HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-06-05 Meridian Planning and Zoning Meeting June 5, 2025.
Meeting of the Meridian Planning and Zoning Commission of June 5, 2025, was called
to order at 6:00 p.m. by Chairman Maria Lorcher.
Members Present: Commissioner Maria Lorcher, Commissioner Jared Smith,
Commissioner Jessica Perreault and Commissioner Matthew Stoll,
Members Absent: Commissioner Brian Garrett, Commissioner Sam Rust and
Commissioner Matthew Sandoval
Others Present: Chris Johnson, Bill Parsons, Sonya Allen, Linda Ritter, Nick Napoli,
ROLL-CALL ATTENDANCE
Brian Garrett X Jessica Perreault
Matthew Sandoval X Matthew Stoll
Sam Rust X Jared Smith
X Maria Lorcher - Chairman
Lorcher: Okay. Good evening. Welcome to the Planning and Zoning Commission
meeting for June 5th, 2025. At this time I would like to call the meeting to order. The
Commissioners are -- who are present this evening are at City Hall. We have one -- a
Commissioner who may join us in person or on Zoom and we will acknowledge that
when that happens. We also have staff from the city attorneys and the city clerk's
office, as well as the city's planning department. If you are joining us on Zoom this
evening we can see that you are here. You may observe the meeting, however, your
ability to be on screen and talk will be muted. During the public testimony of the
meeting you will be unmuted and, then, be able to comment. Please note that we
cannot take questions until the public testimony portion of the meeting. If you have a
process question during the meeting, please, e-mail cityclerk@meridiancity.org and they
will reply as quickly as possible. If you simply want to watch the meeting we encourage
you to watch the streaming on the city's YouTube channel. You can access it at
meridiancity.org/live. With that let us begin with roll call.
ADOPTION OF AGENDA
Lorcher: The first item on the agenda is the adoption of the agenda. There are no
changes to tonight's agenda, although -- and we have nine items tonight. So, if we run
long we may not open new items after 10:00 p.m., but we will see how we go. Please
note that Item No. 2, Jackson Food Stores at Ten Mile and Overland, has withdrawn
their application and No. 3, Idaho Power McDermott Substation, has requested a
continuance. So, if there is anyone here tonight to testify -- testify on these two
applications we will not be taking public testimony for this evening. Could I get a motion
to adopt tonight's agenda?
Meridian Planning&Zoning Commission
June 5,2025
Page 2 of 55
Smith: So moved.
Perreault: Second.
Lorcher: It's been moved and seconded to adopt tonight's agenda. All those in favor
say aye. Any opposed? Motion carries.
MOTION CARRIED: FOUR AYES. THREE ABSENT.
CONSENT AGENDA [Action Item]
1. Approve Minutes of the May 15, 2025 Planning and Zoning
Commission Meeting
Lorcher: The next item on the agenda is the Consent Agenda, which include to approve
the minutes of the May 15th Planning and Zoning meeting. Could I get a motion to
accept the Consent Agenda as presented?
Smith: So moved.
Perreault: Second.
Lorcher: It's been moved and seconded to approve the Consent Agenda. All those in
favor say aye. Any opposed? Motion carries.
MOTION CARRIED: FOUR AYES. THREE ABSENT.
ITEMS MOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA [Action Item]
Lorcher: At this time I would like to briefly explain the public hearing process. We will
open each item individually and begin with the staff report. Staff will report their findings
on how the item adheres to our Comprehensive Plan and our Unified Development
Code. After staff has made their presentation the applicant will come forward to present
their case and respond to staff's comments. They will have 15 minutes to do so. After
the applicant has finished we will open the floor to public testimony. Each person will be
called only once during public testimony. The clerk will call names individually of those
who have signed up on her website in advance to testify. You may come to the
microphones in Chambers or you may be unmuted on Zoom. Please state your name
and address for the record and you will have three minutes to address the Commission.
If you have previously sent pictures or a presentation for the meeting it will be displayed
on screen and our clerk will help you run the presentation. If you have established that
you are speaking on the behalf of a larger group, like an HOA, where others from that
group will allow you to speak on their behalf, you will have up to ten minutes. After all
those who have signed up in advance have spoken we will invite others who wish --
who may wish to testify. If you wish to speak on a topic you may come forward in
Chambers or if on Zoom press the raise hand button or if you are listening on a
F
Meridian Planning&Zoning Commission
June 5,2025
Page 3 of 55
telephone press star nine and wait for your name to be called. If you are listening on
multiple devices, such as a computer and a phone, please be sure to mute those extra
devices so that we don't experience feedback. When you are finished if the
Commission does not have any questions for you you will return to your seat in
Chambers and be muted on Zoom and no longer have the ability to speak and please
remember we will not call on you a second time. After all testimony has been heard the
applicant will be given another ten minutes to come back and respond. When the
applicant has finished responding to the questions and concerns we will close the public
hearing and the Commissioners will have an opportunity to discuss and hopefully be
able to make final decisions or recommendations to City Council as needed.
ACTION ITEMS
3. Public Hearing for Idaho Power McDermott Substation (H-2025-0008)
by KM Engineering, LLP., located at SW corner of McMillan Rd and
Owyhee Storm Ave.
A. Request: Annexation of 2.69 acres of land from RUT in Ada County
to the R-15 zoning district.
B. Request: Conditional Use Permit to allow the development of an
Idaho Power Substation.
Lorcher: So, with that in mind tonight I would like to open the public hearing for Item
No. 3, Idaho Power McDermott Substation, who has request a continuance. Mr. Clerk,
do we have a suggested date for a continuance for McDermott Substation?
Johnson: Madam Chair, I believe they were looking at June 26th but Stephanie
Hopkins is on Zoom and able to speak.
Hopkins: Good evening, Madam Chair. Can you hear me?
Lorcher: Hi. Stephanie. Does June 26th work for you?
Hopkins: Yes, it does.
Lorcher: All right. Can I get a motion to -- for a continuance, please?
Smith: Madam Chair?
Lorcher: Commissioner Smith.
Smith: I move to continue File No. H-2025-0008 to the date of June 26th.
Perreault: Second.
Meridian Planning&Zoning Commission
June 5,2025
Page 4 of 55
Lorcher: It's been moved and seconded to move Idaho Power McDermott Substation to
June 26th. All those in favor say aye. Any opposed? Motion carries.
MOTION CARRIED: FOUR AYES. THREE ABSENT.
4. Public Hearing for PAW Subdivision (H-2024-0073) by Kent Brown,
Kent Brown Planning Services, located at 1680 W. Ustick Rd.
A. Request: Preliminary Plat consisting of 33 residential lots, 2 lots for
2 vertically integrated buildings containing 12 residential units (6
units per building), one commercial lot and ten (10) common lots on
approximately 4.77 acres of land in the C-C and R-40 zoning
districts.
B. Request: Conditional Use Permit to allow townhouses in the R-40
zoning district and a drive-through on the commercial lot.
Lorcher: The next item on the agenda is the PAW -- P-A-W -- Subdivision, Item No.
2024-0073, for a preliminary plat and a conditional use permit for a subdivision at 1680
West Ustick Road. With that we will begin with the staff report.
Ritter: Good evening, Commissioners. So, tonight we are here for a preliminary plat
and conditional use permit. This site consists of 4.77 acres of land. It's Zone C-C and
R-40 and it's located at 680 West Ustick Road. So, in 2022 a proposal to rezone 3.42
acres of the subject property to C-C -- from C-C to R-40 and the preliminary plat for 33
townhouse lots, two lots for vertically integrated buildings with six residential units each.
One commercial lot and ten common lots, along with a conditional use permit for the
townhomes in the R-40 zoning district. So, this proposal was approved by the City
Council. It was recommended approval by P&Z and recommended for approval by City
Council. However, the preliminary plat expired prior to receiving the city engineer's
signature, along with the conditional use permit that was part of the application. So, the
applicant is back requesting the same items, the preliminary plat and the conditional use
permit. There is 49 lots. It's the same lots that were previously approved and three
private streets, so -- because townhomes are a -- are allowed by a conditional use
permit in the R-40 zoning -- so although -- so, this is their landscape plan. So, this is
their concept plan. So, although it has not been determined what type of future use will
occur on the commercial lot, the concept plan suggests that there is going to be a drive-
through establishment. If a drive-through is proposed in the future it will require the
approval of a conditional use permit once the users have been identified. So, this is
their concept plan. This lot, Building H and G, are for your vertically integrated. That's a
mixture of commercial and residential. These lots are for the townhomes and this is the
commercial lot and as you can see the drive-through proposal for this. The building
elevations were submitted with this application. The elevations show townhomes
comprised of materials consisting of rock, cement board, the Hardie board, lap siding,
pitched roofs, exposed timber frames and trellis features with stone bases. Windows
are included on many of the garage doors. The elevation demonstrates significant
Meridian Planning&Zoning Commission
June 5,2025
Page 5 of 55
fenestration and modulation, as well as a variety of roof lines. Most buildings also
include a first floor covered porch or second story decks. So, staff finds that the
elevations as proposed demonstrate high quality design, but the elevations for the
vertically integrated buildings don't quite meet. They reflect the time -- a townhome
design, rather than a commercial building and so at the time of design review they will
need to meet the commercial architectural design standards and so staff is
recommending approval of this application with the conditions that are outlined in our
staff report. We did not receive any written testimony on this and so at this time I stand
for any questions you might have on this application. But the applicant is here and has
a presentation.
Lorcher: Okay. Thank you. Would the applicant like to come forward?
Amar: Chairperson, Commissioners, Jeremy Amar. 1580 West Cayuse Creek Drive in
Meridian. And it looks like we have the presentation up. So, thank you, Linda. As -- as
staff explained we are back again. We had this approved in 2022 at the -- well, at the
end of last year I went to apply for my extension and learned -- or relearned that it's tied
to the preliminary plat dates, not the final plat date. So, staff was helpful to us to start
over, but we are coming back with the same project. We have a development
agreement that is in place. Construction plans that are currently approved and just this
year we have -- we have gone back with the engineer and -- and Public Works to the
engineering department to make sure that approval is current. So, we are looking for --
at a townhome project with two vertically integrated units that will front Ustick and
Linder. It's mostly an in-fill project. There is still some farmland next to us as well that
we would love to someday do something with, but we are filling in next to the Windsong
Commission -- Windsong Community to the west. PAW is Pavilion At Windsong.
However, with the county's plat naming requirements we couldn't use pavilion, so we
named the plat PAW. But the project is Pavilion At Windsong. So, we don't -- it won't
be PAW Subdivision anywhere but the plat and all the official approvals and whatnot.
It's surrounded by -- like I said, it's in-fill surrounded by other neighborhoods near
Sawtooth Middle School. Hunter Elementary School is the closest. Rocky Mountain
High School. The staff showed some elevations. One of the items that we worked with
when we previously worked with -- on staff, Crosswinds Street. I guess we can see
here that's highlighted. There is a bit of concern that it's one long street out into -- right
onto Linder and so we have done a bulb out and worked with ACHD at the time to get
that approved and so there will be some traffic calming at that location, as well as a
three-way stop at the intersection. The only elevation change that I have -- I -- I brought
this for the vertically integrated units as we -- we talked with staff. The lower floor of
them we changed our preliminary design to have more of that commercial look. So,
more storefront doors, storefront glass. So, that it -- it really can have a commercial
look and we will work with staff as we go through design review process and -- and CZC
on it to make sure it does meet all of the commercial requirements. With that I stand for
any questions.
Lorcher: Commissioners, do we have any questions for the applicant at this time?
Okay. Thank you very much.
Flo
Meridian Planning&Zoning Commission
June 5,2025
Page 6 of 55
Amar: Thank you.
Lorcher: Mr. Clerk, do we have anybody signed up for this application?
Johnson: Madam Chair, we have names here, but only one person indicated they
wanted to speak. Mark Graham. Different project? Okay.
Lorcher: All right. Anybody else in Chambers want to speak on this project? On PAW?
Jeremy, did you have anything else that you wanted to add? Okay. Then I will take a
motion to close the public hearing.
Smith: So moved.
Stoll: Second.
Lorcher: It's been moved and seconded to close the public hearing for the PAW
Subdivision. All those in favor say aye. And any opposed? Motion carries.
MOTION CARRIED: FOUR AYES. THREE ABSENT.
Lorcher: With this one we actually already did all the work and we had approved it
before. I think all of the -- the concerns from the neighborhood previous to this were
addressed and I like the idea that they are still going to work with city planners on the
commercial design standards. So, you know, considering it is a busy corner, if this
design stays the way in real world you have got a fair amount of buffering green space
there, too. So, that works for me. Any other comments from Commissioners?
Smith: Madam Chair?
Lorcher: Commissioner Smith.
Smith: After considering all staff, applicant and public testimony, I would like to move to
approve File No. H-2024-0073 as presented in the staff report.
Perreault: Second.
Lorcher: It's been moved and seconded to approve the PAW Subdivision. All those in
favor say aye. Any opposed? Motion carries. Thank you very much.
MOTION CARRIED: FOUR AYES. THREE ABSENT.
5. Public Hearing for Elite Fitness (H-2025-0021) by Chelsi Spencer,
located at 2640 E. State Ave.
F-11
Meridian Planning&Zoning Commission
June 5,2025
Page 7 of 55
A. Request: Conditional Use Permit for Suite 120 to include a 3,973
Sq. Ft. indoor recreation facility (Personal Training Gym) on 1.325
acres of land in the I-L zoning district.
Lorcher: Next on the agenda is Item No. H-2025-0021, Elite Fitness, and we will begin
with the staff report.
Napoli: Good evening, Madam Chair and Members of the Commission. The next item
on the agenda is the conditional use permit for Elite Fitness. The applicant requests a
conditional use permit to operate an indoor recreation facility in Suite 120 of an existing
23,000 square foot flex building. The site consists of 1.33 acres of land, located at 2640
East State Avenue and as shown on the screen. The existing zoning is I-L, which is our
light industrial zone and the FLUM designation is mixed-use nonresidential. The
proposed use of an indoor recreation facility is a conditional use in an I-L zone. An I-L
zone is meant to provide opportunities for business and employment, which typically
includes light manufacturing, research and development, warehousing and distribution.
However, due to a lack of commercial tenant vacancies, indoor recreation facilities have
been exploring spaces in the I-L zone and it is becoming more common. While there
are several indoor recreation facilities in the area as indicated on the map, there is K-1
Speed, the Flying Pickle, as -- in this larger warehouse and we also have another indoor
gym and jujitsu gym as well in the other smaller building where this tenant will be
located at. This indoor recreation facility is more specialized, allowing trainers and
clients to have a more privatized training environment with no more than 14 people at
the facility at any one time. Additionally there will be no outside activity. The proposed
indoor recreation facility provides another unique recreational opportunity for residents.
The site has been -- already been approved and constructed and contains two other
indoor recreation facilities as I just mentioned and due to this building being an industrial
building with primarily indoor recreation facilities as tenants, staff did ask the applicant
to provide a parking analysis. However, the site did meet the one space per 500 square
feet of gross floor area for commercial and based on the parking analysis it does appear
that there will be adequate room for the addition of another indoor recreation facility
and staff is recommending approval with conditions and has not received any written
testimony at this time and I will stand for questions.
Lorcher: Would the applicant like to come forward? No applicant? Oh, you don't want
to speak? Okay. All right. Well, thank you. Do we have anybody signed up for -- oh,
Chris left. Would anybody like to speak on Elite Fitness? I don't think -- we didn't have
any written testimony. So, nobody signed up. Okay. You are good. Nick said
everything. Commissioners, do we have any other questions for staff? Can I get a
motion to close the public hearing?
Smith: So moved.
Perreault: Second.
12
Meridian Planning&Zoning Commission
June 5,2025
Page 8 of 55
Lorcher: It's been moved and seconded to close the public hearing for Elite Fitness. All
those in favor say aye. Any opposed? Motion carries.
MOTION CARRIED: FOUR AYES. THREE ABSENT.
Lorcher: This one seems pretty straightforward. The -- the pickleball courts there, the --
the virtual reality gym is there. The jujitsu gym is there. It seems like a good fit. I
frequent this street and it's pretty wide open at all times during the day, so I think the
flow is good for the people to be able to come and go.
Perreault: Madam Chair?
Lorcher: Commissioner Perreault.
Perreault: After considering all staff, applicant and public testimony, I move to approve
File No. H-2025-0021 as presented in the staff report for the hearing date of June 5th,
2025.
Smith: Second.
Lorcher: It's been moved and seconded to approve Elite Fitness. All those in favor say
aye. Any opposed? Motion carries. Thank you very much.
MOTION CARRIED: FOUR AYES. THREE ABSENT.
6. Public Hearing for El Pollo Loco (H-2025-0018) by ADN Architects,
located at 3471 W. Chinden Blvd.
