HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-04-08 Regular Meridian City Council April 8, 2025.
A Meeting of the Meridian City Council was called to order at 6:01 p.m. Tuesday, April 8,
2025, by Mayor Robert Simison.
Members Present: Robert Simison, Luke Cavener, John Overton, Doug Taylor, Anne
Little Roberts and Brian Whitlock.
Members Absent: Liz Strader.
Other Present: Chris Johnson, Bill Nary, Sonya Allen, Jamie Leslie, Steve Taulbee and
Dean Willis.
ROLL-CALL ATTENDANCE
Liz Strader X Brian Whitlock
Anne Little Roberts X John Overton
_X_ Doug Taylor _X_Luke Cavener
X Mayor Robert E. Simison
Simison: Council, we will call the meeting to order. For the record it is April 8, 2025, at
6:01 p.m. We will begin this evening's Meridian City Council meeting with roll call
attendance.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Simison: Next item 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: Our community invocation is not here yet.
ADOPTION OF AGENDA
Simison: So, we will go ahead and move along to the adoption the agenda.
Cavener: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Councilman Cavener.
Cavener: Move we adopt the agenda as presented.
Little Roberts: Second.
Meridian City Council
April 8,2025
Page 2 of 32
Simison: Have a motion and a second to adopt the agenda. 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: FIVE AYES. ONE ABSENT.
PROCLAMATIONS [Action Item]
1. Education and Sharing Day Proclamation
Simison: As mentioned Item 1 is not here.
COMMUNITY PRESENTATIONS [Action Item]
2. Global Just Serve Award Presentation
Simison: So, we will go ahead and move on to Item 2, which is the Global Just Serve
award presentation. I don't know if this is going to be Karen, Jana -- are you up to the
podium for any comments you would like to make and we will take it from there.
Wolf: Hello, Mayor Simison, City Council Members. My name is Janalie Wolf. I am the
Meridian area Just Serve specialist and this is Bryn Booker, who is the Boise area Just
Serve specialist. We are excited to be back here with you today. We previously
awarded you with a Just Serve city award. There are currently 58 Just Serve cities
across the US, Canada, Chile, Argentina and Hungary and you are one of them. Today
we are here to recognize the City of Meridian as a recipient of the Global Just Serve city
award, a distinction honoring cities that demonstrate exceptional commitment to
volunteerism and community engagement. Meridian is just one of the ten global city
awards. In November you will be celebrated by Just Serve for your commitment to
service at the National League of Cities in -- at the city summit in Salt Lake City.
Berman: Meridian does an incredible job promoting volunteerism and community
partnerships that uplift the lives of residents. Because you care about them and their
sense of belonging your residents continually show up to do good. In fact, this week
volunteers will give service at a Do The Right Fair, which is a collaboration between the
city Just Serve and the West Ada Community Collaborative. At the fair we will display
this honorary banner that you see over here celebrating today's award. We
congratulate Mayor Simison, the Meridian City Council, the City of Meridian and
especially the volunteers for this well-earned global recognition. Thank you for leading
by example and showing unity and a commitment to service as a way of life. Now we
would love to present you with a framed certificate and take a photo in front of the
banner if you would allow us to do so.
Simison: Yeah. Council, if everyone wants to go down and join you. So, Council,
would ask them not to go anywhere just to say a few more -- a few things real quick.
First and foremost we really appreciate the recognition, but we know it's not because of
Meridian City Council
April 8,2025
Page 3 of 32
anything that we do up here. It's the community out there that's doing all the work. But
I do -- I do just want to emphasize that I think the city staff have embraced Just Serve
as a valued community partner, but it's really the people that are signing up every day to
go out and do the work that are really making a difference. So, we -- so, we just really
want to say thank you for what you continue to do to help support our community in so
many different ways and the other thing that I -- you know, so when I was at National
League of Cities in Washington DC -- it's not just going to be recognized, but Just Serve
is the title sponsor for the city summit in November. I have not heard what the
recognition will mean or look like down there and traditionally the city doesn't have a lot
of people to go to the November one, which is a little bit more of the -- where you learn
items, but, you know, we will try to figure out if there is a -- even going -- driving down
for the day to be part of a component when we know a little bit more we -- that may be
something that we would want to do, you know, road trip collaboration in November to
Salt Lake City to be part of that and we just really want to say appreciate Just Serve
stepping up to be the sponsor for that National League of Cities conference. So, if you
can, please, pass that along to others. It was really great to see that when I was in DC.
So, appreciate it very much.
PUBLIC FORUM — Future Meeting Topics
ACTION ITEMS
3. Public Hearing for Pollard North Subdivision (H-2024-0037) by
Brighton Corporation, generally located approximately 1/4 mile north
of W. Chinden Blvd. at the north end of N. Levi Ave. on the north side
of W. Waverton Dr.
A. Request: Modified Development Agreement to the existing
Development Agreement (Inst. #2019-060655) for a new
agreement for the residential portion of the development with an
updated development plan.
B. Request: Rezone of 14.90 acres of land from the R-8 to the R-15
zoning district.
C. Request: Preliminary Plat for 157 building lots and 32 common lots
on 19.76 acres of land in the R-8 and R-15 zoning districts.
Simison: So, Council, with that we will move on to our -- the next items on our agenda,
which is Item 3, which is a public hearing for Pollard North Subdivision, H-2024-0037.
We will open this public hearing with staff comments.
Allen: Thank you, Mr. Mayor, Members of the Council. Council heard this project on
January 14th and -- and remanded it back to the Commission for review of the revised
plans and an updated recommendation. The Commission had previously
recommended -- recommended denial to Council based on their belief the proposed
Meridian City Council
April 8,2025
Page 4 of 32
rezone to R-8 and TNR would create too much density for the area and not provide
enough transition to lower density development to the north. Following the commission
hearing the applicant submitted revised plans to address some of those concerns raised
by neighboring residents and the commission, which included a reduction of 20 building
lots, an increase in the width of the lots along the northern boundary between Pollard
Lane and Schwenkfelder Avenue from a minimum of 50 feet to 60 feet and replacement
of some internal single family residential attached and paired units with detached units
and open space resulting in 3.4 percent increase in qualified open space and additional
pedestrian pathways. The applicant also changed their rezone request from TNR to R-
15 with R-8 remaining along the north and east boundaries of the site. The applications
before you tonight are a request for a development agreement modification, a rezone
and a preliminary plat. The site consists of 19.76 acres of land. It's zoned R-8 and it's
generally located a quarter mile north of West Chinden Boulevard at the north end of
North Levi Lane on the north side of West Waverton Drive. The subject property is part
of a larger area annexed with R-8 zoning in 2019 and included in a development
agreement and a preliminary plat for Pollard Subdivision. The Comprehensive Plan
future land use map designation for the property is medium density residential, which
calls for three to eight dwelling units per acre. The applicant proposes a modification to
the existing development agreement for a new agreement for the residential portion of
the development with an updated development plan. The approved plan is for the
development of 74 building lots for conventional single family residential homes,
independent living units for 55 and older, and an 88 bed assisted living facility. The
proposed plan is for 157 single family residential detached and attached homes. A
rezone of 14 -- sorry, I couldn't get my slides to work a second ago. The top drawing
there is the approved concept development plan in development agreement and the
one on the bottom is the proposed development plan. A rezone of 14.9 acres of land is
proposed from the R-8 to the R-15 zoning district as shown there. A preliminary plat is
proposed to develop in two phases and consists of 157 building lots and 32 common
lots on 19.76 acres of land in the R-8 and the R-15 zoning districts. The minimum lot
size proposed in the R-8 district is 4,350 square feet, with an average lot size of 4,805
square feet. Minimum lot size in the R-15 district is 2,238 square feet, with an average
lot size of 2,801 square feet. The gross density of the development is 7.95 units per
acre. The net density of 13.33 units per acre, which is at the high end of the density
allowed in the medium density designation. A mix of single family residential detached
and attached units are proposed with front loaded and alley loaded options.
Conventional front loaded detached homes are proposed along the perimeter boundary
to the north and east, which will transition to existing and future homes, with alley
loaded attached and detached units on the remainder of the site. A 20 foot wide street
buffer is required along the portion of West Waverton Drive designated as a collector
street east of Levi Lane. Levi is this stub road here that comes in from the south. A
minimum of 15 percent or 2.96 acres of common open space is required to be provided
with development that meets the qualified standards listed in the UDC. The applicant
proposes a total of 3.94 acres or 19.94 percent qualified open space consisting of
several open grassy areas exceeding 5,000 square feet in area, linear open space, the
street buffer along the eastern portion of Waverton Drive, collector street, and parkways
along streets as shown on the open space exhibit, which complies with and exceeds the
Meridian City Council
April 8,2025
Page 5 of 32
minimum standards. The amenities are required to comply with the associated
standards for such in the UDC. Several concept building elevations were submitted for
a two story detached and attached single family residential home as shown. A variety of
siding are proposed, including vertical and horizontal lap siding, board and baton siding,
stucco and fenestration with masonry accents in a variety of colors and design elements
and features, with varying roof profiles and wall modulation that demonstrates a high
quality of development proposed. All single family residential attached structures are
subject to the residential design standards in the Architectural Standards Manual. The
commission recommended approval of the proposed rezone and preliminary plat. I will
go through a summary of the commission public hearing. Jon Wardle, Brighton
Corporation, the applicant, testified in favor. There were several folks that testified in
opposition as follows: Jake Jensen, Ken Fenwick, Kyle Ensler, David Hitz, Chase Taylor
and Leah Taylor. Written testimony was received from the applicant Eli Benski, Brighton
Corporation, and from Aaron Kwan. Key issues are as follows: They were against the
degree of the increase in the number of homes between the existing approved plan and
the proposed plan. Traffic and parking concerns due to the increased number of
residents between the existing and proposed plan. Concern residents will use the
Fairbourne's common areas for recreation. Opinion home values will decrease in this
area if the proposed development is approved. An opinion that the proposed density
doesn't match the area. The Commission was generally in favor of the proposed
changes to the development plan and reduction in the number of building lots. The
Commission did not make any changes to the staff recommendation and there are no
outstanding issues for Council. No written testimony has been received since the
Commission hearing. Staff will stand for any questions. The applicant is here to
present tonight.
