council Woman Perreault.
Perreault: Thank you, Mysti. Could we bring up the map with all of the buildings for the
whole development?
Tiefenbach: Does that work for you?
Perreault: No. I think there was one where you can see them. They are grayed out, but
-- yeah, there we go. So, one of the reasons why this has been continued and we have
-- we have asked the applicant to go down this -- this process was to try to get vehicles
off of Blue Heron Lane and so I just wanted Mysti, if she could share with us, if -- if there
are vehicles that belong to tenants in Building E and Building D that have -- that -- that
need to use the -- the larger parking stalls, I -- I'm not sure that this actually solves them
not parking on Blue Heron. So, would you share with us thoughts on -- on that? Because
I -- I think that they are just going to park in the spots that are closest to their building and
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1 really appreciate the -- the larger stalls. I -- I think it's a fantastic idea, I just think placing
them -- and I understand what you are saying about what -- how the striping is done in
relationship to the carports and how things are spaced, I'm just not sure that it
accomplishes the whole -- you know, one of the main reasons that we have gone through
this process the way we have, which is to get them off of the street. I think that they will
likely still park on the street if they live in those most northeast buildings.
Stelluto: Yes, Mr. Mayor and Council Woman, I understand your question about the --the
parking for Building E and D. With removing those overhead garage doors in the garages
along Meridian Road that will -- that will provide a little bit more headroom than the
carports would, so we are hoping that some of those vehicles can park in those garages.
As far as the vehicles parking along East Blue Heron Lane, again, that's something that's
legal for them to do and we cannot legally stop them from parking on it. We are going to
provide every opportunity for them to park within the community and we will provide them
those larger stalls and encourage them to park over-- you know, it's not that far of a walk
if you -- if you have been in this complex before. It's not that big of a walk. It's a couple
-- maybe two minute walk or whatever and we will encourage them to use those stalls
versus parking on the road, but we simply can't force them to not park on the road. It's
simply legal for them to do so. But we are hoping with those garage doors being removed
that that will encourage those larger vehicles to be able to -- to park in there.
Simison: Council, any additional questions of the applicant? Thank you very much. Mr.
Clerk, do we have anyone signed up to provide testimony?
Johnson: Mr. Mayor, yes, we do. James Michael Schwerd.
Simison: If you can state your name and address for the record and be recognized for
three minutes.
Schwerd: James Michael Schwerd. 245 Blue Heron Lane. Well, what -- what happens
is they will park on the south side and, then, they come down to the Meridian Meatpackers
and they-- they -- they make their U-turn in my retail area to go back down the south side
and -- and that -- I don't know what the fix is, but they are just going to tear up our loading
dock and, then, our retail area flipping the U-turns right there, because they -- especially
if they close the south -- the north side, because they will just come down -- they will --
they will park on the south side and, then, they will come down to where the -- our plant
is and turn to head out to Meridian Road.
Simison: Council, any --
Schwerd: I don't know what the fix is on that either, so -- if there is one.
Simison: Council, any questions? Maybe in -- maybe in --
Schwerd: Maybe later?
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Simison: Maybe later is what I'm -- is what I'm saying, so --
Schwerd: Okay.
Simison: Thank you.
Schwerd: You are welcome.
Johnson: And, Mr. Mayor, two others signed up online, but they are members of the
applicant team, so I'm not sure how you would like to treat that.
Simison: Well, in -- in the past when they have done that we have -- if they are testifying
on their own behalf we are happy to take them. Is there anybody -- but I will start with
anybody else in the audience that would like to provide testimony on this item. Okay.
Seeing none, now let's check in with those that signed up in advance and see if they -- if
there is going to be online that would like provide testimony, please, use the raise your
hand feature. Okay. Seeing no one wishing to provide additional testimony, would the
applicant like to make any final comments?
Stelluto: No, I do not. Thank you.
Simison: Okay. So, Council, I assume -- I will leave this open for conversation.
Hoaglun: Good idea, Mr. Mayor, and I have a question for Chief -- Deputy Chief
Bongiorno. Chief, we were talking about vision triangles and --and whatnot and I'm trying
to remember from last time we had the discussion -- can you go through -- were we
concerned about Richter, which is part of that East Waterbury Lane connected there, right
closest to Meridian Road, was it both the north and south side that we had concerns about
fire trucks and having that vision or was it also farther down? Can you refresh my memory
on that?
