HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-06-23 Regular Meridian City Council June 23, 2026.
A Meeting of the Meridian City Council was called to order at 6:11 p.m. Tuesday, June
23, 2026, by Mayor Robert Simison.
Members Present: Robert Simison, Liz Strader, John Overton, Doug Taylor, Anne Little
Roberts and Brian Whitlock.
Members Absent: Luke Cavener.
Other Present: Chris Johnson, Bill Nary, Sonya Allen, Nick Napoli, Tracy Basterrechea
and Dean Willis.
ROLL-CALL ATTENDANCE
X Liz Strader X Brian Whitlock
Anne Little Roberts X John Overton
_X_ Doug Taylor _X_Luke Cavener
X Mayor Robert E. Simison
Simison: Council, we will call the meeting to order. For the record it is June 23rd, 2026,
at 6:11 p.m. We will begin tonight's regular City Council meeting with roll call
attendance.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Simison: Next item up is the Pledge of Allegiance. If you would all, please, rise and join
us in the pledge.
(Pledge of Allegiance recited.)
COMMUNITY INVOCATION
Simison: We have no one assigned for the community invocation.
ADOPTION OF AGENDA
Simison: So, I will move on to adoption of the agenda.
Overton: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Councilman Overton.
Overton: There are no changes to tonight's agenda. I move that we approve the
agenda as published.
Meridian City Council
June 23,2026
Page 2 of 21
Little Roberts: Second.
Simison: Have a motion and second to approve the agenda. All in favor signify by
saying aye. Those opposed nay? The ayes have it and the agenda is agreed to.
MOTION CARRIED: FIVE AYES. ONE ABSENT.
PROCLAMATIONS
1. Owyhee High School Softball State Champions Day
Simison: Next up we are going to do a proclamation for Owyhee High School Softball
State Champions Day. If I can have the coach and the team come up and join behind
the podium we will do the proclamation. As we did it at 4:30, we are going to celebrate
Owyhee High School once again as we did the baseball team earlier. So, it's great that
we can do this all in one day. I had to wear the red tie once this week. So, with that we
will do a proclamation and invite coach to say a few words if you like to and the players
introduce themselves, their year and their position. Sound good?
Fazzio: Sweet.
Simison: All right. So, whereas being an Owyhee High School softball player is more
than making pitching, fielding, hitting and achieving state titles, it is training to build
leadership, character, confidence, teamwork and resilience, all traits needed to succeed
on the field, in the classroom and in the real world and whereas the Storm was the team
to beat in the 2026 season with a 31 and three overall record and a six to one state
tournament record to advance to the state 6-A state championship game and whereas
after an early tournament loss Owyhee fought back through the elimination record to
claim the trophy and whereas Owyhee won five straight elimination games, including a
12-5 victory in the title match to provide a second straight title in the third and four years
for the team and whereas the leadership, training, discipline of their coaches helped all
team members to focus their talents and passion on the team with each player making
valuable contributions to their victory. Therefore, I, Mayor Robert E. Simison, hereby
proclaim June 23rd, 2026, the Owyhee High School Softball State Champions Day in
the City of Meridian and call upon the community to join me in congratulating the Storm
on their remarkable athletic achievement and for representing Meridian so proudly in the
state tournament, this 23rd day June 2026. On behalf of myself, the City Council, all the
employees and the community congratulations on your accomplishment and we are
glad you could here to celebrate with us. Coach.
Fazzio: Well, I'm going to keep it short and sweet. We thank all the City Council, the
City of Meridian and on behalf of Owyhee High School we would love to accept this
award and, honestly, the girls had a great year. They put themselves and the coaches
and all the parents just on a pedestal by their play. Super selfless. Put the team before
themselves. Just great, great year. Coach John isn't here, but I know he did have one
message for everybody. He just said go ahead and pencil us in for next year. So, we
Meridian City Council
June 23,2026
Page 3 of 21
were here last year, we will be back next year. So, we will just keep -- we will just keep
coming back and throw our names up here. So, we will start with Saylor. She can
introduce herself. She's a senior graduate, so -- one of our captains. So, she can
introduce herself and say what position you played and -- what was the other thing you
wanted? That position? Perfect.
Shoemaker: I'm Saylor Shoemaker. I'm a senior. I play outfield.
Mahaffey: My name is Madde Mahaffey. I'm a sophomore. I play first base.
Carlotte: My name's Charlotte. I'm a sophomore and I play outfield.
Wellers: I'm Kenzie Wellers. I'm a freshman and I'm a pitcher.
Kelly: My name is Aniston Kelly. I'm a freshman and I play short stop.
Jules: I'm Jules. I'm a freshman and I play middle infield.
McGrath: Hi. I'm Dani McGrath. I'm the JV assistant coach and this is my daughter
Audrey who is the bat girl for the varsity team.
Simison: And I will just say real quick, because I don't think we are going to get them on
the schedule, but Mountain View was also successful in the spring with once again
back-to-back for the men and women in their track team, so we had a very successful
spring in Meridian with two returning back-to-back groups through that process, but --
yes.
ANNOUNCEMENTS AND RECOGNITION
Simison: So, with that, Council, I guess that was my announcements and recognition.
Council, anything else under announcements and recognition?
PUBLIC FORUM
Simison: Okay. Mr. Clerk, anyone signed up under public forum?
Johnson: Mr. Mayor, yes. Denise LaFever.
Simison: Good evening, Denise. If you state your name -- address for the record. Just
state your name for the record.
LaFever: Good evening, Mayor and City Council Members. I'm Denise LaFever and for
those that don't know, I won my Idaho precinct committee for 1412 and I'm here to
discuss some very specific things that came up reoccurring during my walks. Okay?