Simison: Thank you, Sonya. Council, any questions for staff? Okay. Would the
applicant like to come forward?
Wardle: Good evening, Mayor, Council Members. For the record my name is Jon
Wardle. My address is 2929 West Navigator Drive, Meridian, Idaho. 83642. And
represent Brighton and we are here tonight to talk about the Pollard North project. And
just share -- there we go. When we were here before in January, the Council requested
that we go back to Planning and Zoning Commission. We had proposed some changes
that were brought before the Council that night. They were -- I would call last minute
changes in discussions with staff and it was requested that we went back to Planning
and Zoning Commission. The items that were addressed at Planning and Zoning
Commission based on their changes that we made were a reduction in density,
maintaining the R-8 zone against adjacent neighborhoods. Removing the TNR as an
option and using R-15 and, then, clarification on traffic concerns and after we presented
that to the Planning and Zoning Commission there was a unanimous recommendation
of approval bringing it back to you tonight. So, that's kind of a history of how we were
here, there, and now we are back. This was the original plan. I won't spend too much
time on it, because I have another slide that compares it, but this is what we had put in
the application for 177 homes on the project here with about 17.86 acre -- percent of
open space. When we had the conversation with staff and, then, we came and
Meridian City Council
April 8,2025
Page 6 of 32
presented to you in January, we had made some changes to the plan. We decided to
maintain the R-8 zoning along the perimeter and I will get into that in a second, but R-8
is directly adjacent to us on projects that have already been rezoned and annexed into
the city, that we would reduce the residential density by 20 homes. We actually
increased the width of the lots along the northern boundary and lot -- in Block 1 and 2.
We reduced the number of paired homes. We added six more common lots and added
some additional pedestrian connections. It is important to note that there aren't any
waivers, variances or exceptions requested with the project as is before you tonight.
The future land use map does designate the area that we have highlighted here as
medium density residential, which is -- gives a range of three to eight units per acre.
So, what we decided or what we ended up doing was, again, maintaining the R-8
zoning directly adjacent to the properties of the north and to the east. This is consistent
with the prior approval back in 2019. The area to the south we are transitioning to an R-
15 zone. Previously we asked for a TNR. There was comments made at the Planning
and Zoning Commission and I think in response to that, that the TNR allowed by right
multi-family. We never proposed multi-family here. We did propose paired units on
platted lots, but we pulled that off the table as not needed. There is history to that. Not
really important to this conversation, but we removed the TNR and the right for multi-
family outright. On the left here this is what the project originally was when we
submitted our applications and on the right are the changes. Like I said, we have
reduced the density by 20 homes. The -- the overall density is 7.9 units. So, it's on the
top end of that three to eight units per acre in that range. Open space is about 19.94
percent, which also increased over the -- what we previously proposed and the areas of
highlight are where we have enhanced or increased the open space throughout the
project. This also highlights where the changes are on the plats between what was
submitted and what is before you tonight. Wider lots in the area one. In area two we
reduced the number of lots in there and made those single family detached and, then,
the green areas, three through six, are increases to open space throughout the project
where it is equally even -- and evenly distributed throughout the entire community there.
This also highlights where the amenities are and what the different amenities are in the
project. We -- with a tot lot, covered pavilion, tot and a dog park and pedestrian
pathways throughout to provide better access for the neighbors in the community. This
gives an example of some of the homes that are proposed. We decided that instead of
making all the homes the same we would offer four different living options. We have
some front-loaded homes, which we call conventional, so the garages are on the front
facing the street and we have carriage lane homes where the access to those garages
is taken from a carriage lane or an alley and so this shows you the different variety of
homes that are offered in Pollard North, giving a little bit variety to lifestyle options for
living and creating a little bit more diversity with the housing types. Just a little bit more
focus here of some renderings of the central park and the carriage lane B types, which
would be the attached or paired homes. Then this one gives an example of both our
convention -- the conventional homes on the perimeter of 60 and 70 foot wide lots. One
of the questions that was brought up -- and I think we just wanted to clarify and we
shared this with the commission, but was how is the traffic going to move through our
project? You -- our project here is representative in the teal of the Pollard North local
streets connecting down to Waverton, which we have already built. It's the east-west
Meridian City Council
April 8,2025
Page 7 of 32
road that connects from Pollard Lane on the left-hand side here all the way over to the
right-hand side. Then how Fairbourne connects to the Waverton collector system to
Black Cat and Levi Lane and also how the future Alden Ridge would connect. So, there
was comments made about traffic going through other neighborhoods. In reality all of
our traffic is connecting out to a collector road, which, then, gets out to US -- or State
Highway 20-26 or Chinden Boulevard. Yes, it's possible that traffic would go out of
Pollard North over to Black Cat, but, in reality, that traffic is either going neighbor to
neighbor or going out to the signal and Waverton is a collector road as you can see in
the dark blue color there. One of the things brought up was why the change and this is
representative of why the change happened, among other things. One of the things that
we did change from the project was assisted living. It was proposed previously. COVID
happened and it made it -- operationally it became very difficult for us to do that,
although we are involved in some other ones on a go forward basis. It's not -- it's not a
-- an offering that we are able to do and others are not doing the market either. But the
bigger change was Highway 16. When we brought the project to you in 2019 Highway
16 was not on the table. There was no funding for it. There was no right of way that
had been acquired for it. It was viewed to be something that would be out there in the
future, but the future came a bit quicker than for all of us. In '21 and '22 the state
allocated dollars not only for right-of-way acquisition, but for construction of the Highway
16 corridor. The little graphic here on the left-hand side shows what is currently being
constructed in gray and so that is representative of -- from coming from 20-26 all the
way down to the freeway. The areas in blue are additions to. So, some overpasses and
things like that. But the interchange here at Chinden and 20-26 was expedited and
changed with the anticipation that traffic would be at -- at these two intersections and so
we looked at that and that's why we had decided to perhaps pivot and look at some
other alternatives that would offer lifestyle choices and be more consistent with the
future growth and transportation improvements that are happening here at this
intersection. We do concur with the staff report and the commission's recommendation
of approval. Like I mentioned, there are no conditions that we are asking for any
exceptions, variances or waivers on and we do concur with the report that's in front of
you and we request your approval tonight for Pollard North and stand for any questions
that you might have.
Simison: Thank you, Jon. Council, questions for the applicant?
Cavener: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Councilman Cavener.
Cavener: Can you jump back -- you had a slide that was showing a -- kind of a
comparison between what was proposed in terms of amenities versus what you are
doing now. That one right there.
Wardle: That's one of them. So, this one is a good place to start. So, on the left-hand
side under the original we had about 17.86 acres of qualified open space.
Meridian City Council
April 8,2025
Page 8 of 32
Cavener: So, Mr. Wardle, thank you for that and that's maybe where my questions
come from. The staff report showed that it was 21.26 and so I'm just trying to
understand -- do we have an incorrect number in our staff report or is there -- because
the -- I guess -- excuse me, Mr. Mayor. Let me ask this question a little bit better for
you, Mr. Wardle. When you are talking original, this is the version that came with a
recommendation of denial from the Planning and Zoning Commission; correct?
Wardle: Mr. Mayor, Council Member Cavener, the box on this slide would be
representative of what was recommendation for denial.
Cavener: Okay.
Wardle: The box on the right side and the exhibit below represent the new application.
Cavener: Okay. I just -- I will have to dig into that. Okay. Thank you very much.
Simison: Council, any additional questions for the applicant at this time?
Taylor: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Councilman Taylor.
Taylor: Just to kind of dig in a little bit more on what Councilman Cavener was
mentioning. So, on what's currently approved, 74 building lots for conventional single
family resident homes; right? That -- is that correct?
Wardle: Mr. Mayor, Council Member Taylor, that is correct. The original preliminary plat
had 74 single family lots that were approved --
Taylor: Okay.
Wardle: -- with the assisted living and, then, we submitted a new application for 177.
Taylor: Okay. Thank You.
Whitlock: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Councilman Whitlock.
Whitlock: Mr. Wardle, can you -- I know in the commission meeting, as I reviewed the
minutes there, there was some concern about parking and as -- on one of your maps
you showed the conventional homes would probably be on the border, but the homes
that are along Waverton would all be alley access with garages in the back; is that
correct?
Meridian City Council
April 8,2025
Page 9 of 32
Wardle: Yes. Mr. Mayor, Council Member Whitlock, that is correct. In this slide here
the pink and the blue would be the conventional with garage facing homes. On the
orange and the yellow they would be accessed from an alley, but each of those homes
also has a 20 foot driveway apron in the back of those homes and so not only do they
have a garage, they have a typical driveway just like you would on a front-loaded home
conventional. They are able -- guests could park on the street in front of those homes,
but they are not competing with driveways that would also limit parking on an alley
loaded home.
