HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-07-11 Regular Meridian City Council July 11, 2023.
A Meeting of the Meridian City Council was called to order at 6:01 p.m. Tuesday, July
11, 2023, by Mayor Robert Simison.
Members Present: Robert Simison, Brad Hoaglun, Joe Borton, Liz Strader and John
Overton.
Members Absent: Luke Cavener and Jessica Perreault.
Also present: Joy Hall, Bill Nary, Sonya Allen, Shawn Harper, Kris Blume and Dean
Willis.
ROLL-CALL ATTENDANCE
Liz Strader _X_ Joe Borton
_X_ Brad Hoaglun _X_ John Overton
Jessica Perreault Luke Cavener
X Mayor Robert E. Simison
Simison: Council, we will call the meeting to order. For the record it is July 11th, 2023,
at 6:01 p.m. We will begin tonight's regular City Council meeting with roll call
attendance.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Simison: Next up is the Pledge of Allegiance. If you would all, please, rise and join us
in the pledge.
(Pledge of Allegiance recited.)
COMMUNITY INVOCATION
Simison: Tonight's community invocation will be delivered by Jennifer Caviness
Williams with the Baha'i Faith. If you all would, please, take this as a moment of silence
and reflection, either one, or join along.
Williams: Does it matter?
Simison: No.
Williams: Oh, my God. Oh, my God. Unite the hearts of thy servants and reveal to
them thy great purpose. May they follow thy commandments and abide in thy law. Help
them, oh God, in their endeavor and grant them strength to serve thee. Oh God, leave
them not to themselves, but guide their steps by the light of thy knowledge and cheer
their hearts by thy love. Verily thou art their helper and their Lord.
Meridian City Council
July 11,2023
Page 2 of 40
ADOPTION OF AGENDA
Simison: Thank you. Next up is the adoption of the agenda.
Hoaglun: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Councilman Hoaglun.
Hoaglun: I move we adopt the agenda as published.
Strader: Second.
Overton: Second.
Simison: Have a motion and a second to adopt agenda as published. 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 AYES. TWO ABSENT.
PROCLAMATIONS [Action Item]
1. Proclamation for Owyhee High School Baseball State Champions
Simison: So, first thing we are going to do is a proclamation. If I could get the Owyhee
High School baseball team to join me at the podium, along with their coaches, that
would be great. So, Council, we are going to have to get used to Owyhee for the next
two weeks as we have the baseball team this week and the softball team next week
coming in for their state championship. So, we really appreciate the fact that you guys
are willing to come in during your summer. I'm sure you all are just doing nothing, sitting
around playing video games -- no. Hope you are doing some good stuff. But we are
here to recognize them for -- for their achievement on the field, which is a -- I know it's
something that they were looking forward to. So, what we will do is read the
proclamation and if each of you can kind of come and state your position -- your position
with the team, then, we will let the coach say a few words and do a picture. That
works? All right. So, whereas, being an Owyhee High School baseball player is more
than making -- pitching, fielding, hitting achieving state titles, it is training to build
leadership, character, confidence, teamwork and resilience, all trades needed to
succeed on the field, in the classroom, and in the real world and whereas the hard work
and dedication of the Owyhee Storm baseball team and coaches has resulted in the
second year program with back-to-back 5A baseball state champions and whereas The
Storm completed the regular season with a record of 11/1 in conference and 19 and two
overall and whereas The Storm baseball finished the season with the 23 and four record
and clinched their second straight Idaho 5A baseball state title by taking a 5-2 win in the
championship game providing the team -- proving that the team was in it to win it and
whereas the leadership, training and discipline of their coaches helped all team
Meridian City Council
July 11,2023
Page 3 of 40
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 July 11th, 2023, as Owyhee High School Baseball
State Champions Day in the Meridian and call upon the community to join me in
congratulating the Owyhee High Storm on the remarkable athletic achievement and
representing Meridian so proudly in the state tournament. So, on behalf of the city
congratulations. While I know the Mayor of Star likes to claim you and there may be
some of you from Star, we consider you Meridian, because that's where your address is.
So, congratulations.
Carlson: Pitcher only. Cooper Carlson. Pitcher only.
Price: Easton Price. Outfield. 2025.
Curl: Jake Curl. Outfield. 2023.
Doty: Kaleb Doty. Pitcher. 2025.
Mcghee: Xavier Mcghee. P.O. Class of 2023.
Burbank: Ryan Burbank. Outfield. Pitcher. 2024.
Rohlmeier: Cole Rohlmeier. Shortstop. Class of 2023.
Ryan: Jack Ryan. Outfield. Pitcher. 2023.
Mahaffey: Hunter Mahaffey. Pitcher. Infield. 2025.
Skinner: Lucas Skinner. Catcher. Pitcher. 2024.
Kelly: Keagan Kelly. Second base. 2025.
Haws: Gage Haws. Catcher and third base. 2025.
S.Rohlmeier: Coach Steven Rohlmeier and teacher out at Owyhee. Thank you.
Wright: I'm not -- I'm not doing the class thing. Russ Wright. Teach at the high school
and the head coach. It would have been nice to get all of our guys. Obviously we got
as many as we could get here tonight. We have got a young team playing tonight and
so some of our coaches are there working, but probably the -- the most important thing
-- all the stuff that they read about this group, they really live it. It's a -- it's a wonderful
group to work with. So, proud of them. Great kids. I would take them all as my sons.
So, we appreciate it. Thank you for the honor.
Simison: And for those that aren't here we do have another proclamation which has
everybody's names on it. That will be entered into the record for those that weren't
Meridian City Council
July 11,2023
Page 4 of 40
here. So, in case they ever want to come back and look at City Minutes they will -- they
will find them, so -- if you don't mind joining me up here we will do a quick picture.
PUBLIC FORUM — Future Meeting Topics
Simison: Okay. With that, Madam Clerk, do we have anyone signed up under Future
Meeting Topics?
Hall: Mr. Mayor, there is not.
ACTION ITEMS
2. Public Hearing for Julia Subdivision (H-2023-0003) by Hesscomm
Corporation, located at 2435 N. Black Cat Rd.
A. Request: Annexation of 2.77 acres of land with an R-8 zoning
district.
B. Request: Preliminary Plat consisting of 10 buildable lots and 5
common lots on 2.77 acres of land in in the R-8 zoning district.
Simison: Okay. Then we will go on to our Action Items this evening. Item 2 is a public
hearing for Julia Subdivision, H-2023-0003. We will open this public hearing with
comments from staff. Sonya.
Allen: Thank you, Mr. Mayor, Members of the Council. Let me get the presentation up
here. The first applications before you tonight our a request for annexation and zoning
and a preliminary plat. This site is an enclave consisting of 2.77 acres of land. It's
zoned RUT in Ada county and it's located on the west side of North Black Cat Road,
midway between Ustick Road and Cherry Lane, at 2435 North Black Cat Road. The
Comprehensive Plan future land use map designation is medium density residential,
which calls for three to eight dwelling units per acre. The applicant is proposing to
annex 2.77 acres of land with an R-8 zoning district for the development of ten single
family residential detached homes at a gross density of 3.61 units per acre, consistent
with the medium density residential future land use designation. A preliminary plat is
proposed consisting of ten building lots and five common lots on 2.77 acres of land.
Proposed building lots range in size from 4,151 square feet to 12,671 square feet.
There is an existing home that is proposed to remain on Lot 4. All the other structures
are proposed to be removed. There is an existing driveway access via Black Cat Road
for the existing home that are proposed to be removed. Access will be provided via the
extension of Julia Avenue at the northern boundary of the site. Another driveway exists
for irrigation district access that will remain along the southern boundary of the site. A
25 foot wide buffer is required along Black Cat Road, which is listed in the CIP to be
widened from two lanes to three to five lanes between 2031 and 2035. Because the
site is below five acres in size, common open space and site amenities are not required.
However, the applicant is proposing .59 of an acre of common open space consisting of
Meridian City Council
July 11,2023
Page 5 of 40
street buffer, open space with pathways and a storm drainage area as shown. The Sky
Pilot Drain exists on the adjacent property to the west and is piped and is open on the
subject property along the southern boundary of the site and is required to be piped with
development. The drain lies within a one hundred foot wide easement, 50 feet each
side measured from center line. All of the lots along the western and southern
boundaries of the site encroach within this easement. Nampa-Meridian Irrigation
District has stated they will consider encroachments within the outer 20 feet of the
easement with a license agreement similar to what they approved with the adjacent
development to the west, Trisha's Crossing. No buildings or trees would be allowed in
the inner 30 feet of the easement area, but lawn and fences could be allowed. The
UDC requires irrigation easements wider than ten feet to be included in a common lot
that is a minimum of 20 feet wide outside of a fenced area unless modified by City
Council at a public hearing with notice to surrounding property owners. The width of the
easement encroachment on this site is approximately 27 feet. The applicant is
requesting Council approval for the easement to be located on buildable and common
lots. That's Lot 7, 9 through 12 and 15, rather than a common lot. If the irrigation
district approves an encroachment agreement as anticipated, there will only be
approximately seven feet where no buildings or trees would be allowed. For this reason
staff is supportive of the applicant's request. Several conceptual building elevations of
one story homes with a bonus room over the garage were submitted as shown.
Building materials consist of a variety of siding some with stone and brick veneer
accents. As a provision of the development agreement staff recommends all homes
include brick and stone veneer accents on the street facing elevations. The existing
home is proposed to be renovated and reoriented to take access from the internal street
rather than Black Cat Road. A new two car garage will be constructed accessible from
the internal street from which access is provided for that home. Due to concerns
pertaining to the height of the homes and related privacy issues expressed during the
neighborhood meeting with the original developer, the current developer has agreed to
a provision in the development agreement that limits all homes to a single story in
height with a bonus room above the garage, with all windows facing the front of the lots.
The Commission did recommend approval of these applications. I will go through a
summary of the Commission public hearing. There was only one person, the applicant,
Bruce Hessing, that testified in favor of the application. There was no written testimony
or any other commenters on the application. The Commission was in general support
of the proposed in-fill project. The Commission did not make any changes to the staff
recommendation. The only outstanding issue for Council tonight is -- as I mentioned the
applicant is requesting Council approval for the irrigation district easement for the Sky
Pilot Drain to be located on building and common lots, rather than a separate common
lot as allowed by the UDC with -- with Council approval. No written testimony has been
submitted since the Commission hearing. The applicant is here to present testimony
tonight. Staff will stand for any questions.
Simison: Thank you, Sonya. Council, any questions for staff? Okay. Then would the
applicant like to come forward?