Bongiorno: Yeah. Mr. Mayor, Councilman Hoaglun, I think the -- excuse me. I think the
issue was cars parking too close to the corner and, then, I believe on one of the directions
there is actually a fire hydrant sitting there as well. So, that was the issue. So, I did
contact John Watson with ACHD and I asked him if they would be willing to sign from
Richter to the corner as no parking, because of the fire hydrant being there and because
of traffic and not being able to see up and down Meridian Road. Honestly I never got an
answer back from him. We also discussed Blue Heron and I think we talked about this at
the last meeting as well -- I believe is a 33 foot roadway section, which is a standard
roadway section for ACHD and I believe it was the Mayor that even asked me are you
comfortable driving a fire engine down that and the answer is yes, because that's our
standard roadway width that use here in Meridian that's 33 feet and we allow parking on
both sides. So, we are -- I'm okay with leaving Blue Heron as no parking. That would be
completely Council's call and ACHD's call to not allow parking on the north side, but I am
okay with it.
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Hoaglun: Mr. Mayor, follow up?
Simison: Councilman Hoaglun.
Hoaglun: Yeah, chief, for that no parking and the view area, was that both --from Richter
to Meridian Road was that both north and south side?
Bongiorno: Correct. Both sides. I asked for both sides to be signed.
Hoaglun: Okay. Thank you. Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Councilman Hoaglun.
Hoaglun: Another question -- I don't know if some of the residents there off of Waterbury
Lane are here, but I'm just curious about -- you know, we talk about no parking on the
other side -- on the north side up against that -- that -- that community, but is -- does that
mess them up when people come to visit for -- for example? So -- or it looks like from --
I'm looking at Google Earth -- has, you know, plenty of parking and it's a wide street and
-- and different things like that. They have covered parking. So, I was just curious, you
know, sometimes we take action and, then, find out, oh, that didn't help things, we made
it worse. So, we want to avoid that. So, I didn't know if one of you would like to comment
about that. I will let the Mayor invite you to come up and give your name and address for
the record.
Simison: You have invited them. That's okay.
Rogers: Hi. I'm Sandra Rogers and I live at 102 East Waterbury Lane, which is off-- right
off Blue Heron, Richter, and East Waterbury. Yes. And we have overflow parking, but a
lot of times we have people from the apartment complex that have parked in our overflow
parking and there is no way for us to tell who is parking in it. I mean unless you see
somebody -- if you actually see somebody park in it and go to the apartment, we can't
confront anybody. So, as far as parking on East Blue Heron, a lot -- I can't say a lot, but
I do believe there are quite a few that are parking there that are sharing apartments with
people that are on the lease. Now, these are people that aren't on the lease and they are
sharing apartments, because a lot of these people are young and they can't afford the
rent. I mean even when both of them are working and if they have a child, they just
absolutely can't afford the amount of rent anymore and so they have got friends and
whatever -- whoever living with them and that's got to be some of those cars that are on
East Blue Heron. So, I know at a previous meeting we talked about from Meridian Road
on both sides of East Blue Heron down to the driveways and one would be Richter and
one would be the street coming and going that -- into the entrance of the first apartment
complex, blocking those off with either red on the curbing or signs and I thought it was
okayed. I mean I thought everybody was on board with that at the time, so I don't know
where that stands now and am I understanding this no parking on the north side of East
Blue Heron is just to allow a study? Was this going to be a done deal?
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Hoaglun: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Councilman Hoaglun.
Hoaglun: Yeah. We -- we don't have the jurisdiction over the streets, so we would make
recommendations --
Rogers: Right.
Hoaglun: -- but it would Ada County Highway District that would do the study. What we
are looking at -- and I think everyone is in agreement in it -- is -- and listening to Deputy
Chief Bongiorno, is no parking from Richter to Meridian Road on both the north and south
side because of the view that -- that you need when you are exiting.
Rogers: Right. It blocks our view terribly coming in and out. I'm surprised there hasn't
been an accident there.
Hoaglun: So, I -- I don't think that's the -- in question. I could be wrong. But my question,
then, from Richter up to where you can enter Waterbury, a little bit further to the east, to
come in that way on the north side or up against the -- your residences there, does that
need to be no parking on just that north side to help alleviate traffic? I'm also thinking is
is that a way to allow U-turns, people who parked on the south side, then, that can, then,
have enough room to make a U-turn, so they are not going farther to the east, going
through this gentleman's property to -- and around.
Rogers: Well, yeah, I understand what he is saying. I have seen a lot of that. Yeah. No.