One of the issues that -- that came up as a reoccurring theme is a need for ordinance
for electric bikes and golf carts. In particular, residents have expressed growing
Meridian City Council
June 23,2026
Page 4 of 21
concerns with operations of electric bikes and golf carts. Reports minors riding these
recklessly down the middle of the lanes, traveling excessive speeds, performing stunts
on the roads, more wheelies, cutting corners, failing to yield to pedestrians and in
addition they are causing damage to landscaping. Another issue we have is some
people have reported excessive vehicle noise. I don't know what people are doing to
their vehicles nowadays, but for some reason they are extremely loud after 10:00
o'clock at night. And you guys have probably heard this a hundred times. There is
issues with the Rock Harbor traffic impact with large events and Sundays, making it
hard for residents to get out of their neighborhoods. There is traffic delays,
neighborhood access issues, safety issues and it causes issues with the surrounding
neighborhoods as well. We have also had some issues with people talking about dogs
off leash. This -- while many of our pet owners are responsible, there are some that
create safety concerns with other dogs, pedestrians, children, cyclists and other just
overall nuisance. One of the really big issues has been the Black Cat Road at Chinden
with not having a right-hand turnout. It's causing a really dangerous situation. Some
people reported that they have been very concerned and turn into Tree Farm Way to go
into their neighborhoods, because it's -- they feel it's too dangerous to turn on Black Cat
because there is no right-hand turn lane. One of the other issues that's been top of
mind since its 250 year anniversary is the fireworks and in the past there -- people love
these celebrations and they are welcome celebrations. However, there is concerns that
these fireworks go on for multiple days and really late into the night and they would like
a conversation around how to curtail multiple days and late at night, especially
concerning dry conditions, people trying to get sleep and pet anxiety. That is something
I hear over and over again is pet anxiety. When they went back through and they chip
sealed our neighborhood they did not repaint the crosswalks. We would like our
crosswalks repainted. The utility box was replaced up on Chinden and Tree Farm. It
used to have a really pretty wrap that went around it. We would like that pretty wrap put
back again. If not the same one a different one. And, then, the last one we would like
your help -- we would like your help in getting that fence removed between Chinden --
it's on Chinden where the golf course is between Lakeshore and Tree Farm over by
Fast Eddie's. We know that that's on Ada county land, but we would like you to make
some phone calls, because it's impacting our residents. As wind storms come up those
materials blow out into the lane people get into to turn into the neighborhood up at
Chinden. So, we would like an encouragement from the sheriff's or compliance at Ada
county to have that resolved and that is my report. Those are -- those are the very
specific things and I will come forward and talk about other issues later, but those are
the ones that we would like to see if we can get some help with.
Simison: Okay.
Lafever: Thank you.
Simison: Thank you, Denise. Our police chief was here tonight and heard them all and
almost everyone falls directly into his team's conversation, so --
Lafever: Fantastic.
Meridian City Council
June 23,2026
Page 5 of 21
Simison: -- I'm sure that he or members of his team can reach out and have some
conversations about some of them and some of you may have some good news about.
Lafever: I'm waiting for that electric bike one.
Simison: Okay.
Lafever: Fantastic. Thank you.
PUBLIC HEARINGS [Action Item]
2. Public Hearing for Program Year 2026 Community Development
Block Grant Action Plan
Simison: Thanks. Okay. With that -- well, I assume there is nobody else signed up.
Okay. With that we will move on to our public hearings for this evening. First item up is
a public hearing for program year 2026, Community Development Block Grant Action
Plan. Open this public hearing with comments from Crystal.
Campbell: Thank you, Mr. Mayor, Members of the Council. I have a quick presentation
for you before we opened for the public hearing. So, quick overview. CDBG is the
Community Development Block Grant and it's federal funding that we receive from HUD
every year and it's specifically to help low to moderate income residents with housing
stability. We have a five year plan. It's called our consolidated plan. We use this to
figure out what the goals and priorities of the community are and, then, each year we
submit our action plan and that says how we are going to spend the funding. So, it's a
quick reminder that the funding is limited to eligible activities and that's determined by
HUD. For this year, it's the final year of our consolidated plan, and we are expecting to
receive 555,314 dollars for this and this slide shows a breakdown of how we are
intending to spend those funds. Under services we are looking at funding Jesse Tree's
emergency rental assistance program. For child care scholarships, that's the Boys and
Girls Club. We also have two different repair programs. One is the larger one through
NeighborWorks Boise that we typically do and, then, Habitat for Humanity also
requested funding for a critical home repair program that focuses more on veterans and
citizens who have disabilities and that's more for like ramps and smaller projects. We
also have funding to finish up the Northwest Seventh Walkability Project. It's -- we are
under contract right now, so we are hoping to start that in September and, then, just roll
right into the remainder of the improvements once we get the additional funding. And,
then, of course, administration program oversight and fair housing, which is a required
activity. We have done quite a bit of community engagement during the planning
process. We had public hearing, council presentation. We engaged our community
partners. We had an application open for people to apply for the funds to administer
different programs and, then, we also had a workshop, so people could learn more
about it. As far as public comments, once the action plan was completed and was put
out, then, of course, we have the public comment period. We have an online survey, a
couple of virtual open houses, two public hearings. It's available on our website. It's
Meridian City Council
June 23,2026
Page 6 of 21
been posted to social media and we have also sent letters to leaders that are impacted
by the Northwest Seventh Walkability Project. For the most part the feedback that we
have been receiving, there is strong support for rental assistance during emergencies,
child care for working families, home repair for seniors and people with disabilities, as
well as the sidewalk improvements for neighborhood safety and in the comments they
have also mentioned that there is interest in affordable housing, transportation
accessibility and long-term housing solutions. You guys will get a full list of all the
comments, though, when the plan is submitted. Also things that were brought up for
future discussion. There were comments around eligibility for assistance. How funding
decisions are made. Eligible uses. Program oversight and accountability. And
opportunities for community involvement. So, all of those things will continue providing
public education and we will also be discussing that quite a bit when we go out for our
consolidated plan process. Here is just a quick summary of the feedback that we have
received as of this afternoon. For the most part people are fairly good with it. There is
-- it's all over the place on some of them, but for the most part it's right around 3.5 to 4.2
where it averages out. As far as meeting the current needs and having a lasting effect,
then, it's 3.8 and 3.5. The child care scholarships and home repair programs are both
3.8 on average and emergency rental assistance is 3.9, with the walkability at 4.2. So,
moving forward after tonight, then, the public comment closes on June 29th, which is
next week and, then, in the middle of July I will have the final report and resolution on
the Consent Agenda for your approval and, then, by the end of the month I will have it
submitted to HUD and as soon as that's over, then, we will start on our consolidated
planning process. If anybody has any questions or comments they can reach out to me
directly even outside of the public comment period. We always take feedback. My
name is Crystal Campbell. My e-mail is ccampbell@meridiancity.org and my phone
number is 208-489-0575. And with that I will stand for questions.
