HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004 01-13ncil Meeting January 1
The Regular Meeting of the Meridian City Council was called to order at 7:00 P.M., on
Tuesday, January 13, 2004, Mayor Tammy de Weerd.
Members Present: William Nary, Keith Bird, Charlie Rountree, and Shaun Wardle.
Others Present: Bill Nichols, Will Berg, Anna Powell, Brad Watson, Kenny Bowers, Bill
Musser, Doug Strong, and Dean Willis.
Item 1. Roll -call Attendance:
X Shaun Wardle X Bill Nary
X Charlie Rountree X Keith Bird
X Mayor Tammy de Weerd
De Weerd: Okay. I will go ahead and call the Regular Meeting -- City Council Meeting
of January 13th to order. I would like to welcome you all here tonight. This is my first
official meeting as your Mayor and so I'm thrilled to be serving you and look forward to
working together with the community. We will have a couple of new additions, which
you have probably noted in your agenda. We will start our meetings now with the
pledge and an invocation. I look forward to a working relationship with the scout troops,
some of our youth organizations here in the city, and also the faith community and we
will offer the opportunity and, hopefully, get the participation from our full faith
community, from those of all denominations and churches. We do look forward to
working closer together with these new community partners. I will ask the City Clerk to,
please, call roll call.
Item 2. Pledge of Allegiance:
De Weerd: Thank you. We will start with Item Number 2 the Pledge of Allegiance will
be led by Meridian Troop Number 62.
(Pledge of Allegiance recited.)
Item 3. Community Invocation by Steve Moore, Senior Minister at Cherry
Lane Christian Church:
De Weerd: Thank you. For our community invocation we will ask Steve Moore, who is
the Senior Minister at Cherry Lane Christian Church to, please, give us our invocation.
Moore: Would you bow your heads with me, please? Heavenly Father and God, on
this historic night when our new Mayor leads her first Council Meeting, bless this
gathering, direct her leadership, and this entire Council with integrity, for your sake and
this community's. On behalf of the citizens of this community thank you for blessing us
with a Mayor and Council leaders who are humble and insightful enough to seek your
Meridian City Council Meeting
January 13, 2004
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leading. Father God, you say in your word that you know when a bird chirps or a leaf
falls, so you know the issues facing this community in this decade on this very night.
Growth that is not detrimental congested traffic, a healthy balance between industry,
commerce, and residence and to raise another generation that knows right from wrong.
It seems somewhat mystical to ask for your direction on this, but your word invites us to
ask for direction on even the most minute issues of life. With so much at stake, on
behalf of our Mayor Tammy, this Council, and community, I ask for wisdom and vision
that projects a nd directs o ur wonderful city. We thank you, God, for the blessing of
living in such a place, for those who have preceded and provided what we now have
and hold dear. A number of requests appear on this agenda and may you guide our
leaders this very night to decide on the basis of community, rather than self interest, so
that Meridian holds a reputation as a place where neighbors love neighbors as
themselves. In the Spirit and the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior, Amen.
Item 4. Adoption of the Agenda:
De Weerd: Thank you for those timely reminders. Okay. Item Number 4. You know,
before I move to Item Number 4 1 failed to recognize someone last week when I was
thanking all of our department leaders and our staff. Dean Willis is our stenographer
over there and he works tirelessly with us and spends a lot of time and patience with us
and our lack of use of the microphones and mumbling and all of that. You do a
wonderful job and I would like to thank you for that, Dean. We will move to Item Number
4, adoption of the agenda.
Bird: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Bird.
Bird: I would move -- we need to add an item and we will make it Item Number 20, an
Executive Session as per Idaho State Code 67-2345(1)(b) and I believe with that I
would move that we adopt the revised agenda.
Nary: Second.
De Weerd: Okay. It's been moved and seconded to adopt the agenda as revised by
adding Number 20, an Executive Session per Idaho State Code 67-2345(1)(b). Thank
you. All those in favor say aye. Okay. All ayes. Motion carried.