If-- if this doesn't workout, no parking on the -- on the one side like they are talking about,
we definitely need that done on East Blue Heron on both sides from Meridian Road up to
the driveways of the apartment complex and Richter on the other end, so that we can see
-- I mean -- and just because we have rules and regulations these people still don't abide
by them. I mean I could be calling code enforcement every day. I don't. But I do when
it's a real issue. But big trucks parked right up to our driveways -- and we have to get
way out into the street to see if we can even get out to make a turn to get out onto Meridian
Road. It's -- you know, we have got older people that live in there, so it's a bad issue.
Hoaglun: I appreciate you and the information you provided. Thank you for doing that.
Rogers: Okay. Thank you.
Cavener: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Councilman Cavener.
Cavener: Would you mind a couple other questions? I'm just --
Rogers: No, at all one.
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Cavener: -- curious. One, I -- I appreciate you and your neighbors I think came and made
some very compelling arguments back I think in September that the Council is very
sympathetic, so here we are now looking at April -- I guess on the -- on the heels of April.
We have seen a lot of different revisions and I was -- I was a little bummed that neither
the three of you came up to testify one way or another about what's being proposed and
I'm just kind of curious where are you and your neighbors at on -- on what's being
proposed? Do you think it -- it meets or -- or addresses the concerns that you -- you
brought up in September? Do you think it makes it worse? Is it slightly better, but not
what you fully would hope to see? I mean just I -- I would like to get a little bit of feedback
from you about what's being proposed, if you are willing to share.
Rogers: Well, after tonight -- there is only three of us here. We have 34 units out there,
plus a clubhouse, and I think they have been very good about accommodating what we
have talked about. So, of course, parking -- parking and traffic was the main issue and
we have fire trucks and ambulances out there all too frequently and so that's a big deal
that they can -- I mean I find it hard to believe what he's saying with cars parked on both
sides of East Blue Heron and a fire truck -- he would know, but going down there and
coming back -- I don't know. It's got to be a tight squeeze.
Cavener: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Councilman Cavener.
Cavener: I think that's probably why they don't let you and I drive those trucks, is because
I think you would need to have to do that.
Rogers: No.
Cavener: So, I appreciate your feedback. Thank you for testifying tonight.
Rogers: Uh-huh. Thank you for your help. All of you.
Perreault: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Council Woman Perreault.
Perreault: So, I just wanted to say, if I remember correctly, the members of the public had
come before us in the first hearing and asked to stripe the north -- the entire north side
from Meridian Road to Waterbury, because they thought that would alleviate concerns
about people driving through Waterbury Lane and turning around, which I -- I believe was
-- is a private lane and so that was a request that was originally made from the public,
which is why we started down conversation about it and, then, meeting two is when Chief
Bongiorno had mentioned that it wasn't necessary for the -- the width of a fire truck. So,
we kind of left it there and so I just-- it's hard to say, because I don't--we are very thankful
that -- that you are here, but just -- you know, it's -- it's tough to make a decision about
whether we ask the applicant to stripe that whole section on the north side, just -- not
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having any kind of -- you know, I'm hesitant to condition that I guess considering that we
have no -- no say in it and it's just a preference maybe. So, I guess what I'm trying to
determine if this is a preference or there really is a safety issue.
Simison: Give my two cents, unless I'm forgetting -- I -- I guess I never really looked at
this dead end turnaround factor. I mean that -- that -- the only -- as far as I can see the
only way you can ever prevent people from driving and trying to turn around is to have no
parking on both north and south and forcing people into the two places to do their parking.
Otherwise, there is no way to solve anybody that only -- only one way they are getting on
either one of -- one of the sides of the road is -- is making a turn somehow that is not
viewpoint, so you know, in -- in some regards I think that's a question that Council should
consider is what is the -- you know, there is no turning -- yeah, I have to look at the chief
-- the Fire Chief again, it's like how do you guys turn around? If -- if you need to go to
that next house that's currently there, you can't turn left on Waterbury, I mean it's not your
preference to go into someone else's property to turn your vehicle around, but that's what
you are going to do I assume and is that fair to the property owner?
Bongiorno: Yeah. Mr. Mayor, we would probably, like you said, we would put at least pull
into the driveway and, then, you know, back out and, then, come down. You know, it's
exactly what they are saying.