Meridian City Council
July 11,2023
Page 6 of 40
Hessing: Bruce Hessing. 2338 West Boulder Bar Drive, Meridian. These are hard to
do, these little in-fills. I -- I take pride in doing them. I like turning weed patches into
houses. Been doing this for about 30 years. It's a good -- good little project. I think it
will fit in there very well and Sonya is -- is amazing. She said it best and I'm here for
questions.
Simison: Thank you. Council, any questions for the applicant?
Strader: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Council Woman Strader.
Strader: Just a comment. Sir, if you could just speak into the microphone a bit more.
Thank you.
Hessing: I will do that.
Simison: All right. Thank you very much. Madam Clerk, do you have anyone signed
up to provide testimony on this item?
Hall: Mr. Mayor, there is not.
Simison: Okay. Is there anybody present or online that would like to provide testimony
on this application? If you would like to come forward. State your name and address
for the record, please.
Nuttman: My name is Alex Nuttman. I reside at 2540 North Julia Place. I just wanted
to say I'm in favor of it. I'm a direct neighbor and I think this in-fill project looks well
thought out and will be a great asset to our community.
Simison: Excellent. Thank you. Council, any questions? Appreciate it. Okay.
Orem: Anna Orem. 2584 North Julia Avenue. I live right next to this. I am in favor of it,
but I don't know if this is the place to ask about this. I'm nervous. Sorry.
Simison: You are doing great.
Orem: The first discussion that we had with the original developer -- he had mentioned
replacement of the fence along -- like because we live right on Julia where they are
going to extend the road, so he had mentioned replacement of the fence and removal of
trees that were impeding that fence and actually on the side of the development
property, as well as my property and our neighbors across Julia from us. I don't know if
that could be included in this officially.
Simison: We can ask the developer to respond to that question when it's their time to
come up afterwards.
Meridian City Council
July 11,2023
Page 7 of 40
Orem: Sorry. I think other than that I -- we are not opposed to it. We are in favor of it.
We would just like to see those original things that were discussed upheld and I know
it's not the same developer, but he's holding true to single story and some of that stuff
as well, so that is all. Thank you.
Simison: Thank you. Council, any questions? Okay. Is there anybody else that would
like to provide testimony on this item, either in person or online? If you are online you
can use the raise your hand feature. Seeing no one come forward, would the applicant
like to come forward for final comments and address that question?
Hessing: Yes. If -- if I would have had a chance to take a look at that on site I'm -- I'm
sure I could respond not so vaguely, but it would depend on where those trees are. A
lot of times if we -- when they are right up against the fence we know the root patterns
of trees they go under into the backyards and it -- it causes issues and I -- I -- I would be
glad to look at that with her if I could get addresses or -- or contact information. Fencing
wise we are -- we are big on replacing the old fencing, but I'm not sure how old that
fence is in there. That's a fairly recent subdivision, relatively speaking if you are my
age. But, yeah, we -- we always do that. We will look at that. We are -- we try to be
good neighbors and that's our position.
Simison: Okay. Council, any additional questions for the applicant? All right. Seeing
none, do I have direction from Council on how you would like to proceed?
Overton: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Councilman Overton.
Overton: Sonya, do you need to have us give approval for the irrigation district
easement as part of the motion?
Allen: Mr. Mayor, Members of the Council, yes, please. Thank you.
Overton: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Councilman Overton.
Overton: Seeing no other public comment, I would move that we close the public
comments.
Hoaglun: Second the motion.
Simison: 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.
Meridian City Council
July 11,2023
Page 8 of 40
Overton: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Councilman Overton.
Overton: I would like to make a motion that -- after considering all staff, applicant, and
public testimony I move to approve File No. H-2023-0003 as presented in the staff
report for the hearing date of July 11th, 2023, including the approval for the irrigation
district easement for the Sky Pilot Drain to be located on building and common lots,
rather than a separate common lot as allowed by UDC 11-38-6E.
Hoaglun: Second the motion.
Simison: Have a motion and a second. Do I have discussion on the motion?
Hoaglun: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Councilman Hoaglun.
Hoaglun: Just to the point of the -- the request that Mr. Hessing would -- will go ahead
and look at the tree issue and the fencing issue and -- and, hopefully, will come to
agreement that what -- what's workable and can -- can make that all work out. So,
appreciate them taking a look at that.
Simison: Okay. Any further discussion? If not, Clerk will call the roll.
Roll Call: Hoaglun, yea; Borton, yea; Cavener, absent; Perreault, absent; Strader, yea;
Overton, yea.
Simison: All ayes. Motion carries and the item is agreed to. Thank you very much and
good luck on the project and it might be best to get her contact information right now,
rather than to see what's said on the record. Thank you.
MOTION CARRIED: FOUR AYES. TWO ABSENT.
3. Public Hearing for Cole Valley Christian School Pre-K-12 (H-2023-
0011) by LKV Architects, located at 7080 W. McMillan Rd.
A. Request: Annexation of 71.28 acres of land with an R-15 zoning
district.
B. Request: Conditional Use Permit for a 259,000 square foot private
education institution for pre-kindergarten through 12th grade on
48.48 acres of land in the R-15 zoning district.
Meridian City Council
July 11,2023
Page 9 of 40
Simison: With that we will move on to Item 3, which is a public hearing for Cole Valley
Christian School, pre-K through 12, H-2023-0011. We will open this public hearing with
staff comments.
Allen: Thank you, Mr. Mayor, Members of the Council. The next application before you
tonight is a request for annexation and zoning and a conditional use permit. This site
consists of 71 .28 acres of land. It's zoned RUT in Ada county and is located at 7080
West McMillan Road on the north side of McMillan approximately a quarter mile west of
North McDermott Road. A little history on this property. A property boundary adjustment
has been tentatively approved by Ada county for this property for a land swap with the
adjacent property owner at the southwest corner of the site, which will allow for the
extension of Owyhee Storm Avenue along the project's west boundary. Final approval
of the property boundary adjustment is required prior to City Council approval of the
annexation ordinance. So, if Council does approve this project tonight we will be
holding off the annexation ordinance approval for a little bit until that gets done. The
Comprehensive Plan future land use map designation is medium density residential,
which calls for three to eight dwelling units per acre and it does have a school
designation on it. And this site is within the area governed by The Field sub area plan.
The applicant is requesting annexation and zoning of 71 .28 acres of land with an R-15
medium high density residential zoning district. The applicant proposes to develop
48.48 acres of the site with a private education institution in accord with the future land
use map in the Comprehensive Plan. The remaining 23 approximate acre portions of
the site at the north and south boundaries are anticipated to be used for future
expansion of the school. The property will be used for agricultural purposes in the
interim. Because the R-8 zoning district is more appropriate zoning district for the
medium density residential future land use designation and accommodates the
proposed use, staff does recommend an R-8 zoning district instead of the proposed R-
15 district for the subject property, which the applicant is in agreement with and the
Commission did recommend approval of. A conditional use permit is proposed for a
private education institution on 48.48 acres of land. The use requires conditional use
approval, because it exceeds 250,000 square feet within a residential district at 259,919
square feet. It includes lighted fields adjoining or within a residential district. It will
generate in excess of 1,500 vehicular trips per day at approximately 4,132 trips per day.
It takes access from a collector street, i.e., Owyhee Storm Avenue and there is not a
safe separate pedestrian and bikeway access between the neighborhood and the
school site. There are actually no -- no adjacent neighborhoods at this time. Cole
Valley is -- currently has two existing campuses that will be relocated and consolidated
into one building on the subject property. The proposed school will be for pre-
kindergarten through 12th grade and the development area will include parking, access
drives, open space for student play area and out -- outside athletic venues. The new
facility will serve approximately 1 ,825 students with the potential to add 12 additional
classrooms with future building additions on the south, east and west wings, totaling
15,300 square feet to serve an additional 300 students. Four portable classrooms are
planned in the future on this site, totaling another 8,400 square feet. Development of
the school site will likely occur in two phases as shown on the phasing plan on the right
there. That is a revised phasing plan that was submitted late last week, but may occur
Meridian City Council
July 11,2023
Page 10 of 40
in one phase. If phased, phase one, that's the pink area shown on the plan, is proposed
to consist of all the outside athletic venues, except the tennis courts. A portion of the
southeast parking lot, public restroom outbuilding, partial construction of Ersatz Road
and partial extension of Owyhee Storm Avenue and the adjustment and piping of the
Creason Lateral. Phase two, the blue areas on the plan, are proposed to consist of
building construction, remaining site development of parking lots, access points, play
structures, extension of streets, Owyhee Storm and Ersatz, to the northern boundary of
the subject property as half plus 12 foot street sections as required by ACHD and public
utility connections. The gray areas on the plan at the north and southwest corners are
future development areas for the school, which will be farmed in the interim. The
applicant is requesting Council approval to not construct the sidewalks and street
buffers along the streets -- and that's McMillan, Ersatz, and Owyhee Storm -- on the
future development areas, the gray areas, until such time as they develop, since they
will be farmed in the interim and damage to those improvements would likely occur.
Two accesses are proposed via Owyhee Storm Avenue and two are proposed via
Ersatz Place Road. No access is proposed or allowed via McMillan Road. Off street
parking is depicted on the site plan in excess of the minimum standards. A minimum of
742 spaces are required at full build out, including the portable classrooms and the
classroom additions. A total of 843 spaces are proposed resulting in 101 extra spaces
overall. A ten foot wide detached sidewalk, multi-use pathway, is proposed within the
street buffer along Owyhee Storm Avenue in accord with the pathways master plan and
five foot wide detached sidewalks are proposed along McMillan and Ersatz Roads.
Because ACHD is changing policy to require ten foot wide multiple use pathways along
arterial streets in lieu of on-street bike lanes and because school children will be using
this sidewalk to bike and walk to school, staff recommends a ten foot wide multi-use
pathway is required along McMillan Road as a provision of the development agreement.