Simison: Thank you, Crystal. Council, any questions? Okay. Appreciate that. One
question, Crystal. Do you want the public hearing left open while you take public
comment or not necessarily?
Campbell: No. We can close the public comment period.
Simison: Okay.
Campbell: Or sorry. We can close the public hearing.
Simison: Okay. Thank you. Appreciate it. Mr. Clerk, did we have anybody signed up
to provide testimony on this item?
Johnson: Mr. Mayor, we did not.
Simison: Okay. Is there anybody present who would like to provide testimony on this
item? And if you are online you can use your raise your hand feature. Seeing no one
coming forward, no one raising their hand --
Meridian City Council
June 23,2026
Page 7 of 21
Overton: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Councilman Overton.
Overton: I move that we close the public hearing for the program year 2026 Community
Development Block Grant Action Plan.
Little Roberts: Second.
Simison: Have a motion and second to close the public hearing. Is there any
discussion? If not, all favor signify by saying aye. Opposed nay? The ayes have it
and the public hearing is closed. Thank you very much.
MOTION CARRIED: FIVE AYES. ONE ABSENT.
3. Public Hearing (Continued from June 9, 2026) for Apex Zenith (H-
2026-0014) by Brighton Corporation, located at southwest corner of
Meridian Rd. and Lake Hazel Rd.
A. Request: Modified Development Agreement to amend the existing
development agreement (Inst. #2025-010344) for the purpose of
modifying the phase 1 frontage landscape improvements.
Simison: Next item up on the agenda is Item 3, a public hearing continued from June
9th for Apex Zenith, H-2026-0014. We will continue this public hearing with staff
comments from Nick.
Napoli: Good evening, Mayor, Members of the Council. Next item on the agenda is the
development agreement modification for Apex Zenith. So, the applicant requests to
amend the existing development agreement to modify the phasing of road fronts
landscape improvements. The site is generally located the southeast corner of Meridian
Road and Lake Hazel. So, the applicant's narrative states that the main reason behind
this request is to avoid installing -- potentially installing and potentially damaging or
removing landscaping with future construction of phase two of Apex Zenith. In addition
these landscape improvements are tied to the first certificate of occupancy within the
development, which would be Costco. The reason these landscape improvements --
landscape buffering improvements were required with phase one of the development
was due to the applicant constructing roads outside of the subdivision process, which
should now provide a mechanism for staff to allow the phasing of these improvements.
Anything in green -- this is what's currently in the DA. Anything in green or orange was
required prior to the occupancy of Costco. The blue was deferred to phase two and
now they are coming back and wanting to be able to post -- have the opportunity to post
surety in order to get occupancy of Costco if some of these improvements are not
finished at that time. So, as a result staff has provided the option for a performance
surety to be posted for the deferred landscape improvement. This requirement shows
that the city has a mechanism to require completion of the improvements in the future
Meridian City Council
June 23,2026
Page 8 of 21
regardless of timing of subsequent preliminary and final plats. So, I would like to note
that in my staff report it said the applicant had not submitted the preliminary plat for
phase two. However, that preliminary plat has been submitted with a larger application
that also includes a development agreement modification. So, on the screen is the
proposed language change. It essentially just allows them to be able to post surety if
the landscaping is not installed along those street frontages and Costco will be able to
get occupancy if that surety is posted prior and I will stand for any questions.
Simison: Any questions for staff?
Strader: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Council Woman Strader.
Strader: Is there agreement upon -- is there agreement on the amount of the surety
and alignment on that?
Napoli: Mr. Mayor, Council Woman Strader, so we are actually going to -- the amount of
the surety -- not yet, because we have to receive bids for the surety amount, which I will
coordinate with Kelly Ready, our surety coordinator, with Brighton as well prior to the
occupancy of Costco. I know they are currently working out there pretty hard and I will
let the applicant speak to that a little bit more, but I know that there is a lot of work being
done and they aren't sure exactly what may not be completed, if my understanding is
correct, so that number may change. I know that I will be coordinating with them closely
as this continues to make sure those sureties are in place and the correct bids and
amounts are in place prior to the occupancy of Costco. That's correct.
Simison: Council, any questions for staff? If the applicant would like to come forward. I
McNutt: Amanda McNutt. 2929 West Navigator. Did it start sharing?
Johnson: It did not. Want me to turn the other sharing off?