Whitlock: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Councilman Whitlock.
Whitlock: So, Waverton is the street on the south of this; is that correct?
Wardle: Mr. Mayor, Councilman Whitlock, yes, it is.
Whitlock: What's the street to the north?
Wardle: To the north?
Whitlock: To the north in the blue and the --
Wardle: It's called Flat Rock.
Whitlock: Flat Rock.
Wardle: So, Flat Rock is the northern road and, then, Waverton is the southern road.
Whitlock: So, Mr. Mayor, I guess my question is on Flat Rock on the north side you
have got the conventional homes. On the south side you have got the rear access or
alley access homes with the potential that there would be parking on Flat Rock for both
the conventional, as well as the rear access homes; is that correct?
Wardle: Mr. Mayor, Council Member Whitlock, yes, it is.
Taylor: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Councilman Taylor.
Taylor: Mr. Wardle, just remind me, were you -- in the pink shading that the R-8 and in
the blue that -- that kind of wraps around, what is the -- as it's adjacent to the -- the next
property, I'm just forgetting, was there a berm? Does it -- is there a fence? What's the
transition between those properties?
Meridian City Council
April 8,2025
Page 10 of 32
Wardle: Mr. Mayor, Council Member Taylor, that is a fair question. Let me move to a
different slide here really quick. This represents how everything is kind of stitched
together. Actually, let me switch to a different -- make this a little bit larger, so it can be
perhaps seen better. I'm -- it kind of splits between -- kind of the east and the west.
Alden Ridge was brought in as a preliminary plat and they created on their project a 30
foot common lot. A common lot is -- if you remove the common lot it is currently the Old
School private road that the other two property owners to the east, Ernst, Panter and
Schwenkfelder used to access their properties and so there was a common lot that they
created. As we have worked through this there is not a berm between us and that.
There is the common lot between the two. We have also had conversations with Ernst
and Panter and with Schwenkfelder about the transition between us and them and they
are -- based on those conversations they are fine with a fence without a berm. The
berm becomes something that would go over into their property as well and I don't think
the -- they are interested in the long-term maintenance of that, but we have discussed
that with them and have had conversations about that. So, between the two it would be
fencing between us and the properties to the north. Our property over along
Fairbourne, we share a fence line with them and so we would just be extending that
fence line along the two properties here. This also shows kind of the difference
between the -- the transition from lots to lots -- ten lots -- if you are going west to east
ten lots from us against 12 lots for Alden Ridge. Seven and a half lots against nine. Six
and a half against Ernst-Panter. You can tell the previous approval was eight and a half
lots up above. And, then, on the east side Schwenkfelder at 13 lots compared to 14.
And, then, we reduced from seven lots down to six. So, that's how we have also
adjusted the density against our common property line between these properties.
Taylor: Mr. Mayor, quick follow up.
Simison: Councilman Taylor.
Taylor: Thank you. That's a very helpful explanation and just -- I kind of got lost in the
ownership of parcels without looking. So, Alden Ridge, the 12 lots and the nine lots,
right there is that going to be just that common lot or is that going to have the fence line
there, too?
Wardle: We would -- Mr. Mayor, Council Member Taylor, we would have a fence line on
our property. It is a common lot. Typically those common lots are open fencing and so
I think that would be the requirement. But there would -- we would put a fence on our
property line just so there is a difference between the common area that they own --
Taylor: Okay.
Wardle: -- and our property.
Simison: Council, any other questions at this time? Okay. Thank you very much.
Wardle: Thank you. Mr. Clerk, do we have anyone signed up this evening?
Meridian City Council
April 8,2025
Page 11 of 32
Johnson: Mr. Mayor, first we have Leah Taylor.
Simison: Good evening. I imagine you know the process by now, so --
L.Taylor: Yes. Been here a lot. Had to rearrange a lot of family activities to be here all
of these times. My name is Leah Taylor. My address is 7000 North Pollard Lane. Good
evening. I just wrote my notes down, so that I don't get frazzled. But quick note. I do --
and it was kind of pointed out. He keeps mentioning the original plan. The original
plan. But that was a plan that was not -- the one he's referring to was not ever
approved. The original plan that we should be thinking of is the one that was approved
and so it doesn't seem like it's not as much of a compromise as he is acting like it is,
because what was approved is about half of what is -- he is requesting. Now, he also
says that by changing zoning from TNR to R-15 they give up the right to multi-family,
but R-15 does allow for multi-family, whereas R-8 does not. So, that's something to
consider that he could come back later and change that if this is approved. More
importantly, R-15 allows for a much higher density, which is ultimately what we are
opposed to. My two main concerns are the overcrowding of the school and safety with
that much density along Waverton Road. Mayor, I believe you recently visited Pleasant
View Elementary, which is where my kids go, which is where the boundary is for this
area. My kids were very excited. They thought that was really interesting is when you
came. I was speaking with the principal. Currently they are -- the school is built for 625
to 650 students and currently it enrolls 786 students, meaning it's over capacity by more
than 150 students and enrollment continues to grow. Projections show enrollment
reaching approximately 1 ,300 students within three years, double the intended capacity
and this is without changes to the development as we have. I assume that when those
projections are made they are going based off of approved developments, which would
be the original ones that were approved. So, I think that's something that we definitely
need to really consider. I also don't know of any other schools nearby that are being
planned for the near future. My kids already go -- it's a mile to the bus stop and it would
be straight down that Waverton Road, so I am very concerned about lining that with
cars. I know that they will have driveways in the back, but if someone's coming to drop
by or drop something off or drop someone off or drop kids are going off, they are not
going to be -- if they are not very familiar with the family going inside they are going to
be using that parking -- that road for parking and I just feel like that's a major safety
concern. Years ago this development was approved with a plan for significantly fewer
homes. That approval was granted with the understanding that the surrounding
community infrastructure, including roads and schools, could support that scale of
growth. The current request seeks a major zoning change that would allow for 157
homes about -- sorry. I think I got my number wrong. More than -- or yes. No. That's
right. About double than what was originally planned and would substantially increase
resident density. So, this overcrowding isn't a hypothetical issue, it is already
happening. Adding a dense new development without expanding infrastructure will only
exaggerate -- exasperate the problem. Overcrowded schools lead to larger class sizes,
reduce attention for students and strain on teachers and staff. I request that you guys
deny or -- or require a reduction in the number of homes and density. Thank you.
Meridian City Council
April 8,2025
Page 12 of 32
Simison: Thank you. Council, any questions?
Cavener: Mayor, a couple questions.
Simison: Councilman Cavener.
Cavener: Thank you for joining us. I appreciate it. And it sounds like elementary
students and so I have elementary students in school, so I -- I sympathize with where --
where you are coming from. A hundred more students in high school feels much
differently than a hundred more students in an elementary school for sure. As I
understand, West Ada has actually seen a plateau or in many cases a decline in student
generation. So, they are anticipating less students next year than they currently have
this year. Knowing that we are seeing a decline in students in the schools, do you see
that as -- I guess I'm looking at it from a standpoint of if we are going to have less
students in our schools that problem is largely somewhat going to take care of itself and
the taxpayer don't want to build more schools than we need. I know West Ada is really
committed to that. How do you think we as a city council should wrestle with that?
Because I will be honest, I -- I have been up here many nights and I don't approve
developments that have more students when schools are over capacity. But I'm also
trying to look at the reality of where the world is shifting in West Ada and that we are
seeing less students in those schools. Give me some advice as a parent that's over
there how should we be looking at this?
L.Taylor: Thank you for asking. That's very kind of you. I have heard the others -- that
the projection overall West Ada is declining, but all of the schools in this boundary that is
not the case. Star Middle School was only opened a couple years ago and they are
already over capacity. Owyhee High School is already -- was opened a couple years
ago and I know that they are at or close to over capacity and the principal for Pleasant
View Elementary also mentioned that other schools are not necessarily at capacity, but
this one is over and so maybe my advice would be to redistribute where the growth is
and really be mindful specifically in this area. That means there is other areas for
growth and that maybe this is not the place to let a whole bunch of more density come
in.
Cavener: Mr. Mayor, can I follow up?
Simison: Councilman Cavener.
Cavener: I agree with you to a point and it makes me frustrated at times that -- and we
are not in charge of the schools and we have a great working relationship with West
Ada trustees and I'm a big fan of Superintendent Bub, but it is hard when I know there
are elementary schools that are at 50 percent capacity right now and we have schools
like yours that are over capacity, because to me it's a frustrating and challenging
process of doing district -- district boundary lines. That's a process I wouldn't wish on
anybody. But it is challenging when you have an applicant that is here that is trying to
do something that the city has somewhat encouraged in terms of our Comprehensive
Meridian City Council
April 8,2025
Page 13 of 32
Plan to say because of another entity is not moving students around efficiently that we
should say no. So, just -- I guess I might be vocalizing a little bit the back and forth
that's going on in my head, so you know that where I'm coming from, but you -- you
touched on a couple of other things that I think are important and I can understand
some of your hesitation around multi-family and certainly we received some
correspondence from residents that shared that concern. If the Council were to -- as
part of their action tonight prohibit multi-family as part of their development agreement
would that give you the comfort that you were seeking?
L.Taylor: Not fully. I would better appreciate a reduction of some of the homes in this
planned development even 20, 30 -- any develop -- any reduction would be great. I
wouldn't be here protesting this if the original plan was laid -- was continued. I'm not
here to stop any growth, to stop any change. I know that's a positive thing and that has
to happen and that's inevitable. But I just think what we have planned here is too dense
for the area.