All utilities, except for city sewer, are available to the site or in close proximity. Sewer
will be provided from the Can-Ada lift station, which is planned to be completed towards
the end of fiscal year 2025. The city plans to install a trunk sewer from the lift station to
be located near McMillan Road and Can-Ada Road one mile to the east near the
intersection of McMillan Road and Star Road as part of the project. The school will
need to extend sewer down McMillan Road and Owyhee Storm Avenue to the school
campus in accord with the sewer master plan. The city is amenable to allowing a
temporary lift station for the sports field and concession and restroom buildings only,
which shall be taken offline as part of the construction of the school. Building elevations
were submitted as shown for the proposed two story school building. Building materials
consist of a combination of smooth face and split face masonry in two colors and deep
ribbed and smooth metal with large expansions of glazing, which should be low
maintenance. Raised parapets are proposed for modulation and screening of rooftop
mechanical equipment. Because the property is located within the area governed by
The Field sub area plan, the general character, design and identity of the development
within this area is required to have a cohesive modern rural design theme. Because the
proposed school doesn't front on McMillan and isn't oriented towards Owyhee Storm
and because it's not residential or retail commercial, staff does not recommend the
building is required to have a modern rural design theme. However, some of the other
thematic design elements that contribute to the desired character of the area should be
Meridian City Council
July 11,2023
Page 11 of 40
adhered to, such as lighting, fencing, for example split rail, landscaping, for example, tall
fescues, dry creek materials, wildflowers, street trees, et cetera. Public art, on-street
bike lanes and/or off-street multi-use pathways. Signage, for example, metal roof on
sign, et cetera, as outlined in the plan. The applicant proposes to develop some of the
areas adjacent to building entrances with dry stream beds, with a mix of rock types,
boulders and plantings in accord with the plan. The detail on the right there shows
some examples of those items. In the portions of the site that will not be developed with
phase one a meadow seed mix is proposed to be planted for wildflowers and grass.
The applicant has submitted details on fencing, which propose a split rail fence along
the southern property line adjacent to McMillan Road and along the Bentley out-parcel
and black coated chain link fencing along the east, west and north property lines for
security and safety of the students. City Council should determine if the chain link
fencing is appropriate in this area. Details on signage, public art and other modern rural
design themed items have not been submitted as recommended by staff prior to the
Council hearing, as they have not yet worked out the interior design theme yet. I will go
over a summary of the Commission public hearing. Several of the applicant's team
testified in favor. Amber Van Ocker, LKV Architects, applicant's representative. Sonia
Daleiden, Kittelson and Associates. Wayne Thowless, LKV Architects. No one testified
in opposition. Patrick Nichols commented on the application. Written testimony was
received from the applicant's representative Amber Van Ocker, the applicant's
representative. Excuse me. Key issues of discussion by the Commission were as
follows: The applicant requests to not be required to construct Owyhee Storm and
Ersatz and the associated sidewalks and pathways and street buffers to the north
property line, just to the northern boundary of the school campus proposed to develop
at this time and the street buffer and pathway along McMillan to be constructed with
future development of that area. And, lastly, concerns pertaining to traffic and existing
congestion in this area and impacts from the proposed development. The Commission
made the following changes to the staff recommendation. At staff's request they
included a clarification to development agreement provision A-1-1 D in Section 9 that all
street buffers adjacent to public streets also be constructed by the applicant, unless
already constructed by ITD prior to issuance of certificate of occupancy for the high
school building. And the Commission required McMillan Road improvements and the
extension of Owyhee Storm Avenue and Ersatz to the northern parcel boundary to be
completed either by the applicant or ITD as applicable prior to issuance of certificate of
occupancy for the high school building in the second phase of development.
Outstanding issues for Council tonight. Council should determine if the proposed black
coated chain link fencing is appropriate in The Fields sub area and represents the
modern rural design theme as required and the applicant requests the ability to work
with staff further in the future on signage, public art and other modern rural design
theme items for this site in accordance with The Fields sub area plan. No written
testimony has been received since the Commission hearing. The applicant is here
tonight to present. Staff will stand for any questions.
Simison: Thank you, Sonya. Council, any questions for staff? Okay. Would the
applicant like to come forward.
Meridian City Council
July 11,2023
Page 12 of 40
Van Ocker: Good evening. Thank you, Mr. Mayor, Members of the Council. Really
appreciate the opportunity to be here. Amber Van Ocker, LKV Architects. My office
address is 2400 East Riverwalk in Boise. Sonya has taken all my thunder. She did a
great presentation. I think covered most of the topics that we kind of need to go over
this evening. Cole Valley is exceedingly excited about this project and we have been
working on this for well over a year and a half to get to this point. So, this is a milestone
for us and we appreciate this opportunity. There is -- pretty much most of the folks in
the room are part of either our design team or our construction team, which is ESI
Construction -- Construction here in town and, then, members of the administration.
Allen Howlett, the superintendent, is here, and if there is other additional questions you
want to ask him directly he will be available. I think the -- the main points that we really
do want to discuss -- the staff report is excellent. We don't have hardly any issues with
any of the conditions that have been placed on -- on the application. We do want to visit
a little bit more about the extension of the roadways. There is an additional 20 acres
associated with that northern piece that if there was a way that we could not extend past
our -- what we have identified as our construction boundary at this point for Owyhee
Storm. ITD is going to be doing most of the extension of Ersatz beyond that, so it's
really Owyhee Storm that we would like to -- to discuss. It is the intent of Cole Valley to
still allow a farmer to farm that -- that 20 acres up until the point that the school would --
would deem it appropriate to develop further. So, that's -- that's part of the reason. Of
course, the other reason is just the economics behind it. Extending a roadway that
goes nowhere at this point is -- is difficult on a project of this magnitude where we are
trying to, obviously, cover a lot of other financial implications. So, that -- that's one
aspect that we would like to visit a little bit about. The phasing plan that we have
included -- I don't know, Sonya, can you jump to that one? So, Sonya did a really good
job of explaining what we have shown here and this is kind of a fall back and this is just
me wanting to make sure that -- that we present something to you that can be approved
this evening. But the blue does indicate extending Owyhee Storm all the way to the
north parcel line. We would love to be able to stop it right here and go ahead and have
that roundabout occur at that location or the cul-de-sac. ITD will be extending Ersatz,
so that's not as much of a discussion, with the exception that we do not want to at this
point extend a sidewalk or that landscape buffer for that area of the -- that 20 acres that
we are not going to develop at this time and the same discussion also occurs along
McMillan. There is some requirements for the pathways in the landscape buffers. We
would -- we would like to be able to hold off on that until that parcel is also developed
and, you know, a lot of it is extending, obviously, of these roadways, but extending
irrigation, the maintenance of all of that for property that we are -- we are not actually
developing at this -- at this stage. Everything else is still very much in play and we have
agreed with -- with all of the other conditions of approval that have been placed upon
this application. Sonya already mentioned the -- the -- the discussion that we would like
your approval to not do the split rail fence everywhere on all of our boundaries and that
-- that primarily really is a -- a safety issue. We feel we can do it on the southern
boundary lines, because we are not as concerned about being able to protect play
areas, which occur to the north of -- of the building itself and the athletic components,
but -- so, we -- we really do request to have a black coated chain link fence solution that
is going to be something that the school can maintain. It can really provide that safe
Meridian City Council
July 11,2023
Page 13 of 40
perimeter that we need, where a split rail wood fence would be very very difficult to
control this site. And, then, the -- the other follow-up item would be some of the other
details associated with The Fields sub area plan. We just still need to work out some of
those details with staff. A lot of it has to do with signage. We want to make sure that
not only is our site signage cohesive, but it also makes sense with what we are going to
be doing as far as building and signage and interior signage is concerned. So, we just
need a little bit more time on that. We are not disagreeing with that condition of
approval, we just need a little additional time to work out some of those details. The
other component, which Sonya mentioned right at the beginning, is that we are still
working through some legal documents associated with the land transfer that's
occurring with the Dean Bentley parcel to the south. So, you know, we were very
successful, in my opinion, to be able to convince an adjacent property owner to let us
swap out some land, so that we could extend Owyhee Storm. Obviously, that's
something that our traffic study really encouraged us to be able to do. The city has
been saying that this is, obviously, something that needs to happen in order to have
good access onto this site. So, we are still just working through some legal aspects on
that. We -- we expect those documents actually any day now to be signed by
everybody and then -- then filed with the county. The county has given us approval of
that, just waiting for these -- these legal documents. So, that is forthcoming and I think,
you know, we have got members of our traffic engineering team also here, if -- if there is
very specific details that -- that you need to ask from a traffic engineering perspective
that's -- that's over my head I would pass it off to her. And, then, also our landscape
architect is here if there is some very specific questions that you may have associated
with landscape design. But other than that I think I would -- I would stand for any
questions.
Simison: Thank you. Council, any questions for the applicant?
Hoaglun: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Councilman Hoaglun.
Hoaglun: Thanks for your presentation, Amber. A quick question. When we talk about
the black fence, can you kind of delineate a little more where that will be going? Is it
around primarily the ball fields and --
Van Ocker: Yes. It will -- it will actually extend along all of Owyhee Storm, all of Ersatz
and, then, the north -- you know, what we are calling our construction limit zone, it will --
it will extend there. And, then, we -- we do have some fencing that is going to secure
the ball -- the -- the football stadium, just to be able to control access to that and, then,
we do have a little bit of -- this mouse is difficult. There is a little bit of fencing that
occurs around a preschool play area, but for the most part that black coated chain link
fence is on our perimeter.
Hoaglun: Okay. Follow up, Mr. Mayor?
Meridian City Council
July 11,2023
Page 14 of 40
Simison: Councilman Hoaglun.
Hoaglun: Also I wanted to check -- on phase one in the pink you show on Ersatz and
Owyhee Storm they are extended into the edges of the property. Owyhee Storm, you
know, shows phase two in blue. Is that for fire access for phase one -- secondary
access; is that --
Van Ocker: So, with -- with phase one we are basically going a full road section to hit
our first southern entry point and, then, ACHD is requiring us to do a half road section
for the remainder. So, that's -- that's the designation from the pink to the blue on
Owyhee Storm. The thought being when adjacent parcels are, then, developed that
developer would come in and finish that other half section of roadway.
Simison: And follow up on that. Is that phase one requirement to do the half all the way
down or --
Van Ocker: No. That would be part of phase two.
Simison: And I guess the question I was -- because I had the same question, why are
you doing -- why are -- what's -- what's the rationale for the phase one of Owyhee
Storm, because it connects to nothing at that point in time.
Van Ocker: It's fire access, so that we have two means --
Simison: To -- to a vacant undeveloped parcel of land? Because phase two is not --
and that's -- it's like nothing connects over to the rest of phase one, at least on this
drawing, that's what I was trying to figure out, what's it -- what's the purpose of the fire
access?
Van Ocker: So, if I -- if I'm understanding your question correctly, we will only be doing
this pink portion under the phase one. We will -- this will all still be graveled out, so that
if there is an emergency at the football stadium, let's say it's -- it's operational at this
point, you would still be able to reach --
Simison: Okay. So, there is a connection back --
Van Ocker: Yeah.