McNutt: Okay. Looks like we are good. Probably questions will be more helpful on this
than my presentation, but I will go ahead and get started. So, again, we are modifying
the development agreement for Apex Zenith. As mentioned this is the corner of Lake
Hazel and Meridian Road. This was an exhibit already shown, but I think this is just a
little bit more clear. We had agreed to do basically all of the buffers in this area prior to
the first occupancy as noted. That would be Costco. Other than phase three, which
was with a future final plat, which has now been -- or the new plat has been submitted.
Just to give you kind of an update of where we are at, building wise out here in green,
everything is complete. Blue we are prepping for asphalt and have an estimated
completion date of July 8th. So, that's coming up really quickly. And, then, Meridian
Road is also under construction with mid October date. That one's the most work and
so that could change just a little bit, but we should be on schedule for that. So, this is
kind of what we thought of for phasing our landscape completion. Phase one will be
Meridian City Council
June 23,2026
Page 9 of 21
completed and bonded with Apex Zenith final plat number one, which has already been
submitted and approved. Phase two would be completed or bonded with Costco. So,
that's kind of their fuel center and their main distribution and everything. So, they would
be responsible for that. And, then, phases -- or I guess numbers three through seven
would be the future phasing of the landscaping and so, essentially, this is kind of how
we plan to proceed to get landscaping to a hundred percent. Because there will be new
buildings that come in through there there is still some road work that needs to happen.
There is just going to be a lot of construction activity and things like that. We don't want
to fully construct those buffers. We do plan to do all of the street trees and the
landscaping between the curb and the sidewalk, which I believe is an eight foot
landscape strip, but there is like another two foot of landscape behind the sidewalk that
we do not want to complete at this time, because it -- it will likely get destroyed during
construction activities of other things. So, those are the items that we will likely be
bonding for. Much of this landscaping is annual. Will be in very soon or this summer,
so we don't actually expect to be bonding for that much. It's really just the stuff that we
know is going to end up being problematic to install now and we will just have to
reinstall it later and with that I will stand for any questions.
Simison: Thank you. Council, any questions?
Overton: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Councilman Overton.
Overton: Just quickly. Amanda, so we are not really saying, hey, we are changing all
the landscaping, we are just changing the plan on when it's going to happen based
upon construction.
McNutt: Yes. That's correct. We are not changing what is happening with the
landscape, just the timing of when it would be installed and the ability to actually bond
for those improvements, rather than install them all at the beginning.
Overton: Thank you.
McNutt: You are welcome.
Simison: Okay. Thank you. Mr. Clerk, anyone signed up to provide testimony on this
item?
Johnson: Mr. Mayor, no.
Simison: Is there any person that would like to provide testimony on this, either in the
room or online if you use the raise your hand feature. Seeing none coming forward and
no one raising their hand, does the applicant have any final comments? Applicant
waives. Council, comments?
Meridian City Council
June 23,2026
Page 10 of 21
Overton: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Councilman Overton.
Overton: If there is no other comments on this application I move we close the public
hearing.
Little Roberts: Second.
Simison: Have a motion and second to close the public hearing. All in favor signify by
saying aye. Opposed nay? The ayes have it and the public hearing is closed.
MOTION CARRIED: FIVE AYES. ONE ABSENT.
Overton: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Councilman Overton.
Overton: This is pretty straightforward. We are not asking for a huge change just a
timing change and with that I would like to move that we approve File No. H-2026-0014
as presented in the staff report for the hearing date of June 23rd, 2026, after
considering all staff, applicant and public testimony.
Little Roberts: Second.
Simison: Have a motion and second to approve Item 3. Is there discussion on the
motion? If not clerk call the roll.
Roll Call: Cavener, absent; Strader, yea; Overton, yea; Little Roberts, yea; Taylor, yea;
Whitlock, yea.
Simison: All ayes. Motion carries and the item is agreed to.
MOTION CARRIED: FIVE AYES. ONE ABSENT.
4. Public Hearing for Pollard West (H-2026-0015) by Brighton
Development, generally located on the north side of W. Chinden
Blvd., the west side of N. Levi Ave. and on the southside of W.
Waverton Rd.
A. Request: Modified Development Agreement Modification to the
existing Development Agreement (H-2019-0021 Inst.#060655) for a
new agreement for Lots 1-7, Block 2, Pollard Subdivision No. 1 to
update the conceptual development plan for the site.
Meridian City Council
June 23,2026
Page 11 of 21
Simison: With that we will move on to Item 4, which is public hearing for Pollard West,
H-2026-0015. I will open this public hearing with staff comments.
Allen: Thank you, Mr. Mayor, Members of the Council. The next application before you
is a request for a development agreement modification. This site consists of 23.3 acres
of land. It's zoned C-G and is located on the north side of West Chinden Boulevard at
the southwest corner of North Levi Avenue and Chinden Boulevard. A little history on
this property. Back in 2019 this property received annexation and preliminary plat
approval as part of the larger 77 acre Pollard Subdivision. A development agreement
was required as a provision of annexation that governs future development of the
property. A conceptual development plan was approved at that time for the overall
development and that is as shown there on the left. A final plot was later approved and
recorded, which included the subject property. The Comprehensive Plan future land
use map designation is mixed use interchange, which consists of 17.7 acres and
medium density residential, which is 5.6 acres along the northern boundary of the
property, which you can see on the map here on the right, that's the differences in the
designations. The applicant is proposing a modification to the existing development
agreement for a new agreement for the subject property and that is for Lots 1 through
7, Block 2, Pollard Subdivision No. 1 to update the conceptual development plan for the
portion of the property south of Waverton, west of Levi and north of Chinden. An earlier
amendment in 2024 removed the portion along the north side of Waverton from the
agreement. The existing development agreement will remain in effect for the portion of
the development east of North Levi Avenue. The existing approved conceptual
development plan as is shown, which depicts a medical campus consisting of 95,000
square feet of medical office building, including a surgical center, freestanding
emergency department and a 50 bed hospital. A multi-tenant building was anticipated
at the hard corner of Levi and Chinden. Three of the lots have already received
certificate of zoning compliance approval for the following uses: An 80,600 square foot
medical office building on lot three and that is this one right here. An electrical
wholesale supply company on Lot 2. That's right in there. And a credit union on Lot 1
and that's right at the corner there. These are all in the development process currently.