A. Request: Conditional Use Permit for a 2,000 Sq. Ft. drive-through
establishment within 300ft of another drive-through and residential
district. This site consists of 0.87 acres in the C-G zoning district.
Lorcher: We are good. Next on the agenda is Item No. 2025-0018 for El Pollo Loco at
3471 West Chinden for a conditional use permit and we will begin with the staff report.
Napoli: Madam Chair, Members of the Commission, the next item on the agenda is the
conditional use permit for El Pollo Loco. The applicant requests a conditional use
permit for a 2,000 square foot drive-through establishment within 300 feet of another
drive-through and a residential district. The site consists of .87 acres of land, located at
3471 West Chinden Boulevard and as shown on the screen the existing zoning is C-G
and the future land use map is commercial. So, in 2018 the subject property was
annexed as a part of a larger development in the area consisting of residential and
commercial properties zoned R-40 and C-G and included in the preliminary plat. A
development agreement was required as a provision of the annexation, which governs
the future development of the property. The site is among several -- several
commercially zoned properties at the corner of Chinden Boulevard and Ten Mile Road
F13
Meridian Planning&Zoning Commission
June 5,2025
Page 9 of 55
in the Lost Rapids Subdivision. The proposed use of a drive-through with -- a
restaurant with a drive-through aligns with the desired use as specified in the
commercial designation in the Comprehensive Plan. In conjunction with the
neighborhood -- the neighboring drive-throughs, which include KeyBank, Swig, Dutch
Bros and Slim Chickens, as well as Costco's fueling facility and Costco to the south, the
proposed use does satisfy the commercial FLUM designation for the area. While the
Comprehensive Plan did not envision all the lots fronting Chinden Boulevard as drive-
throughs, the market has led them to become drive-throughs. In addition, El Pollo Loco
has indicated their hours of operation are intended to be 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.,
which is consistent with the UDC and surrounding businesses. The hours of operation
were an important factor during the original entitlement of the subdivision from the
neighboring subdivisions. It is also important to note that the applicant is providing two
tenant spaces on the property. The first being El Pollo Loco and the second will either
be developed as a retail or a restaurant use, both which will be permitted uses in the C-
G zone. Access is proposed via a private drive aisle on the south portion of the site.
The site plan accommodates queuing for a minimum of eight vehicles before the menu
board and 12 vehicles before the pick-up window. Based on the data provided by El
Pollo Loco this appears to be sufficient. According to the applicant their southern
California locations serve approximately 325 vehicles per day, typically maintaining a
queue of around six vehicles, with occasional peaks of seven to eight vehicles. Staff is
recommending approval with conditions and has received written testimony from Wade
Ramsey, the HOA president of Bainbridge Subdivision, reiterating that the neighboring
residents desire to have El Pollo Loco closed before midnight and no overnight
deliveries and I will stand for questions at this time.
Lorcher: Would the applicant like to come forward? They are online?
Johnson: Madam Chair, Steven Shaw should be able to join the meeting any moment
now.
Lorcher: Mr. Shaw, can you hear me?
Shaw: How is that? Can you hear me now?
Lorcher: Yes. If you can state your name and address for the record that would be
great.
Shaw: Somehow I ended up on a tropical island, but as long as you can see me.
Steven Shaw. I'm with the architect's office RMA Davis New Love and on the call in
case there is any questions from the commissioners we also have the project manager
and owners. I want to thank the Commissioners tonight and especially Nick, he has
been really great to work with. It's nice to see his face. We have talked for several
months and I haven't even seen him, so, hello, Nick. Thanks for all your help. I know
you guys have a big agenda, so I don't know if you are familiar with El Pollo Loco. They
started in southern California and have now expanded to other parts of the country.
They have more than 400 locations. Really excited to be coming to Idaho. This is one
F14]
Meridian Planning&Zoning Commission
June 5,2025
Page 10 of 55
of the first and we pride ourselves on offering a healthier alternative to typical fast food
restaurants with grilled chicken and -- and salads and, you know, just a little bit better
choice for people that want to try it. Given the agenda I will just address the biggest
issue here is the drive-through and the traffic in that area with the Costco and the other
uses there. Obviously, a number of drive-throughs. Unfortunately, people, you know,
prefer double doubles to our grilled chicken. So, our cues, as was noted by Nick, are
typically in the six, seven range, even some of our busier restaurants, so we don't have
any -- you know, we don't see any issue here with queuing and traffic. We aren't In-N-
Out and we are not Dutch Bros, we don't attract that kind of traffic. So, we would not
pick a location or a site that we felt there would be an issue with queuing of traffic,
because, then, our customers are affected and they tend not to show up. So, we pick
locations we know we can serve in -- in a proper time. So, with that I -- I can say again
that we have the owners and the project manager on the call if there is any other
questions, but I will thank you all tonight for hearing us out.
Lorcher: Two things. A little housekeeping. If you can say your address for the record,
please.
Shaw: Yeah. The office address 1330 Olympic Boulevard, Santa Monica, California.
90404.
Lorcher: Thank you very much. The only question --
Shaw: Thank you.
Lorcher: -- I have which has come up from the neighboring subdivision is delivery
hours. So, it said in the staff report that you were going to be open from 10:00 a.m. to
11:00 p.m. When do you anticipate deliveries for your product?
Shaw: I spoke to the owners today and we can do deliveries during the day. We can
avoid overnight deliveries.
Lorcher: Okay. Mr. Clerk, do we have anybody signed up to testify?
Johnson: Madam Chair, it looks like Tom Robinson. Okay. Different project.
Lorcher: Okay. Is there anybody in Chambers that would like to make a comment
about El Pollo Loco? Mr. Shaw, is there anything else you would like to add?
Shaw: No. Thank you all very much. Especially to Nick. Thanks, Nick.
Lorcher: All right. Can I get a motion to close the public hearing, please?
Smith: So moved.
Stoll: Second.
Fl-51
Meridian Planning&Zoning Commission
June 5,2025
Page 11 of 55
Lorcher: It's been moved and seconded to close the public hearing for El Pollo Loco.
All those in favor say aye. Any opposed? Motion carries.
MOTION CARRIED: FOUR AYES. THREE ABSENT.
Lorcher: Well, I am a fan of El Pollo Loco, so -- and I think it's very interesting that you
are going to be next to Slim Chickens. So, that will be interesting to see which way your
people are going to go. Commissioners, any other comments about this application?
Smith: Madam Chair?
Lorcher: Commissioner Smith.
Smith: The only other comment is I -- I tend to agree. I don't see any problem with it.
The queuing. I have been to plenty of El Pollo Loco's in my time and I have never seen
a line super long, so I -- I don't have any issues there. So, totally good with this.
Lorcher: All right. After considering all staff, applicant, and public testimony, I move to
approve File No. H-2025-0018 as presented in the staff report for the hearing date of
June 5th with no modifications.
Stoll: Second.
Lorcher: It's been moved and seconded to approve El Pollo Loco. All those in favor say
aye. Any opposed? Motion carries. Thank you very much.
MOTION CARRIED: FOUR AYES. THREE ABSENT
7. Public Hearing for Rockwell Greens Subdivision (H-2025-0002) by
Laren Bailey, Conger Group, generally located at the NW corner of
State Hwy. 16 and McMillan Rd.
A. Request: Annexation of 51.15 acres of land with a R-15 zoning
district.
B. Request: Preliminary Plat consisting of 412 buildable lots and 27
common lots.
C. Request: Alternative Compliance to standards for developments
abutting a State Highway.
Lorcher: All right. We are moving right along, which is a good thing. Item No. 7 for
Rockwell Greens Subdivision, Item No. 2025-0002 for annexation, preliminary plat --
plat and alternative compliance, located near the northwest corner of Highway 16 and
McMillan Road. With that we will begin with the staff report.
16
Meridian Planning&Zoning Commission
June 5,2025
Page 12 of 55
Napoli: Madam Chair, Members of the Commission, the next item on the agenda is the
annexation, preliminary plat and alternative compliance for Rockwell Green Subdivision.
I do want to note that the alternative compliance is a director determination, a director
approval, so I just included it on the application, because it was --
Lorcher: Okay.
Napoli: -- part of it. And so the applicant requests annexation of 51.15 acres of land
with the R-15 zoning district, a preliminary plat consisting of 412 building lots and 27
common lots and alternative compliance for the city standards for developments
abutting a state highway. The site consists of 51.15 acres of land, generally located at
the northwest corner of State Highway 16 and McMillan Road. As shown on the screen
the existing zoning is RUT in Ada county and the future land use map is medium density
residential. This property lies within The Fields sub area plan, a four square mile plan --
planning area located in the northwest corner of the city's area of impact. This plan
promotes a cohesive modern rural character across all new development and
emphasizes a high quality design. The proposed density for the 51.15 acres of land
with R-15 zoning district equates to 8.05 units per acre and this is on the high end of the
medium density designation -- residential designation which staff does have concerns
with as there is currently a lack of connectivity to commercial neighborhood serving
uses, no regional park and the nearby schools are over capacity currently. However,
the applicant has exceeded the minimum requirements for open space with 17.1
percent, instead of 15 percent required and amenities that total 26 and a half points,
instead of the ten that are required as outlined in the UDC. They have also known that
a new elementary school is currently under construction in Star and the boundary lines
will be adjusted in the 2026-2027 school year, which is anticipated to relieve some of
the existing capacity issues and West Ada School District has confirmed this in their
letter as well. Staff has communicated these concerns to the applicant and
recommends that the Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council carefully
evaluate -- evaluate whether this level of density is appropriate given the current
context. In evaluating comparable developments west of State Highway 16 the Gander
Creek Subdivision, which was approved in 2019 and the Dakota Ridge Subdivision
approved in 2020 had gross densities of 3.42 and 4.9 units per acre respectively.
Additionally, the average density within a one mile radius of the proposed site is
approximately 5.83 units per acre. Additionally, the proposed subdivision borders the
future alignment of State Highway 16, which is considered a hazard in the
Comprehensive Plan's existing conditions document due to factors such as high vehicle
speeds, accident frequency and impacts on air quality. These elements are critical in
assessing the suitability for -- of the proposed subdivision. Staff are particularly
concerned about air quality given the subdivision's proposed density at the upper end of
the medium density residential FLUM designation would expose a larger number of
residents to recognized hazard compared to a lower density development. Similar
development on the west side of State Highway 16, as mentioned before, were
approved at 3.42 and 4.0 units -- four units per acre on the lower end of the medium
density residential FLUM. To address these concerns the applicant has requested
alternative compliance -- have requested alternative compliance to the mitigation
F17]
Meridian Planning&Zoning Commission
June 5,2025
Page 13 of 55
standards outlined in the UDC for developments near federal and state highways. This
included a sound engineer's report that found the expected outdoor worst case peak
hour noise to be 62 to 64 decibels, a weighted with a berm and wall proposed and
which is deemed an acceptable rate of sound. The sound engineer concludes that the
traffic noise level are expected to be less than the 65 decibels, a weighted day-night
average sound level. The berm and barrier are required to help mitigate -- help mitigate
the noise and the residential buildings along the first row nearest the highway should
have additional consideration for the floors above the ground floor as -- as the six foot
wall and six foot berm may not adequately block the line of sight from State Highway 16
to these spaces. The applicant's mitigation proposal includes a six foot berm with a six
foot wall on top of it to mitigate noise, alongside the use of enhanced building materials
designed to meet stricter sound attenuation standards. The applicant has also
exceeded the minimum requirements for open space and amenities as earlier
mentioned. This approach aligns with the alternative compliance granted to Gander --
the Gander Creek development in 2024, though the current proposal involves a higher
density than the prior approval. The director did support the alternative compliance
request for sound attenuation as meeting the UDC's requirement for a ten foot wall
above the center line of State Highway 16 would have necessitated a 30 foot structure
or larger. In addition -- in addition to this, the applicant has worked with city staff to
propose thicker vegetation coverage along State Highway 16 in the form of one tree for
every building lot and one tree every 20 feet in the open space along State Highway 16,
instead of the one tree every 35 feet as required by code. Additionally, the applicant
has agreed to meet the 80 -- 80 percent vegetation coverage along Highway 16, instead
of the 70 percent required by the UDC, excluding the 12 foot irrigation road. Access to
the proposed -- access is proposed off North Erstad Place, which was constructed by
the Idaho Transportation Department or ITD and remains under ITD ownership as the
only access provided to the development. ACHD has not accepted the right of way
from ITD yet and this will require the applicant to work with the transportation authority
for approval of the work within the right of way for future submittals if approved. This
collector road is shared between the proposed subdivision and the future Cole Valley
Christian School, which is just to the west right in here. The northernmost access is not
supported by staff as the UDC 11.3.A.3 requires limiting access points to collector and
arterial roadways. A secondary access is a concern for staff. However, the applicant --
since the publication of the staff report the applicant has coordinated with the Meridian
Fire Department and has come up with a proposal that will satisfy these requirements
and will be required with submittal of the final plat. Additionally, staff would like to note
that we have a draft report from ACHD, but not a finalized one, as the applicant is
working with ACHD on conditions of approval. The applicant has stated that the first
homes would be occupied in 2027 with a projected build out rate of 50 to 60 homes per
year. Full -- full build out is anticipated between 2035 and 2037. In summary, staff finds
the proposed preliminary plat and R-15 zoning district to be generally consistent with
the future land use map, Comprehensive Plan and UDC. However, due to development
density, its location next to a state future -- a future state highway and current service
limitations in the area, staff recommends the Commission and Planning and Zone -- and
Council closely evaluate whether this proposal aligns with the broader goals and
readiness for the surrounding area. Staff has worked with the applicant since the
18
Meridian Planning&Zoning Commission
June 5,2025
Page 14 of 55
publication of the staff report to modify some of the conditions and I have -- these are
the ones that have been modified that we will be asking you guys to adopt tonight with
your decision or recommendation to Council. Staff is recommending approval with a
development agreement and has received written testimony from Craig Cooper, Sean
Freeman with concerns about traffic, quality of life, density and overcrowding of schools.
And I will stand for questions at this time.
Lorcher: Would the applicant like to come forward?
Clark: Hey, everybody. Hethe Clark. 251 East Front Street in Boise representing the
applicant and, Commissioner Stoll, I promise I won't be here every time you are here,
just the first two times. Oops. So, we are here to talk about the Rockwell Subdivision.
You have seen the general location near Highway 16. This is just north of Owyhee High
School. Per the Comprehensive Plan this -- this is an MDR area. There is varied --
varied uses that are planned along here. You have some -- a number of mixed-use
nodes, both north and to the southwest. We -- as Nick mentioned, we do have a future
school site as our neighbor on the west and, then, in addition you have Owyhee High
School and a future elementary school site just to the south and it is part of The Fields
sub area plan, which I think is an important element of what we are going to discuss
tonight. So, that Fields sub area plan was adopted in 2021. That's after some of the --
the projects that Nick mentioned. The -- The Fields plan really does set the -- the stage
for residential development in this area. It was a moment for the city to look at that four
square miles. Commissioner Perreault remembers this very well. Look at that four
square miles and kind of evaluate what's going to happen up there. Residential
neighborhood is planned for this site. I also wanted to point out that the city has
invested pretty seriously in infrastructure in this area, so not only do you have Fire
Station No. 8 and the new northwest police station, which are just maybe a half mile
south of this location, you also have new sewer infrastructure that is going in. There is
the lift station over on McMillan, but this is in a different sewer shed. We are -- water
and sewer have already been pulled across Highway 16 and are available at the site
right now and our sewer shed ends in our western boundary. So, this is not opening the
floodgates of anything. The city isn't very much in control of additional development and
with the other sewer facilities that are being put in. Also with The Field sub area there is
the modern rural thematic that's promoted that talks about the split rail fence, that talks
about no mow fescue type areas. We have looked at that very closely with staff. We
updated our landscaping plan to make sure that's handled. We also have a new
condition of approval. It asks us to put in some more split rail to really match what the
feeling is intended to be for this property. So, you have seen the site plan. As Nick
mentioned open space. We are in excess. We are at 17.1 percent. Pedestrian
connectivity is an important part of this. We are going to have the -- the ten foot
pathways on our west side and on our south. So, that totals up to just shy of about half
mile in terms of linear feet of regional pathways. We -- the -- the amenity point
requirement for this application is ten. We are at 20 -- just shy of 27. That includes a
community pool and changing rooms, fenced play structures, pickleball, dog parks.
Pretty consistent with this development team as well as what you have seen in the past.