Simison: -- making a -- I was just trying to find out why does it need to be in phase one
versus phase two.
Van Ocker: I think we are -- the fire marshal has told us that they -- he would work
around a single access point, but we are kind of looking that that needs to occur as
soon as we can get that to happen.
Hoaglun: Yeah. And Mr. Mayor. That --
Meridian City Council
July 11,2023
Page 15 of 40
Simison: Councilman Hoaglun.
Hoaglun: -- that was exactly where I was going with that was, okay, is there going to be
a connection -- otherwise why do that portion of it? And you can work with the -- our --
our -- our fire department on making sure the weights -- that you have a gravel access
point to have that secondary access and, yeah, we can work with you on that, certainly,
but --
Van Ocker: Correct.
Hoaglun: So thank you.
Harper: Mayor?
Simison: Lieutenant.
Harper: Just for the access part, definitely it is a secondary access. As long as we are
able to get through the gravel section. Hence if you guys are starting to use the phase
one at some point for games or whatever it may be, if -- if the primary entry point is
blocked we need to have a secondary access to -- to render aid or deal with whatever
the emergency is. So, both fire and police definitely support the secondary access
initially -- initially in that first phase. And the fencing I -- I wanted to ask a follow-up
question, if that's all right, Mayor. What is the height of this fencing that you are looking
at?
Van Ocker: It's six foot.
Harper: Okay. And you are talking about the coated chain link?
Van Ocker: Uh-huh,
Harper: And that's just from a safety and security side for schools that is something that
we support as well for the security of the school and the students and staff. So, that's
something that we would -- we would recommend. Thank you.
Borton: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Council Borton.
Borton: Let me jump into that topic. The staff report -- and, Amber, your comments -- it
makes it look like this is going to have a -- you were asking to have a six foot chain link
fence surrounding the entire property on the perimeter. Is that -- let me start there. Is
that a correct summary?
Van Ocker: With the exception of the southern boundary line, so that the southern
property line that abuts the Bentley parcel and, then, the -- this section that would abut
Meridian City Council
July 11,2023
Page 16 of 40
McMillan, that's where we are proposing to have that wooden split rail fence, because
we are not as concerned about security in those locations. It's really adjacent to the
building itself and, then, primarily it's -- it's the play fields. We just have to really control
access from, you know, anyone being able to just walk back onto a playfield during the
course of, you know, a school day.
Hoaglun: Mr. Mayor, I guess -- I get that. I'm just trying to -- to visualize -- I -- I think
chain link, even if it's powder coated, is -- is unattractive to say the least. I am
envisioning this to be along -- it sounds like it's along Owyhee Storm the whole way, the
northern boundary, Ersatz out on the east the whole way. Is this the new norm that
schools are going to get -- it has a -- and I know it's not the intent, but it just feels -- well,
I guess it's safe, but it feels kind of prison like, quite frankly. I know that's certainly not
the intent and I don't make light of safety, but is that -- it's really chain link along three
full sides of this whole project, six feet tall the whole way on the edge.
Van Ocker: And it's -- it's actually fairly standard. I mean all of our public schools that
we -- we do projects for, West Ada, Boise School District, we are definitely fencing
almost all perimeter. We -- we generally don't fence the -- the approach, the front of the
school, but those connection points back to, you know, a -- a logical location back to the
school building Itself to create gated areas, we always have fire access areas, but the
schools are fenced. That's certainly normal. What isn't normal is going with the black
coated fencing solution. Chain link would be very standard.
Borton: So, just to follow up. So, Sonya, tell me what the discussion point was, then,
your -- your -- your comments in the staff report was for the Council to determine
whether or not that's appropriate. Is the -- is the requirement a blank slate for options
here or is there something that's required, whether it's the split rail and -- and we are
being asked to consider to vary from either a recommendation that our staff made or
any parameters that help us on this topic?
Allen: Yes, Mr. Mayor, Councilman Borton, Council, this area is located in The Fields
sub area plan and it does call for a modern rural design theme. An example of that is
the split -- split rail fence. Staff didn't really feel like the chain link fence is consistent
with the modern rural design theme that's desired in this area. So, staff is deferring to
City Council on whether they feel this is appropriate or not -- or not for the -- the use and
the area. Thank you.
Harper: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Lieutenant.
Harper: So, with chain link fence -- and I think I'm with Councilman Borton, I'm trying to
track here as well, exactly where the fence is at. But that fencing is very standard and,
again, it heavily falls on safety and that's what we have to focus on first. On the front of
the school, from what I remember from our pre-apps and -- and looking at the files, is
the split rail, so visibly from McMillan it's -- it looks nice, it's more aesthetic to the area,
Meridian City Council
July 11,2023
Page 17 of 40
but in regards to where we have any types of fields, athletics and just like we do at
Rocky, Mountain View, at all the high schools, we have that fencing in place for a
reason. It's to try to keep out those that we don't want in and protect those who are
actually attending events or at school. So, you know, a split rail fence around the entire
school is not something that the Police Department would support. It creates a lot of
safety hazards and concerns for us. So, I -- again, the -- the fencing is very standard.
Simison: And just as a follow-up question, because, you know, I'm racking my brain
about where we -- what schools actually have a fence in the front of them. Is that a
requirement of The Fields district that they have to have -- or is that a design choice of
the school to put something into the front? Because I don't know that you would need to
put in a split rail. I don't know that you need a fence anywhere. It's only where you
want them. And, then, what you want them to function -- or is there a design element?
So, that's -- if you want to put a split rail on the front, great. Do you need it?
Van Ocker: Mr. Mayor, we -- we -- we actually would not want to put the split rail in.
That would be a -- a maintenance type of fencing design that we probably wouldn't
advocate for. We are just trying to meet some of the requirements of -- of The Fields
sub plan and, you know, the location of that fence wouldn't necessarily be right at --
adjacent to the entry point, it would be along this property boundary, this property
boundary and this property boundary. So, the intent is is that if you are on McMillan and
you are looking onto the site you would see that split rail fence. It's going to serve no
purpose for the school, other than an aesthetics associated with the sub Fields plan. I
mean we -- if it wasn't a condition of approval we would not ask to develop that type of
fencing on a school site.
Simison: It is a condition of approval in the location. I guess that would be a question
for staff. Is there -- is there a requirement that they have to put a fence in on the front or
is that -- I understand you want the certain type of fence to meet the intent in other
locations, but if you -- if Council is fine with that do they have to do it in front -- or who
made that determination?
Allen: Mr. Mayor, Council, no, it's not a requirement that they provide fencing, but if
fencing is provided fencing should be consistent with The Fields area plan in a modern
rural design theme. So, if you deem chain link is appropriate it could certainly be
provided along that boundary as well, along McMillan Road. But, yeah, it's not a
requirement.
Simison: I -- I guess I don't see them putting -- those schools don't have it in the front,
they only have it side and back. But I'm not -- you know, you don't have to be most
schools, but your school downtown has chain link right there alongside to keep it apart
from the -- and I know that's an older facility, but -- yeah. But you don't have it in front of
the school. You have on the side, not in front.
Van Ocker: Correct, Mr. Mayor. We would -- I mean it would run around the perimeter
and, then, it would connect back to points associated with the building to create that --
Meridian City Council
July 11,2023
Page 18 of 40
that perimeter fencing. We would fence all the way around the football stadium and
then back. So, you know, we are creating that -- that containment zone and, obviously,
any area where we would have emergency access points that's where we have, you
know, Knox box gated, gates that are able to be controlled by the police department and
the fire department for emergencies and I -- I think the other thing that I would add is
that, you know, this is a unique design. We are dealing with pre-K through 12th graders
and the whole facility really is designed to have kind of a school within a school
approach. So, we do have separate entrances identified for the younger grades
compared to the upper grades. The playfields are being designed so that there is
segregation so to speak between the grades and a lot of that is handled with fencing
and it's -- it's very important to be able to control that site. Oftentimes you are going to
only have a handful of staff members that are going to be out, you know, during a
recess period and -- and they really have got to be able to contain, you know, what is
going to be, you know, 1,800 students eventually on this -- on this campus. So, it's -- it's
a -- it's very very important, the -- the fencing to be able to have that perimeter.
Overton: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Councilman Overton.
Overton: Just to bring some clarity to the mud, so if I get this right, the black coated six
foot fence perimeter on the north side, east side, west side, but no fencing is actually
required on the south side and if it's not required you would rather not put it in.
Van Ocker: Correct.
Overton: Thank you. Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Councilman Overton.
Overton: Question for staff. Regarding subdivisions that eventually go in there, for their
fencing -- out front if they wanted a fence it would have to be the split rail, but in
backyard, side yards, can they go a six foot cedar or is it going to be split rail? I mean
I'm trying to figure out what -- what this applies to and what that looks like as it develops
over time.
Allen: Mr. Mayor, Council, I -- you know, this is honestly the first application I have had
in The Fields area plan, so, you know, that's what the plan calls for. I think it's mainly
the -- the feel you get from the streets and -- and walking, you know, of the area. I -- I
think the six foot solid fence would be appropriate in rear yards, but I think from the
street we are just trying to attain that design feel.
Hoaglun: Yeah. Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Councilman Hoaglun.
Meridian City Council
July 11,2023
Page 19 of 40
Hoaglun: Yeah. And that's what I think we want a look, a feel, aesthetic for -- for this
area and having it up front, you know, adds to that. I'm looking at, you know, Rocky
Mountain and -- and Meridian High School, along Linder Meridian doesn't start the fence
until they are to the high school, but, then, it goes all around the perimeter of all their
fields and everything. I get that. And -- and Lieutenant Harper says, you know, it's -- it's
a safety thing and having that back there, because that's kind of the back lot if you will,
and having -- having split rail up front to kind of be part of the neighborhood might be a
good look, but I understand the need for that. And, then, powder coat it's better than the
regular chain link, so that -- that's a nice -- nice touch to -- to have for a safety fence, so
I'm -- I'm okay with that approach.
Simison: Council, additional questions for the applicant?
Borton: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Councilman Borton.
Borton: Another comment that seems -- sounded maybe unresolved was the
construction of the half roadway to the northern field boundary versus the northern
property boundary is that issue -- is the -- the normal standard requirement would be to
do it to the northern property boundary, but there is an ask to do something different. Is
that correct?
Van Ocker: Correct. That's correct, Mr. Borton. Thank you.
Borton: And -- and if that's the case, then, the full street width north of the school
property gets built by the property that develops ultimately to the west, they get the
whole thing?