MOTION CARRIED: ALL AYES
Item 5. Consent Agenda:
A. Approve Beer and Wine License for West of Phill 2 — 3355 E.
Fairview Avenue #102:
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January 13, 2004
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B. Streetlight Agreement for Bonito Subdivision (aka EI Dorado
Subdivision):
C. Latecomers Agreement for Baldwin Park Sewer Line (Capital
Development Inc.):
D. Black Cat Lift Station Temporary Construction Easement and
Temporary Right of Way Contract:
E. Agreement for Professional Services — North Slough Sewer
Trunk, Keller Associates:
F. Three Party Agreement with Nampa & Meridian Irrigation
District Five Mile Creek Sewer Crossing:
G. Water Main Extension at Linder and 1-84 — Civil Survey:
H. Construction Staking — Franklin Road Water and Sewer — Civil
Survey:
Streetlight Agreement for Champion Park (Hillview
Development).
De Weerd: Item Number 5 is the Consent Agenda.
Bird: Madam President or Madam Mayor.
De Weerd: Mr. Bird.
Bird: I move that we approve the Consent Agenda as published and for the Mayor to
sign and the Clerk to attest on all proper papers.
Rountree: Second.
De Weerd: Okay. It's been moved and seconded to approve the Consent Agenda and
ask the Mayor to sign and Clerk attest on all appropriate papers. Mr. Clerk, will you call
roll?
Roll Call: Bird, aye; Rountree, aye; Wardle, aye; Nary, aye.
MOTION CARRIED: ALL AYES
Item 6. Department Reports:
A. Mayor's Office -- Mayor
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January 13, 2004
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1. Re -Appointment of Craig Slocum to the Meridian
Development Corporation Board to August 2006:
2. Appointment of Charlie Rountree to the Meridian
Development Corporation Board to August 2006:
3. Appointment of David Moe to the Planning and Zoning
Commission Seat #2 for remaining term to January
2006:
4. Appointment of William Allen to the Parks and
Recreation Commission to October 2006:
5. Appointment of Carol Harms to the Historical
Preservation Commission to April 2007:
6. Appointment of Tammy de Weerd a nd Keith Bird w ith
Alternates Shaun Wardle and Gary Smith to the
COMPASS Board:
7. Appointment of Randy Pipal to ACHD's CICAC:
8. Appointment of Shaun Wardle to the Air Quality Board:
9. Appointment of Bill Nary and David Zaremba with
Alternates Brad Hawkins -Clark and Gary Smith to Valley
Ride Regional Public Transportation Authority:
De Weerd: Thank you. Gosh, I forget I don't get to vote. There are downsides to this.
Okay. Item Number 6 is the department reports. I will start off with appointments to the
various citizens' commissions and committees that we have. You have the list there
before you. I would like to recognize one of those that I am appointing that are with us
tonight. Carol Harms is my appointment to the Historical Preservation Commission and
her term will b e to A pril 2007. Thank you for j oining us, C arol, and appreciate your
interest in helping us in the community. Thank you. Okay. Are there any questions,
ddo cussi ns on these appointments? Anyone want to back out what I -- your
Bird: Charlie don't open things up at 7:30 no more.
Rountree: I'm still thinking about it.
De Weerd: Well, I will entertain a motion before he thinks too much.
Bird: Madam Mayor?
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January 73, 2004
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De Weerd: Mr. Bird.
Bird: I would move that we have approve the appointment of Craig Slocum, MDC,
Charlie Rountree to MDC, Mr. David Moe to Planning and Zoning. William Allen to
Parks and Recreation. Carol Harms to the Historical Preservation Commission. Tammy
de Weerd and Keith Bird, with alternates Shaun Wardle and Gary Smith to the
Compass Board. Randy Pipal to ACHD's CICAC, and the appointment of Shaun
Wardle to the Air Quality Board. I move that we approve those appointments.
