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City of Meridian | Department Report I. Project Overview
HEARING
DATE:
1/7/2025
TO: Mayor & City Council
FROM: Nick Napoli, Associate Planner
208-884-5533
nnapoli@meridiancity.org
APPLICANT: Nicholas Rinker
SUBJECT: H-2024-0048
330 Linder Road Annexation
LOCATION: Located at 330 N. Linder Road in the SE
¼ of Section 12, T.3N., R.1W.
PROJECT OVERVIEW
A. Summary
Annexation of 1.0 acre of land with an I-L (Light Industrial) zoning for the proposed use of
vehicle sales or rental and service.
B. Issues/Waivers
The applicant has received a letter from the northern property owner to allow for a reduced
landscape buffer to the residential property. This reduction will be from 25 feet to 5 feet. With
this letter, staff finds the intent of the dimensional standards is being met. The applicant is
seeking Council waiver to reduce this buffer as requested.
The existing building is proposed to remain which will cause it to be non-conforming with the 35-
foot street setback.
C. Recommendation
Staff: Approval.
Commission Recommendation: Approval.
D. Decision
Council:
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
DEPARTMENT REPORT
City of Meridian | Department Report
COMMUNITY METRICS
Table 1: Land Use
Description Details Map Ref.
Existing Land Use(s) Residential -
Proposed Land Use(s) Industrial/ Car Dealership -
Existing/Proposed Zoning R1 in Ada County V.A.2
Future Land Use Designation General Industrial V.A.3
Table 2: Process Facts
Description Details
Preapplication Meeting date 8/26/2024
Neighborhood Meeting 9/5/2024
Site posting date 11/23/2024
Table 3: Community Metrics
Agency / Element Description / Issue Reference
Ada County Highway District III.C
• Comments Received Yes -
• Commission Action Required No -
• Access Shared access with the property to the south. -
• Traffic Level of Service Better than E. -
ITD Comments Received Yes -
Meridian Public Works Wastewater III.B
• Distance to Mainline Available at site
• Impacts or Concerns Yes: See comments below.
Meridian Public Works Water III.B
• Distance to Mainline Available at site
• Impacts or Concerns No
Note: See section III. City/Agency Comments & Conditions for comments received or see public record
https://weblink.meridiancity.org/WebLink/Browse.aspx?id=362253&dbid=0&repo=MeridianCity.
City of Meridian | Department Report
III. STAFF ANALYSIS
Comprehensive Plan and Unified Development Code (UDC)
A. General Overview
This property is designated as General Industrial on the Future Land Use Map (FLUM). The use
of vehicle sales or rental and service is consistent with the comprehensive plan for the general
industrial designation.
The subject site is among several Industrial properties along Linder Road in the immediate area.
The proposed use of vehicle sales or rental and services is a permitted use in the I-L zoning which
is the zoning the applicant is requesting. In conjunction with the existing industrial users
surrounding this property, the proposed use satisfies the general industrial designation on the
comprehensive plan.
Table 4: Project Overview
Description Details
History N/A
Acreage 1.0 acre
B. History and Process
The subject property is part of an enclave area surrounded by City annexed property. Annexation
of this land will provide more efficient provision of City services. Industrial uses exist to the west
across N. Linder Rd and to the south and east; single-family residences exist to the north and in
Ada County.
C. Site Development and Use Analysis
1. Existing Structures/Site Improvements (UDC 11-1):
The existing residence is proposed to remain as the main office for the vehicle sales business.
The building shall abandon well and sceptic and connect to city services at the time of
annexation in accord with UDC.
2. Proposed Use Analysis (UDC 11-2):
The proposed use of vehicle sales or rental and service is a permitted use in the I-L zoning
district and aligns with the surrounding area. By adding additional industrial properties in the
city, this project contributes to the community’s employment and economic growth.
Specifically, it adheres to Policy 3.07.01D, which encourages the preservation of industrial
land use areas by discouraging non-industrial users. Additionally, the proposal is consistent
with Policy 3.06.02D, which recommends locating industrial uses close to state highways and
the rail corridor. The property’s location adjacent to Linder Road enhances its accessibility to
both the rail corridor and state highways. Staff finds the proposed use to be consistent with
the UDC and Comprehensive Plan.
3. Dimensional Standards (UDC 11-2):
Development of the site shall comply with the dimensional standards of the I-L zoning
district in UDC Table 11-3B-3. The applicant has received a letter from the northern property
owner to allow for a reduced landscape buffer to the residential property. This reduction will
be from 25 feet to 5 feet and requires City Council waiver to reduce the buffer as proposed.
Staff is supportive of the reduction since the adjacent property will more than likely develop
with an industrial use in the future.