Van Ocker: Mr. Mayor, if I can follow up on that. I -- I think that that's what the Planning
and Zoning Commission also struggled with and I mean -- and we understand that, is
that down the road who will be building this full section of roadway. The school does not
have any intention of -- of -- of getting rid of this parcel right now or this 20 acres. So,
the intent would be that eventually Cole Valley would be building their portion of that
roadway when, you know, this additional 20 acres was built, but, you know, obviously,
that is -- that -- that whole discussion is what the Planning and Zoning Commission also
struggled with.
Borton: I see. So -- so, back in -- Mayor, follow up on that. Amber, is the idea that --
that Cole Valley's obligation to construct the half road width north of the athletic fields
remains an obligational of Cole Valley, but -- but the timing of doing that isn't until the
northern site develops.
Van Ocker: That's what we are requesting.
Borton: Okay. Is that -- it looks like it's a cul-de-sac. It's a dead end?
Meridian City Council
July 11,2023
Page 20 of 40
Van Ocker: Correct. It's -- right now it's a road that would go nowhere.
Borton: Okay. All right. Mr. Mayor, the reason for my question is I thought I had heard
the ask being that it never be an obligation of Cole Valley to construct that half north of
the field, but you are saying you just don't think it's necessary until that future -- the
northern site develops, at which point Cole Valley would, then, construct its half.
Van Ocker: That's correct.
Overton: Okay Thank you for the clarification.
Simison: Council, any additional questions for the applicant?
Hoaglun: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Councilman Hoaglun.
Hoaglun: One more and that's timing for the phases. What are you looking at for a
timeline for things to start? I know it's always fluid depending on funding, but --
Van Ocker: Yeah. Mr. Mayor, Councilman, great question. Right now we are -- we are
intending on -- after the irrigation season is over this summer we will be on site piping
the Creason Lateral, which basically bisects east to west the parcel. That work has to
happen first and we have already gone through our approvals with the irrigation district
to secure all of that. So, once the irrigation season is over we will be on site to do that.
Best case scenario, once we move through this process with -- with the city we are --
we are currently working on our design documents. We would be submitting those to
the city after the new year. So, in '24 they would go in for plan review. Best case
scenario we would be following up on -- in earnest on the site spring of '24.
Simison: All right. Do we have anyone signed up?
Hall: Mr. Mayor, we do not.
Simison: Okay. Is there anybody else present who would like to provide testimony on
this item at this time, either in the room or online? I -- I -- I see nobody coming forward
or raising their hand, so I -- I -- we can invite the applicant back up for final comments or
if Council wants to talk further themselves for a second and, then, we can go from there.
The applicant's coming back up for final comments and to stand present for questions.
Van Ocker: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. We have -- we have no other additional comments
and just appreciate your time.
Simison: Okay.
Overton: Mr. Mayor?
Meridian City Council
July 11,2023
Page 21 of 40
Simison: Councilman Overton.
Overton: I knew I made a note on one other question. Early in the presentation it was
talked about that you were going to try to do a five foot wide detached sidewalk along
with McMillan, but the staff recommendation was what fits with our city pathways was a
ten foot wide multi-use pathway required along McMillan. Were you in agreement with
that?
Van Ocker: Yeah. The -- the ten foot is what we have currently shown.
Borton: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Councilman Borton.
Borton: With -- with the discussion that's happened, Sonya, does staff have any areas
where there is either confusion or -- or inconsistency in what final conditions might be?
Allen: Mr. Mayor, Councilman Borton, Council, not at this time, no.
Borton: Okay. Thanks.
Hoaglun: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Councilman Hoaglun.
Hoaglun: Question for staff. Sonya, you had mentioned this early in the presentation
on some of the history and the boundary adjustment and you had mentioned something
about the final approval boundary adjustment is required prior to Council approval of the
annexation ordinance. So, how does this process work? If we are looking to approve
this and with the variations of conditions and whatnot, are we not annexing -- annexing
at this point in time or we annex, but it won't take effect until after that final approval of
boundary adjustment?
Allen: Mr. Mayor, Councilman Hoaglun, Council, you may go ahead and approve the
application tonight if that's your decision. The findings would come back for approval
approximately two weeks later as is typical. But the annexation ordinance usually
follows with the development agreement and that would be held up until that property
boundary adjustment gets finalized.
Hoaglun: Thanks for the clarification.
Allen: And, then, the annexation isn't -- isn't a done deal until that annexation ordinance
and DA is approved and recorded. Thank you.
Borton: And Mr. Mayor?
Meridian City Council
July 11,2023
Page 22 of 40
Simison: Councilman Borton.
Borton: On that point, a motion to approve an annexation, would -- it would be
contingent upon that future boundary adjustment being approved. Is that a condition in
the DA that needs to be specified, so it's not merely a timing of, you know, the waiting
for the ordinance to get before Council, but the actual -- got a little nerdy and technical,
but the actual annexation approval itself I guess has to be contingent on that boundary
adjustment, doesn't it?
Allen: Mr. Mayor, Councilman Borton, yes, the -- the development agreement won't be
acted on and approved by Council until the annexation ordinance and its staff's
recommendation that that property boundary adjustment be finalized at that time. I don't
believe staff included a development agreement provision that that be done, because it
wouldn't be necessary to have that in the development agreement, because it would
already be done by that time.
Borton: And -- and, again, just to ensure there is no snags and maybe Mr. Nary can
help -- help out. Is it -- well, I will just be quiet and listen to Mr. Nary.
Nary: So, Mr. Mayor, Members of the Council, Council Member Borton, I think as the
findings reflect that the intent is to -- is what Sonya stated of the property boundary
adjustment completed prior to the action on the development agreement, that it doesn't
need to be in the DA, but it should be in the findings.
Borton: Perfect. Thank you. Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Councilman Borton.
Borton: I don't have a question, but just a comment. I think this applicant is -- is, has
been a special part of our community for some time, so there is lots of options of where
you probably explored to make this -- this master plan be housed and I think it's
fantastic that it's in the City of Meridian and you have clearly done a lot of really good
heavy lifting to make this co-location super facility look beautiful and try and also
address the -- the critical needs of -- of safety and I think the questions from the P&Z
minutes seem to reflect some good valid concerns over traffic and how this might
integrate into The Fields district. I think our staff has done that as well and we have
been impressed with Amber, you have done -- you have been involved in as many
schools in this valley as anybody else. So, I think this is -- it appears to be a reflection
of really good work done by you and your team in conjunction with city staff. So, I think
it's a -- it's a beautiful project. I think the conditions as presented make good sense.
That's my take on it.
Strader: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Council Woman Strader.
Meridian City Council
July 11,2023
Page 23 of 40
Strader: Yeah. I -- I echo those comments and I think it's great for, you know, the
community to have another educational option and this definitely provides that. I don't
have heartburn over the split rail fencing, you know, being -- not being in the front. I
think that's fine. Appreciate the safety factor in enclosing the athletic fields and so forth
and I think it makes sense and, you know, if the roadway is not totally completed until
phase two, I think that's fine as well. So, I don't have any issues.
Hoaglun: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Councilman Hoaglun.
Hoaglun: Yeah. Certainly as long as the applicant works with the -- we always talk
about fire department, because they are the ones that drive the big heavy trucks. You
know, if they -- if those trucks can go on it and we know police can go on it. So, that's
the main thing off of Owyhee Storm, making sure that's taken care of. I don't have any
issues of them having to put in that dead end road north of the phase one, just because,
you know, who knows they might end up selling that for development purposes and that
developer would put in that -- that road as opposed to having them put in the half and
that sort of thing. So, it kind of keeps it a cleaner -- cleaner project and process. So,
yeah, I think it's going to be a -- it's exciting I'm sure for the people who go to Cole
Valley to have a school site with K through 12. That's unusual. It's -- it's kind of fun to
see. I think that will be very attractive and -- and having gone to 7th grade and 9th
grade where Cole Valley is now, yeah, it's -- it's time to have a new school I think, so --
because that was a long time ago just for me, so -- that's exciting.
Allen: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Yes, Sonya.
Allen: I would just like to clarify something for the record. I'm not sure -- I'm not sure if
I'm understanding the -- some of the comments correctly, but -- so the current
development agreement provision requires the extension of Ersatz and Owyhee Storm
to the property boundaries -- northern property boundary, not just the boundary of the
school site. The gray area would be the property boundary at the north. That is what
ACHD is requiring, as well as staff in the staff report. If -- if you do not require the
extension of those streets to the north boundary as requested by the applicant, this will
also not extend city services to the northern property boundary or streets or adjacent
developers and adjacent properties. So, just be aware of that if you do choose to go
that route tonight. Thank you.
Hoaglun: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Councilman Hoaglun.
Meridian City Council
July 11,2023
Page 24 of 40
Hoaglun: Sonya, what I was looking at was that extension of Owyhee Storm stopping
on the north side at the end of the phase one line. So, you are saying it needs to go to
the end of the gray to the north or is phase one okay?
Allen: The staff's recommendation in the staff report is it goes to the -- this is one
property, one -- one parcel. So, staff is recommending that it go to the north boundary
line of the gray area. If -- if the school doesn't develop that area for quite some time
there will be no connectivity to adjacent parcels and no extension of services in that
area if you don't require that. Again, as I stated, ACHD is requiring that as well. So, it's
consistent with their -- their conditions.
Nary: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Mr. Nary.
Nary: I guess to piggyback on what Sonya just said, without that -- since it is one parcel
there is no boundary to build to. I mean there is no -- they need to -- they need to carve
off that property separately to not have to extend it. Otherwise it is required by code to
go all the way to the end of the property.
Hoaglun: And, Mr. Mayor, Sonya, that could be, though, part of phase two as they show
here. It doesn't have to be in phase one. It's at some point.
Allen: Mr. Mayor, it is in phase two currently.
Hoaglun: Correct.
Allen: They did revise their phasing plan. That wasn't initially what they proposed, but
staff did ask them to revise the phasing plan to include that -- those requirements. It's --
it's half a street section plus 12 feet is what ACHD is requiring. Clear to the northern
property boundary. The applicant did ask for the street buffer and walkways on those
future development areas, the gray areas, to not be required at this time, because they
were concerned that with farming the property in the interim use that they would -- it
would get, you know, messed up, so -- so that is something that you should actually
include in your motion tonight, too, if -- if you are okay with the applicant deferring
construction of the street buffer and walkways on the gray areas.
Hoaglun: Okay So, Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Councilman Hoaglun.
Hoaglun: Just thinking out loud, then, well, if they have to require that and they end up
do selling it that -- they just improve the property and they get a higher price, so I guess
that might be one way to look at it, but it is extra cost right -- you know, in phase two, but
if that's what's needed to extend amenities and whatnot and ACHD requires it, that kind
of does limit our options a little bit.