De Weerd: Okay.
Rountree: Second.
De Weerd: Okay. It's been moved and seconded to approve the appointments of items
one through eight and the dates that have terms to them are noted in writing on the
agenda for the record. I will ask the City Clerk to call roll.
Roll Call: Bird, aye; Rountree, aye; Wardle, aye; Nary, aye
MOTION CARRIED: ALL AYES
De Weerd: Thank you.
Bird: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Bird.
Bird: Now for our final appointments, which I understand we have to have a resolution
on.
De Weerd: Yes.
Bird: I would move that we have the attorney draw up a resolution for the appointment
of Mr. Bill Nary and David Zaremba, with alternates Brad Hawkins -Clark and Gary
Smith, to the Valley Ride Regional Public Transportation Authority.
Rountree: Second
De Weerd: Okay. It's been moved and seconded to approve the appointments as
stated for the Valley Ride Regional Public Transportation Authority and ask the -- can
we ask that the attorney have the resolution for next week, so they can be -- yes. Mr.
Attorney, is that okay? Thank you. Okay. Mr. Clerk, will you call roll.
Roll Call: Bird, aye; Rountree, aye; Wardle, aye; Nary, aye.
MOTION CARRIED: ALL AYES
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B. Planning and Zoning — Anna Powell
1. Discussion of annexation of Vienna Woods and
Edinburgh Subdivisions:
De Weerd: Thank you. Again, thank you, Carol, for joining us tonight. It is a pleasure
to get a chance to meet you in person. I would like to take the opportunity to thank
Troop 62 for leading us in the pledge. Okay. Item B is the Planning and Zoning
Department. Anna.
Powell: Madam Mayor, Members of the Council, the Planning and Zoning and Public
Works Department just wanted to initiate a quick conversation about what the Mayor
and Council would like to do regarding the Edinburgh and Vienna Woods possible
annexations in the future. The Planning and Zoning staff is currently processing an
application -- it's going to the Planning and Zoning Commission next week on this
property here, which provides a clear annexation path from Havasu Creek to Edinburgh
Place and, then, Vienna Woods through Edinburgh. As you will recall these two
subdivisions were developed in Ada County, with the understanding that once the city
boundaries were contiguous that those properties would be annexed. The question was
whether you wanted us to wait until this application is through the process and
completely a nnexed o r i f you k ind of w anted u s to p re -work s ome o f t he annexation
procedures and get that going immediately or just wait a little while and that was the
primary question. We have some smaller kind of follow-up questions that perhaps we
just need to meet with Mr. Nichols to determine things like who should sign the
application and what other steps we may need to take as far as additional notice
regarding the annexation process, so the primary question is when do you want us to
start.
Bird: Immediately.
Powell: Or do you want us to start?
Bird: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr, Bird,
Bird: I would answer for one Councilman, that I would like to see it started now, the
preliminary, get it going, ready to go, because that was the agreement when we put the
sewer and stuff out to them and have it ready to go as soon as that other property is
down. We can just annex those two subdivisions and get them within our rolls, as was
agreed upon in their Development Agreement, I believe.
Nary: Madam Mayor?
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January 13, 2004
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De Weerd: Mr. Nary.
Nary: Yes. I would concur with Council Member Bird. I think more of it, Anna, to me is
your staffs time, but there is some time that it takes to do all the process that the law
requires and so it seems -- it seems like sort of a waste to simply wait until this other
piece is done. I mean we might as well get the groundwork done. I think it's just
determined by your staff and the time that you folk have, because it does take some
time to do that. Otherwise, I don't think we need to delay based on waiting for the other
one. I think we need to get it accomplished as soon as possible for the same reason
Mr. Bird just said.
Rountree: Madam Mayor, I agree with both comments
De Weerd: Thank you.
Wardle: Madam Mayor, I agree as well.
De Weerd: Okay. What is the process that you will be going through? Will you be
sending a letter out to all of the homeowners?
