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City of Meridian | Department Report I. Project Overview
HEARING
DATE:
July 8, 2025
TO: Mayor & City Council
FROM: Sonya Allen, Associate Planner
208-884-5533
sallen@meridiancity.org
APPLICANT: Nader Rafla
SUBJECT: H-2025-0015
Virgin Mary and St. Mark Coptic
Orthodox Church – MDA
LOCATION: 4383 N. Locust Grove Rd., in the
northeast 1/4 of Section 31, T.4N., R.1E.
(Parcels R1608650276 and
R1608650278)
PROJECT OVERVIEW
A. Summary
Modification to the existing development agreement (Inst. #2016-086864) for a new agreement
applying only to the subject property to update the development plan and change the approved
use of the property from office to a church.
B. Issues/Waivers
The Applicant requests City Council approval of a reduced buffer width from 25 feet to 5 feet
along the northern property boundary adjacent to the existing residential use.
Staff recommends the Applicant submit and obtain Director approval of Alternative Compliance
applications for an alternative off-street parking plan as set forth in UDC 11-3C-7F in order to
comply with the off-street parking standards listed in UDC 11-3C-6; and a reduced street buffer
width along N. Locust Grove Rd. prior to City Council approval of the signed DA. This will
ensure the DA isn’t amended for a development plan that isn’t approved for development. If one
or both of these applications is denied by the Director, revisions to the site plan shall be made to
comply with the minimum standards for such in UDC 11-3C-6 and/or UDC Table 11-2B-3, as
applicable.
Staff also recommends the Applicant submit an updated shared use parking agreement and/or
hours of operation for the church that don’t conflict with the standard operating hours for both
uses, including the Holy holidays (i.e. Feasts), for inclusion in the new DA.
Note: Because the Applicant has a deadline to obtain Council approval of the proposed MDA in a
purchase agreement for this property in the near future, Staff is recommending the Council act on
this application at the upcoming hearing rather than continuing it to a subsequent meeting to
resolve the above-noted issues.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
DEPARTMENT REPORT
City of Meridian | Department Report II. Community Metrics
C. Recommendation
Staff: Approval
D. Decision
City Council: Pending
COMMUNITY METRICS
Table 1: Land Use
Description Details Map Ref.
Existing Land Use(s) Vacant/undeveloped -
Proposed Land Use(s) Church -
Existing Zoning L-O (Limited Office) VI.A.2
Proposed Zoning NA
Adopted FLUM Designation MU-N (Mixed Use – Neighborhood) (0.4 acres) & MDR
(Medium Density Residential) (0.14 acres)
VI.A.3
Proposed FLUM Designation MU-R
Table 2: Process Facts
Description Details
Preapplication Meeting date 1/28/2025
Neighborhood Meeting 4/21/2025
Site posting date 6/21/2025
Note: See City/Agency Comments and Conditions Section and public record for all department/agency
comments received. Copy this link into a separate browser:
https://weblink.meridiancity.org/WebLink/Browse.aspx?id=393924&dbid=0&repo=MeridianCity ).
Table 3: Project Overview
STAFF ANALYSIS
Comprehensive Plan and Unified Development Code (UDC)
A. General Overview
The subject application encompasses two (2) parcels of land fronting on both N. Locust Grove
Rd., an arterial street, and N. Bright Angel Ave., a local street, which are governed by a
Development Agreement (DA) approved with annexation of the property in 2016. The DA
includes a portion of the abutting property to the south that was originally part of the subject
property.
The Parkins-Nourse Lateral runs along the eastern boundary of the site; a small section
approximately 20 feet long is currently open at the north end and the remainder is piped. If
development is approved, the open section is required to be piped.
The conceptual development plan included in the existing DA, shown below in Section VI.B,
anticipated the existing house on the northern portion of the property either being remodeled for
an office use and remaining or being removed and a new office building constructed in its place.
Description Details
History Ashley Manor (Ord. #16-1706; DA Inst. #2016-086864; ROS #10604
Physical Features Parkins-Nourse Lateral runs along east boundary of site along N. Locust
Grove Rd. – most of the ditch is piped with a short 20’+/- section that is
open at the north end.