A conditional use permit -- permit for a daycare center has been submitted for Lot 4 and
that is this lot right here. Approval of that application is contingent upon the subject
modification being approved tonight. The purpose of the modification is to update the
conceptual development plan to accurately reflect current development activity and to
allow for independent progression of the identified lots. The site layouts with access,
parking, pedestrian pathways and public, quasi-public gathering areas and plazas that
have already been approved are depicted on the proposed concept plan as shown. Lot
6 is still anticipated to develop with the hospital and that's the far west one. And Lot 5 is
anticipated to have two commercial buildings and that's the one here along the southern
boundary. Because this property is located in the mixed-use interchange designation,
specific development agreement provisions are required as noted in the existing
development agreement that pertain to common usable open space in commercial
areas such as plazas or green space, supportive and proportional public and quasi-
public spaces and places and safe pedestrian access and connectivity within
developments as set forth in the Comprehensive Plan. The existing entitled uses were
Meridian City Council
June 23,2026
Page 12 of 21
held to these standards and staff recommends the remaining lots are also held to these
standards. Therefore, staff is recommending these provisions are carried over into the
new development agreement as shown there on the screen before you. Staff is
recommending approval of their proposed modification to the development agreement.
Written testimony has been received from the public from a few folks. Denise Lafever,
Arlene Hoffman and David Hoffman and that is included in the public record in the
project file. And a response to the staff report was received from the applicant and they
are in agreement with staff's recommended development agreement provisions. Staff
will stand for any questions
Simison: Thank you. Council, questions for staff? Okay. Would the applicant like to
come forward?
Benski: Thank you, Mayor, Members of Council. Eli Benski. 2929 West Navigator
Drive. Thank you, Sonya, for your presentation. As she mentioned we are here for a
development agreement modification. Here is our conceptual layout that was submitted
with the preliminary plat of 2019 and assigned with the agreement. Specifically we are
discussing the area that is west of Levi, south of Waverton. This gives a better layout of
the area that we are proposing this new development agreement for. Here is a close-up
of that area. As Sonya mentioned, we do have three users that have received CZC and
are currently under development. The lot through -- that is St. Al's, they have already
started construction. They actually broke ground last week, if not the week before, and
Electrical Wholesale on Lot 2 and Rogue Credit Union on Lot 1. Both of those buildings
have been under construction. As mentioned, Lot 4 is assigned for a daycare,
depending on tonight's hearing will depend if they can continue with their CUP process.
And, then, Lot 5, we don't have users currently, but we are proposing two separate
commercial buildings. And Lot 6 is still slated to be St. Al's hospital. Here are the
elevations that were submitted with the three users that are currently under
development. This is Rogue Credit Union. That's on the hard corner of -- excuse me --
of Levi and Chinden. With Rogue Credit Union there is a plaza already approved with
them. We are coordinating our construction of the plaza with their construction
timelines. We hope to get that completed here in the fall. These are the elevations for
Electric Wholesale. They are in the center of the three users that I mentioned. They
are on Lot 2 and this is St. Al's building that they broke ground on just recently and that
is the lot that is closer to Waverton. With that I stand for any questions.
Simison: Thank you. Council, any questions for the applicant?
Strader: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Council Woman Strader.
Strader: It feels consistent with what you were planning before. I don't think it's too far
out of the realm of what we anticipated. My biggest question mark is number six. I
understand that you are expecting St. Al's hospital there still. That's great. It's just so --
it's a little tough without a lot of detail as to what that's going to look like. Can you give
Meridian City Council
June 23,2026
Page 13 of 21
us a better sense for what is planned there? Has it changed? The scale? How is --
how is that piece of the concept plan going to come together and at what point would
you be moving that piece forward?
Benski: Mayor, Council Woman, thank you for that question. We still continue with
proposing what we initially proposed with the 2019 application. In regards to the
intensity of the hospital those plans have not changed. However, I don't have any
elevations from St. Al's yet in regards to what that might look like.
Strader: Okay.
Simison: Council, any additional questions? Thank you.
Benski: Thank you.
Simison: Mr. Clerk, do we have anyone signed up on this item?
Johnson: Mr. Mayor, we do. Denise LaFever.
LaFever: Hi, City Council Members. My name is Denise LaFever. 6706 North Salvia
Way. I will just keep it short and sweet. My biggest concern is that this particular
development had a lot of conditions when it was originally passed. It had the fire engine
ladder. It had a sewer lift. It had connectivity with transportation. There were a lot of
issues to have this approved. My biggest concern is to make sure that those issues
carry forward in the development agreements as they break these apart and that the
costs are not being transferred onto existing taxpayers, onto agencies or other people
that -- what they promised that they would do that gets passed into the development
agreements. So, is there any questions?
Simison: Councilman, any questions?
Strader: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Council Woman Strader.
Strader: I read your e-mail and it seemed like you also had some specific like
infrastructure capacity concerns. Do you feel like if those DA provisions transferred
over into the individual separate agreements that that would alleviate those concerns
Help me understand that piece a little more.