Cavener: Mr. Mayor, one more.
Simison: Councilman Cavener.
Cavener: I know you have been to a lot of these meetings and I remember your -- we
are being very kind, but your frustration about the being remanded back to Planning and
Zoning and so I also want to be respectful of your time. So, if there is anything else that
you think the City Council should know from your opinion on this. I know your time ran
out, but because you have been so patient with us I wanted at least give you the
opportunity if there is anything else you wanted to share with me.
L.Taylor: Thank you. That's so kind. I'm probably a little too frazzled to look in my
notes and see what I missed.
Cavener: You covered a lot. I was very impressed.
L.Taylor: Tried to do it quickly, but clearly, I don't know. I think that's pretty much it. I
just -- really just -- you know, we work hard to -- we have kids in elementary and middle
school and high school here and, then, still more to come. We have got six total. And
so we are very well immersed in the community. We love to be a part of it and I just
want to make it a good community for everyone and I think generally Brighton does a
great job, but I just think this is just a little too much for the space, especially with -- you
know, we are kind of in that corner with Highway 16 and we do have that Levi Lane
exiting, but it's already a really long light down at Black Cat. I just feel like with the
whole plan there it's going to be really sticky and messy when everyone's trying to get
their kids in and out of school and in out of work and just a reduction would help out
immensely. So, thank you for your questions. Thank you for all your -- your service
here. I appreciate it.
Johnson: Mr. Ensler with Alton Ridge HOA.
Meridian City Council
April 8,2025
Page 14 of 32
Ensler: Good evening, Mayor and Council Members. My name is Kyle Ensler. 5720
West Old School Lane in Meridian. And I'm not going to be able to do nearly as good of
a job as she just did. But this -- this one's a tough one for me, because as a developer
I'm also here representing the Alden Ridge Subdivision. You know, I have been before
you as a developer before, so I wear that hat and -- you know. And, then, we live there.
So, I'm a father and a husband and so I have these -- you know, all these different
things going on and I really try to look at this objectively from that point of view. But I'm
here tonight to respectfully voice my opposition to the application as it's currently
proposed and in an effort to, you know, try to get all the collective voices of those
families that have already invested in -- in Alden Ridge Subdivision, I have presented a
-- or prepared a little write up. So, initially, you know, Mr. Wardle has highlighted the
applicant's adjustments and specifically the reduction of 20 lots and the increase in
qualified open space and while these changes may appear responsive to public and
commission feedback, in our opinion they fall short of addressing the core concerns that
we have raised previously. So, just a little bit of historical context. Leah kind of pointed
it out. But what we are viewing on the application is the first proposed change to the
originally approved preliminary plat and so, you know, as -- as Mr. Wardle pointed out
six years ago what was approved included this heavy commercial component. Office
buildings. Medical centers. Even a hospital. Along with the R-8 zoning transition that
really softened the density towards the low density neighbors to the north. So, our
Alden Ridge piece is only half of what's there to the north. The other half is -- in the
proposed future comp plan it is low density residential and currently it's a five acre piece
and a 15 acre piece. So, tonight we find ourselves only revisiting the remaining 18
acres and I think that despite the public opposition six years ago, the application that
was approved in large part because of that thoughtful transition of R-8 to the north. The
broader context of that original plan, the commercial development that was integral to its
approval, is largely absent from this conversation. One of the other questions that came
up in the explanation of what the previous plan was and what the current plan was, just
for historical context, when Alden Ridge brought their application, we brought the
application in based on working closely with Brighton. In fact, we went to Brighton and
we said where are your roads? We lined up our roads. At one point Brighton came
back to us and said, hey, we actually want to change where the road location is. We
had already done a lot of planning. We changed our road location to match up with
theirs. Really trying to work together. So, by staff's recommendation and working with
Brighton, we created the R-8 transition border to match what they had proposed. We
also created the landscape strip, the 30 foot buffer, to match with their landscape strip,
because originally their plan had a landscape buffer, that's what Mr. Taylor had asked
about, and it included landscape buffer along the whole south side. Now, when Bright when Mr. Wardle was talking he is primarily referring to our landscape buffer and --
which would bring their -- their houses further to the north. So, in December 2024 the
commission denied the revised application, stating that it created too much density for
the area and the trans -- transition to lower density is not enough. We still concur with
that original assessment and despite the minor adjustments the proposed changes, in
our opinion, do not constitute a meaningful shift in density or traditional planning. So,
our major density concerns -- on page eight of your packet the average net density of
the surrounding area outlined in red, which I believe is a one mile square, is 4.76
Meridian City Council
April 8,2025
Page 15 of 32
dwelling units per acre. Alden Ridge, our subdivision to the north, is approved at 2.6
dwelling units per acre and Fairbourne Subdivision is under four units per acre. So, the
current proposal from Brighton seeks nearly twice the average density of the area and I
would argue that's not a concession, that's a significant escalation. More specifically
this zoning change would allow up to 80 more homes in the original plan, even under R-
8 zoning without the assisted living component a maximum layout might accommodate
around a hundred homes, which results in a density of about 5.06 dwelling units per
acre and while still higher than the surrounding areas, this feels closer to a -- to a
compromise and a more appropriate transition northward. So, I will echo Leah's
sentiments and just to be clear I'm not asking for the city to deny this application
outright, I'm asking for a fair compromise, one that will honor the investments made by
surrounding neighbors and developers alike and I just -- you know, we just feel as a
proposal with 7.95 dwelling units per acre bordering the maximum density allowed in
medium density residential does not reflect a reasonable compromise, nor does it
reduce strain on the school's traffic or neighborhood character. In conclusion, if -- if
part of this application is approved we respectfully request three conditions be added to
the development agreement on behalf of the 45 plus acres of neighbors immediately to
the north. Number one is, please, implement no parking zones on both sides of
Schwenkfelder Avenue and Woodhead Avenue. These are the few -- the two future
road stubs that connect to the north properties and we just feel that street parking on
these specific streets -- Waverton is already a public road. There is nothing we can do
to stop the parking there. But on these specific roads we feel like parking -- allowed
parking would propose a significant safety risk as they become the major connections to
the north. Number two is to help maintain privacy for homes to the north we request
that restriction on second story north facing windows. Homes can still be two story, but
by orienting egress windows to the east and west we can significantly reduce visual
intrusion into neighbors yards. This is a requirement that this council has required on
other similar subdivisions and we ask for the same. And, number three, we invite the
Council to require dark sky compliant lighting on north facing exteriors for the houses
along the north side. We feel like this would help reduce the light pollution and align
with the City of Meridian's UDC lighting code and help maintain the rural character of
the neighborhood. So, again, thank you so much for your time and consideration. I --
we really hope that we can arrive at a solution that respects both the city's vision for
growth, as well as the integrities of the neighborhoods we have invested in. Thank you.
Simison: Thank you. Council, any questions?
Taylor: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Councilman Taylor.
Taylor: So, Kyle, you probably captured -- or mentioned it, but I just want to make sure
I'm clear. The transition between your properties and this property you are saying the
R-8 is not quite right. Did I miss what you were suggesting what you would prefer to
see as that transition or were you talking about the entire property project as far as the
density? I -- maybe I'm just kind of missing a piece there.
Meridian City Council
April 8,2025
Page 16 of 32
Ensler: Yeah. Council Member Taylor, thank you for the question. So -- so, it's a very
narrow piece of land. It's very wide at 19.7 something acres, but it's a very narrow piece
of land. So, initially there was two rows of houses. One that ran along Waverton in their
first application and one that ran along the north border and separated between the
north border and our property was their own landscape strip. What the split zoning
allows is a third row of houses across the whole property. But in order to get that third
row both the split zoning is required and the elimination of that common area to the
north in order to fit that third row of houses and so when questions are being posed
about what is the transition, it's a -- it's an R-8 zoning, so it's a 12 foot rear setback. So,
the houses are going to be 12 foot from the property line and any kind of transition other
than the fence that was discussed is the transition that we created on our property of a
30 foot landscape border. That only goes about halfway down Brighton's property,
because to the -- adjacent to the north. The other 20 acres -- currently that's zoned
RUT and still in the county and does not have just boarding directly.
Taylor: A quick follow-up, Mayor?
Simison: Councilman Taylor.
Taylor: So, the common property on your property, if I remember hearing correctly, is it
currently the -- an access road driveway, so that will be turned into just like a common
green space? Will that be a road? Like walk me through what that's going to look like
when that's fully --
Ensler: Yeah. Thank you, Council Member Taylor. So, Mayor and Council Members,
that -- that currently is a private drive that there is a cross-access agreement, because
that is the main access from Pollard to all of the east properties, including mine and the
-- and the properties to the -- to the north and so this application -- Brighton's initially
was six years ago, so everybody was under the assumption that the stub ends would
happen sooner and I guess the history of that is probably irrelevant, but to answer your
question, currently it's a cross-access agreement. It would go away -- that private road
would go away in lieu of public road further to the north and that would turn into a 30
foot landscape buffer with a walking path that goes around the subdivision.
Simison: Council, additional questions? Thank you very much.
Ensler: Yeah.
Johnson: Mr. Mayor, next is Jake Jensen.
Simison: Good evening.