Our home elevations include single level, two story and, then, we also have attached
19 1
Meridian Planning&Zoning Commission
June 5,2025
Page 15 of 55
product that will be provided as part of this project. So, with regard to the items that
Nick had flagged, we did work on the secondary access question. As you know when
you -- if you don't have a secondary access you get limited to 30 -- 30 lots. We have
identified the location for that secondary access. So, this is on the southeast corner of
the project down at McMillan and so that -- that is where we have identified that to be
located and we have addressed that issue. With regard -- with regard to school
capacity -- Nick hit some of this, but the -- I -- I think everyone's really largely focused on
elementary schools and we do believe that that's also addressed. As mentioned, the
Pleasant View, Hunter Elementary Schools, the West Ada has already done a boundary
-- they have revisited the boundary here in the last couple of months. They are going to
have a follow up this fall to look at those boundaries one more time. In addition we
have the new Star elementary school that will be opening in 2026. That will be before
we have any residents at this -- at this property. So, that means another elementary
school that could potentially take pressure off, And, then, you know, this is what we
always end up looking at is -- as you guys remember, you know, the West Ada School
District letters always say, hey, here is the capacity. If there is an issue with capacity
we are going to do four things. We are going to look at boundaries. We are going to
look at busing. We are going to look at portables. And, then, as a last, you know, effort
that's when we would build. In this case if they got to that point where they would end
up building there is already a future elementary school site that's -- this is from The
Fields area plan, but as you know it's right there at the -- at the north side of Owyhee.
With regard to the noise attenuation, as you can see from the picture below Highway 16
really doesn't tower over this property and there is a pretty good gap between this
property and Highway 16. When we talk about, you know, a hazard, you know, we kind
of disagree with the term, but we definitely want to make sure that this is something that
is going to be marketable for -- you know, for -- for future homes. So, that right of way is
very wide between the -- the street -- or from the Highway 16 to the actual right-of-way
line and, then, from that right-of-way line we have the 35 foot Meridian city buffer, within
which there is a 30 foot irrigation easement. We do have the six foot berm with a six
foot fence on top and as Nick mentioned that resulted in a sound study reading of
between 62 and 64 decibels. So, if that -- to translate that's normal conversation.
That's not a -- a decibel reading that's going to trigger any issues with -- you know, if
you were in a HUD situation they would say that is not a problem. You are -- you are
below those thresholds. In addition, you can see -- you know, we added the unmown
fescue grass to try to be consistent with The -- The Fields area plan and what it asks
for. Nick kind of went through -- quickly through the conditions of approval that we had
worked on to modify. A lot of those are really just clarifications and I'm happy to chat
about any of those. The one item that we would ask for some -- I guess grace to work
on between now and the City Council hearing is Condition 2C. That is the one that
speaks to the stub on the northern side of the property and what we have discovered is
that there is a little bit of a disconnect between what ACHD is looking for and what city
staff is looking for in terms of where that stub should be and so we would ask to have a
little time to work with staff and ACHD to clarify that one between now and Council. But,
otherwise, we are in agreement with the conditions as -- as Nick put them on the screen
with all of the modifications. So, with that I'm happy to answer any questions.
F20]
Meridian Planning&Zoning Commission
June 5,2025
Page 16 of 55
Lorcher: I have a couple of questions. Help me with the visual. So, you got Highway
16 and, then, it will be sloped and, then, you said there is -- is that where the -- the
irrigation easement kicks in?
Clark: No. So, the irrigation easement is actually even further in. So, you have -- you
have -- the highway drops off, but that's still highway right of way for, I don't know, 75
feet, something like that.
Lorcher: Okay. So, their access point?
Clark: Correct. Well, no, that's just -- that's just distance. That's property that the ITD
owns.
Lorcher: Right.
Clark: So, between our boundary line and the physical Highway 16.
Lorcher: Okay. And what comes next?
Clark: Then -- then comes the Highway 16 right-of-way line. That's where that ends.
And, then, you have a Meridian city imposed buffer of 35 feet.
Lorcher: Right.
Clark: And our property line is, what, five feet from that -- at the end of that Meridian
city buffer. So, it's within that buffer and we have our vegetative buffer that is included
within all of that.
Lorcher: So, if I'm a -- I'm a -- I'm on a house there and I'm looking out what do I see?
Is it a wall? Is it just the vegetation coming up from your -- your berm?
Clark: Good question. Yeah. So, is -- if you are -- if you are looking at this drawing,
Commissioner Lorcher -- so, the house would be on the left side looking back toward
the berm.
Lorcher: Okay.
Clark: So, if you are looking back from your house you are going to have a four foot
retaining wall and, then, you are going to have a two-to-one slope to get up to six feet.
Then you are going to have a four foot pad, which is going to allow you -- us to put in
trees to have additional vegetative cover and, then, at the end of that you are going to
have another six foot fence.
Lorcher: Okay.
F21
Meridian Planning&Zoning Commission
June 5,2025
Page 17 of 55
Clark: So, you got 12 feet from top to bottom between the berm and the fence to
provide sound mitigation between these houses and -- and Highway 16.
Lorcher: And is the irrigation on your side or on the other side of the wall?
Clark: The irrigation is on the other side of the wall. So, the -- the -- the -- the pipe for
the irrigation and the gravel road that they will be using to access that is on the other
side, kind of at the base of that fescued area.
Lorcher: Okay. So, that's not an amenity inside your --
Clark: Not an amenity, no.
Lorcher: All right. Thank you very much. Does anybody else have any questions for
Hethe?
Smith: Madam Chair?
Lorcher: Commissioner Smith.
Smith: I'm just -- I'm trying to visualize modern rural a little bit with this --
Lorcher: I know.
Smith: Well, I -- I -- I think the problem is and I -- I don't think you are trying to be
disingenuous or anything here, I'm just having visual issues. This -- this kind of visual
is, obviously, more, I don't know, three units an acre instead of kind of pushing eight.
So, I'm just curious how you kind of envision squaring that level of density with -- with
modern rural. I'm having trouble kind of visualizing that.
Clark: Yeah. Modern rural -- Commissioner Smith, sorry to jump in. Commissioner
Smith. So, modern -- or rural is really a reflection of what the amenities look like and
the design choices. So, the -- The Fields plan is not limited to large lots. Excuse me.
As you look -- this is a -- this is the drawing from The Fields plan. You can see that you
have a combination of -- of a lot of medium density residential throughout. You even
have the mixed-use areas. So, when it comes to the thematic questions that's really
how are you designing your open spaces and what kind of elements are going to be
included there and specifically The Fields area plan identifies these no mow fescue
areas and the split rail fence and that sort of thing. So, again, more design and not
density.
Smith: Okay. On the -- on the density issue, though, I'm curious -- and I'm not -- not
trying to pry it -- a proprietary formula or anything, but curious of how kind of this -- this
density level was arrived at, this kind of number of lots. It seems like, you know, it -- it is
allowed, but it does seem like it's kind of a departure a little bit from some of the
22
Meridian Planning&Zoning Commission
June 5,2025
Page 18 of 55
surrounding areas from what -- what I can see and so I'm just curious how that kind of
came to be.
Clark: Yeah. So, when we are looking at the density choices, you know, one of the
things that we look at is where are you? You know, in this case we are right next to a
transportation corridor. We are a stone's throw away from Owyhee High School. We
are a stone's throw away from a future elementary school site. We are right next to the
fire -- new fire station. Right next to a new police station. In that case we look at that
and we think, okay, given all of that a higher density is justified, because you have all
the facilities that are located there and, then, that allows you to do a different kind of
dense -- or the city to choose a different kind of density a little bit further out, further
away from all those resources.
Lorcher: Well, with that in mind also currently you have the fire, you have the school --
the mixture of schools and you have the police, but you don't have any retail services.
So, if I'm going to get on Highway 16 when it opens in 2017 -- or 2027 I'm still either
going to go down Owyhee Storm or McDermott bypass and I'm going to go all the way
down McMillan to Ten Mile to Walmart or I'm going to go to Garrity to the other one or
whatever stores. So, you say that it -- the higher density is justified, but everybody who
is going to be in this area -- and I assume your time frame is 2026, 2027, we will still
have to travel away to be able to get any retail services.
Clark: Commissioner Lorcher, yeah, it's the age-old question; right? You -- you don't
get commercial until you get rooftops and you need to have rooftops to -- to have a
seed for that commercial. So, you know, we -- you know, it's what you see -- if you go
further west across the county line, you know, that, you know, Highway 44 corridor, it's
not enough commercial, because there is not enough rooftops, because everything's
too spread out over there. You know, we look at this as being kind of a -- almost like an
anchor to be able to have enough rooftops to get people to take this area seriously for
future commercial.
Lorcher: So, I can't see this map very well, but I know, obviously, what happens at Ten
Mile and, then, you have got Owyhee Storm. Is there retail planned going west along
McMillan?
Clark: You have -- let's see. Along McMillan. So, there is a -- you have got some --
kind of a mixture of residential through there, but you also have a couple of mixed-use
nodes --
Lorcher: Okay.
Clark: -- kind of -- if you go south next to Owyhee High School you have the mixed-use
commercial. If you go north you have the mixed uses and mixed-use regional I think,
Bill, at the -- at the -- just north of -- next to the mixed-use institutional on Owyhee
Storm. So, there are --
F23]
Meridian Planning&Zoning Commission
June 5,2025
Page 19 of 55
Lorcher: Pockets.
Clark: Yeah. Pockets that are planned.
Lorcher: Okay. Thank you. Commissioners, any other questions for Hethe at this
point? All right. Thank you.
Clark: Thank you.
Lorcher: Mr. Clerk, do we have anybody signed up to testify?
Johnson: Madam Chair, no one's signed up on this hearing.
Lorcher: So, no nobody on Zoom I take it either? Okay. So, Hethe, we don't really
have anybody else. Do you have anything else you would like to add? Okay. Thank
you. Can I get a motion to close the public hearing?
Smith: So moved.
Stoll: Second.
Lorcher: It's been moved and seconded to close the hearing for Rockwell Green
Subdivision. All those in favor say aye. Any opposed? Motion carries.
MOTION CARRIED: FOUR AYES. THREE ABSENT.
Lorcher: It's like the circle of life; right? I mean I -- I agree that it has been historic that
the rooftops come first and, then, the commercial comes second. So, I get that part.
Well, Christian is starting, but we are still a ways away. Highway 16 is -- they say 2027.
If it's anything it will be the end of 2027. 1 guess my biggest concern for this is the
density at McMillan, because -- and I hope you work with ACHD, because there is no
room at McMillan and McDermott Road to add signals, add lanes, add turnouts,
because the highway is there and geographically it's limited. I can't imagine that you
would build a product that would be so noisy that nobody would ever -- you know, would
want to live there. So, I appreciate the extra vegetation. I love the extra amenities to be
able to make a marketable product, but you are -- and I live in that area. I'm just down
the street. So, I totally get Highway 16 is going to be right there. If you look at currently
there -- you are like the first in The Fields; right? You are -- it's -- it's hard to say what's
happening, because we don't have a precedent that's really been set. There is a little
bit on the west of the freeway and -- and Toll Brothers is on the east, but it's still
growing. So, it's hard to say. Will it be adequate? Is it too much? Their build out is
many phases. I wrote it down. So, I wouldn't deny it based on the -- the density at this
point, I just question if it's the right time. So, that's what I'm struggling with right now.
Smith: Madam Chair?
F24]
Meridian Planning&Zoning Commission
June 5,2025
Page 20 of 55
Lorcher: Commissioner Smith.
Smith: I tend to agree with you. It's -- it's the fact that this is an annexation. I -- I think I
might fall slightly on the different side of the coin I think. I -- I fear Hethe may have me
figured out a little bit of projects that they give me heartburn, but -- but I think, you know,
I -- I fall kind of on the side of -- of approving. It -- it really is that the timing and -- and
the access to local amenities, like, you know, regional parks and retail. I'm -- I'm -- I
mean I'm a big fan of transit-oriented development. I am a fan of -- of density along
transit corridors. I think there have even been some -- some applications they have
brought forward that I have -- I have critiqued for maybe not being dense enough for
being on a transit corridor. This is -- it's -- it's pushing -- there are a couple of things that
are pushing kind of the limits of where I'm okay with but, I -- I -- I -- I -- I don't know that I
would -- if -- if the rest of the Commission were, you know, intent on continuing or voting
it down, I -- I -- I wouldn't necessarily fight that, but I think I still -- I still lean on the side
of approval, if that makes sense.
Lorcher: Okay. Commissioner Perreault.
Perreault: Madam Chair. The only thing that gives me a little bit of -- I don't know if the
word -- I don't know if comfort is the right word, but just that it's going to take about ten
to 12 years to build it out and so this whole area could look really different at that time
and my hope is that there would be commercial that would come in or some sort of retail
type of access. There is many projects being proposed in this area right now. I think
we have a couple more -- we have one or two more tonight alone and so it is -- it's a lot
to think about, the fact that we could have a thousand rooftops going out there in -- you
know, in the next few -- well, probably five to ten years. My primary concern is that we
have had a lot of applications where folks are talking about the traffic on McMillan and
you mentioned that Ten Mile being the area where these -- these folks would -- would
visit for, you know, their -- their shopping and services and I just have a lot of concern
about McMillan in general. However, the applicant has no control over that and sure
would have -- I'm sure the applicant would appreciate if ACHD would improve that area.
I -- I'm pretty sure ACHD has no plans to expand McMillan to widen it at all in that area
anytime in the future. There is just geographic limitations. So, as far as the project
itself, I think it's mostly well done. There has been a lot of thought put into the green
space and into the -- the amenities, which is very much needed since there really isn't
anything else out there and I hope that every applicant who comes out in this area does
something similar until the city can expand out that way many years from now.
Lorcher: I think it's hard, because this is one of the first; right? I mean on -- on the east
side of Highway 16, you know, in The Fields division and -- and, you know, we are only
going to keep talking about it as we go further. Commissioner Stoll, do you want to
comment anything?
Stoll: Okay. Sorry. So, my main concern is with the timing with State Highway 16
being opened up. Although 2026, 2027 is stated and watching similar projects, things
don't always happen as quickly as we would like, but there does seem to be some
F25]
Meridian Planning&Zoning Commission
June 5,2025
Page 21 of 55
limitations on that as far as when they would -- how much they can build and add in
there and the size of the project -- it is going to take a long time. But there does seem
to be some limitations on that as far as when they would -- how much they can build
and add in there and the size of the project it is going to take a long time. The other
part is still related to State Highway 16 and I -- it's the proximity of the project to State
Highway 16 and -- but I'm sure you have done your due diligence on whether the folks
are going to want to move there and it's not in my -- my place on that. So, I lean
towards approval.
Lorcher: I do know that McMillan is not an access point to Highway 16, so your choices
are to go around down to Chinden or come up to Ustick. So, even if you live at that
corner you cannot access the freeway from that end, you are going to have to go north
or south one way or another and, you know, I live in that impact area, so I'm -- I'm part
of that world every day and it's going to -- it's going to flow and I like the idea of
residential, you know, being here. It's up to them to sell the -- their product to people
who want to be that close to freeway in their backyard, but that's not -- so -- okay. So,
with that in mind after considering all staff and applicant and public testimony I move to
approve File No. H-2025-0002 as presented the staff report for the hearing date of June
5th and the applicant continue to work with ACHD and the City of Meridian for access
streets, because right now it's preliminary.
Napoli: Madam Chair, just to clarify, if you are approving would you approve with the
changes to the conditions as proposed on the screen? There is eight conditions that I
have -- we as staff have worked with the applicant since the publication of the staff
report. So, we would ask that you adopt these tonight and in regards to Condition 2C,
that the applicant work with ACHD and the city prior to City Council on those sub
streets.
Lorcher: All right. Let me modify. As presented in the staff report, including the
conditions as presented in tonight's meeting.
Smith: I will second that.
Lorcher: It's been moved and seconded to approve Rockwell Green Subdivision,
including new conditions presented by staff. All those in favor say aye. Any opposed?
Motion carries. Thank you very much.
MOTION CARRIED: FOUR AYES. THREE ABSENT.
Johnson: Madam Chair, I want to apologize. Can we clarify your -- your motion was to
recommend approval to City Council?
Lorcher: Yes.
Johnson: Great. Thank you.
26
Meridian Planning&Zoning Commission
June 5,2025
Page 22 of 55
8. Public Hearing for Springday Subdivision (H-2024-0069) by
Engineering Solutions, LLP., located on the North side of W. Ustick
Rd., 1/4 mile West of N. Black Cat Rd.
A. Request: Annexation of 40.84 acres of land with an R-8 zoning
district.
B. Request: Preliminary Plat consisting of 172 buildable lots and 20
common lots on 38.56 acres of land in the R-8 zoning district.
Lorcher: Commissioners, are we still good to keep going? Okay. Give me a second
here to get my notes back together, because I went out of order. Okay. Item No. 8 is
Spring Day Subdivision, Item No. 2024-0069 for annexation and preliminary plat located
on the north side of West Ustick Road, a quarter mile west of Black Cat and we will
begin with the staff report.