Simison: So -- so, there --there is that element for consideration on -- on both sides. The
other part about this is, you know, I -- I have a -- a nice shiny new vehicle that I just
received, it doesn't deserve an 11 by 20 foot lot, but I would park my car there, even
though it doesn't require it if it's closer to where -- where I want. So, while we may think
we are solving -- you can't guarantee and we -- I appreciate what the applicant is trying
to accomplish, but we can't force -- they can -- you know, you can go down to the parking
lots in Boise and they say compact only. People park where they want to park when --
when they want to park. Yeah. Alan's Tundra. You know. And they will park in alleyways
apparently when they want to as well. So, I think these are all good ways of trying to
address it, but I don't -- this is just an area that's trying to retrofit challenges that anything
that is done is going to have some repercussions one way or the other and I don't think
that we will know which -- what will be until things occur. So, I'm just pondering. So, no
real questions at this point in time if we want to have more --
Hoaglun: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: -- comments. Councilman Hoaglun.
Hoaglun: Yeah. Those are -- those are good ponderings, because that's definitely what
we are wrestling with, because if-- if you take away parking on the north side, in my mind,
because that -- between Richter and going east, does that put more pressure on their
guest parking lot, because people go, oh, that's open, I'm just going to park there, as
opposed to leaving that with parking on the north side. It's-- it's one of those conundrums.
I mean I have no problem going from Richter, as deputy chief pointed out, on both the
north and south side and, then, I think, okay, maybe we allow parking both ways and,
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then, have ACHD also examine ways to have no parking and bring that in at least one or
two car lengths at each intersection, so you have better viewing, so when you pull out
you can see better, instead of having to go clear out. But, then, Mayor, you -- you make
a very good point. If you have no parking on both sides you don't have to make a U-turn,
you know, come up the street, because you don't have to. You don't have to swing around
to go to the north side or -- if you parked on the south side you are going to have to do a
U-turn later on. So, you know, all these things that -- that balance. I think overall, just
kind of-- so the applicant has -- has some idea of what we are pondering --for me anyway
is they -- they have made lots of changes. I think they have asked everything that we
have -- asked them to -- to do. They have come up with some solutions for increasing
parking and trying to regulate parking and keep people in compliance and without this
expansion they don't have to do any of that. I mean it's just going to remain the way it is.
So, it's -- it's one of those things I think we can bring about benefits with approval -- more
benefits than we can without. But it's just a matter of how do we -- how do we solve some
of those on-street parking issues that -- that actually work.
Cavener: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Councilman Cavener.
Cavener: I know Kristy is on the call. Maybe we can bring her in -- and I guess maybe
my question would be is -- kind of getting her expertise, she's been following this project,
if she's got any recommendations for Council to include in our motion and conditions,
should we move towards approval, that maybe us not being the subject matter experts,
but the highway district being that, that -- that we could maybe address some of these
concerns in the most efficient manner possible.
Inselman: Mr. Mayor, Councilman Cavener, sorry -- you guys are so small on my screen.
I think that's Cavener.
Cavener: It is. Thank you.
Inselman: I did go through and -- and I did converse back and forth with some of our DTS
staff on some of these issues and we certainly -- our traffic has that request from the fire
department to look at the north and south side from Richter out to Meridian Road and
they are definitely -- that is in their cue to analyze that to see if there are some sight
distance issues with those two driveways and potentially putting some no parking there.
The street is -- and will be if this is approved -- 36 feet wide back of curb to back of curb,
which is a standard local for us. I don't know how we can address the turnaround issues
at the end of the roadway. It is our right-of-way, but given that it's an offsite we can't
require them to place a turnaround there and I know that there was a request to expand
the pathway on the -- the right-of-way out to Eureka to 12 feet for an emergency access
for the fire department. So, that may help with some of that. And, yes, the -- all of those
drive -- all of those drive aisles on the north side on that development are all private. So,
we have no jurisdiction over those. But our-- the local roads are wide enough for parking
on both sides and if the fire department says it -- it's not needed, that they can traverse
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that roadway, I think it really kind of -- kind of comes down to the turnaround, which we
don't have any authorization to require with this development. I don't know that that really
answers your questions, but we also certainly would work with the city if they request no
parking on one side or the other. We certainly -- that would be analyzed by our traffic
department, so --
Cavener: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Councilman Cavener.
Cavener: Kristy, could we also include, you know, like a request for a sign, like a dead
end or -- or no outlet --
Inselman: Oh, for sure.
Cavener: I want to be sympathetic to Mr. Schwerd's concerns about, you know, apartment
traffic or drive-through traffic turning around in his parking lot and I don't know if that solves
it, but I think would maybe at least reduce some of that.
Inselman: Yeah. Mr. Mayor, Councilman Cavener, that would be part of the traffic
analysis that they would look at. They can -- they can include that for the no parking.