Powell: Well, what we anticipated -- we do need to do a couple things first. We need to
hire a surveyor to get a boundary description and, then, we will pull together the
application. There was some question as to whether you want to meet with them before
you actually start processing -- before we start processing the application or if -- I guess
I had thought that perhaps a letter for the Mayor's signature included with the notice of
the Public Hearing just explaining why this is being done. Kind of what happened in the
past may be appropriate just to give them a little background history and welcome them
to the city.
De Weerd: Sounds warm and cozy to me.
Nichols: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Nichols.
Nichols: Madam Mayor, Members of the Council, we will be sure to look at the recorded
agreements that pertain to the consent to annexation, because that will mandate what
type of procedure is used, with the idea in mind that even going beyond what is
technically required under the state statute may be preferable under these sorts of
circumstances. Some of those folks, undoubtedly, bought homes or lots in those
subdivisions and didn't see some of the things about consent to annexation and so we
will be mindful of the process and try to do it in such a way that it's meaningful
information as imparted out to those property owners as part of the process.
Nary: Madam Mayor?
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January 13, 2004
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De Weerd: Mr. Nary.
Nary: Yes. I think I would echo that and, you know, whatever information we can
provide to those folks, so they do understand, whatever the consent agreements are, so
that they -- so they, again, like Mr. Nichols said, sometimes the people haven't seen
those things. I know it doesn't bother me to get a copy of a law that tells me what the
law is, but I mean I know some folks may not really understand that, but, again, the
more information the better. Obviously, there will be some people that may be
disagreeing with that, but the more information they have the better they will understand
why, so --
De Weerd: I guess as you compile the letter from me, if you can look at the documents
that were on the plat or in their CC&Rs -- whatever documentation that refers to the
consent to annexation once they are contiguous. I would like that referenced in that
letter just so they have a point of reference to go back to in their documents as well.
Powell: We can do that and we did look at it today and it was -- there is not much in the
Development Agreement. It just basically says that the developer and any assigns or
anybody that buys property after that will not in any way hold up the annexation process
is basically what it says, so -- and I should point out I don't think it would be necessary,
technically, to send a personal letter to each person. I did anticipate that that's what the
Planning and Zoning staff would do. It would be some additional cost to the city as far
as mailing, but I do think that that is appropriate.
De Weerd: I think that would be most appropriate.
Powell: Okay.
C. Parks and Recreation Department — Doug Strong
1. Draft Agreement between Adventure Island Playground
Organization and the City of Meridian:
De Weerd: Okay. Thank you. Any further discussion? Okay. We will go ahead and
move onto Item 6-C-1, the draft agreement between Adventure Island Playground
Organization and the City of Meridian, with the Parks and Recreation Department, Doug
Strong.
Strong: Madam Mayor and Members of the Council, this is an example of an
agreement that's been in the works for several months, probably most of the months
that I have been with the city, has gone through a variety of evolutions. With the
recommendation of Mr. Nichols bringing it before you tonight for just a brief discussion
to show you where it is now, so that we can move forward with it. As I think most of you
know, St. Alphonsus Foundation has been supporting the Adventure Island playground
since its inception and some of the early agreements had St. Alphonsus written in the
agreement and it's been back and forth for signature several times. The most recent
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version is that St. Alphonsus did not want to be in the agreement, so that's where we
are now. What you see is identification of Adventure Island playground as Adventure
Island in the agreement and the city and I believe everybody has had a copy and an
opportunity to read the agreement. With discussion tonight, we would like some
direction how to move forward with getting this a completed and signed agreement, so
that we can begin construction on that area of Meridian Settler's Park by this spring.
Bird: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Bird.
Bird: Is this new Adventure Island playground and water splash pad a -- is it an
incorporated, nonprofit organization or something?