Allen: Thank you, Madam Chair, Members of the Commission. As you mentioned, the
next applications before you tonight are a request for annexation and zoning and a
preliminary plat. This site consists of 40.84 acres of land. It's zoned RUT in Ada county
and it's located approximately a quarter mile west of North Black Cat Road on the north
side of West Ustick Road. The Comprehensive Plan future land use map designation is
mostly medium density residential, which calls for three to eight dwelling units per acre
and that consists of 36.6 acres of the site and another 1.8 acres is designated for office
uses. The applicant is requesting -- oh, excuse me. I'm not sharing my presentation.
Give me just a moment here. Alrighty. There we go. Sorry about that. The applicant is
requesting annexation of 40.84 acres of land with an R-8 zoning district for the
development of 172 single family residential homes at a gross density of 4.43 units per
acre, which is consistent with the net -- excuse me -- with the density desired of three to
eight units per acre in the medium density residential designation. Although a portion of
this property is designated for office uses, no office uses are proposed due to the
location of the collector street through the property, which after right-of-way dedication
only leaves about .65 of an acre, which the applicant states isn't large enough to
develop as such. There are mixed-use designated properties directly to the south that
could accommodate some of the office uses planned for this area. The Wardle
outparcel at the southwest corner of the site will likely be converted to -- or redevelop
with an office use in the future. For these reasons and because future land use map
designations are not parcel specific, the applicant requests the adjacent abutting
medium density residential designation apply to the office designated portion of the site.
At the request of staff the annexation boundary includes the adjacent 2.26 acre property
to the east owned by the Bureau of Reclamation where the Eight Mile Lateral lies. The
preliminary plat does not include that property. A preliminary plat is proposed as shown
consisting of 172 buildable lots and 20 common lots on 38.56 acres of land in the R-8
zoning district. The average residential lot size for the proposed development is 5,546
square feet, with a minimum lot size of 4,600 square feet and a maximum lot size of
9,317 square feet. A phasing plan was submitted as shown there on the plat that
depicts six phases of development. Access is proposed via one collector street
27
Meridian Planning&Zoning Commission
June 5,2025
Page 23 of 55
connection to Ustick Road at the southwest corner of the site, which stubs to the
northern property line for future extension in accord with the master street map. A stub
street is proposed to the west for future extension and interconnectivity. An emergency
only access is proposed on the eastern portion of the site via Ustick Road. A 35 foot
wide street buffer is required along Ustick Road, designated as an entryway corridor. A
20 foot wide street buffer is required along the collector street, landscaped in accord
with UDC standards. Open space and site amenities are proposed in excess of the
minimum requirements. A minimum of 5.78 acres or 15 percent is required. 8.5 acres
or 22.04 percent is proposed. A minimum of eight site amenity points are required. A
total of 29 points are provided as follows from each of the required categories. The
quality of life, the applicant is proposing a picnic area on a site of 5,000 square feet or
greater in size. A dog park and two dog waste stations. From the recreation activity
area category two paved sports courts are proposed, a swimming pool, and swimming
pool changing facilities and restrooms. From the pedestrian or bicycle circulation
category multi-use pathways are proposed. And that is along the east and northern
boundaries of the site adjacent to the Eight Mile Lateral and, lastly, multi-modal
category, the applicant is proposing enclosed bicycle storage. A variety of conceptual
building elevations were submitted and there is quite a few of them, so I will just kind of
scroll through them here. And they represent the quality of future homes planned in this
development. The final design of single family attached units are required to comply
with the design standards listed in the Architectural Standards Manual. Single family
detached units are exempt from design standards. Water service is available to this
site. Sewer service is not available and will need to be extended from its current
location north of West Ustick Road and North McDermott Road approximately 1.1 miles
to the site. Approval of the subdivision sewer system is contingent upon the submittal
and approval of plans to serve the proposed development. While the extension of
sewer infrastructure in this area is included in a city project scheduled for 2028, the
developer is seeking to partner with the city to accelerate the timeline contingent upon
securing entitlements for the property. Because the city does not support annexing and
titling property for development without a timely plan to extend municipal services, staff
recommends that approval of the project be contingent upon both the city's and the
developer's mutual intent to enter into a cooperative agreement to extend sewer service
to the property ahead of the city's scheduled infrastructure project. This agreement
should be executed within six months of the approval of the findings for this application
and prior to the adoption of the annexation ordinance, which would formally incorporate
the property into the city. In the absence of such an agreement the property would not
be annexed. Several letters of testimony have been received on this application from
the public and they are included in the public record. Staff is recommending approval
with the requirement of a development agreement, including a provision as previously
noted that the applicant enter into a cooperative agreement with the city within six
months to extend sewer service to the property or the property will not be annexed.
Staff will stand for any questions.
Lorcher: Would the applicant like to come forward?
F28]
Meridian Planning&Zoning Commission
June 5,2025
Page 24 of 55
McKay: Thank you, Madam Chair. I'm Becky McKay with Engineering Solution --
Solutions. Business address 1029 North Rosario, Meridian. I'm representing Toll
Southwest, LLC, and MFRE River Jordan Mink Ranch North, SLCC, on the application.
I'm just trying a tongue twister. We have applications before you this evening for
annexation and rezone, preliminary plat and a development agreement for Spring Day
Subdivision. The property is located, as Sonya indicated, north of Ustick and just east
of McDermott Road. The property consists of two parcels. The primary parcel is
approximately 36.67 acres and, then, there is a second parcel that's 1.89 acres that is
currently owned by Morris and Dixie Rambo Trust. Pull over here. So, as you can see
this is an aerial overview of the property. Go to find my cursor. There I am. So, the
property boundary comes down like this. This is an outparcel here that's owned by the
Wardle family and, then, the boundary for the subdivision, the annexation comes around
like this. To give you a little bit of history of the property, the parent parcel was 40 acres
and in Ada County under the D-1 zone they allowed for a one time split of the property.
So, this parcel was legally split off under Ada county and, then, subsequently in 1979 or
-- no. Later than 1979, sorry, this parcel was split off. This particular division was an
illegal division of the property. So, in meeting with the staff on our pre-application
conference they indicated to us that this parcel needed to be included in our annexation
and part of our preliminary plat to legalize this parcel, which is owned by the Rambo
Trust. The Eight Mile Lateral comes across Ustick and, then, it goes up our east
boundary and, then, along our north boundary. What's before you this evening is,
obviously, an annexation and rezone from rural urban transition to R-8, which is medium
density residential. We -- we propose 172 residential lots and 20 common lots. To the
east of us is Birchstone Creek Subdivision located here and, then, this vacant parcel
that you see here is owned by West Ada School District for a future elementary school
site. South of us is Trisha's Way -- or Trisha's Subdivision, sorry, and Jayden Village.
So, obviously, this -- you know, this property is a continuation of the existing growth that
is in this area. Just south of us is the Linder Road church. They own this parcel and
that is zoned C-C and, then, this parcel here to the south is owned by Endurance
Holdings and is anticipated and designated for multi-family. Switch over. Your
Comprehensive Plan has this designated as primarily medium density residential, the
density of three to eight dwelling units per acre and encourages a variety of attached,
detached single family dwellings and, then, there is a small sliver of office in your
Comprehensive Plan that comes across -- it's basically coming across to the proposed
Durango Subdivision that's located on our western boundary and, then, it comes across
the -- the parcel owned by the Wardles and just a little bit of it comes in and encroaches
into our development. So, what we are asking for this evening is that the property be
considered under the medium density residential designation, because what -- what
designation of offices on this parcel is minimal and it's just really not viable for us to try
to incorporate something that small. We have been coordinating with the Durango
Subdivision over here on our west boundary -- and let me scroll here. So, in the ACHD
master street plan, Ustick Road, obviously, is designated as a principal arterial. It is
intended as a five lane arterial. They will be rebuilding it to the five lane as designated
in the master street plan in 2027 and, then, we are at the mid mile. There is a mid-mile
collector designated on the master street plan. It comes up from Ustick and, then, goes
up to our northern boundary. Then there is Apple Valley Subdivision that is located just
F29]
Meridian Planning&Zoning Commission
June 5,2025
Page 25 of 55
north of us and they have unopened right of way along their eastern boundary and,
then, when I did Oak South we brought -- and we brought a collector from McMillan and
we brought that collector across Five Mile Creek and, then, it comes in through Aegean
Estates and it will link into what is called the Quenzer property, which there are no
development plans at this time that is due north of this project. It's not wanting to scroll,
Sonya. Frozen. As you can see this is the parcel owned by the Wardles. We are
required to provide them access from our collector roadway Avelino and, then, we have
an open space here to the north to the Durango Subdivision. We have coordinated with
them. So, they will connect to our collector roadway and have an extension here. We
do have an emergency vehicle access that would be temporary out to Ustick, but
depending on, obviously, the schedule of the subdivision to the west, then, we may not
need that -- that emergency vehicle access. We have two common drives within the
development. There is one located here in the northwest corner and one located in the
southeast corner. Staff has indicated in their staff report that we have four lots on one
side of this common drive, which the ordinance only allows you to have a maximum of
three on one side. However, the staff wants us to extend our roadway to the east and
connect to a stub street that is in the adjoining subdivision. So, we did have a
pedestrian pathway, a common lot, then, our common drive, so it is our intent to extend
this roadway across and over and connect to that stub street to the east. With the Eight
Mile Lateral I have worked with Greg Curtis at Nampa-Meridian Irrigation District. He
has jurisdiction over that, even though on the assessor map it says Bureau of
Reclamation. It's been turned over to Nampa-Meridian. Greg has asked us to enter
into a license agreement with the district that we will provide 36 inch RCP pipe and,
then, the Eight Mile Lateral all along our east boundary and north boundary will be piped
during the non-irrigation season and Nampa-Meridian will install the pipe and build the
boxes if we supply the materials. According to Greg he thinks it -- for safety purposes
he does not want an open lateral next to a future elementary and they have a lot of
issues when we have a lateral backing up to our lots. So, Sonya indicated the property
is 38.56 acres. We have 172 residential lots, 132 detached single family. Those lot
sizes range from 4,950 to 9,126. We do have an average lot size of 5,475. To provide
some diversity within the project we have 40 duet lots, 20 are alley load, 20 are front
load. They range in size from 4,400 square feet to 7,653, with an average lot size of
4,846. Our overall gross density is 4.46 and as indicated with the medium density
designation on the Comprehensive Plan land use map, it recommends three to eight.
So, we are not pushing that envelope like the project that was before us. We have 20
lots -- or 20 common lots. Of those 20 common lots we have 8.16 acres of open space,
which is basically 21.16 percent, which far exceeds that requirement within the code.
That does include the local street buffers, which are eight feet in width. We will be
having a swimming pool facility with parking, two sports courts, two pickleball courts,
picnic shelter. We will have a 14 foot multi-use pathway along the piped Eight Mile
Lateral on the north and the east boundaries, along with extensive internal pedestrian
pathways that link the project from north to south and east to west. This kind of shows
you the -- the landscape plan. You can see here is a corridor where that pathway is
going north to south and, then, connecting to the 14 foot multi-use pathway that's along
the Eight Mile Lateral. That will be a multi-use pathway, because it will be used for
maintenance of the Eight Mile Lateral for Nampa-Meridian Irrigation District, but will also
30
Meridian Planning&Zoning Commission
June 5,2025
Page 26 of 55
be available for pedestrians and bicycle traffic. Along Avelino, the collector, we are
required to do ten foot sidewalks detached both sides. So, it is -- will be what they call
an MUP under Ada County Highway District with a 26 foot travel way. This kind of
shows you the southern area. We do have some alley load lots. So, with our -- with our
attached product we have a combination of 20 alley load and we have a combination of
20 front load. Those are right here along that Ustick corridor. And as you can see we
have pathways -- micro paths that are coming to the south linking up to the central
amenity that is located there. Oh, I thought it was me echoing. This kind of gives you
an idea of the duets. We do not have any townhomes in here. We have detached
single family dwellings and, then, the alley load and front load duets. Here you see the
-- the alley load duets. Here you see an example of the front load duets. These are
examples. Obviously, when the project gets rolling, you know, new styles come forward
and so forth, so these, obviously, are subject to change, but as far as the quality of the
homes they will be consistent with the elevations that I'm providing you. Here is -- is
alley load and, then, front load product. The single family dwellings we have like the
Briar collection. Kind of shows you on the smaller lots they are -- they are single story
with two car garages. Then we do have some two-story with two car garages, bonus
rooms and, then, on some of the wider lots we may have like a three car garage. This
gives you a little better perspective. Obviously, we are incorporating the modulation
that's required under the architectural standards. Different types of masonry and siding
to give it some diversity and articulation, so that the curb appeal of the homes meets the
expectations of the architectural standards of Meridian. Here is the Juniper collection.
They have the farmhouse style. They have more modern styles. So, we are looking to
have a variety of homes in here that -- that obviously will complement this area. The
lots in here -- we have 45 to 55 foot wide lots. Our depths range from 110 to 115, so
that kind of gives a little bit of diversity. The duet lots they are on the alleys. The alleys
will be 20 feet in width. They will be ACHD alleys. We have 40 foot wide lots in the
duets and, then, 110 to 117 feet. So, we do compensate for the narrow width with a
little bit more depth. Let me wrap quick. So, water -- a 12 inch water main is available
on Ustick Road -- are you beeping me? I'm kidding. So, we -- a 12 inch water main is
in Ustick Road. The sewer is north of us in McDermott. It will require an extension of a
30 inch sewer trunk for approximately one mile. We have been working with the Public
Works Department on, obviously, making that happen and entering into a cooperative
agreement. We have read the staff report. We are in agreement with all conditions of
approval and I will stand for questions.
Lorcher: I do have a couple of questions. So, you mentioned directly to the east of this
project is West Ada School District.
McKay: Yes, ma'am.
Lorcher: And so your private street at the -- at the southern -- the southern -- southeast
corner right now is a private drive, but you are going to turn that into a collector.
McKay: We will turn that into a public street.
F31
Meridian Planning&Zoning Commission
June 5,2025
Page 27 of 55
Lorcher: A public street.
McKay: So, it will be a local public street.
Lorcher: Okay. And, then, how far -- will it go all the way to the end? And the only
reason I asked is because I remember when Owyhee Storm was being built and there is
a developer who has property on the other side, there was a big contention of who was
responsible for creating the street to the school district. The school district argued that,
you know, we want the money for the school, we don't -- you know, we want the
developers to help provide some of the infrastructure. So, the road that you are going
to put in is -- is going to go up to the outside of the school boundary area; correct?
McKay: Correct. So, right now if you look at this aerial map there is an existing local
street that comes through that Birch Stone Subdivision and, then, they have a
temporary cul-de-sac. Then the school boundary is right here. So, what staff has
asked us is to eliminate the common drive, eliminate the ped path and the common lot
and take a local street, come across that Nampa-Meridian lot where they are going to
pipe the Eight Mile Lateral and make a connection here. Then that would provide for a
secondary access for that school, so they are not limited to one sole access to Ustick
Road and it would not be at the expense of West Ada School District.
Lorcher: Okay. For full disclosure, I live to the west of this about a half mile down. I
have no financial interest in this property. I will tell you that the Armfield family was the
homesteaders. They were a pretty scrappy bunch, so it doesn't surprise me that they
illegally divided their property to have them all live at the same place. So, you know, I
have some affinity for those old houses, because they are historic houses. They have
been there since probably the early 1900s. But I understand they are just going to be
removed completely.
McKay: Madam Chairman, there are two homes on this Rambo Trust property. One
home was built in 1900. You are correct. Two-story home. The other home was built --
I don't know -- 1950. It is their intent to retain this parcel and those homes and that is
the very last phase.
Lorcher: Okay. So, right now the two homes that are on that parcel remain.
McKay: They will remain until such time as the Rambo Trust agrees to be platted as
our last phase. So, everything is kind of -- you know, we have our own independent
phasing and, then, we have -- obviously, they -- they have to be platted at some point in
time.
Lorcher: Right.
McKay: If they choose -- right now we have multiple lots showing how it would
redevelop, but, obviously, they could choose to just be plaited as two lots with a road on
F32
Meridian Planning&Zoning Commission
June 5,2025
Page 28 of 55
their north boundary. If they end up deciding let's just keep it the way it is and retain the
home.
Lorcher: Okay. Thank you. One final question and I will let the Commissioners talk,
since I'm being kind of stingy here. Why now, when there is no sewer infrastructure
until 2028?
McKay: So, that's -- that's a good question. So, in the city's sewer master plan they
have that in to be budgeted for in 2028. However, the problem is with ACHD rebuilding
Ustick from Black Cat to the McDermott bypass in 2027, then, that's going to shut out
the ability to extend it down Ustick.