Jensen: Good evening, Mr. Mayor, Council Members. Jake Jensen. 5011 West
Caragana Street in the Fairbourne neighborhood. I come voicing as a concerned
parent as well with the increase in density. I would also remind -- and as has been
mentioned that this is the original plan of 74 homes; right? Remember that? And that --
Meridian City Council
April 8,2025
Page 17 of 32
to create this as a compromise to go from 77 to 154, it's still a big jump. It almost
seems like a -- let's shoot for the stars and if we land on the moon we are in a good
spot. I would -- I would just say, as Kyle mentioned, that we only asked for a
compromise to end up somewhere in that five units per acre -- seems more reasonable
to end up with that hundred homes and my concerns are similar to that of Leah's
concerns in that having four kids all in schools in this area, concerns for, you know, my
child who maybe struggles learning in scattered environments being in a class with 30
some kids and it's a difficult place for them to learn. We are not setting up our kids for
success in that kind of environment. The other thing is we -- we used to live in Texas
and Texas is very common for alleyways and they constantly have alleyways in all their
neighborhoods and to think that no one's going to park on the road it's just not true. You
go to those cities in Texas, they -- a lot of them park on the road. The garage is storage.
Maybe one car is in the garage, but everyone else is parking on the road and it can be a
safety concern for our kids. Concern for the strain on -- on the Fairbourne community.
Fairbourne has a hundred and -- let's see here. I have it down here -- 175 homes with
66 acres. This is 154 homes and 15 acres. Where are these kids or families -- where
are they going to end up? What common areas are they going to end up to? There is a
path walking straight over to the Fairbourne community. We are all very nice people,
nice neighbors, but what kind of strain is that going to unnecessarily put on our
community. Again, we would just ask for some kind of a compromise on this. Let our
voice be heard and come somewhere in the middle, rather than making this leap to 80
homes -- 80 homes above what was originally asked and I think that's all for me.
Simison: Thank you. Council, any questions?
Cavener: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Councilman Cavener.
Cavener: Mr. Jensen, thanks for your testimony. I, too, am a father of a little one who
learns differently from other kids and so can appreciate that. Mr. Jensen, does any of
your children attend Pleasant View Elementary?
Jensen: They do. Two of them attend there and one next year.
Cavener: You -- you may be able -- very qualified to help me answer this question. I
understand that Pleasant View has an enrollment cap for next year. Are you aware of
that?
Jensen: Yes.
Cavener: Does that cap, then, satisfy -- I think for me to a degree it addresses my
concern about limiting the number of students into that school, into that classroom for
that very reason that you -- you testified tonight. I understand because you are still here
testifying opposition based on that -- that doesn't satisfy it. I'm hoping you can give me
Meridian City Council
April 8,2025
Page 18 of 32
a picture from somebody who attends that school as to why you don't feel that that
decision to cap enrollment will -- will address the issue that you are concerned about.
Jensen: Sure. Wonderful question. You know, I think it comes back to just where they
are at currently and it's -- it's crowded, you know, and is the cap -- is it going to fix that?
Maybe it's going to fix the future growth, but it's already crowded. Where are those kids
going to go? Are you going to bus them down to Star? Where -- where are these kids
going to go that come into this community? So -- which could, in turn, cause -- you
know, where are they going to draw the line now? Are my kids now going to have to
drive past Pleasant View to go to a different school and get situated in a different area?
So, all of these things seem to cause, you know, re-boundaries and changes of lines in
order to get kids somewhere, which, again, you are taking a kid from their comfort zone
of their friends, their teachers they know, saying, sorry, we have growth, we have to
move you somewhere else.
Cavener: Okay. Thank you very much.
Jensen: Yeah.
Simison: Anyone else?
Johnson: Mr. Mayor, online we have David Hitz. Mr. Hitz, I'm allowing you to unmute.
Hitz: Can you hear me okay?
Simison: Yes.
Hitz: I am David Hitz. I live at 6669 North Elmstone Way in Meridian. 83646. 1 am in
Fairbourne and my backyard actually backs right up to Waverton. One of my primary
concerns is, in fact, the traffic that will inevitably come right behind my house. Just the
other day as I was coming home from work there was a car that was coming from that
area where they work to Black Cat and they were probably going 50 miles an hour right
behind my house. So, naturally, I honked and I slowed down and they stopped and they
stuck their hand out the window and they flipped me off, as if I was somehow in the
wrong for asking them to slow down in the street inside the neighborhood. This is
before a development is even there and if we look at the original proposal and we look
at the R-8 zoning, if we keep the R-8 zoning to me that still feels much more reasonable
in terms of a transition to go from Fairbourne to look at Alden Ridge and what they are
planning on developing and, then, the future growth and zoning of commercial and
whatever else is going to go over there and so right now with this split proposal the R-
15, that is going to increase the density dramatically, where now we have safety
concerns as far as the traffic goes. My kids play all around the neighborhood.
Fairbourne is a great community and we have our dues that pay for open space and for
parks and the pool and in crowded communities when they don't have a whole lot of
open space and things to do, they are going to go to the surrounding areas. That just
happens often and naturally. So, I have got some concerns there. Another concern that
Meridian City Council
April 8,2025
Page 19 of 32
1 have -- is a slide that was actually presented after all of the public commentary last --
at the last meeting that is trying to justify that this R-15 makes sense, because in other
areas there are spots within, you know, a couple of mile radius that are also R-15.
However, those R-15 areas are next to Wal-Mart. They are next to Costco. They are
next to Rock Harbor Church and each one of these has multiple egress points. It is a
natural transition in those areas and while I don't appreciate a tactic of holding that until
after all of the public can give their opinion, my bigger concern is the justification that is
trying to be implied there. Again, R-8 feels natural as a transition where it is right now to
account for -- for starter home areas for this transition of -- it's going to happen, but if we
allow this split with R-15 it's going to overcrowd everything, including the school
systems and I also am a dad with four kids. Two of those go to Pleasant View. One will
go in two years.
Simison: Mr. Jensen, just want to make sure you heard the timer. I don't know if you
can hear it online or not.
Jensen: No, I can't hear it
Simison: Okay. Yeah. Your time is concluded. If you have any final remark.
Jensen: Nope. Any questions?
Simison: Council, any questions? All right. Thank you very much. Okay. That is
everyone who signed up in advance. Is there anybody present who would like to come
forward and provide testimony on this item? If you are online you can use the raise
your hand feature. We have someone --
Johnson: Mr. Mayor, Karen Ernest and you should be able to unmute.
Simison: If you can state your name and address for the record and be recognized for
three minutes.
K.Ernest: Hello. My name is Karen Ernest and we own the property that's labeled
Ernest -- it's at 5650 Old School.
Johnson: Karen. Sorry, I interrupted you. You want to mute or turn the audio off on
what you are listening on. We are getting feedback here. And you can unmute yourself
and start over.
K.Ernest: Is this -- no.
Johnson: Still getting the feedback.
K.Ernest: I'm sorry, I don't know how to do this.
Simison: We are still getting the feedback.
Meridian City Council
April 8,2025
Page 20 of 32
Johnson: If-- if you -- if you are able to turn the volume down on your computer or mute
-- mute the volume there.
K.Ernest: I have turned it down. Does that help?
Simison: Yes.
K.Ernest: Okay. I live at 5654 Old School Lane and I am in agreement with the others
who have spoken regarding wanting lower density and also I want to emphasize the
three points that Mr. Ensler made regarding no parking on Schwenkfelder Lane and the
other entrance to the properties on the north. Also the lights and no two story windows
facing our properties. And just a couple of things. Once the new entrances are made to
the north properties the part of Old School Lane along our property will probably be
reclaimed into pasture, so there is not going to be any kind of walkway there that we are
planning anyway and so far we are still working with -- with the developer Mr. Wardle on
a fence. We haven't really settled on anything there. I appreciate being able to speak
and to support the people who have already spoken. Thank you.
Simison: Thank you. Council, any questions? Okay. Is there anybody else, either
online or in the audience, that would like to come forward and provide testimony on this
item? If not, I will ask the applicant to come forward to close.
Wardle: Mr. Mayor, for the record Jon Wardle with Brighton. I wanted to respond to a
couple of items. One of the first ones is actually related to zoning and transitions. Mr.
Hitz made this comment and the reason that we did present this was there were
comments made that this is uncanny, this is not happening in the city, these type of
transitions and so we did show this exhibit. Our property -- this area that's bounded in
red is the area that we are asking for R-15. The area in blue, those are all areas that
are zoned R-15 already and a lot of those cases it's back to back. Some cases across
the street. It is true that some of them are adjacent to large retail users or commercial
users. When, in fact, we actually have a large commercial use that is planned with the
medical office and future hospital on our C-G property and so we are transitioning. We
kept the R-8 against the neighbors to the north and did an R-15 to the south. I do want
to clarify that, yes, the -- the plan has changed from the original, the preliminary plat that
was approved and, then, there were some questions about the revision or the new plan
we submitted and based on that feedback we did modify it. One of the things that
comes up a lot is the lack of housing diversity. If it's all the same, it's all the same. But
can guarantee you that the same does not necessarily equate to diversity within our
community. Here is an opportunity for us to provide housing in our community, so our
kids generation can be here as well. Related to schools, it's interesting, because, you
know, you -- you get a recommendation or you get a letter from the school district. The
school district is doing two things and Council Member Cavener indicated a change that
they are making to Pleasant View with a cap, but they actually have already noticed
neighbors to the south of McMillan, that those homes and those residents will be going
to Hunter and so my neighborhood where I live in Quartet, which is South McMillan, we
have already received that notification that the elementary age kids -- those that are in
Meridian City Council
April 8,2025
Page 21 of 32
Pleasant View will get an opportunity to stay there, but those that are new are going to
transition down to Hunter. So, that's one way that the school district is already
addressing capacity. The second one is they have already funded a new elementary
school for Star. Now, Star is a little ways away, but there are people -- kids that are
coming into Pleasant View that could be moved to Star when that school is available.