LaFever: Yes. There are capacity issues and there are other issues that I feel that if
you -- this was not -- this was one concept plan, it wasn't broken into seven and so
those need to flow through. In particular is the transportation part of it as far as the
roads and making sure you have connectivity east and west, you know, that is a signal
light with Levi, that that has some connectivity, hopefully north-south. The lifts -- the lift
Meridian City Council
June 23,2026
Page 14 of 21
station was in particular. There were other requirements that I just want to see that they
get passed on and that those are not forgiven as you break them apart.
Strader: Thank you.
Simison: Council, any additional questions? All right. Thank you. Is there anybody
else who would like to provide testimony on this item? Either come forward or raise
your hand online. Not seeing anyone coming forward or raising their hand, would the
applicant like to make it any final comments?
Benski: Thank you. Council Woman Strader, this is an example of what they have told
us it may look like. This is the St. Alphonsus in Caldwell. Obviously construction can
change a little bit, but this is the same intensity and elevations that they were planning
to put in. So, I just quickly grabbed that snapshot. I apologize it's a YouTube snapshot,
but I thought it could at least provide that imagery for you guys. In addition, as Sonya
mentioned, we are happy with carrying over the conditions with the original DA. This
just ties us and allows us to move forward with the users. In terms of the construction of
roadways, Levi is constructed as a five lane roadway with a center turn lane and we are
completed with Overton regarding that being a collector roadway through where ACHD
has required us to carry that collector through the Pollard Subdivision. I will stand for
any other questions.
Allen: Mr. Mayor. Excuse me. I just wanted to add something if I could before the
public hearing closed and Eli is available to comment. I noticed the DA provisions
neglected to include a restriction on the uses that -- on the lots that didn't have a
concept plan on them. The -- specifically Lot 6 that's anticipated to develop with the
hospital and Lot 5 for the two commercial buildings. I would like to recommend that that
specifically get included in the development agreement just so that the uses are
memorialized. Thank you. Applicant's in agreement. Thank you.
Strader: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Council Woman Strader.
Strader: Yeah. That helps me address a question I had, Sonya, which was -- I just
wanted to double check that the same DA provisions are going to apply, it's just that we
are now splitting it into separate agreements. I just wanted to double check on that,
because I think to Denise's point that was true about the original approval. It was very
detailed. There were many conditions. I just want to make sure those conditions still
apply, it's just that they are being separated out.
Allen: Yes, ma'am. Now that the development agreement provisions have been gone
through and as I noted earlier the ones that are applicable have been moved over to the
new agreement and those are included in the staff report.
Strader: Mr. Mayor, quick follow-up.
Meridian City Council
June 23,2026
Page 15 of 21
Simison: Council Woman Strader.
Strader: So, it sounds like the only modification that needs to be added is just to specify
the uses on Lot 6 and Lot 5.
Allen: Yes.
Strader: Thank you.
Simison: Council, any additional questions for the applicant? Okay. Thank you very
much.
Benski: Thank you.
Strader: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Council Woman Strader.
Strader: I'm happy to get this moving. I move that we close the public hearing on this
item.
Whitlock: Second.
Simison: Have a motion and second to close the public hearing on Item H-2026-0015.
Is there any discussion? If not, all in favor signify by saying aye. Opposed nay? The
ayes have it and the public hearing is closed.
MOTION CARRIED: FIVE AYES. ONE ABSENT.
Strader: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Council Woman Strader.
Strader: I would like to make a motion. After considering all staff, applicant and public
testimony I move to approve File No. H-2026-0015 as presented in the staff report for
today's hearing date with the addition of specifying the uses on Lot 5 and Lot 6 as
outlined by Sonya.
Whitlock: Second.
Simison: Motion and a second to approve Item H-2026-0015. Is there discussion on
the motion? If not clerk call the roll.
Roll Call: Cavener, absent; Strader, yea; Overton, yea; Little Roberts, yea; Taylor, yea;
Whitlock, yea.
Meridian City Council
June 23,2026
Page 16 of 21
Simison: All ayes. Motion carries and the item is agreed to. Thank you and have a
good evening.
MOTION CARRIED: FIVE AYES. ONE ABSENT.
5. Public Hearing for Midgrove Plaza (SHP-2026-0004) by Hillside
Architecture, located at 1450 E. Franklin Rd.
A. Request: Short Plat consisting of two (2) building lots on 12.84
acres of land in the C-G and I-L zoning district.
Simison: Next item up is Item 5, which is a public hearing from Midgrove Plaza, SHP-
2026-0004. We will open this public hearing with staff comments.
Allen: Thank you, Mr. Mayor, Members of the Council. Next application before you is a
request for a short plat. This site consists of 12.84 acres of land. It's zoned C-G and I-L
and it's located at 1450 East Franklin Road. History on this property. In 2007 a
property boundary adjustment was approved by the city, which created the legal parcel
for the proposed subdivision. In 2020 a rezone of 1.96 acres of land from I-L to C-G
and a preliminary plat was approved. A time extension for the preliminary plat was
approved, but the plat later expired. There is no development agreement in effect or
required for this property. The Comprehensive Plan future land use map designation is
commercial on the southern six acres of the property and general industrial on the
northern seven acres. The applicant is requesting approval of a short plat consisting of
two building lots on 12.84 acres of land in the C-G and I-L zoning districts as shown
there on the left. The proposed lots are anticipated to develop with six flex space
buildings and future pad site. Flex space is a principal permitted use in both zoning
districts, subject to the specific use standards in the UDC. Establishment of the use
and/or internal site design is not being reviewed or approved as part of the subject
application. A subsequent certificate of zoning compliance will be required to determine
consistency with UDC standards. The Five Mile Creek crosses the site within a 90 foot
wide easement. A conservation easement also exists in the same area for protection of
designated wetlands along the creek. The creek is required to remain open and be
protected during development. A portion of this site along the creek is in the flood plain.