Johnson: Becky, will you pull the microphone to you? Thanks.
McKay: So, in our conversations with the city engineer Warren Stewart, the city
typically does not participate in the extensions of these trunks. They are at the
developer's expense and the city may have them in their master plan where they are
going to build them at a specific time. The city is determined that it is in the city's best
interest for a cooperative agreement between the developer and the City of Meridian to
get it extended prior to 2028 and get it pulled down McDermott and, then, east in Ustick
before Ustick is built as five lanes, because, obviously, there is nothing worse than a
brand new five lane principal arterial being torn up a year later and this sewer is deep.
It's a 30 inch. It's a large sewer coming down McDermott. It's a ten inch coming down
Ustick. So, by approving this project, obviously, it's a continuation of existing growth.
We are not jumping out into no man's land. We are willing to accept the fact that we will
participate in this sewer, which is very expensive. My clients have already had JUB
Engineers, who is -- who do the Meridian master plan -- design this sewer. So, the
sewer is already designed from where it is south of Five Mile Creek and, then, all the
way to the subject property.
Lorcher: All right. One more. I need a visual. Okay. So, you got Ustick. You got the
bypass -- McDermott bypass. And just west of the bypass ITD is doing Highway 16.
So, is your sewer going to come down McDermott bypass? Because, otherwise, you
are going to be tearing up everything that ITD is putting in right now for the entry of
Highway 16. Madam Chairman, the -- the sewer in the master plan is not planned to
come down the bypass. It is planned to come down McDermott.
Lorcher: Old McDermott Road?
McKay: Yes. Old McDermott Road.
Lorcher: Okay. So, with that in mind I -- again, ITD right to the west of your property,
as of today they are putting a road in -- concrete -- I don't know if it's asphalt or
concrete. They just -- all I hear is machines back and forth -- as the entryway to
Highway 16. So, what you are telling me is that you are going to rip all that up to be
able to put the sewer back in?
F33]
Meridian Planning&Zoning Commission
June 5,2025
Page 29 of 55
McKay: So, Madam Chairman, what -- Warren Stewart contacted the ITD project
engineer asking if we could go in -- because they will be doing work at the intersection
of Ustick --
Lorcher: Right.
McKay: -- and McDermott and asked the ITD if the city or us could put in a manhole
and get the sewer in there before they pave over it and ITD said no.
Lorcher: Yeah. Because they are going to do it in the next --
McKay: They are not -- they are not being cooperative.
Lorcher: Okay.
McKay: They are not being cooperative, even though the city engineer asked them can
-- can we get this in now, we -- we have -- we have construction plans. These
construction plans were approved years ago and, then, they were -- they were redone
based on new conditions and they were told no. So, we are working with -- obviously it
is our intent to try to get utilities in prior to improvements, but in some instances it's
impossible.
Lorcher: But you are willing to take on those expenses?
McKay: And that would be -- that would be a burden we would have to bear. Yes,
ma'am.
Lorcher: Commissioners, do you have any other questions for Becky at this point
before we take public testimony? All right. Thank you very much. Mr. Clerk, do we
have anybody signed up to testify?
Johnson: Madam Chair, we do. Shawn Wardle.
Lorcher: Hi, Shawn. If you can state your name and address for the record that would
be great.
Wardle: Thank you. Shawn Wardle. 2239 East Griner Street, Meridian, Idaho. Here
representing John and Cheryl Wardle that live at 5600 West Ustick Road. Thank you,
Madam Chair, Members of the Commission. Appreciate your time tonight. I'm here to
talk about a couple things, the first of which is the mid-block node. So, in Meridian's
Comprehensive Plan we have got office on the north and we have got intended
commercial on the south up and down Ustick Road where we see a couple examples of
that and so one of the -- one of the reasons for that is there was always planned within
ACHD's plan a -- a light at the mid-block to make those uses viable and I saw in the
staff report that there was a -- that if a light would come here at the mid-block collector
that it would somehow conflict with the light at McDermott Road. So, if -- if you wouldn't
F34]
Meridian Planning&Zoning Commission
June 5,2025
Page 30 of 55
mind having staff address that particular issue, whether there would be a light here or
not. The -- the applicant talks about access to -- to the Wardle parcel. We -- we would
like to know what kind of mechanism that would be, whether it's a cross-access
agreement. Obviously the parcel will redevelop and we understand that, but would like
to understand a little bit more of that. Does that come with the city's to and through
utility policy or how -- what is the mechanism there? So, if they could address that.
And, then, if you -- if you look at the -- the aerial here I would like to point out that there
are two actual accesses to use Ustick Road from the Wardle parcel. There is an access
directly which -- which would border the new proposed collector road. Then there is a
driveway access and, then, to the west there is a neighboring access and so there will
be -- if-- if-- if approved there will be four -- four accesses to Ustick Road and so one of
the -- one of the questions there is currently Ustick is 50 miles an hour at that -- at that
particular area and so one of my questions would be, you know, could -- could there be
a recommendation to the Traffic Safety Commission to reduce that as -- as things come
along. We understand also that -- that that will serve as a -- essentially an on ramp to
Highway 16. So, I didn't see a traffic impact study within the staff report. So, I don't
know if I missed that, but that's a question for us as well. And, then, finally, the -- the --
the last kind of issue is with the office designation and the removal of that from this
particular application, are the rest of the parcels viable as an office use? I can tell you
that as a commercial real estate broker that's one of the questions that I ask is do we
have enough area to put -- to put good uses that could serve really the neighborhood.
That's what it's -- that's what it's intended to do is serve the neighborhood and -- and
potentially professional office that services the elementary school, dentists,
orthodontists, optometrists, things like that. So, I appreciate your time and I would
stand for any questions.
Lorcher: Okay. I think we will answer your questions when the applicant comes back
forward.
Wardle: Thank you.
Lorcher: All right. Thank you.
Johnson: Madam Chair, a Tom Robinson.
Lorcher: What was the name?
Johnson: Tom Robinson.
Lorcher: Tom Robinson? No? You are good? Oh, the next one. Okay. All right. We
will -- we will put your name on the list.
Johnson: That's everyone on this hearing.
Lorcher: Anybody else in Chambers would like to comment on this application? Becky,
would you like to come back and maybe answer some of Mr. Wardle's questions?
F35]
Meridian Planning&Zoning Commission
June 5,2025
Page 31 of 55
McKay: Madam Chair, Members of the Commission. So, what Ada County Highway
District had us do is as you can see in this preliminary plat we have a minimum 20 foot
buffer along this western edge. That's required by the Meridian Ordinance. The UDC.
ACHD has said you will get a license agreement from us. You landscape it, you
maintain it, but the right of way will go clear to the Wardle parcel. So, they will have the
ability to access the collector based on whatever configuration they have for
redevelopment of that residential parcel. The Durango property to the east, they have
commercial along here, but they do have residential right on the western boundary of
the Wardles. My recommendation to the Meridian staff was that they have some
interconnectivity to the Wardle parcel to basically create a continuation of that
neighborhood commercial office corridor along Ustick giving them options and, then, it
just makes sense if somebody stops at the dentist office, then, they may go over to the
sandwich shop that may be on the Wardle property. So, that would be my
recommendation. That application has just been submitted to the City of Meridian. I do
have a copy of it. So, obviously, they will comment on that. Yes. Yes. So, Ada County
Highway District made it very clear that the traffic signal will be at the McDermott-Ustick
bypass. It's already been installed --
Lorcher: Right.
McKay: -- and is operational. That will be the signal. So, they did not want another
signal at this location and that's why they asked me to offset my north and my south
collector, so that we didn't exceed the threshold requiring a signal.
Lorcher: Okay. And having conversations with ACHD on Ustick, he told me -- and you
will have to verify this, but they were going to change Ustick Road's miles per hour to 35
throughout Ada county. All of it. So, the 50 mile an hour speed is going to go away
and he said -- he can't predict what Canyon county's going to do, but Ada county --
ACHD is going to make Ustick Road throughout the entire valley 35 miles an hour.
McKay: Correct. So, as they -- as they reach -- so, they are going from Ten Mile to
Black Cat in 2026, then, they are going from Black Cat to McDermott in 2027 and, then,
the city of Nampa is going to go five lanes on Ustick from Owyhee Storm all the way to
the Phyllis Canal. So, that's going to be a principal arterial with residential development.
So, I would anticipate when it transitions to that urban designation the speed limit will be
dropped significantly. Yes.
Lorcher: Okay. Commissioners, do we have any other questions for Becky?
Stoll: I'm not sure if this question for Becky, Madam Chair, but can you tell -- talk to me
about the timing of the cooperative agreements being tied to a recommendation for
annexation, as opposed to just entering into a cooperative agreement for sewer
services beforehand. Is that -- is that a requirement, something I should ask the city or
is that something you wanted?
McKay: Madam Chairman, Commissioner Stoll, that was a requirement of the city --
F36]
Meridian Planning&Zoning Commission
June 5,2025
Page 32 of 55
Stoll: Yeah.
McKay: -- that based on adoption of the findings by the City Council for annexation and
rezone we have six months to enter into that cooperative agreement to extend the
sewer. So, they are basically putting in a -- a little fail safe. If -- if my clients decide,
gee whiz, we don't want to extend that sewer for a mile, then, the property will not be
annexed and zoned. So, it is in contingent that my clients enter into that cooperative
agreement that they will extend that sewer main within a specific timeline.
Stoll: But is there a reason why you wouldn't enter into the agreement before for this
request today?
McKay: The agreement's already been drafted. The city attorney has already reviewed
it and the draft has been given to my clients and they are reviewing it now. So, they are
trying to get that executed at this time. Yes, sir.
Lorcher: Okay. So, let's say it's a -- a -- a perfect scenario where you go to Planning
and Zoning, you go to City Council, you -- you gain your entitlements, what is your --
and you get your agreement to construct your sewer, what is your timeline to have
construction happening, knowing that ACHD plans on doing their road work in 2027,
ITD is doing their road work now, where do you kind of fit in, because it will be a
disruption for Ustick Road again or more, you know, and I -- and I know that it has to --
the lateral stuff has to work around the irrigation season, but the sewer does not.
McKay: Right. So, Madam Chair, Ada County Highway District indicated that they did
not want us to make any improvements to Ustick, with the exception of the ten foot
detached sidewalk. Instead they want us to road trust for 200,000 -- 200,300 dollars
and that would be what we would be required if we were to widen 17 feet from center
line and, then, build a shoulder along our entire frontage. So, we will be participating,
obviously, financially, in that improvement. In my conversations with my client as far as
timing, we did not -- you know, the -- the way things are now by the time you get
through entitlements -- here we are 2025 and, then, you get your construction plans
approved, they would not allow us to get our on-site construction plans approved until
the off-site construction plans are approved and, obviously, that work is underway. I
don't believe -- and my clients do not believe that we would have any homes going up
until after that Ustick -- those Ustick improvements were completed.
Lorcher: I understand. Okay.
McKay: It's just -- it just takes us usually a couple years, especially if we have off sites.
Lorcher: Right. Commissioners, do we have any other questions for Becky? Okay.
Thank you very much. Can I get a motion to close the public hearing, please?
Smith: So moved.
F37]
Meridian Planning&Zoning Commission
June 5,2025
Page 33 of 55
Stoll: Second.
Lorcher: It's been moved and seconded to close the public hearing for Springday
Subdivision. All those in favor say aye. Any opposed? Motion carries.
MOTION CARRIED: FOUR AYES. THREE ABSENT.
Lorcher: Well, I'm very familiar, because I'm living this, so -- and I chose to stay and so,
you know, I accept the beeping on a consistent basis. ACHD has approached us to put
a storm drain in. So, I have been talking with them as well and, you know, everything
she said is what they have told me that the improvements are in 2027. I'm -- I'm kind of
-- I'm still very surprised that you -- you want to move the -- you know -- and get
engaged with moving the infrastructure for the sewer system, but after you explained
that you want to do it before all the roadway work is done, as opposed to doing it again
and again that makes more sense to me. But 1.1 mile, that's a long way, so -- but you
are accepting financial responsibility to do that, so it's not for me to say. I'm glad the
historic homes are staying for at least for now. I did not know AC -- or West Ada School
District was -- had a space there. Whether they choose to build there or not is yet to be
seen. But new schools are always welcome in our community and overall I think the
design, you know, will fit the medium density for that north site of Ustick.
Smith: Madam Chair, I -- I agree, this traffic flow -- or this internal flow of the -- of the
development I -- I -- I can't -- I couldn't quite explain if you asked me to, but I -- I really
like the design. It feels kind of, you know, natural cohesive and it's good and I think the
sewer concerns -- I think there is -- there is still some -- some hint of a -- you know, a
question mark there, but I think given that it's -- it's a contingent -- it's -- you know, the
annexation is contingent on that, I -- I think I'm kind of operating under the assumption,
you know, treating this as if it is being built and if it's not, well, that's -- that's on the
developer and so I'm comfortable with this and -- and I think I'm good to go on it.
Lorcher: Okay. You want me to hog all the motions tonight or do you --
Smith: Madam Chair -- Madam Chair, I can make a motion.
Lorcher: Commissioner Smith.
Smith: Want to make sure this is the correct one. This is Springday. Madam Chair,
after considering all staff, applicant and public testimony, I move to recommend
approval to the City Council File No. H-2024-0069 as presented in the staff report.
Perreault: Second.
Lorcher: It's been moved and seconded to approve Springday Subdivision as -- as
presented in the staff report. All those in favor say aye. Any opposed? Motion carries.
MOTION CARRIED: FOUR AYES. THREE ABSENT.
F38]
Meridian Planning&Zoning Commission
June 5,2025
Page 34 of 55
Lorcher: And, Mr. Wardle, if you have any more questions please see Becky and she
will be able to answer those questions for you. All right. We are going to take a ten
minute break, just to kind of wet our whistle and take a bathroom break. So, we will
start again a little bit after 8:00 p.m. and we will do Dayspring. So, thank you very
much.
(Recess.)
9. Public Hearing for Dayspring Subdivision (H-2024-0070) by
Engineering Solutions, LLP., located at South side of W. Ustick Rd.,
1/4 mile East of N. McDermott Rd.
A. Request: Annexation of 143.09 acres of land with R-4 (32.64
acres), R-8 (77.76 acres), TN-R (25.29 acres) and C-N (7.40 acres)
zoning districts.
B. Request: Preliminary Plat consisting of 531 buildable lots (517
residential and 14 commercial) and 78 common lots on 143.09
acres of land in the R-4, R-8, TN-R and C-N zoning districts.
Lorcher: Okay. If we can start getting ready to continue our meeting, please. Thank
you for your patience. We have been talking for the last two hours, so it was nice to
take a little bit of break. We have one more item on the agenda, which is Dayspring
Subdivision, Item No. 2024-0070, for annexation, preliminary plat on the south side of
Ustick, a quarter mile east of McDermott Bypass Road. And, Sonya, we will start with
the staff report when you are ready.
Allen: Thank you, Madam Chair. The next application before you is a request for
annexation and zoning and a preliminary plat. This site consists of one point -- excuse
me -- 143.09 acres of land. It's zoned RUT in Ada county and it's located on the south
side of West Ustick Road, quarter mile east of North McDermott Road and this is just
kind of kitty cornered to the previous project, which is right here. So, the
Comprehensive Plan future land use map designation is mixed-use community on two
point -- excuse me -- 22.27 acres of land on the northeastern portion of the property. As
you can see here on the center map the brown area is the mixed-use community
designated area and medium density residential, 120.82 acres on the southern --
southwestern portion of the site, the yellow area. A future school site is also designated
along their eastern boundary of the site. The applicant is requesting annexation of
143.09 acres of land with R-4 zoning, which consists of 32.64 acres, R-8 zoning, which
consists of 77.76 acres, TN-R zoning, which consists of 25.29 acres and C-N zoning,
which consists of 7.4 acres for the development of 571 dwelling units consisting of a mix
of single family residential detached homes and townhomes and commercial uses. The
proposed mix of uses and densities are consistent with that desired in the underlying
future land use map designations for the site. West Ada of School District did submit
comments stating a school is not needed in the area designated for such on the future
land use map. A preliminary plat is proposed as shown consisting of 531 building lots,
F39]
Meridian Planning&Zoning Commission
June 5,2025
Page 35 of 55
which consist of 517 residential and 14 commercial lots and 78 common lots on 143.09
acres of land in the R-4, R-8, TN-R and C-N zoning districts. The average residential lot
size for the proposed development is 6,544 square feet, with a minimum lot size of
1,800 square feet and a maximum lot size of 20,064 square feet. The proposed
commercial lots have an average size of 14,375 square feet. A phasing plan was
submitted that shows 13 phases of development as shown on the preliminary plat
before you. Staff is recommending a change to the phasing plan to include the
extension of West McHurtrey Street to the west boundary of the site with phase one for
connection to the McDermott Road bypass and that is this road right up here that backs
the commercial property. An updated phasing plan should be submitted prior to the City
Council hearing. Access is proposed via one collector street at the northeast corner of
the site from West Ustick Road, which extends to the south and west boundaries of the
site in accord with the master street map. Four existing stub streets at the eastern
boundary of the property will also provide access and be extended with development.