Acreage 0.55 acres
City of Meridian | Department Report III. Staff Analysis
The southern portion of the property was anticipated to develop with a new office building or the
existing office on the adjacent parcel to the south would be expanded onto the subject property.
Since that time, the residential home has been removed from the site and wasn’t replaced with a
new building.
Existing provisions included in the DA are as follows:
1. Direct lot access to N. Locust Grove Road, an arterial street, is prohibited in accord with
UDC 11-3A-3.
2. Sidewalk shall be installed along N. Locust Grove Road where it doesn’t currently exist
and along N. Bright Angel Avenue in accord with the standards listed in UDC 11-3A-17.
The sidewalk along Locust Grove shall go around the existing irrigation vault to provide
continuous pedestrian access.
3. Future development of this site shall be generally consistent with the conceptual site plan
and building elevations depicted in Exhibit A and the conditions noted in the staff report.
4. The site plan submitted with the Certificate of Zoning Compliance application for this
site shall take into consideration the ultimate right-of-way for N. Locust Grove Road per
the Master Street Map in regard to sidewalk, street buffer and building locations.
5. Mitigation is required for any existing trees 4-inch caliper or greater that are removed
from the site in accord with the standards listed in UDC 11-3B-10C. Contact Elroy Huff,
City Arborist, prior to removal of any trees from the site to confirm mitigation
requirements.
6. Future development of this site is required to comply with the design standards listed in
UDC 11-3A-19 and the Architectural Standards Manual.
7. The applicant shall submit and obtain approval of a Certificate of Zoning Compliance
and Design Review application prior to submittal of a building permit application(s).
8. Hours of operation in the L-O district are limited to the hours between 6:00 am and 10:00
pm as set forth in UDC 11-2B-3A.4.
9. The residential use of the subject property shall cease upon annexation ordinance
approval.
10. If the existing structure is to be retained on the site, the applicant shall be required to
cease using any other existing water source or method of disposing of sewage and
connect to City water and sewer service within sixty (60) days of approval of the
annexation ordinance per MCC 9-1-4 and MCC 9-4-8.
B. Development Agreement Modification
A new DA is proposed, which would only apply to the subject property and change the
development plan approved for the site from office to a church use. A conceptual development
plan and building elevations were submitted, included below in Section VI.C, that depicts a 9,930
square foot 2-story building with a main level approximately 4’ above ground level and a lower-
level daylight basement; the elevations will include windows at the lower level that aren’t
currently shown. The Applicant states the building will be equipped with fire sprinklers. For this
reason and because of the proximity of Bright Angel Ave. and Locust Grove Rd. to the proposed
building, internal fire access within the site is not required; however, a Fire Department
connection for the building needs to be provided on the street access side and within 100’ of a fire
hydrant.
City of Meridian | Department Report III. Staff Analysis
A total of 11 off-street vehicle parking spaces are depicted on the conceptual development plan
on the subject property. Access for the site is proposed via N. Bright Angel Ave. with no access
via N. Locust Grove Rd. The Applicant states the allowed occupancy for the building is 160.
The Applicant proposes an alternative off-street parking plan for shared parking agreement with a
nearby daycare facility (Brighter Beginnings Learning Center) located at 1463 E. Star Rd. to use
up to 15 of their parking spaces on Saturdays (church’s overflow needs most likely between 9:00
am and 1:00 pm), Sundays and Holy holidays when the owner’s parking needs are expected to be
less – additional spaces require approval. The normal business hours of operation for the daycare
are currently Monday through Friday from 6:30 am to 6:00 pm but could expand to Saturdays in
the future.
The proposed operational hours of the church are as follows:
C. Staff’s Analysis
The proposed church use is listed as a principal permitted use in the L-O (Limited Office) zoning
district per UDC Table 11-2B-2, subject to the specific use standards listed in UDC 11-4-3-6 –
Church or Place of Religious Worship, as follows: “Schools, child daycare services, meeting
facilities for clubs and organizations, and other similar uses not operated primarily for the
City of Meridian | Department Report III. Staff Analysis
purpose of religious instruction, worship, government of the church, or the fellowship of its
congregation may be permitted to the extent the activity is otherwise permitted in the district.”