That's in process now. The reality of what we have here is even if we turned dirt today
we are at least 12 months away from residents moving in and we are not turning dirt
today. There is still the next process of design of the phase and bringing it to you. So,
we are at least 18 months away from any residents and potential student population
coming in. The elementary school, the middle school, the high school, they are all
community resources. We believe in community resources. In fact, I don't want it to go
unmentioned, but the neighbors that live here and their kids go to Pleasant View. That
was based on a donation from Brighton when we did Bainbridge. We have been an
advocate in this community. If you look at schools across -- West Ada in the north. If
you go west to east you will find a trend that the schools on the east side are
transitioning less. Those on the west side have kind of this snake moment where there
is a large population, but it does move and I think the school district is trying to address
that. Related to traffic, Waverton, Black Cat and Levi Lane are all collector roads. They
are all designed for and carrying traffic out of these neighborhoods to the arterial
roadway system. Black Cat currently does have a signal on it. We paid for the signal at
Levi Lane. That money has been given to ACHD. ITD is in the loop. The signal won't
go there until they finish phase one of the 16/20-26 intersection, but it's already been
paid for, so there will be another signal there that will also improve the transportation
access out to 20-26. The roadway system is there and each of these projects
Fairbourne, Pollard, even Alden Ridge, all participate in the planning decisions for the
highway district and we have been able to help them create a transportation system that
works. One last item related to buffers. We -- I just want to clarify that there was never
a common lot that was required on our property when we brought our preliminary plat in
in 2019. There -- we had discussions regarding the transition between us and the
neighbors to the north. At the time that the neighbors to the north there were five
property owners. It was Messenger, Restucci, Hayes, Ernst, Painter and Schwenkfelder.
Since that happened Alden Ridge came in and Alden Ridge purchased Messenger,
Restucci and Hayes. I will note that although they do have a preliminary plat in place
it's not been final platted. I believe they have asked for a time extension for that to
occur. But there is no Alden Ridge Subdivision as it exists today. But they have a plan
in place as well and we designed our plan to match what their plan was. There was a
comment regarding the access points between us and the project -- the projects to the
north represented with these two roads. There is this road where Alden Ridge will get
their second access, which is required through Pollard North and, then, there is an
access point coming, which was called Schwenkfelder, but coming here, which
accesses for Schwenkfelder and Ernst -- Ernst and Painter. When those access points
are in, in particular the one that's for Ernst, Painter and Schwenkfelder, that roadway can
go away and they can create their common lot. But we don't have any issue -- we don't
see that there would be any need for parking along those roads. They are not directly --
they are adjacent to our project, but not in front of homes. They are on the side. So, we
don't see that as an issue. We don't agree, however, for the restriction on two story
Meridian City Council
April 8,2025
Page 22 of 32
homes. These are single family homes. Against single family homes -- I don't know
that there has been another case where lots are similar in size or greater in size and
there has been a restriction on two story heights. Also I don't think the city has -- has a
position or has taken any requirements on lighting. If we want to look at it globally on
dark skies, we can look at that, but lights and people's back porches and things like that
are different than streetlights and that restriction has not been applied for single family
against single family. We did have conversations with Mr. Ensler. He did come to our
office. And we did work on access points and we have been able to do some things that
allow his project to come forward in the future. One is we built a roadway system that
he can connect to. We have actually built a sewer lift station that he doesn't contribute
to, but we paid for that. We don't get reimbursed for that. We paid for a signal and we
continue to be good partners in the community by providing educational opportunities
that all the residents to the north have taken advantage of in a very positive way.
Fairbourne didn't pay for the school property. Alden Ridge hasn't paid for the school
property. But there is solutions in place. It's a short-term issue with a long-term solution
and the school district is behind that. So, with that said we just go back to the same --
our conclusion that we had before. We do request your approval for Pollard North. We
agree with the conditions that are before you. We have not -- there are no exceptions
or changes to the staff report and we request your approval for Pollard North, the
rezone to R-15, the preliminary plat for 157 lots and a new development agreement that
would lock in this plan on a go forward basis. And stand for any questions you might
have.
Simison: Thank you. Council, additional questions?
Taylor: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Councilman Taylor.
Taylor: I did have one question I forgot to ask earlier on your phasing, phase one,
phase two. Can you ballpark or to the best for your ability some dates on that in terms
of how long phase one might take? I understand market conditions can change some
of that, but can you give me a sense of timing to see this fully built out?
Wardle: Mr. Mayor, Council Member Taylor, that's a good question. The phasing on this
is the part on the east side, which is shown here in green, would be phase one. If
approved we will, then, begin our design of that. So, it would be probably two and a
half, three months of design, submit and we would start development work late this
summer with the goal to have it paved by this fall before snow flies and so if that's the
case, then, home construction would start at the end of this year. Home cycle is usually
six to seven months, maybe eight months, next year, then, we would start phase two. I
can't tell you exactly when that would be, but, you know, it's sequential and my guess it
would be the start of the spring of the next year. So, those lots would be available by
the end of 2026. So, end of 2026 the next group of homes could start under
construction.
Meridian City Council
April 8,2025
Page 23 of 32
Taylor: Mr. Mayor, quick follow up.
Simison: Councilman Taylor.
Taylor: So, when you are talking about phases, it sounds like you are talking more
about the roadway sidewalks being in as the phases, not necessarily that all the homes
will be built out in phase one before you start phase two.
Wardle: Mr. Mayor, Councilman Taylor, that's correct. It is -- it is a sequential process.
So, we would have all the development work done this fall and, then, home construction
starts. Let's just say you would start four homes a month and so that's the process.
You start four homes in about six, seven months after those first homes start, then, the
homes start to become occupied and then once we work through that we would start
development and by the time those homes were complete or constructed, then, we
would hope to be in a position to start phase two home construction.
Simison: Council, additional questions? Okay.
Wardle: Thank you.
Simison: Thank you.
Taylor: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Councilman Overton.
Taylor: Taylor.
Simison: Taylor.
Taylor: Thank you for the compliment. Question for staff maybe to clarify. Does -- does
R-15 allow multi-family development?
Allen: Mr. Mayor, Council, yes, it does. I believe it's a conditional use permit though.
They would have to amend their development agreement in order to do that, but, yes, it
is a possibility.
Taylor: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Councilman Taylor.
Taylor: Unless anyone has any other questions for anybody in the public, I would be
willing to make a motion to close the public hearing.
Cavener: Second.
Meridian City Council
April 8,2025
Page 24 of 32
Overton: Second.
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: FIVE AYES. ONE ABSENT.
Taylor: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Councilman Taylor.
Taylor: Just to kind of start off with some thoughts. I'm kind of curious to hear the rest
of the decision -- or discussion among my colleagues before I -- I think decide what I
think is the right decision here. This is an interesting project, obviously, having it a
couple of times -- have some time to think about it, review the public testimony, various
times from both the Council and P&Z. I keep thinking back a little bit, my mind goes to
kind of a real estate clause force majeure where there is clauses in real estate contracts
when there is a -- something outside of normal conditions that would force you to be
released of your obligations in a contract, things like earthquakes or natural disasters or
in this case it seems like a pandemic -- not that there was necessarily a contract, but as
I contemplate some of the discussion about the decision before us is not to look at
what's -- the proposal that was rejected, but the proposal that has been approved, which
included a pretty significant development in regards to assisted living facilities and when
you look at that -- that's -- that's a -- very much a business proposition to not just
develop, own, operate or if you were to sell that to someone to own and operate that,
that's a significant change. So, I can certainly understand as this was maybe
contemplated before COVID and now after COVID, this is a very very different world
that we live in and we are still trying to come to grips with how that may affect how
businesses operate and -- and even how our community is developing. So, to me it's
very reasonable to -- for the applicant to come back and say, yes, our original plan just
doesn't work anymore and so I think there -- we, as a Council, should consider heavily
if we are to reject the current -- the application tonight we are telling a private business,
no, this is the business you are going to be in. You are going to be -- you need to do
that. The odds are they probably just would leave the ground -- the ground would just
sit there and they probably wouldn't develop it, because there is probably not a business
case, at least that's what I heard in the testimony was it just doesn't really work for them
to be in that line of business and so a lot of my -- my thinking is, well, what do you do
with this property if it's approved for assisted living facilities, yet the applicant doesn't
really want to engage in that -- in a business. So, I -- I think about that a lot and I think,
well, then, what would you do, what's a reasonable thing to do. One thing I have
learned in my short time on Council is that transitions are -- are pretty hard between
different development types and I -- as I look at the Comprehensive Plan that was put
together and we really really stressed what are really good transitions and that's a
conversation we have had over and over and sometimes it's multi-family to single family
to commercial and those transitions are hard. So, this is not a unique conversation we
Meridian City Council
April 8,2025
Page 25 of 32
are having in terms of transitions between neighborhoods. This is not really an in-fill
project, but it kind of feels like it. It kind of -- you are sort of sticking this little project in
between different things, so it kind of has an in-fill feeling to it, which, again, also makes
it hard, because here you are right on -- what's going to be a -- there is going to be a lot
of activity around this part of the valley with the transportation network that will be in
place and what sounds like will be probably proposed. We have heard the discussion
about what's been proposed there for years. So, it's hard to kind of think what you
would do. So, I think it's maybe a little awkward to get to what is maybe the best
decision we can get to, because it's not going to be ideal for all the applicants and all
the people and the property owners there. We need to figure out what would make
some sense. With respect to schools, this is a hard one, too. I mean I'm certainly
sympathetic. I have children in elementary, middle school, high school as well. When I
look at Pleasant View this is what I look at, current enrollment as of today, as reflected
in the West Ada School District website, in Pleasant View fifth grade there is 2,910
students. In first grade there is 2,436. So, there is 500 fewer kids enrolled in first grade
than fifth grade. That trend is actually pretty consistent across West Ada where first,
second, third grade enrollment numbers are less than fourth, fifth and sixth and even
when you extend that into middle school that's -- the trend continues, which means we
have fewer younger kids enrolling in West Ada. So, while we are certainly going to be
bringing some new families in and some new kids, 500 fewer kids in first grade than fifth
grade is a trend that we are seeing across West Ada. I predict in five to eight years
from now West Ada is going to be closing some schools is probably where it seems like
we are headed. So, I was unaware of the cap. I think -- or the kind of rerouting some of
the kids. We have to leave it up to West Ada to help us navigate this. I don't -- this is a
tough one, because that -- that part of the valley seems like it's not going to slow down
either. So, we are -- we are probably going to need to figure out what to do with some
more properties there. Those are just some of my thoughts. I'm still just kind of -- want
to hear what the rest of my colleagues are thinking. But those are just some of my
thoughts as I'm kind of contemplating what's -- what we want to do here.