A flood plain development permit is required prior to development. The Evans Drain
runs along the northern boundary of this site within a 60 foot wide easement as depicted
on the proposed plat. Structures and improvements should not encroach within any of
these easements. Two accesses are proposed via North Locust Grove Road. One full
access, that's the northern access, in this location right here, is -- excuse me -- is in an
existing 40 foot wide ingress and egress easement that aligns with Lanark Street to the
east and this should be the primary access for the development and one right-in, right-
out access midway to the south between the existing access easement and Franklin
Road. There is an existing curb cut on Franklin Road that will remain for maintenance
vehicle access only for the creek. Private streets may be required within the
development for emergency way finding purposes. Cross-access ingress-egress
easements are required to be granted to the property to the west on the north and south
Meridian City Council
June 23,2026
Page 17 of 21
sides of the creek, unless already existing. A minimum 25 foot wide street buffer is
required to be constructed on the side along North Locust Grove Road and East
Franklin Road, with the subdivision improvements. An attached sidewalk that's in good
condition exists along the frontage of this side adjacent to Franklin and Locust Grove
Roads and is not required to be replaced. A ten foot wide multi-use pathway is depicted
on the pathways master plan from the Franklin and Locust Grove intersection to the
west to the creek and, then, northwest along the east side of the Five Mile Creek. Only
an easement is required at this time for the pathway. Staff is recommending approval.
Written testimony has been received from Anthony Swanson, Hillside Architecture, is
the applicant's representative and he is in agreement with the staff report. Staff will
stand for any questions.
Simison: Thank you, Sonya. Council, any questions for staff? Is the applicant here?
Good evening. State your name and address for the record and be recognized for ten
minutes.
Swanson: Anthony Swanson with Hillside Architecture, 345 Bobwhite Court, Boise,
Idaho. Good evening, Mayor and Council Members. My name is Anthony Swanson.
I'm the applicant for the -- and project architect at Hillside Architecture for this project.
I'm here today representing Copium Investments and presenting the short plat for The
Midgrove Plaza Subdivision. As Sonya described, this is a pretty straightforward
division, just into two different lots for development. Our development is proposed to be
within the general commercial and light industrial zoning and we intend to develop
future flex-based buildings within these parcels. We are fully in agreement and
understand the department-specific conditions and we are ready to go forward with
these conditions in the normal CZC design review and permitting process. We believe
this is in conformance with the UDC and the guidelines of the Comprehensive Plan and
we support your approval if you would give it.
Simison: Thank you. Council, any questions from the applicant? Thank you very
much.
Swanson: Thank you.
Simison: Anyone signed up on this item?
Johnson: Mr. Mayor, no.
Simison: Okay. Is there anybody personally would like to provide testimony on this
item, either in the room or online? Seeing no one coming forward, does the applicant
waive any final comments? Applicant will waive final comments. Council, what's your
direction?
Overton: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Councilman Overton.
Meridian City Council
June 23,2026
Page 18 of 21
Overton: No further public comments, I move we close the public hearing.
Little Roberts: Second.
Simison: Motion and second to close the public hearing. Is there any discussion? If
not, all in favor signify by saying aye. Opposed nay? The ayes have it and the public
hearing is closed.
MOTION CARRIED: FIVE AYES. ONE ABSENT.
Overton: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Councilman Overton.
Overton: I will go ahead and kick this off. I'm actually very glad to see after all these
years something actually occurring on that corner. So, if there is no other comments,
would like to move -- after considering all staff, applicant and public testimony, I move to
approve File No. SHP-2026-0004 as presented in the staff report for the hearing date of
June 23rd, 2026.
Little Roberts: Second.
Simison: Have a motion and second to approve Item 5. Is there discussion on the
motion? If not, clerk call the roll.
Roll Call: Cavener, absent; Strader, yea; Overton, yea; Little Roberts, yea; Taylor, yea;
Whitlock, yea.
Simison: All ayes. Motion carries and the item is agreed to.
MOTION CARRIED: FIVE AYES. ONE ABSENT.
6. Public Hearing (continued from June 16, 2026) to Consider Adoption
of the Ada County Jail Development Impact Fees Ordinance and the
Ada County Emergency Medical Services District Development
Impact Fees Ordinance Authorizing the Imposition of New County-
Related Development Impact Fees
Simison: So, next up is Item 6, which is a continued public hearing from June 16th to
consider adoption of the Ada County Jail Development Impact Fees Ordinance and Ada
County Emergency Medical Services District Development Impact Fee Ordinance
authorizing the imposition of new county-related development impact fees. Mr. Nary, do
you have any additional comments you would like to make for anybody that may be
tuning in for the first time?
Nary: No, sir. Just a second reading for tonight.
Meridian City Council
June 23,2026
Page 19 of 21
Simison: Okay. So, is there anybody who signed up to provide testimony on this item?
Johnson: Mr. Mayor, there is not.
Simison: Is there anybody present that would like to provide additional testimony on this
item? Seeing no one coming forward for additional testimony, Council, would you like to
continue this one out for a third public hearing?
Overton: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Councilman Overton.
Overton: Like to move that we continue this to our third hearing on July 7th, 2026.
Little Roberts: Second.
Simison: Have a motion and second to continue this public hearing until July 3rd -- 7th,
which one did I hear? 7th. Okay. I know July 3rd I'm in a different state, so -- July 7th.
Is there discussion? If not all in favor signify by saying aye. Opposed nay? The ayes
have and the public hearings continued.
MOTION CARRIED: FIVE AYES. ONE ABSENT.