A corridor improvement project, which includes widening N. Locust Grove Rd. along the east
boundary of the site, is included in the Capital Investment Program for design year 2028-2029.
Additional right-of-way (ROW) is required to be dedicated with development to total 50 feet
from centerline of Locust Grove Rd. as required by ACHD for the ultimate expansion of the road
to 5-lanes. A typical street section required by ACHD for such roadway is shown below:
Additional ROW is required to be dedicated with development along Bright Angel Ave. for a 3-
lane commercial roadway to total 27 feet from centerline. A typical street section required by
ACHD for such roadway is shown below:
A 25-foot wide street buffer is required to be provided along Locust Grove Rd., measured from
the ultimate back of curb location, with landscaping in accord with the standards listed in UDC
11-3B-7C. The proposed concept plan depicts a reduced buffer width of 12’6”, which
requires submittal of an alternative compliance application and demonstration that a
unique hardship caused by the required street buffer exists; the request needs to also
include a proposal of a specific alternative landscape plan that meets or exceeds the intent
of the required buffer – in no case shall the width be reduced to less than 10% of the depth
of the lot. A reduction to the buffer width shall not affect building setbacks – all structures
shall be set back from the property line a minimum of the buffer width required in the
district. Such application/request has not been submitted or approved by the Director and
would need to be in order for the proposed development plan to be viable. This application
should be submitted and approved prior to City Council approval of the signed DA if the
subject MDA application is approved.
A minimum 20-foot wide buffer to residential uses is required to be provided along the
northern property boundary per UDC Table 11-2B-3 with landscaping per the standards
listed in UDC 11-3B-9C. The Applicant requests a reduced buffer width of 5 feet along this
boundary with no reductions to the building setback. The UDC (11-3B-9C.2) states, “The
width of the buffer is determined by the district in which the property is located, unless such
width is otherwise modified by City Council at a public hearing with notice to surrounding
property owners. The tables of dimensional standards for each district in accord with Chapter 2,
"District Regulations", of this Title establish the minimum buffer size. A reduction to the buffer
width shall not affect building setbacks; all structures shall be set back from the property line a
City of Meridian | Department Report III. Staff Analysis
minimum of the buffer width required in the applicable zoning district.” Staff recommends the
Applicant obtain a letter from the residential property owner stating they’re in agreement
with the reduced buffer width proposed prior to the Council hearing (if they are in
agreement). The Council should determine if the request is appropriate.
Based on the square footage of the building, a minimum of 20 off-street vehicle parking spaces
and one (1) bicycle parking space are required to be provided for non-residential uses in
commercial districts per UDC 11-3C-6B.1. With the proposed development plan, only 11 off-
street parking space are provided on the site; an additional 15 spaces are proposed to be provided
off-site through a shared use parking agreement, which will provide a total of 26 off-street
parking spaces for the site. There are conflicts that exist between the standard hours of operation
of the daycare and the proposed church on Saturday evenings between 6:00 pm and 9:00 pm and
during certain days/times on Holy holidays (i.e. Feasts). Staff recommends the Applicant
submit an updated shared use parking agreement and/or hours of operation for the church
that don’t conflict with the standard operating hours for both uses, including those for Holy
holidays (i.e. Feasts). This should be submitted prior to City Council approval of the signed
DA if the proposed MDA application is approved, and included as an exhibit in the DA.
Per UDC 11-3C-7A, conditions favorable to providing alternatives to off-street parking are as
follows: (Staff’s analysis is in italics)
1. There are convenient pedestrian connections between separate properties;
Sidewalks along streets provide a pedestrian connection between the two properties.
2. The properties and/or uses are within one thousand (1,000) feet of each other;
The properties are within approximately 600 feet of each other.