Stub streets are proposed to adjacent parcels to the east, west and south for future
extension and interconnectivity as shown on the plat. Ada County Highway District has
required an additional stub street to the south, which staff agrees is necessary for future
interconnectivity. A backage road is proposed along West Ustick Road, which will
provide a connection between the entry road and the McDermott Road bypass and
provide access to the commercial lots. The McDermott Road bypass has been
constructed adjacent to this site to the west and is currently under the jurisdiction of
Idaho Transportation Department, but is anticipated to be transferred to Ada County
Highway District in the future. Staff recommends West McHurtrey Street as extended
off site to the west and connects to the McDermott Road bypass with approval from ITD.
If approval cannot be obtained from ITD, the street should be extended once under the
jurisdiction of ACHD. A 35 foot wide street buffer is required along Ustick Road,
designated as an entryway corridor. Twenty foot wide street buffers are required along
collector streets, landscaped in accord with UDC standards. Qualified open space and
site amenities are proposed in excess of the minimum standards. A minimum of 19.38
acres is required. 31.72 acres or 22.9 percent of the site is proposed. A minimum of 29
site amenity points are required. A total of 55 points are provided as follows: From the
quality of life category a picnic area on a site 5,000 square feet or greater in size is
proposed, along with a dog park and six dog waste stations. From the recreation
activity area category two paved sports courts for pickleball are proposed, along with
two swimming pools and changing facilities and restrooms at the swimming pool
facilities. From the pedestrian or bicycle circulation system category are multi-use
pathways and from the multi-modal is two enclosed bicycle storage areas at the pool
house. A variety of conceptual building elevations are proposed and similar to the last
application there are quite a few of them, so I will just scroll through them while I'm
talking. They do represent the quality of future homes planned in this development.
Conceptual elevations and/or design standards should be submitted for the townhome
and commercial structures prior to the City Council hearing that demonstrate a cohesive
design theme for the entire development consistent with the Comprehensive Plan for
mixed-use designated areas. Water service is available at the site. Sewer service is
not available, similar to the last project, and will need to be extended from its current
location north of West Ustick Road in North McDermott Road approximately .8 miles to
F40]
Meridian Planning&Zoning Commission
June 5,2025
Page 36 of 55
the site. Approval of the subdivision sewer system is contingent upon the submittal and
approval of plans to serve the proposed development. While the extension of sewer
infrastructure in this area is included in a city project scheduled for 2028, the developer
is seeking to partner with the city to accelerate the timeline contingent upon securing
entitlements for the property. Because the city does not support annexing and entitling
property for development without a timely plan to extend municipal services, staff
recommends that approval of the project be contingent upon both the cities' and
developers' mutual intent to enter into a cooperative agreement to extend sewer service
to the property ahead of the city's scheduled infrastructure project. This agreement
should be executed within six months of the approval of the findings and prior to the
adoption of the annexation ordinance, which would formally incorporate the property
into the city. In the absence of such an agreement the property will not be annexed.
Several letters of public testimony have been received on this application and they are
included in the public record. Staff is recommending approval with the requirement of a
development agreement, including a provision as previously noted that the applicant
enter into a cooperative agreement with the city within six months to extend sewer
service to the property or the property will not be annexed. Staff will stand for any
questions.
Lorcher: Would the applicant like to come forward?
McKay: Thank you, Madam Chair, Members of the Commission. Becky McKay,
Engineering Solutions. Business address 1029 North Rosario in Meridian. You are
getting a double dose of me tonight. I'm sorry. I'm here representing Toll Southwest,
LLC, and MFRE River Jordan Mink Ranch North, SLCC. We are applying for
annexation, rezone, preliminary plat and a development agreement for the Dayspring
development. This property is located, obviously, east of North McDermott, south of
Ustick. Consists of approximately 143 acres. So, you can see -- you can see the
property located right here. So, on our western boundary is the McDermott bypass,
which, then, kind of drifts away. Our property line comes down here and, then, comes
across and down to the south over and, then, adjoins these existing subdivisions that
are located here. The Sky Pilot Drain under Nampa-Meridian Irrigation District runs
through here right at our northeast corner. So, in our site planning one of the things that
we had to be cognizant of was making sure that our public street was not over the top of
the Sky Pilot Drain, which Nampa-Meridian Irrigation District said they would not allow.
The distance between our collector roadway, which is a mid-mile collector as shown on
the master ACHD master street map, we are about 913 feet to the east of that. That
was the location that ACHD asked us to -- to place that -- that collector roadway. The
Safford Lateral comes in the property right here, runs up this boundary over and goes
due west. That is also under Nampa-Meridian Irrigation District. Greg Curtis asked the
-- the same -- the same type of treatment of that facility that we provide the 30 inch RCP
pipe and, then, the irrigation district would install it during the non-irrigation season. We
are asking for multiple zoning designations on this property. Obviously due to the size
and the different Comprehensive Plan designations. We are asking for R-4 medium
dense -- medium low density residential, R-8, medium density residential, TN-R, which
is traditional neighborhood residential and, then, C-N, which is neighborhood
F41
Meridian Planning&Zoning Commission
June 5,2025
Page 37 of 55
commercial. We have 517 proposed residential lots, 14 commercial lots, six common
lots and 72 -- or six common drives and 72 common lots. On the subject property there
are six different parcels. We have four different homes. Two are up at Ustick. One is
toward the midsection and one is toward the south. All dwellings and accessory
structures will be eliminated and removed with development of this property. As far as
the existing developments that adjoin us we have -- to the east we have Trisha's
Crossing, which is R-4. We have Turnberry No. 2, which is R-8 and R-4 and, then, kitty
corner to us here on our southeast corner that is Burlingame Subdivision, which is R-8.
This triangular parcel here is owned by Endurance Holdings. It's anticipated that that
will be a multi-family development. I have been coordinating with Endurance Holdings
on our stub street locations and as far as our park and ride and dog park, it would adjoin
them. There is a total of six parcels within this particular development and under your
Comprehensive Plan a majority of the property is medium density residential. The three
to eight dwelling units per acre, but it also has -- it also has mixed-use community, so
this is right out of your future land use map. You can kind of see the -- the first exhibit,
kind of half-moon shape and, then, you can see what our proposed land uses are there
on the right-hand side. So, we had multiple meetings with the staff, provided them
different concepts, took their recommendations on -- on what they wanted to see and so
they -- they basically said, you know, it would be nice if, you know, you had some
integration of that neighborhood commercial into your development. So, we have
Dayspring Way, which is our mid-mile collector that comes down here. We are
providing access to the east to the future apartments. We have a park and ride. We
have a pathway and a dog park and since that is kind of a triangular parcel we
anticipated that they have -- would have like open space area that would adjoin us and
so it could be kind of integrated into ours and they would have pathways that would go
over to our transit area. Along the Ustick corridor, since that's a principal arterial, the
city staff wanted to see some type of neighborhood commercial. We do not have any
direct lot access for the commercial uses to Ustick Road. We have this backage road
here, which is called McHurtrey and it will run from our collector over to the McDermott
bypass. So, we -- it will, obviously, have access and visibility from the bypass and
access to a signalized intersection at this location. Then we kind of-- on the south side
we have a couple of office or neighborhood commercial. We have a plaza area with --
with a picnic area. We also have a plaza area up on Ustick with a ten foot detached
walk and, then, we have pedestrian access that interconnects both these plazas and
goes right through the center of our commercial node. Then we transition as far as our
-- our intensity of our residential we have townhomes and we have detached single
family. They are alley load, front load and we do have some that are located on the
MEW. This kind of shows you the -- the overall project that we have here. So, to the
south of us we have a nursery. Sonya indicated ACHD wants another stub street to the
south, so we would extend this roadway to here, so there would be a local stub street,
as collector road, under the master street map will run from our south boundary, no
front-on housing, all the way up to here. We T'd it into Dayspring Way to slow the traffic
and, then, it goes on up to Ustick. I have trouble with this. And, then, the collector also
goes to the west. So, this will be the primary collector that will take traffic from the
interior of this section and, then, that collector, when the property south of us develops,
it will extend all the way to Cherry Lane. Under that mixed-use community it talks about
F42
Meridian Planning&Zoning Commission
June 5,2025
Page 38 of 55
six to 15 dwelling units per acre. It talks about having three different types of land uses.
So, we were -- we were cognizant of that fact and so we did incorporate, you know, the
-- the townhomes, the -- the alley load, the detached single family dwellings. We have
approximately about 22.27 acres in that mixed-use community and the 120 acres or
84.44 percent of the project is medium density residential. One of the criteria under that
MUC was to incorporate some type of public space. We have 2.55 acres of public
space. That's our public plaza, our open space, our dog park, pathways and our park
and ride lot. Then we have about 14 acres of residential. The alley load townhomes,
alley load single family and, then, we have about seven and a half acres of commercial,
which is about 30 percent. So, we did meet that criteria as outlined in your
Comprehensive Plan. All commercial buildings will be compat -- and neighborhood
compatible. We -- we do not have elevations for you this evening. Obviously we will be
subject to the architectural guidelines within the -- the ordinance that requires
articulation and certain types of differing materials on the buildings and especially along
the buildings that will back up to -- to Ustick Road. So, those buildings will be up
against Ustick Road. We do have a 35 foot buffer. We will have a ten foot landscape.
Along our collector roadway we will have ten foot land -- or a ten foot sidewalk that runs
all along both sides. We will also have a multi-use pathway after the Safford Lateral is
piped that will link all the way to the east and to the south. As indicated, we are 143
acres. This kind of gives you the breakdown. Our gross density of the project that
excludes the commercial, so it's not skewed. We are at 3.73. So, obviously, we are on
the lower density scale based on the three to eight dwelling units per acre. We have
31.72 acres of qualified open space. That's 22.91 percent. And we will have two
swimming pool facilities. One in the north area, one in the south area. They both have
parking. Little picnic ball -- pickleball courts. Picnic shelters. We have some tot lots.
Playground equipment. And some different pocket parks. We will have our Valley
Transit park and ride, our dog park and our extensive pathway network throughout the
development. This kind of shows you the -- the landscape plan and kind of the
buildings along -- the commercial buildings there at Ustick and, then, McHurtrey Street.
I always have a hard time saying that. So, this kind of shows you our central amenity,
what it will look like. Obviously, it will have restroom changing facilities. We will have
an extensive pool. Based on the size of the development we will have two large pool
facilities to accommodate the residents, along with significant parking. Now, I'm stuck.
Sonya, I'm stuck. Oh, there it goes. This kind of gives you more of an aerial view. You
can see the play equipment, the parking and the -- the pool facilities. That kind of gives
you an idea of -- of the quality of the pool and the amenities around it. There are the
pickleball courts. This is the entrance into the southern portion of the project as we go
south our density decreases and our lots get larger and larger and so we made a
significant effort to try to have transitional lot sizes adjacent to the existing homes that
are surrounding us. This kind of gives you an aerial overview where you see the project
at Ustick with the neighborhood commercial and what it would look like as it's -- as it's
constructed. You can see that there is solid development all along our eastern
boundary, with the exception of that triangular piece. There is also a proposed -- I think
Meridian Park that's going to be to the southwest of us and that's going to be a regional
park. It has not been constructed. So, we will, obviously, have the ability to -- with our
pathways to interconnect as other parcels develop, adjoining us to that -- to the
F43
Meridian Planning&Zoning Commission
June 5,2025
Page 39 of 55
southwest to that park. This kind of gives you an elevation of what the townhomes
would look like. These are -- these are the alley load type townhomes. You can see a
lot of modulation, differ materials. Then we have our single family alley load product.
Kind of shows you what that would look like. The Juniper collection -- these will be kind
of on the smaller lots that are more up in the northern portion of the project. They are
front load, single family, bonus rooms, two -- two car garages, two -- some two-story. A
variety of types of homes. You know, your Craftsman style, your modern style, your
farmhouse style. Then you kind of see the -- what they call the Riverbend collection.
This would be on our larger lots and they have three car garages, obviously,
significantly wider home. Then we have the Willows. Include that -- we have lots that
will provide homes for different types of families, different lifestyles. They range from 33
feet 55, 65, 75, 85 to 90, 94 to 120 in width and the depths -- we don't have anything
that's less than 110 and some of our lots are as deep as 143. We are almost twice what
your amenity points require us and I think this is a great project. We are excited and,
obviously, the size of this project will help build that sewer. The project to the north --
Johnson: I think you are off of the microphone again. No. You are off the microphone
I was saying.
McKay: Sorry. Thought you were teasing me again.
Lorcher: Okay. Thank you.
McKay: Any questions that I can answer?
Lorcher: I think we will go with public testimony first and we will have you come back
up. Mr. Clerk, who do we have?
Johnson: Madam Chair, we have Ryan Howell.
Howell: Madam, my name is Ryan Howell. My address is 2203 North Montgomery
Avenue here in Meridian. I appreciate the opportunity to talk to you about this. I was
hoping that there would be El Pollo Loco for all of us today, but there -- the question -- a
couple of the concerns that I have. I spent a couple of hours on your website looking at
the different plat maps of this prior to the meeting and as I looked at this -- and is this
the -- the picture that's up on the screen right now --
Lorcher: Uh-huh.
Howell: -- the Dayspring Subdivision plan? As I was looking at this there are the -- the
collectors that go out to Ustick, which is fantastic. However, the other -- the other
access areas -- one is down to the right about halfway through and it comes right out at
Seasons Park. All the traffic from there is going to have to go around Seasons Park.
The next one that comes out, just down from there, also comes out right at Season's
Park and they are going to have to go around Seasons Park to get out of there. Now,
F44
Meridian Planning&Zoning Commission
June 5,2025
Page 40 of 55
that comes out and it dumps out into the -- the -- the subdivision I live in. Turnberry.
That's it.
Lorcher: Okay.
Howell: And there are -- there are also two more access points down low that also
dump into Turnberry. Now, all of that in Turnberry comes to one street and that's
Charles. Right now at -- at the -- at rush hour time you can't get on to Black Cat from
Charles without -- with about 120 homes in the Turnberry Crossing Subdivision. We are
going to add another 500 there. Now, granted, they can go up to Ustick, but if they want
to go shopping the closest place to go shopping is Albertson's. They have got to get to
either Black Cat or Cherry. If they want to go to either the junior high, which is what that
area, as I understand is, still -- that's where those -- those kids would go to, they have
got to go to Black Cat or Cherry. If they want to go to -- to the closest churches are
three of them right there on Black Cat also. So, all of that has got to be funneled down
to one street, to Charles, and there isn't any other access through Turnberry. There is --
they can go up and go into Autumn Faire as well, but the most direct access if you are
getting to the corner of Cherry and Black Cat is down Charles and that's one street for
all of that to be incorporated through and guess what's right there at that street? The
bus stop. That's where all those kids get on this bus. Is my time up?
Lorcher: It is. Thank you for your testimony.
Howell: Thank you very much.
Johnson: Madam Chair, next is Don Lafever.
Lafever: My name is Don Lafever. 2523 North Patricia Way in Meridian. I sent a -- did
a little analysis of the impact statement -- the transportation impact statement and I'm
not sure if anybody ever looked at that. I sent it on Monday.
Lorcher: We have -- I looked at -- we all looked at your public testimony.
Lafever: Okay. Great.
Lorcher: We did see it.
Lafever: Okay.
Lorcher: Don't have it in front of me, but we did read it earlier.
Lafever: So, that sort of goes along with what he had to say. It's sort of a way to
mitigate all that traffic that's going to be going through there, because they have one
lane going up through -- I guess it's Dayspring Way with only one turn to the left, one
turn to the right. We have got 500 or -- 172 houses going to be up north, which are
going to be coming down, which is going to crowd that. There is going to be an
45
Meridian Planning&Zoning Commission
June 5,2025
Page 41 of 55
apartment apparently. I didn't even know about that unit proposed -- down -- not
proposed yet -- next to Dayspring. That's going to be another 500 units at least and so
all you have going north -- and most of the homes in this subdivision are to the north.