ORDINANCES [Action Item]
7. Second Reading of Ordinance No. 26-2126: An Ordinance Adding a
New Title 12 Called "Countywide Development Impact Fees" to the
Meridian City Code and Adding Thereto a New Chapter 1 Called "Ada
County Jail Development Impact Fees" That Provides for Short
Chapter Title; Authority, Findings, Applicability, and Purpose;
Definitions; Capital Improvements Plan; Periodic Review of the
Capital Improvements Plan; Intergovernmental Agreement with Ada
County; Imposition of County Impact Fees and Payment;
Enforcement and Collection; County Impact Fee Administrator and
City Powers to Require Payment of County Impact Fees; County
Impact Fee(s) Exemptions; Process for Individual Assessment;
Extraordinary Impacts; Developer Credits and Reimbursements;
County Impact Fee Payment Mistake or Misrepresentation; Fee Payer
Refunds; County Impact Fee Capital Projects Trust Fund,
Expenditures, Budget, Audit, and Surcharge; Appeals and Mediation;
Miscellaneous Provisions; Punishment for Violations; Construction
of Ordinance Intent; and Providing an Effective Date
Simison: With that we will move on to Item 7, which is the second reading of Ordinance
No. 26-2126. Ask the clerk to read this ordinance by title.
Meridian City Council
June 23,2026
Page 20 of 21
Johnson: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Second Reading of Ordinance No. 26-2126: An
Ordinance Adding a New Title 12 Called "Countywide Development Impact Fees" to the
Meridian City Code and Adding Thereto a New Chapter 1 Called "Ada County Jail
Development Impact Fees" That Provides for Short Chapter Title; Authority, Findings,
Applicability, and Purpose; Definitions; Capital Improvements Plan; Periodic Review of
the Capital Improvements Plan; Intergovernmental Agreement with Ada County;
Imposition of County Impact Fees and Payment; Enforcement and Collection; County
Impact Fee Administrator and City Powers to Require Payment of County Impact Fees;
County Impact Fee(s) Exemptions; Process for Individual Assessment; Extraordinary
Impacts; Developer Credits and Reimbursements; County Impact Fee Payment Mistake
or Misrepresentation; Fee Payer Refunds; County Impact Fee Capital Projects Trust
Fund, Expenditures, Budget, Audit, and Surcharge; Appeals and Mediation;
Miscellaneous Provisions; Punishment for Violations; Construction of Ordinance Intent;
and Providing an Effective Date.
Simison: Thank you. Council, you have heard this ordinance read by title. Is there
anybody that would like it read in its entirety? Okay. We will have the third reading on
that same date on the 7th.
8. Second Reading of Ordinance No. 26-2127: An Ordinance Amending
the Meridian City Code by the Addition Thereto of a New Chapter 2 to
Title 12 Called "Ada County Emergency Medical Services District
Development Impact Fees" Providing for Short Chapter Title;
Authority, Findings, Applicability, and Purpose; Definitions; Capital
Improvements Plan; Periodic Review of the Capital Improvements
Plan; Intergovernmental Agreement with EMS District; Imposition of
EMS Impact Fees and Payment; Enforcement and Collection; EMS
District Impact Fee Administrator and City Powers to Require
Payment of EMS Impact Fees; EMS Impact Fee(s) Exemptions;
Process for Individual Assessment; Extraordinary Impacts;
Developer Credits and Reimbursements; EMS Impact Fee Payment
Mistake or Misrepresentation; Fee Payer Refunds; EMS Impact Fee
Capital Projects Trust Fund, Expenditures, Budget, Audit, and
Surcharge; Appeals and Mediation; Miscellaneous Provisions;
Punishment for Violations; Construction of Ordinance Intent; and
Providing an Effective Date.
Simison: So, with that we will move on to Item 8, for a second reading for Ordinance
26-2117. Ask the clerk to read this ordinance by title.
Johnson: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. It's an Ordinance Amending the Meridian City Code
by the Addition Thereto of a New Chapter 2 to Title 12 Called "Ada County Emergency
Medical Services District Development Impact Fees" Providing for Short Chapter Title;
Authority, Findings, Applicability, and Purpose; Definitions; Capital Improvements Plan;
Periodic Review of the Capital Improvements Plan; Intergovernmental Agreement with
EMS District; Imposition of EMS Impact Fees and Payment; Enforcement and
Meridian City Council
June 23,2026
Page 21 of 21
Collection; EMS District Impact Fee Administrator and City Powers to Require Payment
of EMS Impact Fees; EMS Impact Fee(s) Exemptions; Process for Individual
Assessment; Extraordinary Impacts; Developer Credits and Reimbursements; EMS
Impact Fee Payment Mistake or Misrepresentation; Fee Payer Refunds; EMS Impact
Fee Capital Projects Trust Fund, Expenditures, Budget, Audit, and Surcharge; Appeals
and Mediation; Miscellaneous Provisions; Punishment for Violations; Construction of
Ordinance Intent; and Providing an Effective Date.
Simison: Thank you. Council, you have heard this ordinance read by title. Is there
anyone who would like it read in it entirety? Seeing none, we will have item -- the third
reading on July 7th.
FUTURE MEETING TOPICS
Simison: So with that, Council, anything on the future main topics or a motion to
adjourn?
Overton: Mr. Mayor, I move that we adjourn.
Little Roberts: Second.
Simison: Have a motion and second to adjourn. All in favor signify by saying aye.
Opposed nay? The ayes have it. We are adjourned
MOTION CARRIED: FIVE AYES. ONE ABSENT.
MEETING ADJOURNED AT 7.05 P.M.
(AUDIO RECORDING ON FILE OF THESE PROCEEDINGS)
MAYOR ROBERT E. SIMISON 7-7-2026
ATTEST:
CHRIS JOHNSON - CITY CLERK 7-7-2026