Overton: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Councilman Overton.
Overton: You know, you can't help but look at an application like this and draw upon
hundreds of other ones we have looked at and in doing so there is -- there is certain
rules to what's -- what's easily not acceptable. If this was a multi-family sandwiched
next to residential, I would have a real easy time saying absolutely not for multi-family or
high density apartments. If this was a development that was being built that was going
to be pushing high levels of traffic out on residential streets, it would be easy for me to
say absolutely not. But the way this is designed, staying all single family is pushing
traffic onto approved collector streets that are going out to not just signals, but high
volume arterial streets, what's about to become one of the newest high volume
roadways through our valley, if there was a place to have this type of development it
would be this close to that new interchange that's about to go in. I think you are going
to see a lot of developments with higher levels in and around this interchange as this
Meridian City Council
April 8,2025
Page 26 of 32
develops now, as that becomes closer to fruition. We have talked about schools and we
-- it seems like we are always talking about schools. You don't see the West Ada
School District standing in our chambers telling us we can't do these developments and
the reason for that is the same reason you don't see ACHD, the highway district doesn't
tell us you can't build. They are both, by the very nature of how the business is done of
growth, their reaction to our decisions. ACHD builds roadways and improves roadways
and builds signals based on where the growth goes that's approved by the cities as we
go. The school district makes changes to boundaries. They have been doing it for 25,
30 years as to growth of Meridian from a small town to what it is today has changed as
we have grown. It's going to continue. The fact that we are seeing numbers dropping in
the schools now is a first. It's always been it's growing, it's growing, it's growing and we
started hearing the rumors that the numbers were starting to fall over a year ago and,
you know, when we first hear that I'm kind of, okay, let's wait and see. You know, I want
to -- I want to see a little more proof, but it's continued to be that way. We are
continuing to see numbers fall. But the problem is they don't fall everywhere at the
same time. They fall in different areas. At one time Mountain View High School and
Rocky Mountain High School were the two big high schools and you couldn't get a
student into it sideways, but Meridian High School had all the room in the world and
they had to move things around and change where people went to school to balance
out that load and that's what West Ada does very very well and Ada County Highway
District, another one of our great partners, does a fantastic job in figuring out as our city
grows where are our priorities and where do we need our money for roadways next?
Those are the realities that we deal with when we sit up here. I wish every project could
come up here with everybody supporting it, but that doesn't happen all the time and
commend every one of you for either being online or being here present and speaking
about your concerns and why you do or do not -- or absolutely do not want to see this
development going the way it is. But I have to tell you I see it a little different. I see it as
a good transition between the medical center and the R-8 that will go in behind it to the
north. I think it's a tough piece of property to develop and we see this every once in a
while, you have got a -- just a 19 acre thin rectangle that's being developed. You have
only got a few solutions to how you could do it and I think they have come up with a
pretty good plan for how it's going to move forward. It's unfortunate that the original
plan didn't get built, but this won't be the first or even the second that I have heard since
the pandemic hit that they have changed their minds on what they were looking at
building and I don't think it will be the last one. I do appreciate very much in the
proposal the fact that the way this is developed and the way the land around it is done
that we will be putting all of this traffic straight out to collector streets. I don't think it's
going to be the traffic problem that we think, because it's going to divert all of it out away
from the residential streets around it. So, unless we need to make a recommendation
that we absolutely prohibit any multi-family or apartments in this project, I would be
supportive of it as written tonight.
Whitlock: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Councilman Whitlock.
Meridian City Council
April 8,2025
Page 27 of 32
Whitlock: I appreciated our council president confessing that he was sharing the
conversation that was going on in his head, because I'm having the same conversation.
I think our community needs this type of housing. I think there is a high demand for it
and in great need. So, I like this project from that standpoint of making those types of
homes available. I'm still a little bit troubled with the concept that there might be traffic --
or parking on both sides of Flat Rock. Those homes to the north, the conventional
homes potentially could have cars there. Those homes to the south, if -- if they have
visitors they are going to park there as well and, you know, I just -- I worry about fire
access. I worry about just having too much -- too much parking on Flat Rock. So, that
-- that still is a concern and a conversation going on in my mind. I love the fact Brighton
has made investments. They have put the money in the bank for a light at Levi and
Chinden that's absolutely necessary. I represent this area and I can tell you that I get a
lot of comments about the traffic at Black Cat and Chinden as well. So, from a traffic
standpoint something needs to happen at both Levi and even at Black Cat with the
signal that's already there. So, that compensation in my mind, too. Thank you for
getting that money to ACHD and -- and once we get Highway 16 completed that
interchange all set, I look forward to having that light and in that safety aspect at Levi as
well. So, those are just some of the things that I'm -- I agree this is a difficult difficult
piece of property to try to develop and make it work Then, conversely, I also say this is
kind of the end of the road. There is nothing to the west that will feed into Waverton.
This is what it will be. So, I think the neighbors in Fairbourne have a legitimate concern
about an increase in traffic, but, again, it will be limited, because there won't be much
future development. This is the end of the road for that particular part of our community.
So, I just wanted to share some of the things that I'm struggling with. I don't know
where I will be on the vote. I appreciate the work that's gone into this and I appreciate
the testimony from the neighbors and the concerns. I'm still struggling if this is the right
project at the right place.
Cavener: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Councilman Cavener.
Cavener: I certainly came in to tonight's Council meeting with a similar point of view as
Council Member Whitlock and, you know, when we are up here trying to gage what our
infrastructure needs versus inconvenience management and mitigation and when I think
of infrastructure certainly it goes to police, fire, clean water, the other two big pieces of
infrastructure that I think a lot of us focus on so much is our schools and our roads. I
don't share the traffic concerns that were -- that were shared this evening. I appreciate
that on the ground perspective. We are a community that promotes interconnectivity
and that means that sometimes your neighbors are going to be walking through your
neighborhood or driving their car through your neighborhood and I think our planning
department does a good job of flagging make sure there are mitigations in there. But
for me and my big concern was the schools and I think this year I think Pleasant View
was the most over leveraged elementary, meaning there is more students than space
than any other elementary and that's a really big deal to me and it would be a critical
issue if this was building tomorrow. But credit West Ada, their efforts to move students
Meridian City Council
April 8,2025
Page 28 of 32
to the new Star elementary and I was not aware they were capping elementary
enrollment. I applaud them and I think it's a win for the neighbors that have sent their
kids to schools that you know, A, our kids are going to have reasonable class sizes. I
have lived here my whole life and I went to three different elementary schools without
ever moving where I would have 32, 33, 34 kids in my classroom. I don't want kids to
have to ride a bus to go to an elementary school, but even less I don't want 30 plus kids
in a classroom. So, that was for me the biggest infrastructure piece that I wasn't sure
that I could get over. But based on looking at the trends for the district, the immediate
efforts they are putting in place for next fall, I feel that this will be leveled off long before
this development, if it's approved tonight, would move forward. So, I showed up this
evening in opposition. There are infrastructure needs that are necessary for our
community as a whole are being met and to Council Member Whitlock's point, this is
some necessary housing in an area that makes a lot of sense. So, it's likely I will be in
favor of this request this evening.
Little Roberts: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Council Woman Little Roberts.
Little Roberts: Mr. Mayor, my colleagues have covered pretty much everything that we
have gone over most of my main concerns as well, especially with schools and traffic
and I think this area is set, especially with the collectors, to take care of the traffic and I
agree with council -- with our president that I was kind of leaning toward -- not with the
schools, because that's a critical point. But I didn't realize there was capping until
tonight either. But I do appreciate the transition with R-8 onto the northern and the
eastern boundaries and I think that it has felt like an in-fill project. I have kind of tried to
figure out why this project has felt so different and it's just an odd shape and kind of
feels like an in-fill and I think given the circumstances I still have some concerns, but I
believe I will be supporting this.