They can look at appropriate signage to notify drivers that this is not a through street.
Simison: So -- so looking at you, deputy chief, if Mr. Schwerd's decided to put a fence up
on his property line, what would that do and mean from -- from your standpoint? I'm not
putting words in his mouth, but I -- I couldn't -- you know, it -- it's a possibility that, you
know, there is no access turn around and how does that impact the fire department if that
was the case?
Bongiorno: Mr. Mayor, I was actually just looking at the map to see if Ada county could
put some kind of a turnaround in. But, unfortunately, down at the end past the Meridian
Meat Packers there is the drainage ditch and that's kind of the big problem with this whole
road, why it just stops is because of that ditch. So, I mean the -- the solution is to push it
through to Eureka. I believe the right-of-way is there, but, again, we would have to go
back with ACHD and see what their thoughts are of actually programming it to -- to put
that last 500 feet in and just make it a through road. But to answer your question, if he
were to put a fence up our only solution, if we had to go down to Meridian Meat Packers
for a call, some kind of an incident, the only option would be to back all the way down to
Waterbury or the -- the apartment entrance that they potentially will be building here,
which, obviously, for us backing is a problem that's why we have turnaround requirements
and stuff, because we don't want to back, because it's inherently dangerous. Firefighters
die every year from being backed over by their own fire apparatus, so -- I mean the best
solution is to push the road through. The second best would be to try and come up with
some kind of a turnaround in that area. But, again, with the ditch it -- it kind of -- we are
-- this is just one of those bad spots.
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Simison: Sorry to take us down that road literally, but just -- unfortunately, this application
is bringing up too -- too many other issues that are in this area that we may or may not
be able to solve. Yes, Alan.
Tiefenbach: Alan Tiefenbach. Just to add to what Mr. Bongiorno said real quick, the
issue, though -- and I think this has already been discussed -- is there is infrastructure
there; right? There is utility poles and all those things that -- that's going to make it
extremely difficult and costly to widen that. It's not just a matter of widening it, it's moving
all of the utility poles. So, you are not just working with ACHD, you are working with utility
providers. So, that's quite a beast and you -- yeah. And it -- it starts getting difficult to --
to -- to require an applicant to make offsite improvements that aren't on their property.
The -- the applicant is being, you know, nice enough, because they are trying to
accommodate the impacts that saying they are going to widen it, but -- but I -- I might
leave that to Mr. Nary, but we are going to start delving into places we don't want to go if
we start requiring off-site improvements as a -- as a -- as a request -- as a -- as a
requirement.
Simison: Alan, I don't think I have heard anyone talk about offsite improvements. I think
we are just talking about the impacts of the road and what were to occur if things were to
happen and how that should impact parking on that road.
Tiefenbach: Understood.
Hoaglun: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Councilman Hoaglun.
Hoaglun: Question for Kristy. Kristy, for -- I'm -- I'm looking at East Blue Heron from
Richter to Waterbury and I -- I know you guys have safe -- safety standards for, you know,
site views at these corners. Triangles. How far back do you keep people from parking
from the intersection say of Richter and, then, Waterbury on that north side? Is it 20 feet
Is it 30 feet? How-- how far back do you keep vehicles so there is --when someone pulls
up to turn out they at least have a -- a decent view down the street?
Inselman: Mr. Mayor, Council -- Council Member Hoaglun, it depends on the type of
roadway and what we are talking about. Our standards for like an intersection for our
local to local or local to another street is typically 40 feet. So, you follow the curb line and
it's 40 feet back on either area and, then, you kind of draw a connecting line between the
two to create that triangle. So, it's typically 40 by 40 on -- for sight distance issues. If it's
a driveway those generally will narrow to like a 20 by 20, but the maximum is -- is 40 by
40. And, then, I just wanted to follow up with that connection to Eureka. It -- it -- just to
kind of piggyback on what your staff had talked about with connecting that roadway. That
is something that the city could add to their request, because it is a local roadway
connection to their community programs request to the city -- or to Ada -- Ada County
Highway District. There is that difficulty with those utilities and with the canal and we
would have to acquire right of way to do that, because, then, right of way does narrow
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down to about 35 feet from where that pathway is currently located. So, we actually don't
have sufficient right of way to finish the road out, unless we were able to acquire some
additional.
Hoaglun: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Councilman Hoaglun.
Hoaglun: Follow up with Kristy on that 40 feet. Is that typically posted? I -- I -- I can't tell
from the map I'm looking at if that's posted no parking or is it striped in some way?