All you have is a one lane going up and, then, one over to McDermott. So, I just -- and
the one going north has no light. So, the one on McDermott has a light, but it only has
one lane turning to the left. So, to me with all those homes it looks like it's going to be
very crowded, backed up traffic and if that light goes bad and doesn't turn, it's going to
be a disaster and people are going to start going down towards our -- through our
subdivision trying to find an easy way out. So, I was sort of shocked to see how much --
many homes are proposed for this area. I didn't realize that. So, anyway, that was my
whole thing about this is if you read that, then, that's great.
Lorcher: Okay. Thank you very much.
Johnson: Madam Chair, next is Richard Munn.
Munn: I am Rick Munn. Live at 5130 West Ridgeside Court. They have all touched on
pretty much everything I was thinking about. It's the same thing. It's -- we got the park.
There is kids dodging in and out. People don't read the signs right now and no parking.
They are parked in between there on corners that are blind. There is -- I mean I could
see we have got two -- two -- they have got one entrance coming off of Ustick. I don't
know about the Cherry one where that's going to be. I don't see it on there myself. But,
you know, maybe we can put crash bollards so they can't drive through. They can walk
to our park or so. I'm glad to see they are going to have their own swimming pools and
things like that, but there is 32 parking spots in our little park, two or three -- three, four
of them are handicapped. That's it. They are parking on both sides of the street right
now. It's really difficult to get emergency vehicles through there. I don't know what's
going to happen with our irrigation. Does our pressure go down? Last time somebody
tapped into it we -- we struggled for over a year trying to get our pressure back. I don't
know about water pressure. Internet connection. All that stuff is relevant now, you
know. So, it's -- you just okayed to over 600 houses within a mile of us. This one here
is another six or seven hundred I can throw a rock to from my house. They said they
don't need a school. How does that make any sense, you know? It -- it just goes on
and on. A lot of these are going -- we just had a bunch of subdivisions built around us.
They have gone to rentals and I mean we have got houses with footprints bigger than
their lots, you know. So, it's -- we had a nice little community, 25 houses, the park right
in the middle. It was our park. The city decided to take it. That's wonderful. We are
also on a lift station. Hopefully they will be able to solve that problem with their sewer
down Ustick, which is going to be completely overrun for the next umpteen years. So,
they will be coming through our subdivisions, armies of trucks. Are they going to rebuild
the roads after they rut them all up and everything? You know, it goes on and on. I
have been in construction my whole life. I know how it works. So, it's -- it's just -- it's
too much density, you know. I mean it came up earlier. Density. Density. Density.
Comparable lots. We have got 18, 15 thousand foot lots in ours, you know, and, yeah,
they are going to back it up with some decent size lots along the canal, but, then, real
F46]
Meridian Planning&Zoning Commission
June 5,2025
Page 42 of 55
quickly it gets crowded real fast and if they go rentals, which around us they have, they
turn into flop houses. You get four or five, six cars per house.
Lorcher: All right. Thank you for your testimony.
Munn: Thank you.
Johnson: Next is Mark Graham.
Graham: My name is Mark Graham. I live at 5088 West Tournament Drive in Meridian.
I'm also in the Turnberry Crossing Subdivision. My -- I -- I understand that Meridian is
growing and people need places to live, so conceptually I'm not opposed to building
subdivisions so that people have a place to live. My -- my only question, which all these
other people have raised, is all of the traffic that's going to -- oops. Sorry. That's going
to be funneling through the subdivisions and it seems to me that -- and -- and I don't
understand the mechanics and what the city is allowed to do and not allowed to do, so
leaving all that aside, the collector street comes down and stops at the southern end of
the subdivision and can the city or Planning and Zoning make approval dependent upon
extending that collector all the way down to Cherry? I don't know whether it would
require condemnation of some -- a do right or -- you know, what whatever the
mechanism is, but that way people could easily get down to Cherry, because, as they
said, all the shopping's on Cherry and so that would allow people to -- to leave the
subdivision easily and not flood the -- the subdivisions to the east and I think that would
make it much more palatable to everyone if -- if that could be part of the approval and
building of the subdivision if that little piece of land, just to get down the Cherry, would
be required to get that street built before they built houses.
Lorcher: We will have the applicant answer that question when she comes back up.
Graham: Okay. Thank you for your time. I appreciate it.
Lorcher: Thank you for your testimony.
Johnson: Madam Chair, Tom Robinson.
Robinson: I live at the southeast corner of Seasons Park.
Lorcher: Can you give your name and address on the record, please.
Robinson: Tom Robinson. 5198 West Ridgeside Court.
Lorcher: Thank you.
Robinson: My issues are -- one of them is safety. There is almost a hairpin turn as you
come in on -- and turn on Bayside, then, on to Ridgeside Court and if you come in there
and you are not really hugging that outside corner and somebody's coming this way,
F47]
Meridian Planning&Zoning Commission
June 5,2025
Page 43 of 55
there is going to be an accident there and -- and even those of us who -- the 25 homes
that live there, if you are not really focusing, you are apt to get over a little too far and if
there is all kinds of other people going through there that aren't used to that, there is
going to be an accident and this city should be sued if there is, for -- for allowing this.
That little road around that park is not suitable for handling hundreds and hundreds of
cars and it's going -- there is going to be problems. It's -- it makes no sense. If this --
this -- a lot of this could be solved if you would finish first that connection with Cherry, so
the people could get out to Cherry on that -- on their -- on their -- their own track over
there and if you would close off any opening from that subdivision to cars into Seasons
Park. Leave it open for kids to ride their bicycles in, for people to walk in, but keep the
traffic off the -- around the park. It's dangerous. People are going to get hurt and killed.
Kids running back and forth. They don't -- they don't pay attention to cars parked, cars
parked not only around the park, there is only room for 31 cars in that whole area. If -- I
looked up -- you need to have 24 to 26 feet for a car. There is 31 on the outside and
ten or -- ten or 11, including two handicapped in the -- in the basketball court there. It
just isn't safe to do it this way. If you would open up the very first thing into Cherry, that
would alleviate a lot of this traffic around that park, which was never designed to have
heavy traffic, so -- and another thing. If you are coming home at night from the east and
that sun is right there, you cannot see unless you are over there rubbing the curb and,
then, of course, people park where you are not -- there is a sign there no parking, but
there is a game there, there is people there, activity there and you can't see and even if
you are watching you are not going to -- it -- it just is not safe. It is not tenable. You
could have some kind of opening at that northwest corner so an emergency truck could
get through it, only that and people could walk in, they could ride their bike in, they could
do that, but don't overload that park to the point where there is going to be an accident.
Thank you for your time.
Lorcher: Thank you very much.
Johnson: Madam Chair, that was everyone who had marked they wanted to speak.
Lorcher: Is there anybody else in chambers that would like to speak? Sir.
Thacker: My name is Corey Thacker. I live at 5900 West Ustick. A little triangle piece
just outside the Ustick exit. I grew up in a small town. I -- when I first moved there in
2013 it was heaven. Farm ground for as far as I could see. Obviously, I'm being
drastically impacted. McDermott put down my west border. This neighborhood, which
eventually will probably go in across my road. Durango, which is coming up next
Planning and Zoning going behind me. The only thing I ask -- I don't want to stay. I
want to get out. The only way that's possible for me -- and I do have a contract at the
moment, but it requires access for the purchaser; right? They have been in contact with
Durango. They have talked to Durango about making sure to do a stem road over to
their access, et cetera, et cetera. I don't know how that fits into their access, because
you got 500 houses coming this way, you got Durango coming this way, so I mean I
would ask that they talk together to make sure that that works, meeting ACHD, ITD,
whatever, whichever, whoever, because that's part of the major stipulation of being able
48
Meridian Planning&Zoning Commission
June 5,2025
Page 44 of 55
to sell that property is having a commercial access to that property. The other thing is I
have water rights. The lateral that comes in going east to west right through the middle
of the subdivision, how do they plan to make sure that I get my water rights? I got
three-quarters of a -- of an acre of water that's supposed to be piped in all the way
down. I don't know how that's planned; right? So, I guess the only thing that I would
just sit here and say is -- I mean you are going to see me next month, because I'm
going to talk during Durango as well, but the other half of it is it's just kind of like the idea
where it's like -- there is plenty of properties in Meridian where you can see, because of
lack of foresight, access, whatever they sit empty. On the corner of Ten Mile and Ustick
there is a lot sitting there that you are like, well, why isn't a business there? It's just
plain empty nothing; right? So, if we plan in advance the retail you are asking for all of
the rooftops, well, I have got somebody that wants to put a retail there, so if we can do
whatever is needed to make sure that happens that would be great, so --
Lorcher: And before you leave what triangle is yours? Are you on the south side or the
north side of the street?
Thacker: I'm on the north side of this. So, it's 5900. Right across the road from their
commercial lot.
Lorcher: Oh. Okay.
Thacker: It's not necessarily a triangle, it's like a trapezoid I guess you would call it or --
Lorcher: Okay.
Thacker: -- it is.
Lorcher: And how many acres do you have?
Thacker: I have four. It would take a little longer than I have time to explain.
Lorcher: Right.
Thacker: But four of that is mine. Two of it belongs to Marqueth. But he has
apparently agreed to sell it to the people who are wanting to buy mine --
Lorcher: Okay.
Thacker: -- to put in that road.
Lorcher: Okay.
Thacker: So --
Lorcher: Okay. All right. Thank you. Yes, ma'am. Hi.
F49]
Meridian Planning&Zoning Commission
June 5,2025
Page 45 of 55
S.Robinson: Hi. Thank you for the opportunity. I'm Shantel Robinson. 5198 West
Ridgeside Court, Meridian, Idaho. What I'm hearing about all this -- I don't think even
we need to hear about this if the city had planned ahead of time. All the roads first, city
plan it, what goes where, then, allow developer to develop it according to whatever.
Instead it's like going -- developer goes first, what's coming? Seems like backwards.
City needs to plan it ahead of time, whatever the retailer, school. Road first. Sewage
first. It's more economical. Makes more sense. As it is of the developer runs the show
and city just saying, okay, okay, not enough opposition is like -- seems like strange to
me and -- I mean we called the city needs to plan it, not some village, you know,
individual property developing, whatever. So, I think I would like to request the city to
kind of -- okay, from now on five year plan, ten year plans, what -- kind of plan it ahead
of time. So, plan more traffics, budgeting, sewer line, all this and I think it make more
sense to me. City needs to plan and run the show and leave the planning not to
developer. That's my opinion.
Lorcher: Thank you.
S.Robinson: Thank you.
Lorcher: Anybody else in Chambers? Chris, do we have anybody online?
Johnson: Madam Chair, we do not.
Lorcher: Would the applicant like to come forward to answer some of the questions.
McKay: Thank you, Madam Chair, Members of Commission. Becky McKay.
Engineering Solutions. So, one of the questions, obviously, is the collector roadway
and the long range planning. The collectors that we show within this development
match that long range transportation plan for this area based on the master street map
adopted by ACHD and within the Comprehensive Plan of the City of Meridian showing
the mid mile collectors. Everyone always -- is always concerned -- you know, the -- the
size of these larger projects that all these homes are going to be built immediately.
Well, I -- I want to remind the Commission that this particular project is a 13 phase
project and we typically will develop, maybe one to two phases per year and on these
larger projects it takes time. It takes time to get them off the ground and it takes time to
build them out. For example, Bridgetower Subdivision that I did, it took 15 years just to
develop what was on the east side of Ten Mile. The west side of Ten Mile is still
ongoing and it had commercial components and it had, you know, residential
components, but these don't happen overnight, so -- so it -- it -- it's not like we are going
to be generating the maximum trips immediately. There is concern about the
connection to Trish's Way. Now, there is an existing stub street there. It's kind of at an
angle and my recommendation when I met with the neighbors I -- I did have multiple
neighborhood meetings -- was that we install an island there, which would -- it's
naturally kind of just chokes that traffic and if traffic does go that direction that it slows it
down. Right now -- right now there are I believe 354 trips on that roadway. That's it.
Three fifty-four. The volume for a low -- existing local street is 2,000 trips a day under
F50]
Meridian Planning&Zoning Commission
June 5,2025
Page 46 of 55
the Ada County policy manual and they have 354. We have done everything we can to
connect to Classic Drive, Tournament Drive on the east boundary, so that it's a very
circuitous connection. So our traffic does not have the inclination of feeding through
them. That is going to be an easier way to go out Dayspring to the collector and, then,
out to Ustick and so that was one of the key planning things that we worked on to make
sure that we did not promote cut-through traffic. Yes, they do have roadways that end
up going over to Black Cat, but, you know, you are going to have to cut through and --
and so, like I said, if we make it so that it's difficult -- people will take the path of least
resistance and that's how we have planned this whole project. I can't put a barricade up
and make it a pedestrian connection under the Ada County Policy Manual, under the
Meridian UDC, it says you shall connect to any existing public stub street. So,
therefore, I don't have a choice. We didn't have a choice. But we worked with the
district, we worked with the city to try to minimize that impact on these neighborhoods.
One person indicated that they are concerned about their pressure irrigation. So, their
pressure irrigation's in the adjoining developments, Jayden Village, Trisha's Crossing,
their own operated by Nampa-Meridian Irrigation District. Nampa-Meridian Irrigation
District has asked us to put in a massive pump station down on the Safford Lateral
where our water rights are and they want to own and maintain it. Their plan is to
interconnect to the existing systems that they currently maintain in the adjoining
developments, then, to create a backup and anytime we can loop those systems that
creates better pressure. If a pump goes down in one station you have got a backup
with another pump station. So, that is only going to improve their pressure irrigation.
As far as our lot sizes, I have -- I have a bunch of lot sizes especially adjoining those
developments. They range from 8,200 to 9,300. 1 have some that range from 10,000 to
11,800. 1 have lots that are 11,000 to 17,000 square feet. So, I'm not putting little bitty
lots next to their larger lots. We worked to transition. That's why that whole south and
that east quadrant is all R-4. If we look at our density, you know, our density is, what,
3.43 1 think -- 4-3 or whatever. Sorry. I -- been a long night. It's been a long week. So,
you know, we are in that lower -- we are not up there pushing that envelope. You know,
that project that was before us, you know, they are coming in at, what, 8.06 in a three to
eight dwelling unit, asking for an R-15. I'm not doing that. We are under four. We are
staying on that lower end. We are looking at compatibility. We are looking at transition.
We are looking at what kind of traffic we are generating. We know there are thresholds.
This whole area from a transportation perspective is going to change when State
Highway 16 is completed. The traffic patterns are going to be completely different and
-- and it's going to be an expressway. They are going to be -- have access to 1-84. We
are going to have interchanges. We are going to have five lane Ustick, not a two lane
Ustick with intermittent sections of sidewalk. It's going to have continuous sidewalk and
five lanes. So, as far as the comments that, you know, hey, the transportation system
should be built first before you come in, the transportation system is being built and it's
very rare that I come before this Commission where we are seeing such public
investment from the state, from Ada County Highway District, to improve the
transportation ahead of me impacting these -- this roadway network. As far as safety
around the park, there is a neighborhood park, Seasons Park, within the development to
the east. You know, they have playgrounds, they have shelters, they have open fields.
We are going to have our own playgrounds. We are going to have our own shelters.
F51
Meridian Planning&Zoning Commission
June 5,2025
Page 47 of 55
We are going to have our own open fields. We are going to have multiple swimming
pools. We are going to have our own pathway network. We may have kids that go over
there, but we are trying to, obviously, make sure that we have amenities to serve these
residents, so that we don't overburden that neighborhood park and that is the intent of
the UDC requiring the 15 percent open -- qualified open space and a certain number of
amenity points and we have, what, 30 some acres of open space within this
development. I mean that's -- that's significant in my opinion. Then we are going to
have the regional park to the southwest of us when that gets built and funded. The
other thing is there is an existing lift station at Trisha's Way right here -- right there.
That lift station was not intended to be there. When that project was approved that
engineer indicated it could sewer -- gravity sewer to Meridian. After approval, then, the
engineer said, well, I made a mistake, it can't. Then they went to the city Public Works
Department and said we need a temporary lift station. The city was not happy about
that. Not happy about it. As a condition of approval with my first phase the first thing
we have to do is decommission that lift station that serves these residents and connect
them to the gravity sewer. That lift station is costing the City of Meridian money every
year for maintenance, operation, power, et cetera. So, that is -- that is -- that burden is
upon us and so not only are we making improvements that are going to benefit this
development, it will benefit the community as a whole. These -- these projects are in a
priority growth area and I want you to keep that in mind. I'm not jumping clear out into
the sticks and, like I said, it will take us a couple years to get this going and -- and I
would ask that the Commission consider that, look at the quality, look at the variety of
lots I'm providing and my low density and approve this. Thank you.
Lorcher: Quick question. One of the questions came -- Dayspring comes off of Ustick.
Does it connect all the way through to Cherry Lane?
McKay: Madam Chair, the collector roadway does not -- within our project does not
connect to Cherry Lane. So, it will be extended when these properties to the south of
us develop, this collector -- they will have to extend it and connect it to Cherry Lane.
