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Home My WebLink AboutCC - Memo to Council for 3-12 TAOpi 499 Main Street Boise,Idaho 83702 (208)343-2931 www.taoidaho.com THEAR(HITE(TSORKE February 26, 2024 City Council City of Meridian 33 E Broadway Meridian, ID 83642 Re: (MDA H-2023-0074) Development Agreement Modification for 300 N Linder Rd. Meridian, ID 83642 Project Information: Parcel#: R3579000020 Site Area: 0.872 AC(37,971 SF) Flood Zone: Zone A Per Current FEMA Flood Map Service Center (MSC) Existing Zone: Residential R1 Proposed Zone: I-L Light Industrial Existing Use: Residential Proposed Uses: Uses consistent with the light industrial zone found in 11-2C-2 On behalf of Greg Herman, property owner at 300 N Linder Rd. I am submitting additional information in support of the development agreement modification application for the subject property. I appreciate the feedback given at the previous hearing and for the continuance to address the Council's concerns. Unsigned Development Agreement Greg Herman approached EV Studio (formerly neUdesign architecture) mid 2022. I, Jeremy Putman, had the initial consultation with him regarding this project. Mr. Herman wanted flexibility for businesses that would purchase these condos. Shortly after this initial meeting, I exited EV Studio and Mr. Herman continued to work with a project manager,Julie Miller, who was the applicant for the initial development agreement (H-2022-0091). The applicant worked with the city and the project was approved with only storage use. However, this did not represent the property owner's goals in having only storage approved. After the initial approval, Mrs. Miller left EV Studio in/around May. Mr. Herman terminated his agreement with EV Studio due to the disappointing results. Around June 61", it appears the initial development agreement was sent to only, Mrs. Miller, because she was the applicant. It seems no one was monitoring Mrs. Miller's email since her exit. Last fall, Mr. Herman engaged The Architects Office to move the project forward in a manner aligned with his goals, a broader use for the property and condo units. Mr. Herman did not sign the development agreement because it did not reflect the goals for his project. The planning department indicated the option to broaden the use would be to go through the development agreement modification application process. This application could be done with or without signing the original development agreement. RHF RJR, ISIPH ,_,111'! ARCHITECTS Page 2 of 3 Adjacent Residential Uses The Council's sensitivity towards residents who are living adjacent to the proposed development is commendable. A great deal of concern was raised about the residential use north of my client's parcel (330 N Linder Rd.) It was indicated in the hearing that the property owner to the north was in support of my client's proposed development. A letter from the property owner, Mr. Ronald Hatch, was submitted as part of the original development agreement hearing indicating the proposed 5ft landscape buffer on the north side of this development was acceptable to him. We have included a new letter from the same property owner of 330 N Linder, stating agreement with the proposed project and development agreement modification (see Exhibit A). In addition, it is stated in the letter the property is not currently being used as a residence but vacant. It is vacant because it would require major renovations to be utilized as a single-family dwelling. Mr. Hatch also indicates he has ownership interest in two other parcels on N Linder Rd (110 and 160 N Linder). 160 N Linder is currently an industrial development, having a large building with multiple tenant suites. Mr. Hatch also indicates his plan to develop 110 N Linder soon. I have included information taken from the Ada County Assessor's website to show ownership of the referenced parcels. Please see Exhibit B for more information that includes the year the properties were purchased. These three parcels (110, 160 and 330 N Linder) were all purchased/developed in the past year and a half. Uses For the Proposed Development This development will have a condo plat overlayed on the parcel once the buildings are constructed. Businesses will purchase their unit(s) in order to conduct business. Ownership in general comes with greater care and management of the property. Owners will also be less inclined to allow other businesses to infringe on their access to do business on the property. The condo plat as well as the CCRs will be reviewed by the planning department. The CCRs will stipulate uses according to this approved development agreement as well as general guidelines for business conduct on the property. Council members engaged in conversation at the Feb 13 meeting that seemed favorable to restricting the uses and/or business that could be on this property. The uses we are seeking approval for are three out of twenty-five principally permitted uses in the light industrial zone. Examples of the other principally permitted uses include indoor shooting range, animal care facility, and dispatch center for mobile services. There are an additional twenty-two uses that can be accessory and/or require a conditional use application. The request to have three uses (storage, warehouse, and flex space) be approved is already a restriction. The proposed uses in general are less traffic intensive than the examples above, which seems to meet the concerns of the Council. Approval of this development agreement modification does not permanently set the direction of this property. Any business owners who wish to start a business in any of these units are required to obtain a certificate of occupancy, at the minimum. Most of the owners will be required to go through the certificate of zoning compliance process where their use will be reviewed by the planning department. TAO,j "HF ARCHITECTS OFF ICE Page 3 of 3 The city will have the opportunity to review the use and evaluate that against the codes and guidelines. If any concerns are surfaced, they can be addressed at that time. If an owner desires to a use different than what is outlined in this proposed development agreement and the CCRs it will be their responsibility to have that use reviewed and approved by the property association and the City of Meridian. Parking Concern Parking has long been a hot topic for any jurisdiction. Some jurisdictions want more. Some want less. Parking was brought up as a concern at the Feb 13 hearing. Meridian zoning for industrial districts requires one stall for every two thousand square feet of gross floor area. This development requires seven parking stalls and we have provided thirteen, almost 100% more than the code requires. This seems to address concerns regarding inadequate parking. Thank you for your consideration of the approval of this modification request. Please contact me with any questions. Sincerely, Jeremy Putman,AIA The Architects Office, PLLC Jeremy@taoidaho.com 208.639.6409 February 20, 2024 City of Meridian Planning Division 33 E. Broadway Meridian, ID 83642 RE: H-2022-0091 Development Agreement Modification Dear Staff and City Council, I am the owner of the property located at 330 N Linder Rd, Meridian, neighbor to the applicant's property at 300 N Linder Rd. I also own or have an ownership interest in 160 N Linder Rd and 110 N Linder Rd. I would like to express my full support for approval of the applicant's request as proposed in his amended application. I have had multiple conversations with Greg Herman, the applicant, regarding his plans for 300 N Linder Rd, and I have no objection to his proposed use of Light Industrial Condominiums, within the full spectrum of what's allowed in that zoning code. It was never my understanding they were to be limited to self-storage condominiums, but rather higher end units that would be suited to individual owners that want to run a small business or have a place to accommodate various hobbies that are difficult to find space for in their residential homes. I have seen his proposed elevations and believe this development would compliment the area and improve overall property values for those around it. The house on the 330 N Linder property is currently vacant. The house would need a major investment in renovation to be utilized as a single-family home. My plan when I purchased it in January of 2023, was to annex and develop it in a similar fashion to my 160 N Linder property. 160 N Linder Rd, was recently annexed into the city of Meridian in the Light Industrial zone and we completed construction of a 20,972 sq ft multi-tenant building on the property. 110 N Linder Rd, is currently being utilized as a residential rental property, but I hope to annex and develop it in the near future. It is apparent to me that the City of Meridian is experiencing great growth and this area on Linder Road is well suited to various business uses. The City Planners have determined their future use for this area and I believe the applicant's request is well suited to that end goal. I appreciate the Council's sensitivity and consideration of neighboring properties, however, in this instance it is not in my best interest to maintain the current residential use of my property. Thank you for your time and consideration of my support of this application. Sincerely, Ronal atch