3. The principal operating hours of the uses are not in substantial conflict with one another;
and
The proposed hours for the church and the existing daycare facility hours of operation
are listed above. The hours of operation between the two uses conflict on the Friday
before passion week from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, on Saturday during passion week from
1:00 to 2:00 pm, January 6th (Tuesday) from 5:00 to 6:00 pm, January 7th (Wednesday)
from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, and possibly on the variable day in January based on the
Coptic Calendar. The parking agreement doesn’t state parking can be utilized on
Saturday evenings from 6:00 to 9:00 pm – because the daycare isn’t currently open on
Saturdays, these hours can probably be included. Because the minimum on-site
parking standards are not being met, Staff sees this as a significant conflict during
these times. For this reason, Staff recommends the Applicant submit an updated
shared use parking agreement and/or hours of operation for the church that don’t
conflict with the standard operating hours for both uses, including the Holy holidays
(i.e. Feasts), for inclusion in the new DA.
If the daycare facility decides to operate on Saturdays in the future, shared parking
would not be available during the standard operating hours between 9:00 am and 1:00
pm for liturgy and Sunday school or during Passion Week between 9:00 and 2:00 pm and
from 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm during the feast of the resurrection liturgy. This would present
a significant conflict if this happens, which would require an alternative shared
parking agreement.
Note: The Applicant states that Passion Week is a week that lies between April and early
May – the date varies based on the Coptic calendar. The only event that will be outside
that week will be Good Friday, which is a working day for the congregation – attendance
City of Meridian | Department Report IV. City/Agency Comments & Conditions
is usually very limited and should be able to be accommodated on-site with possibly a
couple of overflow spaces on the street.
4. Directional signs provide notice of the availability of parking.
Signs will need to be provided if this application is approved.
Per UDC 11-3C-7B, the shared use agreement must comply with the following standards: (Staff’s
analysis is in italics)
1. All parties involved with the shared use parking area shall submit a written agreement to
the director, signed by the applicable parties involved. The agreement shall specify the
following:
a. Party or parties responsible for construction; and
This is not applicable as the parking lot has already been constructed.
b. Party or parties responsible for maintenance.
The proposed agreement does not include information on who is responsible for
maintenance of the surface of the existing parking area other than that the User is
responsible for keeping the area clean. If approved, the agreement should be
revised to include this information.
2. The applicant or owner shall record such agreement with the Ada County Recorder prior
to issuance of any permits.
If this application is approved, a revised agreement that includes all information
specified herein will need to be recorded.
3. The shared use parking agreement may be terminated by the parties only if off street
parking is provided in conformance with this article and approved by the director prior to
the termination.
The proposed agreement states that the agreement could continue indefinitely or until
either party ends it. Prior to termination of the agreement, the church will provide
street parking in accord with 11-3C-7 to be approved by the City – this should be
amended to specify off-street parking.
Note: Parking concerns were raised by Staff during the pre-application and conveyed to the
Applicant. Staff suggested the Applicant work with the abutting property owner to the south
to enter into a shared parking agreement or purchase additional land to enlarge the site. The
Applicant states neither of these options is feasible.
Although the proposed use will comply with the minimum off-street parking standards through
the shared use parking agreement if it or the hours of operation of the church are amended so that
no conflicts exist and if it’s approved by the Director, additional parking may be needed for an
occupancy of 160 people, which will overflow off-site along streets within the residential
neighborhood.
If Council determines the proposed MDA is appropriate, Staff recommends most of the existing
DA provisions, as still applicable, be carried over to the new DA along with new provisions as
discussed above and noted below in Section IV.
CITY/AGENCY COMMENTS & CONDITIONS
Staff recommends the Applicant submit and obtain Director approval of Alternative
Compliance applications for an alternative off-street parking plan as set forth in UDC 11-3C-7F
City of Meridian | Department Report IV. City/Agency Comments & Conditions
in order to comply with the off-street parking standards listed in UDC 11-3C-6; and a reduced
street buffer width along N. Locust Grove Rd. prior to City Council approval of the signed DA.
This will ensure the DA isn’t amended for a development plan that isn’t approved for
development. If one or both of these applications is denied by the Director, revisions to the site
plan shall be made to comply with the minimum standards for such in UDC 11-3C-6 and/or
UDC Table 11-2B-3, as applicable.