Meridian City Council
July 11,2023
Page 25 of 40
Simison: Like I said, it goes -- and goes back to the question -- not to delay, but could
they come back and split the property and not annex that portion in? That's an option if
you don't want to build it, I just know how it would impact your timing. Mr. Mayor, just
to --
Simison: Councilman Hoaglun.
Hoaglun: -- further then. So, I -- I'm fine with them not putting in the sidewalks and
those items, because that would have impact for agricultural operations out there. So,
that part I'm fine with. Can't get the other we will get -- get that.
Simison: Is it the sidewalk or the landscape buffers? It says -- because she's okay if
they don't put in the sidewalks?
Allen: Mr. Mayor, Council, I'm unsure if ACHD is okay with that. I -- I believe they are
requiring it, but I'm not positive without looking. I would imagine they are requiring the
improvements. That's typical.
Overton: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Councilman Overton.
Overton: In light of Sonya's information on city services being extended, yeah, that kind
of -- that's pretty important. I -- I'm okay with the walkways not going in. The buffer not
going in. But I think we have to have that half roadway go in to connect city services to
the north.
Borton: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Councilman Borton.
Borton: These are just standard conditions in any development. If the buffer and
sidewalk on this annexed property don't go in what is the future trigger that requires the
installation?
Allen: Mr. Mayor, Councilman Borton, Council, it would be with future development of
the -- those areas, the two gray areas shown on the phasing plan.
Borton: Okay So, it's -- it's a deferred obligation to install those improvements, not a
waiver of them.
Allen: It is, yes.
Borton: Okay. Good. Thanks. And I agree it makes -- it makes sense in the interim in
the short period in light of the agricultural operations if there is a means to -- you know,
no need to waste funds if they might get removed when those operations end, but
Meridian City Council
July 11,2023
Page 26 of 40
certainly to preserve the commitment that the buffer and pedestrian connectivity goes in
with any redevelopment is critical.
Strader: Oh, hey, I'm back, you guys. Sorry about that. I had a technical issue.
Simison: Well, we left it all in your hands to make the motion, so pay no attention to
what you didn't hear. Yeah. So, Mr. Nary, if it's in our -- our code -- is our code speaks
-- is it our code or ACHD's code? I'm confused on who -- on the street requirement to
extend -- you know, I understand services. I didn't know roads and I don't know
sidewalks, if that's part of whose obligate -- whose code. Because, yeah, I don't think
that we can do something if our code -- if our code says roads and sidewalks, but --
Nary: And Sonya is correct. So, our -- our code requires you annex your entire parcel.
So, if that's not severed, it's -- it's not a separate piece they have to annex all of it. Then
the requirement for the road I thought was both ours and ACHD, but I could be wrong,
that you have to -- you have to build the adjacent road. You know, I think here it's just
the half plus 12 1 think is the northern part, if I'm correct. But I thought that was -- I was
-- I thought that was our code and ACHD, but it might just be ACHD. I can't recall at this
moment.
Simison: I just want to know what is obligated under the code for people to be built, so
it's not -- we are not waiving something that we shouldn't be waiving if Council desires
to do so.
Nary: Well, normally we -- we do require by code that they extend services all the way
to the edge of their property and that's normally through the road.
Simison: To my knowledge the road includes sidewalk, but I don't -- just want to be
clear for the applicant.
Allen: Yeah. Mr. Mayor, the services are required to be provided to and through
properties, so that other properties adjacent to them can extend it to their properties for
development. Unless a property is being subdivided we look at one parcel as one
parcel for development purposes and require improvements accordingly. So, if they
were subdividing the property and phasing it, then, we would allow those improvements
to be constructed with the phase that they are associated with, but the difference is is
this applicant is not proposing to subdivide the property.
Nary: So, Mr. Mayor, Members of the Council, I believe it -- I mean we have certainly
delayed with bonds for landscaping. We -- I think they can trust for the sidewalk,
because they sometimes will wait on doing that, because if they have to, again,
construct more road later they don't want to have to move the sidewalk or rip it up.
Same thing with the landscaping. So, I think we can work with the landscaping and
sidewalk, if the Council is comfortable with that, but we definitely want to make sure the
service is extended and if ACHD is requiring the roadway, then, they are going to have
to build the road.
Meridian City Council
July 11,2023
Page 27 of 40
Simison: Yeah. And my guess is the roadway includes the sidewalk. I have never seen
half a road built without the sidewalk on one side of it.
Nary: True.
Simison: Personally. I mean -- I look at half roads that were in my subdivision that was
required.
Hoaglun: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Councilman Hoaglun.
Hoaglun: I'm just going to say, though, but with agricultural activity that -- you know.
And -- and if that takes away say a ditch or something like that, now you have got
vacant land that's not under production, to me that's just -- just -- we are -- we are just
wasting resources here.
Simison: I'm just going to the -- whatever the -- what I think is the question is what does
ACHD define as the half plus 12. If ACHD is not -- is fine with that not occurring, but I
don't -- Council is considering waiving something that ACHD requires is half plus 12,
that's really my question is in that regards.
Overton: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Councilman Overton.
Overton: We have a little bit of time to think through this. What concerns me now is we
approve that they build just the half roadway and they don't build the walkways and the
buffer and, then, we do get a development to the north that is going to be walking down
a sidewalk that doesn't exist, because we waived that tonight and I don't think any of us
want to have anyone walking in an area where we have allowed them not to build the
sidewalk.
Strader: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Council Woman Strader.
Strader: A question for staff. I mean if the applicant really doesn't want to complete it
how difficult would it be for them to subdivide the property as, you know, a way to tackle
that?
Allen: Mr. Mayor, Council Woman Strader, Council, they would have to submit a
preliminary plat application or a some version of that. Short plat. If it meets the
applicability.
Meridian City Council
July 11,2023
Page 28 of 40
Simison: I'm kind of looking at the applicant to see what they -- you have heard
options. What's -- what's a better less option or more expensive worst option? I don't
know.
Van Ocker: Mr. Mayor, thank you. It was discussed early on in this process on whether
or not we were going to divide out that 20 acres and the Cole Valley administration
board did not want to do that. They wanted to keep the parcel intact. So, that has
complicated this whole discussion. I -- I mean I think if -- if -- if -- you know, obviously, if
we are tied to what ACHD is going to require us to do and the sidewalk is something
that ACHD deems important -- these are detached sidewalk requirements. It's -- the
landscaping component is a big piece of it. We don't want to extend all this landscaping
on this 20 acres and have to maintain it when the adjacent ground is going to be put into
farming. So, you know, that's -- that's where it's -- it's your comment earlier, you know,
putting in resources that potentially could be destroyed, I mean if it was a deferred
requirement I mean maybe -- you know. And I don't know, Mr. Nary, if there is a
possibility of something like that if adjacent parcels start to develop, but it -- it really
does come down to just a -- you know, a practical nature of not wanting to build this
infrastructure and have to take care of it when you have got a farmer out there growing
crop on it. We don't -- we do not want to subdivide this out as -- as was suggested. It's
not the direction that the board wanted to take. It would certainly stop this process that
we are in right now and delay things.
Overton: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Councilman Overton.
Overton: Got a question then. And maybe also for Legal. Is there a way to allow just
the road to be built, city services to be extended and we don't require walkways and
landscape buffer, but in some form of a deferral that if any of the properties that we now
connect with to the north develop that that automatically triggers they have got to go in
and build the sidewalks to connect? Are we reaching too far?
Nary: Mr. Mayor, Members of Council, Council Member Overton, yeah, I mean it's just
the mechanics of doing that. You know, there is -- I mean I'm just looking at an aerial
map of the area and there is significant amount of land north of this property. So, I don't
know what -- what or when something is going to connect to it. So, I think that's the
concern is you have got 20 acres with this gap that's -- that may remain in the
ownership of Cole Valley and not get developed for ten years and the immediate parcel
to the north of that gets developed two years from now and, then, you have this gap.
I'm not worried -- I'm not worried about the landscaping. I know we have dealt with
landscaping on other occasions. We have bonded for landscaping, because it's the
winter, it's not available or whatever. So, we have -- the landscaping I don't think is a
big hurdle. It's -- it's the sidewalk and I think what I heard Ms. Van Ocker say the
concern was -- is there a concern in accessing the property with a driveway access for
farm vehicles? Is that the concern?
Meridian City Council
July 11,2023
Page 29 of 40
Van Ocker: Correct.
Nary: Yeah.
Van Ocker: And just everything associated with an agricultural use and, you know, he
will still be irrigating this 20 acres off of a ditch, you know, and now water is running all
over the place that we can't control. I mean it -- I think it kind of snowballs on us a little
bit. The landscape I completely agree. If there was a way that that could be bonded for
later, it -- I just think that it would be very very difficult to maintain and it's a --
Nary: Mr. Mayor, Members of the Council, I -- I don't know if Sonya can think of a
solution with ACHD. I know they have done trust for sidewalks and bridges and things
like that, but I don't -- and I don't know if the trigger, like Councilman Overton comes up,
is something we can deal with from a development agreement standpoint. I mean we
can put the words in, but somebody still has to go back and tell somebody go build a
sidewalk and get it done, because the property to the north wants to develop now.
Allen: Mr. Mayor, Members of the Council, I did have a chance to review the ACHD
report and it does require half plus 12 of the street extensions, along with curb, gutter
and sidewalk. I'm not sure if ACHD -- they may be amenable to accepting some kind of
surety or bond for those improvements. That would be something that the applicant
would have to work out with ACHD. You know, I know the city in the past has handled
these kind of situations through -- through development agreement, either deferral of
the improvements -- I know at times the Council has not required the landscaping within
the street buffer, but has required the sidewalk, especially near schools, for safe -- safe
access to schools. Another option might be a temporary asphalt pathway.
Simison: That's what I was just going to suggest. We did that at the intersection of
Victory and Locust Grove and I'm just hopeful that they -- to pulling out that assault
pathway and put in sidewalks, because it was -- but it -- it's met a need and doesn't
have the same impacts. You know, just -- if it would -- could be a temporary asphalt
pathway next to the curb and, then, replace eventually with a -- something else in the
future when property is developed. But that's what -- again what they -- it sounds like
that's a -- those are ACHD conversations. If Council is okay with that type of a
consideration.
Borton: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Councilman Borton.
Borton: Good conversation. Short of us staring at each other trying to figure this out, it
seems like a discussion of legal staff and the applicant and ACHD needs to have and to
articulate what that would look like.