So, it's only a matter of time.
Lorcher: Okay. So, when I'm looking at this picture, the bottom white part, that's just a
stub street then?
McKay: Yes, ma'am.
Lorcher: And so in order to get out I would have to go to Black Cat to the east?
McKay: You would -- you would either go to Ustick or you would go out to the bypass,
get on Highway 16 --
Lorcher: Okay. I see. Yeah.
McKay: You know, they will be making right-hand turns on Ustick. So, existing services
are not to the west, existing services are to the east.
F52
Meridian Planning&Zoning Commission
June 5,2025
Page 48 of 55
Lorcher: Okay.
McKay: So, we want to make sure that all of these -- we have different what I call pods
and they all connect to that Dayspring Way and, then, we want to make it convenient,
easy, go to Dayspring Way, make a right turn on Ustick and, then, go down Ustick.
Lorcher: Okay. And where are you going to start north or south? North, because of the
sewer?
McKay: We would have to -- we would have to start at the north, because that's where
the sewer and the water will be. We will have to build a good portion of that collector
and, then, we also have to -- with our first phase bring in this street and take that -- and
take that lift station offline.
Lorcher: Okay. Commissioners, do we have any questions for Becky?
Smith: Madam Chair, I have a question. Might be -- might end up being a question for
staff. I just want to make sure I kind of -- we have some sort of answer on this, but the
gentleman that was concerned about access with this Durango, it looks like I'm seeing
some stubs into his property, some stubs into Durango from this project and I'm just
curious do we have any visibility -- talking with those developers, just trying to help
answer that question of what connection might look like from your property through
Durango into that property via stubs.
Parsons: Yeah. Madam Chairman, yeah, they are on the north -- his property is on the
north side.
Smith: On this -- sorry. For the -- the southern triangle. Sorry. I'm not asking -- that
was what we were talking about, but it looks like there are stubs going in from this
application to that southern chunk and, then, you know, he takes access out to Ustick
and also access via the -- the eastern kind of stub there. I'm just curious do we have
visibility on what kind of that interconnectivity between those parcels might look like?
Am I making sense?
McKay: Madam Chair. So -- so, you are -- you are talking the triangular area?
Smith: Yes.
McKay: Yes. I do have their site plan. So, I have a stub street that goes into it here. I
have a stub street that goes into their project here. We have pathway connections and
our park and ride and interconnectivity here in their triangular area and, then, if they
wanted access here they would align with this street. So, they have three different
options. But it all -- they will all feed to Dayspring Way.
Smith: Thank you.
F53]
Meridian Planning&Zoning Commission
June 5,2025
Page 49 of 55
McKay: And, then, the commercial portion owned by the church, they have a proposed
access to Ustick.
Smith: Madam Chair?
Lorcher: Commissioner Smith.
Smith: I have one unrelated question also regarding the pump on that -- that sub
lateral. Just curious in regards to the phasing when that is intended to go in the -- the
pump that MID asked for.
McKay: Madam Chairman, Commissioner Smith, the pump station will have to go in
with phase one --
Smith: Okay.
McKay: -- because we have to have pressurized irrigation for our first phase and the
pump station -- I think we had it located right in this location.
Lorcher: Commissioners, any other questions of the applicant?
Stoll: Madam Chair. Becky, what's the distance from the southern part of your
development of Dayspring down to Cherry?
McKay: It appears to be less than a quarter mile.
Stoll: Quarter mile. Bill, is that -- is that about right?
Stoll: And what's the phasing of time frames that you think for the southern part of that
-- your development that's going to be occurring. Roughly. You have 14 phases. What
-- what year are we talking about?
McKay: Well, typically, my clients like to have diversity of product, so the phasing is
kind of going to bounce around a little bit, so that maybe we have the -- some alley load
homes and, then, we will want estate lots in the south portion. They always like to get
their central amenity in with their first phase, so I would anticipate that we would build
that collector down and, then, have some of those larger estate lots pretty -- you know,
within, I don't know, probably four years would be my guess. It will take us two years to
get the first phase online. The off-site. And, then, within four years be down there. So,
they like to have -- you know, we have different lot sizes and different size homes. So,
we like to diversity is the key to success in the marketplace. So, you appeal to different
people. If the market slows down, you know, you are -- you don't have just a whole
bunch of high end, large estate lots, nor do you want to have a whole bunch of, you
know, duet or townhome lots, you know, you want -- you want variety and -- and that
was the success with -- with BridgeTower that even during the great recession we were
still doing more phases, because it wasn't just another subdivision, it was a community
54
Meridian Planning&Zoning Commission
June 5,2025
Page 50 of 55
and that's what this is. The projects that are just another subdivision, those were the
ones that tanked, back to the banks. The larger projects that had diversity and product
that were still, you know, might have been a slow crawl, but they were still moving
forward. Those were the projects that we saw success with.
Stoll: Madam Chair, one more question.
Lorcher: Sure.
Stoll: Have you been in conversations with the property owner to the south of your
development since you are talking about quarter mile to connect to Cherry?
McKay: Madam -- Madam Chair, Councilman Stoll, yes, I did. He -- there was a
gentleman that -- he owns a nursery. He indicated to me that he was not opposed to
the project, that he assumed, you know, with all the activity with the State Highway 16
extension, that eventually that project would develop and so I think he was kind of
looking at, you know, as we bring this collector down and we bring water down and
that's, obviously, going to set his parcel up for prime development.
Lorcher: Commissioners, anymore questions for Becky? Thank you very much. Can I
get a motion to close the public hearing?
Smith: So moved.
Stoll: Second.
Lorcher: It's been moved and seconded to close the public hearing for Dayspring
Subdivision. All those in favor say aye. Any opposed? Motion carries.
MOTION CARRIED: FOUR AYES. THREE ABSENT.
Lorcher: I think the challenge is that it's just -- it's just so big. It's overwhelming. But we
are also looking at 15 years to build it all out. There was a comment about how come
there is no school, but West Ada has acreage on the north side of Ustick, as opposed to
the south side of Ustick. So, there is a school, it's just not on the north side of the
street, it will be on the south side of -- excuse me -- it will be on the north side of the
street, not the south side of the street. The questions about infrastructure I feel like
were answered and overall the design of the subdivision is vast. It's -- I like the diversity
of it. It's a shame that we haven't been able to connect to Cherry Lane right now, but
that's -- every owner has a right to sell their property when they wish to. It's not up to
the city to force anybody to do that and the stub streets are already there and ACHD
has already said even before any of you moved into your community when you saw
those red stripes that said future roadway or whatever it says, that it was always
planned to be there. I like the fact that the commercial is on Ustick and I think initially
the phasing is going to go slow enough that it will trickle in and other parcels will
continue to develop and -- and creating infrastructure. When I first saw this I was
F55]
Meridian Planning&Zoning Commission
June 5,2025
Page 51 of 55
overwhelmed, but now that Becky has kind of explained and -- and how it's going to
work, it's going to connect to the bypass, five lanes on Ustick, Highway 16, it is all going
to change and our little country living off of Ustick Road is -- is going to change and they
are preparing themselves, so that in 2027 when ACHD widens Ustick Road that they
can be part of that change. So, I am actually in supporting of this and, of course, it all
predicates on whether or not the city and the developer can come to an agreement --
the development agreement to do the sewer. If that's not going to happen, then, none
of this happens. So, between now and -- and the hearing with the City Council, that's
going to happen. I think the only criticism I have on this one is that a few years after
The Oaks was built that the community complained that there is -- there is a property on
the -- the -- the north and the south side of McMillan for The Oaks and that their
amenities were, you know, kind of crossing over and they there weren't enough. Even
though you have that open space and it was specifically on the pools and so I
envisioned, you know, a few years from now that people say they are in my pool, but,
you know, that's a detail to work out later. Commissioners, what do you think?
Perreault: Madam Chair?
Lorcher: Commissioner Perreault.
Perreault: Thank you. So, I have lived near Black Cat and Cherry since 2009, so I
have been out in this area before the Ten Mile interchange existed. I have been out
here before a good majority of all the subdivisions existed. So, I can relate with
concerns about growth out here and -- and, you know, how fast it feels like it's
happening. I live in an area that is near Fuller Park. It belonged to the West Ada
Recreation District, now owned and run by the city, and that park has hundreds of
houses and subdivisions around that park and in regard to concerns with Seasons Park,
hardly anybody uses it and there is walking access, there is driving access, it's a
fabulous place to be and it's underused and I -- I -- so, I don't -- and the reason it's
underused is because the neighborhoods around it have their own parks, have their
own places to play, and I anticipate this is going to be a similar situation. But if you ever
get a chance Fuller Park is amazing. So, having seen this many subdivisions built and
the interconnectivity that's purposely done between the subdivisions, the more
connectivity you have, the more streets you have, the more you take individual cars off
of each street, which means that -- that the cars are -- have multiple options, so they are
not all funneling down one street and out to another arterial and we know that's true,
because we have built so many subdivisions in this manner that ACHD knows how
traffic flows and the way in which folks tend to go. They are going to take the easiest
route they can and that is not to go through multiple short streets and stop at stop signs
and stop at stop signs, they are going to go where there is not -- where there is a
smooth sailing option. So, I just want to say that. I don't know if that gives the
neighbors any encouragement or not, but I have been seeing this going on for a very,
very long time and this neighborhood has more connected streets than almost anyone I
have seen in the recent past. I have been making decisions with the city since 2017
and I don't know that I have seen a subdivision that has like seven or eight connections.
So, that's -- that's a good thing, even though it might seem like it's not. Otherwise, I also
56
Meridian Planning&Zoning Commission
June 5,2025
Page 52 of 55
have the same sentiments as the chairwoman that this feels overwhelming and big, but
it's not necessarily a poorly designed community.
Smith: Madam Chair?
Lorcher: Commissioner Smith.
Smith: I -- earlier tonight I think we -- we saw a good example of a project for -- for
example, that while in the best interests of the city to move forward with, maybe had
some significant concerns around access and design and -- and variety and things that
kind of weighed against it that, honestly, for me made a little bit of heartburn. I don't
have that feeling with the way that this -- this development is designed. I -- I know it
wasn't intended with malice, it always rubs me a little the wrong way when -- when I
hear that us as a commission or the city kind of seen as a rubber stamp on developers.
I think a lot of people don't see the incredible work that staff does behind the scenes to
ensure that projects and applications are up to a really high standard by the time they
get to us and so it's easy when you see a lot of approvals, you know, you -- you can
kind of miss those details. I think this is a great product of the developer and staff
working together on something that is -- that -- that really is a good fit. I -- I see the
transition space. I'm looking -- I was counting at one point on the map almost kind of
one-to-one ratios of backyards of -- on -- on those borders. I understand that -- that
change can be hard and especially a change at the scale all at once you can hear 500
houses. It's -- it's easy to -- to bristle at that and it's understandable. But over -- over
this large of a space and looking at the density, I think the density is really appropriate
given kind of the surrounding density of those neighboring developments. I think this is
an area that's just growing quickly and I -- I always -- I -- I feel for people who are seeing
a significant change from what they are used -- from what they are used to, but that --
this -- that's the reality and -- and to echo your -- your comment, Madam Chair, those
stub streets are -- are there for a reason. They are -- they are there to indicate that
something is going to go there in the future and so I would just encourage -- I -- I -- I
genuinely mean this, this is -- I think this is a really good development. I -- I think this is
thought out very well and a lot of the heartburn that I might see for other developments
I don't feel about this and so, you know, I'm just a stranger at a -- at a -- at a dais, but,
hopefully, that -- I mean provides some comfort that I genuinely think this is a really
good project with really diverse offerings and -- and a lot of the density that does exist is
north closer to Ustick, funneling people out that way to hopefully lessen the impact on
the -- the -- the eastern kind of neighboring communities., So I'm fully in support of this.
I understand some of the -- some of the concerns, but I think this is genuinely a really
great project.
Lorcher: Well, hopefully, we were able to answer some questions today, too.
Commissioner Stoll, do you want to add anything?
Stoll: Yeah. Madam Chair, appreciate that. Overall the project -- large projects are
breathtaking, both as far as the size and what it's going to mean for the community. I
look back fondly upon and prefer when I moved to this area in 1993 and I wish it had
F57]
Meridian Planning&Zoning Commission
June 5,2025
Page 53 of 55
stayed what it was back then. But many of the opportunities and amenities that were
not there in 1993 are here now because of growth that has occurred and new friends
that I have made over that time period. Large developments, although breathtaking,
can be and are very beneficial as far as helping to put into effect a transportation
system that we know is going to be impacted by this development. It's the small ones
that choke us and cause problems in the long term and I would recommend that folks
take a look at the good work that the city has done with the Comprehensive Plan,
because they have laid out what they want the city to grow as. The county has done
the same thing. Look at the work that the Community Planning Association of
Southwest Idaho has done for its long range transportation plan for the two counties
and, then, also what ACHD has done with its master streets plan. The challenge isn't
that planning hasn't been done, it's the lack of financial resources that we have within
the state on how we set up and we would all love to put in the transportation
infrastructure now, because it would save us a lot of money in buying the right of way,
but that's not how it's set up and we as voters often turn down opportunities or contact
our legislators that say, no, don't increase our property tax or, sorry, don't increase our
gas tax. We contact ACHD and say we don't want impact fees to go up or our property
tax to go up and the same thing with the city. Until that changes we are going to be
reactive on trying to put in the transportation system and it's going to be developments
coming in first and, then, we will be doing the improvements later on. This particular
development there is really only two things that give me pause and one I just answered
is the connection on the southern part to Ustick. I wish that was being done now, as
opposed to later, but we have the development application in front of us now. We don't
have one at a later date. The cooperative agreement I still struggle with why we are
having this conversation before the cooperative agreement has been executed, but I
understand why and as long as we have the condition that the cooperative agreement
has to be executed within six months I'm comfortable with going forward with this
development.
Perreault: Madam Chair?
Lorcher: Commissioner Perreault.
Perreault: Just one more quick statement. At the corner of Black Cat and McMillan this
same developer, Toll Brothers, built a 700 plus home subdivision and they built it on
McMillan, which is a two lane road with no intention of it being expanded. This is -- I'm
not advocating for this per se, but just -- just to have a comparison. This is going to be
built on a five lane road and so there -- I think that that traffic is going to move better
than what you see on McMillan with that 700 plus home subdivision that's there at Black
and McMillan. I also am curious if Toll Brothers has applied for their own zip code now
or is that coming?
Lorcher: All right.
Stoll: Madam Chair, if I may --
F58]
Meridian Planning&Zoning Commission
June 5,2025
Page 54 of 55
Lorcher: Yes.
Stoll: -- I have been the only one that's been not doing this.
Lorcher: Give it ago.
Stoll: I'd like to make a motion. After considering all staff, applicant and public
testimony I move to recommend approval to the City Council of File No. H-2024-0070
as presented in the staff report for the hearing date of June 5th, 2025.
Smith: Second that.
Lorcher: It's been moved and seconded to approve Dayspring Subdivision. All those in
favor say aye. Any opposed? Did I say Dayspring? Is this one Springday? Which one
is it? Dayspring? Okay. Dayspring Subdivision.
Johnson: Madam Chair, can you clarify it's recommended approval.
Lorcher: A recommended approval and I say aye.
MOTION CARRIED: FOUR AYES. THREE ABSENT.
Lorcher: All right. Before we adjourn, two housekeeping things. Number one we do
not have Planning and Zoning on June 19th, since it's a federal holiday. We will be on
June 26th. I understand we have five or six applications, so it will be a full day. And
just a reminder when Tina sends out e-mails, if we can all respond to all quickly, so that
she can get a quorum. I think with people being on vacation this summer it will be a
little bit challenging. And with that I will take one more motion.
Parsons: Madam Chair, just one -- one other clarification --
Lorcher: Oh, one more housekeeping.
Parsons: It's going to start at 6:30 --
Lorcher: Oh, 6:30 on the 26th.
Parsons: Yes.
Lorcher: Okay. Very good. I will take one more motion.
Smith: Madam Chair?
Lorcher: Commissioner Smith.
Smith: Move to adjourn.
F59]
Meridian Planning&Zoning Commission
June 5,2025
Page 55 of 55
Stoll: Second.
Lorcher: It's been moved and seconded to adjourn. All those in favor say aye.
MOTION CARRIED: FOUR AYES. THREE ABSENT.
MEETING ADJOURNED AT 9:23 P.M.
(AUDIO RECORDING ON FILE OF THESE PROCEEDINGS. )
APPROVED
6 126 I 25
MARIA LORCHER - CHAIRMAN DATE APPROVED
ATTEST:
CHRIS JOHNSON - CITY CLERK
F60