Inselman: Councilman -- Mr. Mayor, Councilman Hoaglun, typically we would put some
no parking for the 40 -- 40 by 40 if it's requested and I don't -- I don't know if there is
existing signage out there or not now, but if there isn't that -- I can make that request of
our traffic to include that as part of their analysis to make sure that there are those signage
to keep people out of this sight distance window.
Hoaglun: All right. Thank you.
Perreault: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Council Woman Perreault.
Perreault: I also have a question for Kristy and, then, would like a follow-up comment
from Deputy Chief Bongiorno about the letter that was put in the project folder today from
ACHD and -- and just mentioning that the Meridian Fire Department had had concerns. I
don't know if that -- those have been addressed and that letter was just sort of late to us,
but the conversations had already been had, it -- it didn't -- I guess the letter seems like
it's way past when we -- you know, when the two entities would have had the discussion,
so --
Inselman: Sorry. Mr. -- Mr. Mayor, Council, Council Member Perreault, are you talking
about the letter from ACHD dated August 25th, 2021?
Perreault: I apologize. It's an e-mail that our --
Inselman: Oh. Okay.
Perreault: -- staff uploaded to our site and I don't know -- let me look at the date. Do you
have a copy of it?
Inselman: I may have it in front of me. We will see. I have a lot in front of me. It's from
back in October and then --where is the other one at? Apologies. I have a small desk at
home, not nearly as much room, and, then, there is one from March 22nd.
Perreault: Yes. That one.
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Inselman: Okay. Yes, that's one that Mindy included me on as well from our DTS
department. Yeah. So, in essence, what she's saying is if the City of Meridian -- if the
fire and emergency services have an issue with access on Blue Heron, with parking on
there, we would work with them to address those issues and evaluate whether to put up
no parking signs in conjunction with -- with your fire department. So, I was just going off
of what Fire Marshall Bongiorno said had -- that he was fine, he was able to get down
that road with the parking. But if that's not the case, then, we absolutely would work with
the City of Meridian on some no parking.
Simison: Councilman Borton?
Borton: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. It's good discussion. I guess just as we wrap this up and
get towards a motion, I think Councilman Hoaglun's remarks are spot on with where I see
this application. It's -- the continuances have made it better. It got as close to, in my
mind, solving difficult challenges within the bounds of what this application can -- can
control and solve. There is -- there is tradeoffs I think, quite frankly, with each iteration of
this application. But with the conditions of approval and concessions made by the
applicant, I'm supportive of this application as presented.
Simison: Okay. Would the applicant like to make any final comments, since we did take
comments from the public in the form of a question?
Stelluto: Yes. I just wanted to reiterate that we are in favor of working with ACHD and
the Fire Department to get that study conducted to see if no parking is warranted and we
are also in favor of the no parking west of Richter on both the north and the south side.
We also wanted to reiterate that the garage solution of removing those doors will provide
larger spaces for those larger vehicles to be parking in, as well as all parking within the
complex is now free as part of -- as part of their rent now and so that's a huge incentive
to park inside as well and we would -- we would appreciate your approval of this
application.
Simison: Thank you. So, Council, I'm going to make us a suggestion for your
consideration or discussion with ACHD -- is potentially to look at only allowing parking in
the area on the street between the two entrances for the -- both sides of the street on the
north and the south in hopes that you could encourage people to use the -- quite frankly,
the U-turn option there at the Waterbury areas, so we are not forcing people --or enabling
people to park further down and push them to have to turn around in -- I know they are
both private. One is a private drive, one is a private property, but, you know, part of me
would like to suggest like no parking at all on the street, but I think that pushes -- when
people have a few people over it pushes them -- where are they going to park? Then --
then you are one hundred percent forcing neighbors to park over in the apartments or
neighbors to park over in the other side of the street. You need to have some parking in
that area, otherwise, Albertson -- I mean how far away -- there is no good place to park
outside of this area. Ultimately it's going to be ACHD's call, but I -- I think trying to look at
ways to not push people there or down further than outside of where the residents are,
quite frankly, is kind of where I was trying to suggest consideration.
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Hoaglun: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Councilman Hoaglun.
Hoaglun: Yeah. That's -- that's where I landed as well with -- with the interest in ACHD
studying the setback -- the safety zones for Richter and Waterbury at the 40 feet and
possible signing for -- make it easier for those residents and also at Waterbury, if you
have got that 40 foot no parking area that's clear, I -- hopefully it would encourage people
to do that U-turn there and -- and not have obstruction of people parking right up to the
intersection and having some room to do that turn and still allowing parking on that north
side to help alleviate, I hope, parking within that residence area and --and allowing people
to -- to utilize that. So, that -- that's where I fell as well on that, so --
Perreault: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Council Woman Perreault.