Additionally, the existing building will be non-conforming if annexed due to the 35-foot
setback requirement off Linder Road. The building is roughly 37-feet off the curb line but is
within the 35-feet when measured from the ultimate right of way. If approved, this would
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create a non-conforming building and any new construction will be required to comply with
the I-L dimensional standards.
4. Specific Use Standards (UDC 11-4-3):
Vehicle Sales or rental and service – UDC 11-4-3-38:
A. Vehicle repair may be allowed as an accessory use, subject to the standards for
vehicle repair, major, and minor, in the district where the use is located.
The applicant is proposing a future maintenance shop for vehicle repair purposes.
While this is not going to be a use established on the site with the initial development,
the applicant will come through permitting for establishing this accessory use in the
future.
B. Inoperable or dismantled motor vehicles shall be stored behind a closed vision fence,
wall, or screen or within an enclosed structure and shall not be visible from any
street.
The applicant is proposing a future maintenance shop that will house any inoperable
vehicles. In the interim, there will be no inoperable or dismantled cars on the site.
C. Automotive sales and rental areas shall be subject to the minimum perimeter
landscape requirement of parking areas in chapter 3, article B, "landscaping
requirements", of this title.
The minimum perimeter landscape requirements are being met and a reduction of the
northern 25-foot landscape buffer is requested through a council waiver.
D. In addition to chapter 3, article B, "landscaping requirements", of this title, one (1)
square foot of landscaping for every fifty (50) square feet of vehicle display area
shall be provided.
The site has 540 square feet of proposed vehicle display area which means 11 square
feet of landscaping is required and the applicant exceeds this landscaping
requirement.
E. Vehicle display pads are prohibited in the required landscape buffers.
The vehicle display is outside of the required 12.5-foot with water conserving design
landscape buffer along Linder Road fulfilling this requirement. However, the
applicant shall only be allowed to have 3 vehicles displayed along N. Linder Road at
any one time. UDC 11-3A-19 discusses the importance of building frontage along
public roads and requires a minimum of 30% of the façade to occupy the frontage.
By limiting the display vehicles to 3, staff finds the façade will maintain is prominent
form along the frontage.
F. Vehicle display areas shall incorporate design features including, but not limited to,
landscape islands, curbing, and pedestrian walkways, that define main drive aisles
and internal circulation patterns.
The concept plan shows curbing around the vehicle display with landscaping on both
sides to meet this requirement.
D. Design Standards Analysis
1. Landscaping (UDC 11-3B):
i. Landscape buffers along streets
The applicant is proposing waterwise landscaping which allows for a 50% reduction in street
landscape buffers. A 12.5-foot wide street buffer is required to be constructed along N.
City of Meridian | Department Report
Linder Rd., an arterial street, measured from back of sidewalk, landscaped per the standards
listed in UDC 11-3B-7C. Landscaping requirements will be analyzed with the Certificate of
Zoning Compliance.
ii. Parking lot landscaping
Parking lot landscaping is required per the standards listed in UDC 11-3B-8C. A minimum
5-foot wide buffer should be provided along the east property boundary unless the
requirement is reduced or waived by the Director for truck maneuvering areas as set
forth in UDC 11-3B-8C.1a. Staff recommends the applicant shift the planter islands to the
eastern buffer where the easement begins to maximize the parking on site. Landscaping
requirements will be analyzed with the Certificate of Zoning Compliance.
iii. Landscape buffers to adjoining uses
A 25-foot wide buffer is required to the residential land use to the north as set forth in UDC
Table 11-2C-3 and 11-4-3-34F, landscaped per the standards listed in UDC 11-3B-9C. The
Applicant requests City Council approval of a reduced buffer width from 25- to 5-feet
adjacent to the residential use to the north as allowed by UDC 11-3B-9C.2 with notice to
surrounding property owners. A reduction to the buffer width shall not affect building
setbacks; all structures shall be set back from the property line a minimum of the buffer
width required in the I-L district (i.e. 25-feet). A letter was submitted from the abutting
property owner to the north, Christopher and Angela Olson, agreeing to the proposed reduced
buffer. While the landscape buffer will be reduced, the building will still be 25 feet from the
north property line. Additionally, the eastern landscape buffer shall be landscaped in
accordance with the irrigation districts’ allowances.
iv. Tree preservation
A Tree Mitigation Plan should be submitted with the certificate of zoning compliance
detailing all existing trees and methods of mitigation outlined by the City Arborist before any
trees are to be removed as set forth in UDC 11-3B-10C.5.
v. Storm integration
Storm drainage is required to comply with the standards listed in UDC 11-3A-18. Drainage
swales should not be within the landscape setbacks along N. Linder Road.