Simison: Or to go back with their board.
Meridian City Council
July 11,2023
Page 30 of 40
Borton: I mean -- I mean we are -- we are -- this is -- this is really extremely unique in
the sense -- I think annexing property without, you know, design and a plat and anything
that indicates what's going to be on this northern parcel. That's not very common. I
understand the ask, but --
Nary: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Mr. Nary.
Nary: Mr. Mayor, Members of the Council, I -- I guess in the same conversation,
Councilman Borton, I mean I know what the Planning and Zoning Commission wrestled
with a lot on this was the timing and I -- I don't know what the timing for Cole Valley is
for this, because technically they are -- they are asking for an approval tonight and I
don't know how long the property boundary adjustment is going to take to -- to get
finalized, but nothing's going to happen until that happens for the city. So, we won't be
annexing it, we won't be signing a development agreement. So, since there is a built-in
delay, but that's still having to happen, you -- in my opinion you don't have to approve
anything tonight. We can maybe get some of the answers to these questions before we
bring it back In a month or so with a better answer to the access issue and the available
-- use of that, because in my opinion -- I mean the -- the property north of this with two
large schools out in this area are going to be ripe for someone to want to develop it at
some point in the next three to five years. So, I mean this is really going to come up
soon and we could maybe come up with a solution between now and a month from now,
but I don't know the timing that Cole Valley has.
Van Ocker: Mr. Mayor, Members of the Council, we would prefer that you act on this
application tonight and if that means, you know, requiring us to do what ACHD is
requiring us to do on these roadways, we would prefer to move forward. I would rather
approach ACHD with your approval if there is some other option on the sidewalk, for
example, rather than waiting for them. It took us a long time to get to this point with
ACHD and I would not want to necessarily revisit that and delay your decision this
evening.
Simison: Okay. So, Council?
Hoaglun: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Councilman Hoaglun.
Hoaglun: Yeah. And -- and to Amber's point, I -- I can see why they want to move
forward, but I'm just trying to think is there a way we can craft this that says, hey, we are
okay with a temporary path and -- and -- and if -- if ACHD agrees to it, that's fine, or if
there is something -- whatever ACHD gives to them we are fine with that. But I don't
know how you -- how you craft that saying, yes, at a certain point in time we want
landscaping, we want sidewalk, but if ACHD is willing to waive or alter or delay those
types of things, then, we would be fine with that. So, I don't know, Mr. Nary, if there is a
Meridian City Council
July 11,2023
Page 31 of 40
way to say, hey, if they required it at all, that's what's going to happen, but if they do
something different we can -- we can go along with that.
Nary: So, Mr. -- Mr. Mayor, Members of the Council, Council Member Hoaglun, I think
our -- our standard condition is to follow all the requirements of ACHD. So, if they do
work out with ACHD a temporary, a bond, something else, all our conditions is require
us to meet whatever they require. Same thing with the landscape and we always
require landscaping, we do allow for bonding for periods of time to not put it in and they
usually work that out at the staff level. So, I -- I think the standard conditions I think are
applicable -- are adequate, but --
Allen: Mr. Mayor, if I could chime in on that. There -- there is no standard condition that
says to comply with ACHD requirements. Maybe there should be, but there is not.
They kind of -- I think the -- I think the most restrictive applies between the two agencies
and -- and along with the -- the development improvements for the -- for the entire site,
those are required with development, unless otherwise specified in the development
agreement. So, if it is your wish to allow those improvements to be deferred, please --
please state that in your mention -- or in your motion and we will include that in the
development agreement, just to ensure there is no issues down the line. Thank you.
Nary: Yeah. Mr. Mayor, I simply -- if we are going to add that, I would simply say that it
will allow the -- allow for the applicant and the city and other agencies to work on any
potential deferral -- deferrals or alternates and comply with those requirements. So, that
way we don't know what they are going to be, we don't know what it is, but we just want
to make sure -- whatever either we allow or the ACHD allows that they are required to
do that.
Hoaglun: Mr. Mayor, I guess --
Simison: Councilman Hoaglun.
Hoaglun: -- find out from Amber -- or are we -- are we good with that approach from
your perspective?
Van Ocker: Yeah. We would agree to that.
Hoaglun: Okay.
Simison: Then 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-2023-0011.
Meridian City Council
July 11,2023
Page 32 of 40
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: I didn't want to make the motion to close public hearing, because usually,
then, you follow up with a motion and I don't think my notes are good enough to capture
everything on this thing, but --
Simison: Does that mean I get to make the motion tonight? Oh, I can't.
Hoaglun: Only if we tie. There is four of us. I don't think there is going to be a tie,
Mayor.
Simison: That's breaking the -- but I was like making the motion -- one of these days I'm
going to make a motion.
Hoaglun: Well, let me -- let me give it a go.
Simison: Councilman Hoaglun.
Hoaglun: Certainly we have done this before, we can -- we -- we work through it and --
and make it happen, so -- well, Mr. Mayor, after considering all staff, applicant and
public testimony, I move to approve File No. H-2023-0011 as presented in the staff
report for the hearing date of July 11th, 2023, and that would also include that the issue
of the final approval of the property boundary adjustments required prior to Council
approval of the annexation ordinance as we discussed for the DA. It would also include
that -- and I haven't formulated my thought on how to -- how to word this. But the fact
that we are willing to waive the develop -- the inclusion -- or the construction of sidewalk
and landscaping until such time the northern property is developed, but, however, will --
will -- applicant will comply with all ACHD requirements for that street and sidewalk and
other amenities as -- as they require. That was a hard way -- bad way of saying it, but I
think you understand my gist. So, what else am I missing?
Overton: Does the maker of the motion wish to add allowing the black coated chain link
fence north, south and east?
Hoaglun: Oh, yes. Thank you, Councilman Overtone. I did. That it also be allowed to
include the black chain link fencing around the north, east and west portions of the
property as they have indicated in their application.
Overton: Second.
Meridian City Council
July 11,2023
Page 33 of 40
Allen: Mr. Mayor, clarification of the motion, please.
Simison: Motion and a second and staff for question.
Allen: Did you intend to not require a fence as proposed by the applicant along
McMillan Road, the split rail fence? As is they have proposed it, so it's a requirement
and if you are okay with removal of that we can allow for that. If not, it can -- it can stay.
Thanks.
Hoaglun: I'm on the fence about that one though. I mean, you know, I -- you know, it's
-- I don't know what's going to develop out front. I mean they do have one portion of it
that's going to be at the corner there of Ersatz. Everything else, if that's developed or
stays in that farm property, it's not going to be seen, but if they proposed it and -- and
want to continue with fencing, then, it would be required. How is that for getting around
things? Yeah. Getting that look from Tonya, so -- Sonya. So, anyway, I don't know,
Council, what -- let's -- let's have a little discussion about that, because I -- I really am --
I -- I -- I don't -- there is part of me that says, hey, this is what we are doing in The Fields
district, we are trying to create this atmosphere, if you will. So, why not -- they are going
to be part of that community of the -- what we call The Fields district, so let's try and --
try to blend that in or tie them in with the signage and everything else that's doing. So,
that's kind of where part of me falls into, it's -- it's not going to be as expensive I think as
chain link. I don't know. But, Council Members, what --
Strider: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Council Woman Strader.
Strader: I think if we are going to require something we should just try to make it
cohesive. I'm like concerned that we are going to just require a split rail fencing, but we
are going to get like four different versions of it in The Fields district and it's not all going
to look the same. So, I just think whatever we do, if we do it it should all be like really
specific. I'm -- I'm -- I'm -- I have a different concern, which is I'm just -- I -- I keep
getting hung up that we are not -- we are open to not requiring like the sidewalk and the
roadway improvements if ACHD basically agrees to some alternative. Like I'm okay
putting the landscaping I think in -- in a bond or something like that. But I'm kind of
struggling with like the school has the ability to subdivide the property and they are
choosing not to and that is within their control, then, to avoid those improvements. So,
just sort of having a hard time being open to making an exception.
Nary: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Mr. Nary.
Nary: Members of the Council. I would suggest, instead of the word waive, which
always has a really bad connotation, is that we just allow deferral and deferral is done
fairly often, but it's not deferral for ten years generally, it's going to be a deferral for a
Meridian City Council
July 11,2023
Page 34 of 40
period of time, but I think that's what the tenor of the conversation was more of a
deferral to a future point. I think the concern we have that I don't have an answer for is
when the immediate property to the north begins to develop and this one hasn't, you are
going to want a sidewalk to connect it and so it's -- it's going to have to get done. So,
don't know how the deferral works with ACHD, but we could work through that.
Hoaglun: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Councilman Hoaglun.
Hoaglun: On the agreement of the second on that I would like to substitute deferral for
waiver. That is a much better word.
Overton: And second agrees.
Hoaglun: Not going to waive it in perpetuity, we are just deferring them doing it at this
point in time.
Simison: Motion maker and the second agree, so we will do so. You know, I know you
didn't ask for my opinion on the fence, but it's not required and that's where I'm like --
there is no reference requirement ever on a property and so I don't know how we -- why
would we require a fence. I understand that if they want to build it, meet -- meet the
areas, but there is -- should there be a requirement? We don't require people to fence
subdivisions, do we? Just a perimeter. So, I guess if that was to become something
else it would require to be fenced in that manner, but if it's not that's going to be a real
interesting -- when we -- you might have to rethink if split rail is what we are going for. I
just don't see homeowners wanting split rail fences in their yards. But that's just me.
Allen: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Yes, Sonya.
Allen: Not to correct Mr. Nary, but we do not require perimeter fencing around
subdivisions. We do require fencing around common open space areas to delineate
private from common areas. Before your motion is done would you please clarify -- I
heard you say waive and not defer. I wasn't sure if you were referring to the fencing --
the split rail fencing or the landscape buffer along the northern portion of the future
development area.
Hoaglun: Mr. Mayor, Sonya, it was related to the sidewalk and landscaping to the --
Allen: You want to waive that requirement?
Hoaglun: No. That is deferred. I wanted to substitute the word deferral -- according to
-- you know, Mr. Nary had a better alternative. Instead of waive it was deferred, so --
and the second agrees, so we are good. And as to the fencing, yeah, I keep going back
Meridian City Council
July 11,2023
Page 35 of 40
and forth on that. So, I -- I -- I would not include requiring fence -- the split rail fencing in
in my motion.
Overton: Second would agree.
Hoaglun: Okay.
Borton: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Councilman Borton.