Simison: So, Council, just, you know, a few comments for -- schools are weird. They
really are. I mean -- and I say that, you know, we look at -- we do look at them as
infrastructure, but there are a point in time in infrastructure in so many -- in such a way.
you know, I disagree with Councilman Taylor that there is going to be any schools in
West Ada that are going to be closing in the next seven to eight years. I could be
wrong, but, you know, if anything maybe the schools get right size back to when they
were originally designed for the classrooms, the portables can go away that many of our
schools have at them. So, you know, I think -- I think these schools are going to be here
for a long time, but, you know, it is true we do get distribution issues with schools.
When I moved into -- and it wasn't completely, but when I moved in and bought my
house in Tuscany at that point in time it was a Brighton neighborhood, they didn't -- they
weren't the original designers or developers, but they finished the last part of it and my
kids went to the school that was the most overcrowded in West Ada for quite a few
years. I was -- I also went and walked there this week -- or end of last week, last Friday,
and now they are 350 kids lower than what they are able to accommodate at that
school, while Hillsdale still remains over capacity and -- and so I -- it's just an interesting
Meridian City Council
April 8,2025
Page 29 of 32
dialog. Because sometimes the West Ada will want to move families and sometimes
they won't, because a lot of times the families would rather be at an overcrowded school
than to change schools, because they like the teachers, they like the atmosphere. It's --
so, they are in a weird place to try to make this work for their infrastructure in a way that
make sense for communities who feel the pinch of schools as they come online and go
through that process. So, Hillsdale is not their right neighborhood. Part of it it is great
places that people want to live in that really, unfortunately, contributes to, you know,
families want to move into these areas and it hits the schools and they -- they are
impacted, but they also have been a great proponent of it. So, I -- it's not a great issue
to try to address for the school district one way or the other or for others, but it is a point
in time problem and, really, when we develop communities we do have point-in-time
issues, but you are building for the next 50, 100 years about what makes sense beyond
that three, five, ten years, but you can't eliminate the impacts. Sometimes it's road
impacts that aren't going to be built in time that are going say maybe why you should or
shouldn't and sometimes it's schools in this context. We do have at least a little clarity
about where the school district is right now and I will -- I will give credit to Miranda. I
think Miranda, who used to work here and understood the frustration that Council would
have when dealing with issues, is really trying to get West Ada to be more proactive, not
only just in the information, but as they try to address these issues to alleviate some of
these challenges that she heard here, but she's got a board, she's got people above her
that she's also got to work with to help figure that out. So, really, I just want to like
partially go on the record say in case West Ada or the media is here, I don't think that
we are going to be talking about seeing schools close in our community, but maybe we
are going to get them right size moving forward, because the one thing I think that was
mentioned by a couple of different industries -- and I know West Ada is seeing more, but
we are seeing more kids in our schools that have greater needs, which means you need
to have smaller classrooms in order to accommodate those needs, because a lot of --
that's just the reality of what's being put more and more into our schools as more kids
have more needs and so less space is better, but at the same time building more
schools is not always the best option. Even if you build them doesn't mean they are
going to reallocate everything in the way that's supposed -- even for everybody across
the district, which is not what they have done. They have not gone through to say, well,
we are going to reallocate everyone across the district to spread them out appropriately
to every school in the system, which would probably even solve the issue better for
everybody, but that's not the approach they have taken and so we have to live within
those confines. So, thank you for allowing me get on a soapbox just for a second
before you all make your motion.
Taylor: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Councilman Taylor.
Taylor: It's a debate a second time. To share some additional comments that I wanted
to make, too. I think you are right about right sizing the schools. I think -- I think we are
going to get there. Just looking at -- again, I like the data. West Ada fifth grade
enrollment throughout the whole school district 2,910. First graders 2,250. That's an
Meridian City Council
April 8,2025
Page 30 of 32
entire elementary school fewer kids in first grade than fifth grade. I think it's just telling
us where we are going and to your point, you know, areas blossom with growth and we
struggle with navigating that, but a little bit later it's no longer the challenge we have.
So, I do think you are probably right in that I think, hopefully, what we have is just
schools that are appropriately sized and staffed and resourced for the needs that are
there. The other comment I wanted to make as I was kind of looking at some of my
notes I had down here, I think it's been a long, drawn-out process with multiple public
hearings and we appreciate the neighbors who spend a lot of time away from kids and
family to do that. That's annoying. I get it. It's challenging. But I would make the
comment I think it made the project better. The feedback. It's not where you wanted it
to be, but I think it's -- it moved in a better direction from where it was originally. So, I
think I will be supporting this tonight.
Cavener: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Councilman Cavener.
Cavener: Not see a sprint for anyone to run to the microphone, so I -- I'm happy to
make a motion. After reviewing all staff, applicant and public testimony, I move that we
are going to approve Item No. 3, Pollard North Subdivision, H-2024-0037 as presented
in the staff report this evening.
Overton: Second.
Simison: Have a motion and a second to approve Item 3. Is there discussion on the
motion? If not, clerk call the roll.
Roll Call: Cavener, yea; Strader, absent; Overton, yea; Little Roberts, yea; Taylor, yea;
Whitlock, yea.
Simison: All ayes. The motion is agreed to. That's it. Sorry. I didn't do my normal
thing. But all ayes. Motion carries. So, thank you.
MOTION CARRIED: FIVE AYES. ONE ABSENT.
PROCLAMATIONS [Action Item]
1. Education and Sharing Day Proclamation
Simison: So, with that we will go back to Item No. 1, Rabbi Lifshitz. If you want to join
me at the podium and appreciate you sticking around for this this evening. Council, it's
an honor be here to do a proclamation with one of our good community partners. So,
will go ahead and read the proclamation and turn it over to Rabbi Lifshitz for some
comments. Whereas in order to achieve its highest goals education must not only
impart knowledge, but also teach students some ways to help form and strengthen their
moral and ethical character thus making a better life for themselves as individuals and
Meridian City Council
April 8,2025
Page 31 of 32
for society as a whole and whereas focusing on the essence of education can nurture
unity of people through encouragement of increased acts of goodness and kindness,
imbued with the awareness that even a single positive act in an individual can change
the world and usher in an era of global peace and whereas a global spiritual -- spiritual
leader, Rabbi -- I hadn't practiced this before -- Menachem Mendel Schneerson,
righteous memory, stress that a moral and ethical education empowers every individual
to develop their full potential and making the world a better place and whereas April 19
-- April 9, 2025, will mark 123 years since their previous birth and this year marks the
seventh anniversary of his leadership of the Chabad Lubavitch -- Lubavitch movement
and whereas Education Sharing Day is now observed across the nation each year on
the Rabbi's birthday in recognition of his outstanding and lasting contributions toward
the improvements of education, morality and acts of charity around the world.
Therefore, 1, Mayor Robert E. Simison, proclaim April 9, 2024 -- 2025 as Education
Sharing Day in the City of Meridian and urge all citizens to work together to create a
better, brighter and more promising future of all, dated this 8th day of April 2025. Rabbi,
thank you for being here and turn the mic over to you. Thank you.
COMMUNITY INVOCATION
Lifshitz: Yes. Thank you. Anybody give an invocation? Should we do it now? Okay.
Let's do that. All right. Thank you. You know, I guess -- I just realized that thanks to the
delay, you know, we are arriving at sunset and, you know, in Jewish calendar the day
starts at night and our Sabbath begins on Friday night. So, the rabbi's birthday is
beginning right now, so it's most appropriate. Okay. Well, join me, please, for a
moment of prayer as we thank the City of Meridian for this proclamation. Almighty God,
as the trees around us blossom and the flowers bloom, we are reminded of your
abundant kindness as the Festival of Passover approaches at the end of this week. We
are reminded of your compassion. You transform winter into spring and slaves into free
people. As tonight marks the birthday of the Lubavitch, Rabbi Menachem, the leader of
our organization Chabad Lubavitch of Idaho, we are reminded that we human beings
are created in your image and that we are called upon to partner with your mission of
creating a perfect world for all. Following the Rabbi's example we commit ourselves to
humbly assist others in bringing peace and sanctity to this world to ensuring that our
society is governed by your moral calling. Today we stand in Meridian City Council, a
body that ultimately shares the mission of perfecting our city and society and we ask
your assistance and guidance for its members and the citizens of this great city. We
have chosen and entrusted leaders with making good laws to secure the blessings of
liberty to ourselves and our posterity. Almighty God, grant them some of your wisdom
and insight and your holistic approach that makes the opposing forces of nature work in
harmony. Allow them to see the fruits of their labor and may the City of Meridian
continue to bloom as you see fit. Let them serve the people faithfully, debate the issues
of the day earnestly and civilly and keep their eyes on their common goal of promoting
the general welfare of the city. Let them be ruled by mutual respect, collegiality and
cooperation and let us all have peace. Amen.
FUTURE MEETING TOPICS
Meridian City Council
April 8,2025
Page 32 of 32
Simison: Council, any future meeting topics?
Cavener: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Councilman Cavener.
Cavener: Move we adjourn the meeting.
Simison: Motion to adjourn. All in favor signify by saying aye -- oh, second?
Little Roberts: Second.
Simison: Motion and second. All in favor signify by aye. Opposed nay? The ayes
have it. We are adjourned.
MOTION CARRIED: FIVE AYES. ONE ABSENT.
MEETING ADJOURNED AT 7:50 P.M.
(AUDIO RECORDING ON FILE OF THESE PROCEEDINGS)
Luke Cavener, Council President 4-22-2025
ATTEST:
CHRIS JOHNSON - CITY CLERK