Additionally, Staff recommends the Applicant submit an updated shared use parking
agreement and/or hours of operation for the church that don’t conflict with the standard
operating hours for both uses, including the Holy holidays (i.e. Feasts), for inclusion in the new
DA.
A. Planning Division
The new DA shall be signed by the property owner and returned to the Planning Division within
six (6) months of the City Council granting the modification. The DA shall, at a minimum,
incorporate the following provisions:
1. Direct lot access to N. Locust Grove Road, an arterial street, is prohibited in accord with
UDC 11-3A-3.
2. Sidewalk shall be installed along N. Locust Grove Road where it doesn’t currently exist in
the location and width to match the existing sidewalk in accord with the standards listed in
UDC 11-3A-17 and as required by ACHD. The sidewalk shall go around the existing
irrigation vault to provide continuous pedestrian access.
3. Additional right-of-way shall be dedicated to ACHD to widen N. Bright Angel Ave. and N.
Locust Grove Rd. as required by ACHD. The pavement for N. Bright Angel Ave. shall be
widened and curb, gutter and sidewalk shall be constructed with development of the site as
required by ACHD.
4. All existing open waterways on the site shall be piped as set forth in UDC 11-3A-6B.
5. Future development of this site shall be generally consistent with the conceptual site plan and
building elevations depicted in Section VII.D and the provisions included herein.
6. Compliance with the specific use standards listed in UDC 11-4-3-6 – Church or place of
religious worship is required.
7. The site plan submitted with the Certificate of Zoning Compliance application for this site
shall take into consideration the ultimate right-of-way for N. Locust Grove Road per the
Master Street Map in regard to sidewalk, street buffer and building locations.
8. Mitigation is required for any existing trees 4-inch caliper or greater that are removed from
the site in accord with the standards listed in UDC 11-3B-10C. Contact the City Arborist
prior to removal of any trees from the site to confirm mitigation requirements.
9. Future development of this site is required to comply with the design standards listed in UDC
11-3A-19 and the Architectural Standards Manual.
10. The applicant shall submit and obtain approval of a Certificate of Zoning Compliance and
Administrative Design Review application prior to submittal of a building permit
application(s).
11. The church shall operate in accord with the hours specified herein in accord with the shared
use parking agreement.
12. Compliance with the shared use agreement for parking included in Section VI.E shall be
required.
City of Meridian | Department Report V. ACTION
13. Directional signs shall be installed on the site as notice of the availability of off-site parking
in accord with UDC 11-3A-7A.1d.
Other Agency comments may be accessed in the project file in the public record. Copy and paste the
following link into your browser:
https://weblink.meridiancity.org/WebLink/Browse.aspx?id=393924&dbid=0&repo=MeridianCity
ACTION
A. Staff:
Staff recommends approval of the requested Development Agreement Modification that includes
the above provisions in Section IV.
B. City Council:
Pending
City of Meridian | Department Report VI. Exhibits
EXHIBITS
A. Project Area Maps
(link to Project Overview)
1. Aerial
2. Zoning Map
City of Meridian | Department Report VI. Exhibits
3. Future Land Use
4. Planned Development Map
City of Meridian | Department Report VI. Exhibits
B. Approved Conceptual Development Plan & Building Elevations Included in Existing
Development Agreement
City of Meridian | Department Report VI. Exhibits
C. Proposed Conceptual Development Plan (dated: 7/3/2025) – NOT APPROVED & Building Elevations
(dated: 6/28/2025)
City of Meridian | Department Report VI. Exhibits
City of Meridian | Department Report VI. Exhibits
D. Floor Plan – Main Level and Lower Level (dated: 6/28/2025)
City of Meridian | Department Report VI. Exhibits
City of Meridian | Department Report VI. Exhibits
E. Shared Parking Agreement – NOT APPROVED
City of Meridian | Department Report VI. Exhibits
F. Legal Description & Exhibit Map of Property to be Included in New Development
Agreement
City of Meridian | Department Report VI. Exhibits