Borton: The clarification on the -- when the reference is made for a deferral of the
landscape buffer and the sidewalk on the property to the north, until that develops, are
you talking about the -- the 23 acre northern portion of this application when that
develops or the property north of this entire annexed area? What do you mean by
property to the north?
Hoaglun: And -- and Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Councilman Hoaglun.
Hoaglun: Councilman Borton, my -- my motion would be for the property that is under
their control. The sticking point I have is -- and if we do talk -- and I know that's an idea
that, okay, if something across the road develops and, then, that would trigger their --
their effort, but what -- what does develop mean and how many? Is it, you know, three
homes that decide to build right away. Usually it's going to be a big development, if --
and -- and when does -- once those -- when they start building does that trigger it? It
does -- as Mr. Nary pointed out, you know, it gets a little sticky in there. You know, how
do you define this, how do you do that? We do want schools to be walkable. So, if
people are living there to the north we want to have that access point -- a safe access
point. If there is a way to come up with what does that trigger, what does that
development mean, at what point in time, that, then, they have to -- to move forward
and I -- I'm -- I'm fine with that, because I get that aspect of it and it is a safety issue, so
-- but originally, Mr. Borton, I -- I -- I was thinking of just that particular property, because
they might sell that to a developer who wants the develop it right away, they can put in
the sidewalk. That's going to be part of the requirement, so --
Borton: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Councilman Borton.
Borton: I apologize, I'm just -- I'm not tracking. Does the phrase property to the north
mean the 23 acres that is part of today's annexation or does it mean something outside
of today?
Meridian City Council
July 11,2023
Page 36 of 40
Hoaglun: Mr. Mayor and Councilman Borton, my -- my motion was with the 23 acres
in --
Borton: Okay. Got it. Okay Thanks.
Hoaglun: And I'm open to -- if -- if someone wants to say, hey, no, if we define it this
way, if we want -- if something could cross the road -- well, it's going nowhere right now.
If there is development that starts occurring that would be the trigger to have -- require
them to do that -- that -- that would be fine, but how do we -- how do we do that gets a
little murky in my mind, so -- we can only control this particular area in this application.
Allen: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Yes, Sonya.
Allen: Councilman Hoaglun. Yeah. There is -- unless you require a surety to be
submitted for those improvements there is -- there is no way for us to go and get them
later if the property to the north of the subject property develops and we typically aren't
in the -- in the habit of holding surety for extended periods of time. So, I -- I would
recommend if you want those improvements to be constructed at this time that you
require them. A possible solution for farm access to the property would be to leave a
driveway open, so they wouldn't be destroying the sidewalk and, then, when that
northern portion of the subject property redevelops and they could complete that section
that's missing. Just a suggestion. Thank you. And the property to the north, just an
added thing, I shouldn't say to the north, but the northern portion of the property is -- I
believe it's a 19 acre site. Nineteen --
Borten: We can't hear you.
Strader: We can't hear you.
Allen: Sorry. The northern portion of this property, just for clarification of the record, is
19.6 acres. The approximate 23 acre reference actually included that southern future
development portion. So, I just wanted to clarify that. Thank you.
Borton: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Councilman Borton.
Borton: I'm -- I'm -- I'm comfortable certainly with the approval of motion and for me I
hear this portion -- the condition of approval state that the -- the sidewalk and
landscaping improvement on this 19'ish acres within the subject parcel, the northern
part, can be deferred until the earlier of the development of this 19 acres, which is the
northern part of the subject process -- property or the development of the property
immediately adjacent on the northern portion of this subject property and that staff
create and articulate some condition that ensures when either of those two events -- the
Meridian City Council
July 11,2023
Page 37 of 40
first of those two events were to occur that this applicant's obligation that has been
deferred is triggered and if a driveway is an interim -- a driveway into that northern
portion of this subject property is an interim remedy to allow that to occur, seems wholly
appropriate.
Allen: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Yes, Sonya.
Allen: Unless we require a surety for those improvements there is no way that we can
get those in the future.
Nary: Mr. Mayor, I was going to --
Allen: The abutting property to the north developing.
Nary: Yeah. The only way that we could trigger us to be able to enforce that would be
require a surety bond for that -- those improvements and put those two conditions.
Allen: And -- and like I stated there, we typically don't hold sureties for an extended
period of time.
Nary: It's normally a year and -- but we never know. But I mean we don't like to hold
them for much longer than a year.
Allen: I think ACHD -- I think this was mentioned earlier -- may be able to do it through
a road trust or something similar, but I can't speak for them, so -- like the sidewalk, for
instance.
Borton: Mr. Mayor, I don't know -- I don't know how else -- yeah. I don't know how else
you proceed on this without solving that problem and if it's something that can't be done
we are back to the start of this in my mind.
Simison: Yeah. I think this goes back to the question about taking two weeks to go and
try to solve these issues. They don't seem -- I know they don't seem little, but they are
big, but they are and time to get this right is very important to the city, it's very important
to the school and I would hate for us to say one thing and think we got it and who knows
what type of obligations or challenges we have put on somebody somewhere through
this process. I -- I don't think we are far off. I think it's just work -- it doesn't work well
trying to solve things from the dais when you really need to work with another agency to
get a solution. But we do have a motion.
Hoaglun: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: I'm just not sure where the motion would go based on -- or where the votes
will fall on -- on the motion.
Meridian City Council
July 11,2023
Page 38 of 40
Hoaglun: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Councilman Hoaglun.
Hoaglun: I like Councilman Borton's discussion points of earlier of development -- the
northern portion -- earlier development of the 19 -- whatever is earlier, the development
of the 19.6 acres or development to the adjacent northern property, a deferral is
triggered, but I guess it does come down to, you know, that road trust. If they are able
to do the road trust that we can require that, but that's what we don't know if that's
doable. Now, how long will ACHD take to discuss that, is that a staff level discussion
where they can have that and go, yes, we would accept a road trust and do that and --
but I will stop talking and see what we might have for solution wise.
Allen: Mr. Mayor, Council, the applicant just relayed to me that the school is willing to
go ahead and construct the -- the sidewalk and the buffer on the northern portion of the
subject property.
Hoaglun: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Councilman Hoaglun.
Hoaglun: I -- I would strike from my motion any -- any reference or requirement
regarding any deferral, waiver or other items related to the landscaping and sidewalk
requirement for that northern 19.6 acres.
Overton: Second agrees.
Simison: Second agrees. Is there further discussion on the motion?
Allen: Mr. Mayor, sorry, another clarification, please.
Simison: Sonya.
Allen: I don't believe we ever got a final answer on the split rail fencing along McMillan
Road, whether that's required or if you were leaving it open for the applicant to not do it
if they don't wish to.
Hoaglun: We can leave it open to the applicant to -- to do it or -- or not. We are not
going to require -- we will not require it from the city.
Allen: Thank you.
Simison: That's part of the motion. Does the second agree?
Overton: Second agrees.
Meridian City Council
July 11,2023
Page 39 of 40
Simison: So, there we have our -- you want to repeat the entire -- I'm kidding. Is there
further discussion or questions for clarification from Council or staff? If not, Clerk will
call the roll.
Roll Call: Hoaglun, yea; Borton, yea; Cavener, absent; Perreault, absent; Strader, yea;
Overton, yea.
Simison: All ayes. Motion carries and the item is agreed to. Congratulations and we
look forward to seeing it move forward.
MOTION CARRIED: FOUR AYES. TWO ABSENT.
4. Public Hearing for Costco Development (H-2023-0007) by
Barghausen Consulting Engineers, Inc., located at 3403 W. Chinden
Blvd.
A. Request: Development Agreement Modification to the existing
Development Agreement [Inst. #2018-069276 (H-2018-0004),
amended as Inst. #2018-114828 H-2018-0066)], which currently
prohibits deliveries from occurring between the hours of 10:00 pm
and 5:00 am to prohibit deliveries from occurring between the hours
of 11:00 pm and 3:00 am.
B. Request: Conditional use permit to allow extended business hours
of operation from 6:00 am - 11:00 pm to 3:00 am - 11:00 pm.
Simison: With that move on to Item 4. Do we need to open this or a motion to satisfy --
Nary: A motion satisfies.
Simison: Okay.
Hoaglun: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Councilman Hoaglun.
Hoaglun: Just for the record, the developer -- the applicant in this case Costco
Development, under H-2023-0007, has requested and sent a letter requesting
withdrawal of this application for the development agreement modification and I -- I just
wanted to note in the letter that they sent for the request I -- I thought they -- they heard
the neighbors, they understood the issue and -- and we appreciate that willingness to
not only withdraw the -- the application based on the testimony, but also they have --
they have committed in this letter to enact the following operational improvements at the
site, just to read into the record, that no trucks will be allowed to travel behind the
Costco store, except emergency vehicles and public service vehicles. Wayfinding signs
will be installed to guide trucks to the approved delivery route. Education reinforcement
Meridian City Council
July 11,2023
Page 40 of 40
of required truck routes will be provided to the drivers and Costco will work with city staff
to replace the small load truck sign at North Ten Mile Road and West Lost Rapids Drive
with a larger more conspicuous sign. So, just -- my motion just to make sure that is into
the record and -- and that we do appreciate that effort and -- and being good neighbors
for that -- for that area. So, I make that motion that the withdrawal be granted.
Overton: Second.
Simison: Have a motion and a second to withdraw the application. Is there any
discussion? If not, all in favor signify by saying aye. Opposed nay? The ayes have it
and the application has been withdrawn.
MOTION CARRIED: FOUR AYES. TWO ABSENT.
FUTURE MEETING TOPICS
EXECUTIVE SESSION
5. Per Idaho Code 74-206A (1)(a): To Deliberate on a labor contract offer
or to formulate a counteroffer.
Simison: Council, anything under future meeting topics or do we have a -- do we need
to vacate Item 5?
Hoaglun: Mr. Mayor, I move that we vacate Item 5.
Overton: Second.
Simison: Have a motion and second to vacate Item 5. Is there any discussion? If not,
all in favor signify by saying aye Opposed nay? The ayes have it.
MOTION CARRIED: FOUR AYES. TWO ABSENT.
Simison: And we are at the last item on the agenda.
Hoaglun: Mr. Mayor, I move we adjourn.
Simison: Motion to adjourn. All in favor signify by saying Aye. Opposed nay? The
ayes have it. We are adjourned.
MOTION CARRIED: FOURAYES. TWOABSENT.
MEETING ADJOURNED AT 8.00 P.M.
(AUDIO RECORDING ON FILE OF THESE PROCEEDINGS)
7-25-2023
MAYOR ROBERT E. SIMISON
ATTEST:
CHRIS JOHNSON - CITY CLERK