Perreault: If I heard Kristy correctly, a lot of these are dependent on the city making these
requests and they are -- they are independent of this application. So, the -- the signs for
the 40 -- 40 feet from the intersections and -- I guess I don't -- I don't -- I didn't quite
understand this, the connection to Eureka was allowed to be a condition of this or if that
is also a request that the city has to make independent of this application, but I'm still
trying to connect the dots on is how can we --can we condition the application on anything
that ACH does with --ACHD does with us? In other words, we -- we say this -- you can
move forward with this if ACHD does A, B and C. Are we permitted to do that? And that's
probably a question for Alan.
Tiefenbach: Thank you, Council Person Perreault, Members of the Council. In regard to
the connection first to Eureka, I think -- my understanding was ACHD was amenable to
that. I -- I believe that -- that Mr. Bongiorno has already had some discussions with them.
So, that -- that's a -- I don't want to use the word done deal, but they are amenable to
that. In regard to the rest, it would just be a matter of staff requesting that ACHD do a
study of that area to see if there could be some kind of better parking management with
no parking. But, yeah, you can't condition it. You could condition it with the suggestion
from the Council that staff and ACHD -- or that ACHD and the applicant and staff explore
whether areas in that area could be striped no parking.
Perreault: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Council Woman Perreault.
Perreault: It sounds like we are all in agreement that there definitely needs to be no
parking between Meridian Road and Richter on north -- north or south side, but -- but am
I hearing, Alan, correctly that we also cannot condition that?
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Tiefenbach: Council Person Perreault, I'm extremely reluctant to condition something on
what a different agency is going to do, especially when they haven't even done a parking
study and I have no idea if ACHD would be supportive. So, they may -- they may say no
and, then, we are back here, I suppose.
Bongiorno: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Mr. Bongiorno.
Bongiorno: Thank you, Chief -- Mayor. Going to call you chief. Chief. Just clarification.
So, that connection to Eureka is the emergency access only. I want to make sure that's
clear.
Tiefenbach: Thank you. Thank you.
Bongiorno: The pathway is there. All I asked was can they widen it to where I could drive
a fire truck down it, just in case we had to. So, what I was talking about earlier that Kristy
had already talked about was actually pushing the whole road through eventually and
that's something that I think she said we would have to request. So, I just want to make
sure we were clear that the connection is just that emergency access only.
Simison: You know -- and from my standpoint, you know, to me it's just good for the
applicants to hear the changes that we -- the city would be looking for from our partner
agency so they understand what this is -- you know, it's kind of interesting that it's
daylighted some issues that have been there, but this -- hopefully it helps address larger
issues altogether, but, yeah, that part -- in my viewpoint -- I won't make the motion, but
not part of the application. With that do I have a motion to close the public hearing?
Hoaglun: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Councilman Hoaglun.
Hoaglun: I move that we close the public hearing on H-2021-0027.
Cavener: Second the motion.
Borton: Second.
Simison: I have a motion and a second to close the public hearing. All in favor signify by
saying aye. Opposed nay? The ayes have it and the public hearing is closed.
MOTION CARRIED: FOUR AYES. TWO ABSENT.
Hoaglun: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Councilman Hoaglun.
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Hoaglun: Just to kick off discussion and make sure we are all on the same page -- we
have covered a lot of ground tonight and it's been a good discussion. But it sounds like
a -- a condition that we could include -- include is that the existing enclosed garages be
converted to carports. So, I think we can do that. Make that as a condition. That we
would request ACHD study no parking on the south and north side of East Blue Heron
Drive from Meridian Road to North Richter and the entrance to the -- the first entrance to
the development. And also I'm interested in including that the -- request ACHD to take a
look at possibly posting signage after a sight distance analysis is done at the intersections
of East Richter and Waterbury Lane to make sure we have safety margins in place there.
And I think that's all I had. Was there anything else that the Council was interested in?
Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Councilman Hoaglun.
Hoaglun: After hearing all staff, applicant, and public testimony, I move to approve H-
2021-0027 as presented in the staff report for the hearing date of March 22nd, 2022, with
the following modifications: That we condition that the existing enclosed garages be
converted to carports. That we request ACHD to consider no parking on the north and
south side of East Blue Heron Drive between Meridian Road and North Richter and the
first entrance to the development and that they look at possibly putting in no parking
signage for the site distance analysis at East Richter and Waterbury Lane for safety
reasons and that would -- would cover all that in my motion. And I move for approval of
that. Had to find out where I was.