2. Parking (UDC 11-3C):
i. Nonresidential parking analysis
UDC 11-3C-6 requires one space for every two thousand (2,000) sq. ft. of gross floor
area in industrial districts. The applicant has provided 27 parking spaces which exceeds
the UDC requirement. However, the applicant shall provide details for where customers
will park on the lot. This shall be separate from the vehicles for sale on the property.
ii. Bicycle parking analysis
A minimum of one (1) bicycle parking space must be provided for every 25 vehicle
spaces or portion thereof per UDC 11-3C-6G; bicycle parking facilities are required to
comply with the location and design standards listed in UDC 11-3C-5C. Bicycle parking
is not depicted in the plans and shall be included with the certificate of zoning
compliance application.
3. Building Elevations (Comp Plan, Architectural Standards Manual):
The applicant is proposing to keep the existing residence and convert it into the main office.
Since the building is proposed to remain, it is not subject to the architectural standards.
However, a tenant improvement permit will be required from the Meridian Building
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Department to convert the residence into a commercial building. Additionally, the applicant
is proposing a future maintenance building that will be required to comply with the
architectural standards manual.
4. Fencing (UDC 11-3A-6, 11-3A-7):
The applicant is not proposing fencing with this application. However, staff recommends a 6-
foot tall privacy fence is installed and maintained on the north boundary to help buffer the
neighboring residential.
E. Transportation Analysis
1. Access (Comp Plan, UDC 11-3A-3, UDC 11-3H-4):
One (1) full driveway access exists to this site via Linder Rd. that is proposed to be
eliminated, and the applicant will share access with the property to the south through a cross-
access agreement.
The intent of the UDC (11-3A-3) is to improve safety by combining and/or limiting access
points to arterial streets to ensure motorists can safely enter all streets. Where local street
access is not available, the property owner is required to grant cross-access/ingress-egress
easements to adjoining non-residential properties. Although the use to the north is currently
residential, it’s anticipated to change to a non-residential use at some point in the future. The
use to the south is commercial; as a provision of the development agreement, a cross-
access/ingress-egress easement was required to be provided to the subject property at the time
of future construction on the site and/or expansion of the existing parking lot, which has not
occurred.
In accord with UDC 11-3A-3, Staff recommends as a provision of the development
agreement, driveway stubs are constructed to the north and south property lines and a
cross-access/ingress-egress easement granted to the properties to the north (Parcel
#R3579000012) and south (Parcel #R3579000020) in an effort to combine and limit
access points to the arterial street (i.e. Linder Rd.). Copies of the recorded easements
should be submitted with the Certificate of Zoning Compliance application for the
proposed use.
While a fire truck turnaround is provided on-site, the applicant shall widen the cross-access
from the south to a 25-foot drive aisle. Additionally, the applicant shall work with our fire
department to ensure the turning radius for the entrance is sufficient. This will be analyzed
with the certificate of zoning compliance.
2. Sidewalk/Pathways (UDC 11-3A-5):
An attached 7-foot wide sidewalk was recently constructed along N. Linder Rd. along the
frontage of this site. The Pathways Plan designates a 10-foot wide detached multi-use
pathway in this area. Because the sidewalk was recently constructed, the Park’s Dept. does
not recommend it’s removed and a new pathway constructed in its place at this time. If a new
pathway is constructed in the future, there should be adequate room within the existing right-
of-way (11’+/-) for the pathway without dedication of a public use easement.
F. Services Analysis
1. Pressurized Irrigation (UDC 11-3A-15):
Underground pressurized irrigation water is required to be provided to each lot within the
subdivision as set forth in UDC 11-3A-15.
City of Meridian | Department Report
2. Storm Drainage (UDC 11-3A-18):
An adequate storm drainage system is required in all developments in accord with the City’s
adopted standards, specifications and ordinances. Design and construction shall follow best
management practice as adopted by the City as set forth in UDC 11-3A-18.
3. Utilities (Comp Plan, UDC 11-3A-21):
Connection to City water and sewer services is required and are available to be extended by
the developer with development in accord with UDC 11-3A-21 and Goals 3.03.03G &
3.03.03F. Urban sewer and water infrastructure and curb, gutter, and sidewalks are required
to be provided with development.
CITY/AGENCY COMMENTS & CONDITIONS
A. Meridian Planning Division
1. A Development Agreement (DA) is required as a provision of annexation of this property.
Prior to approval of the annexation ordinance, a DA shall be entered into between the City of
Meridian, the property owner(s) at the time of annexation ordinance adoption, and the
developer. A final plat or certificate of zoning compliance shall not be submitted until
the DA and Ordinance is approved by City Council.