Borton: Second.
Simison: I have a motion and a second. Is there discussion?
Cavener: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Councilman Cavener.
Cavener: Appreciate the -- the work of the applicant. I think they have been really
responsive to the public testimony and the feedback of the Council. I also just want to
take a minute -- I always appreciate when members of our public go through the marathon
sessions of Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council meetings with lots of
continuances. Your intestinal fortitude is noted and appreciated and I appreciate your --
your public testimony here tonight. I -- I originally was pretty opposed to this project and
I think Council Member Hoaglun or Borton put it best that this has been a -- a good
example of taking multiple bites of the apple to make sure that we get it right and I think
this is as right as we are going to get on this particular project. So, I'm -- I'm -- I'm
supportive of it.
Simison: Any further discussion from Council? Then Clerk will call the roll.
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Roll call: Borton, yea; Cavener, yea; Bernt, absent; Perreault, yea; Hoaglun, yea; Strader,
absent.
Simison: All ayes. Motion carries. Thank you.
MOTION CARRIED: ALLAYES.
ORDINANCES [Action Item]
8. Ordinance No. A-19-1812: An Amended Ordinance (H-2017-0142—
Summertown) for Annexation of a Parcel of Land Located in
Government Lot 2 of Section 1, Township 3 North, Range 1 West, Boise
Meridian, Ada County, Idaho, as Described in Attachment "A" and
Annexing Certain Lands and Territory, Situated in Ada County, Idaho,
and Adjacent and Contiguous to the Corporate Limits of the City of
Meridian as Requested by the City of Meridian; Establishing and
Determining the Land Use Zoning Classification of 15.17 Acres of
Land from RUT to TN-R (Traditional Neighborhood Residential)Zoning
District in the Meridian City Code; Providing that Copies if this
Ordinance shall be Filed with the Ada County Assessor, the Ada
County Recorder, and the Idaho State Tax Commission, as Required
by Law; and Providing for a Summary of the Ordinance; and Providing
for a Waiver of the Reading Rules; and Providing an Effective Date
Simison: Council, the last item for us this evening is Ordinance No. A-19-1812. Ask the
Clerk to read this ordinance by title.
Johnson: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. This is an amended ordinance related to H-2017-0142,
Summertown, for annexation of a parcel of land located in Government Lot 2 of Section
1, Township 3 North, Range 1 West, Boise meridian, Ada county, Idaho, as described in
Attachment "A" and annexing certain lands and territory situated in Ada county, Idaho,
and adjacent and contiguous to the corporate limits of the City of Meridian as requested
by the City Of meridian; establishing and determining the land use zoning classification
for 15.17 acres of land from RUT to TN-R (Traditional Neighborhood Residential) Zoning
District in the Meridian City Code; providing that copies if this ordinance shall be filed with
the Ada County Assessor, the Ada County Recorder, and the Idaho State Tax
Commission, as required by law; and providing for a summary of the ordinance; and
providing for a waiver of the reading rules; and providing an effective date.
Simison: Council, you have heard this ordinance read by title. Is there anybody that
would like it read in its entirety? If not, do I have a motion?
Perreault: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Council Woman Perreault.
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Perreault: I move that we approve Ordinance No. -- is it 19-1812? With suspension of
rules.
Hoaglun: Second the motion.
Simison: I have a motion and a second to approve Ordinance No. 19-1812. Is there any
discussion? If not, Clerk will call roll.
Roll call: Borton, yea; Cavener, yea; Bernt, absent; Perreault, yea; Hoaglun, yea; Strader,
absent.
Simison: All ayes. Motion carries and the ordinance is agreed to.
MOTION CARRIED: FOUR AYES. TWO ABSENT.
FUTURE MEETING TOPICS
Simison: Council, anything under future meeting topics? All right. Then do I have a
motion to adjourn?
Hoaglun: Mr. Mayor, move to adjourn.
Simison: I have a motion to adjourn. All in favor signify by saying aye. Opposed nay?
The ayes have it. We are adjourned.
MOTION CARRIED: FOUR AYES. TWO ABSENT.
MEETING ADJOURNED AT 4:72 P.M.
(AUDIO RECORDING ON FILE OF THESE PROCEEDINGS)
4 / 5 / 2022
MAYOR ROBERT E. SIMISON DATE APPROVED
ATTEST:
CHRIS JOHNSON - CITY CLERK
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