Currently, a fee of $303.00 shall be paid by the Applicant to the Planning Division prior to
commencement of the DA. The DA shall be signed by the property owner and returned to the
Planning Division within six (6) months of the City Council granting the annexation. The DA
shall, at minimum, incorporate the following provisions IF City Council determines
annexation is in the best interest of the City:
A. Future development of this site shall be generally consistent with the concept plan,
landscape plan, and conceptual building elevations included in Section VIII and the
provisions contained herein.
B. No more than three (3) cars shall be displayed along N. Linder Road at any one time.
The vehicles shall not be displayed in front of the building.
C. In accord with UDC 11-3A-3, the applicant shall construct driveway stubs to the
north and south property lines and a cross-access/ingress-egress easement granted to
the properties to the north (Parcel #R3579000012) and south (Parcel #R3579000020)
in an effort to combine and limit access points to N. Linder Road. Copies of the
recorded easements shall be submitted with the Certificate of Zoning Compliance
application for the proposed use.
D. The applicant shall install a 6-foot-tall privacy fence on the north property boundary
to help buffer the neighboring residential.
E. The existing structure is nonconforming with the 35-foot setback along N. Linder
Road. Any future expansion will require compliance with the I-L zoning regulation
per UDC 11-2C-3.
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B. Meridian Public Works
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City of Meridian | Department Report
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C. Ada County Highway District (ACHD)
FINDINGS
A. Annexation and/or Rezone (UDC 11-5B-3E)
Upon recommendation from the commission, the council shall make a full investigation and shall,
at the public hearing, review the application. In order to grant an annexation and/or rezone, the
council shall make the following findings:
City of Meridian | Department Report
1. The map amendment complies with the applicable provisions of the comprehensive plan;
The Commission finds the Applicant’s proposal to annex 1.0-acre of land with I-L zoning for
the development of a vehicle sales or rental service facility is consistent with the General
Industrial FLUM designation for this property. (See section V above for more information.)
2. The map amendment complies with the regulations outlined for the proposed district,
specifically the purpose statement;
The Commission finds the proposed map amendment to I-L and conceptual development plan
generally complies with the purpose statement of the I-L district in that it will encourage
industrial uses that are clean, quiet and free of hazardous or objectionable elements and that
are operated entirely or almost entirely within enclosed structures and is accessible to an
arterial street (i.e. Linder Rd.).
3. The map amendment shall not be materially detrimental to the public health, safety, and
welfare;
The Commission finds the proposed map amendment should not be detrimental to the public
health, safety and welfare as the proposed industrial use should be conducted entirely within
a structure.
4. The map amendment shall not result in an adverse impact upon the delivery of services by
any political subdivision providing public services within the city including, but not limited
to, school districts; and
The Commission finds City services are available to be provided to this development.
5. The annexation (as applicable) is in the best interest of city.
The Commission finds the proposed annexation is in the best interest of the City.
IV. ACTION
A. Staff:
Staff recommends approval of the proposed annexation with the requirement of a Development
Agreement.
B. Commission:
The Meridian Planning & Zoning Commission heard these items on December 5th, 2024. At the
public hearing, the Commission moved to recommend approval of the subject Annexation requests.
1. Summary of Commission public hearing:
a. In favor: Nick Rinker and Matt Wilke
b. In opposition: None
c. Commenting: None
d. Written testimony: None
e. Staff presenting application: Nick Napoli
f. Other Staff commenting on application: Bill Parsons
2. Key issue(s) of public testimony:
a. None
3. Key issue(s) of discussion by Commission:
a. Cross access to the property to the north.
Creating a non-conforming structure with the approval of this application.
The amount of vehicles being displayed along Linder Road.
4. Commission change(s) to Staff recommendation:
a. None
5. Outstanding issue(s) for City Council:
City of Meridian | Department Report
a. The number of vehicles being displayed along Linder Road and cross-access to the
northern property. Staff has talked with the applicant and ITD about vehicle display areas
as ITD requires 5 spaces. Staff is proposing a change to this DA provision for your
consideration. Additionally, the applicant would like to defer cross-access until his
property is redeveloped into a use separate from a vehicle sales or rental and service
center. Staff is proposing alternative language to allow for the cross-access to be deferred
until redevelopment of the subject property.
C. City Council:
Pending
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EXHIBITS
A. Project Area Maps
(link to Project Overview)
1. Aerial
2. Zoning Map
City of Meridian | Department Report
3. Future Land Use
4. Planned Development Map
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B. Subject Site Photos
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C. Service Accessibility Report
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D. Site Plan (date: 11/4/2024)
City of Meridian | Department Report
E. Annexation Legal Description & Exhibit Map
City of Meridian | Department Report