Strong: Not to my understanding
Bird: Well, how do you come into an agreement with this? When we met with them
originally -- and this is when St. AI's said they would step up to the plate I brought this
up, because I don't know how you -- what you're basically doing is making an
agreement with a nonexistent volunteer organization. It's a couple of people. I can't
believe the people want to be held responsible to this agreement. I know it's been going
on and on. This is the first I knew that St. AI's was not going to be the volunteer
community or the one that we had the agreement with. I don't know how the rest of the
Council feels, but I have a real problem with not -- with having an agreement with a non-
registered organization.
Nary: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Nary.
Nary: I think -- I guess when I'm looking at this agreement, I think -- Councilman Bird, I
think -- I mean if we identified at least the principals of this group -- because it appears
the only thing they are really required to do is to collect these hold harmless waivers
from these volunteers. They are not providing anything in this agreement -- unless I
missed something, they are only providing the -- they are providing the labor and
materials, but that's going to be bought by the volunteers and all they are doing as an
organization -- and I agree with you, I think it -- I mean it is just a committee of folks, is
collecting these hold -harmless waivers and giving them to the city, so that we --
Bird: They are raising money to --
Nary: Well, I understand that, but I mean this agreement only does -- all it does is talk
about collecting the hold -harmless waivers, organizing the build, turning over the
material or turning over the finished product to the city, which I don't really see as -- I
don't know that there is really an issue. Maybe part of that hold harmless is that
basically, any material that's brought by citizens is donated to the city and they can sign
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January 13, 2004
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off on that as well. I mean I think you would have to name -- I mean I agree with Mr.
Bird in the sense I think you would have to name somebody, because if no one does it,
no one's held accountable for it, so -- if they don't do that. I think you're going to have to
name some principals, at least, to really be responsible parties to do that. The raising
money stuff, I mean in this one -- I'm not sure in this one it has anything about raising
money, unless I missed it.
Nichols: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Nichols.
Nichols: Madam Mayor, Members of the Council, the lawyer for St. Alphonsus
Foundation represented to me they are not out of the picture, they just weren't going to
be a party to the agreement. They are still operating in an assisting capacity to Mrs.
Lindig and her group. With regard to the -- this is a memorandum of understanding
only, it doesn't obligate us to do anything until they have the funds raised. We don't --
we don't go forward with a single dollar of the city's money or on the design side of
things until they have raised the funds necessary to do the things that they say they are
going to do and that a critical part of what we were trying to do with this agreement. We
asked -- or I asked specifically that Mr. Strong bring this to you for your review, partly
because new Council Members may or may not have seen some of the elements of this
before and also because it doesn't have St. Alphonsus in the agreement anymore. I
knew that was a change and rather than have Doug send over an agreement with an
obvious change in it, that we would have a discussion about why is it changed and so
forth. We wanted to at I east h ave you I ook at it. I f you want us to add i ndividuals'
names, if you want us to go back to them and tell them they need to incorporate and
create a nonprofit corporation, we can certainly do that. They won't have -- I think they
intended to use St. Alphonsus Foundation for the 501(c)(3) status for the donations, so
they didn't have to jump through the hoops to qualify as a 501(c)(3) themselves, they
could use the foundation for that purpose for people that wanted to make tax deductible
donations to the project. That was my understanding.
De Weerd: And you're right on on that. It seems -- and once this project is over, this
group will no longer exist. It seems kind of above and beyond to ask them to
incorporate just until the conclusion of this project.
Nary: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Nary.
Nary: Yes. I think as long as Mr. Nichols is okay with that. I think, really, the only thing,
I guess, I would prefer to see in this agreement with them is some principals named as
the party's representatives of this Adventure Island group. I mean Mrs. Lindig is a
signature on the back and if she wants to be the principal or if they have an executive
group of their board or whatever, I think we just want to an account -- I mean I think the
public s hould h ave s omething -- s omeone t hat's accountable. I agree w ith w hat M r.
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Nichols has said is they are not -- the city isn't required to do anything until they actually
pony up the money. Having them go through the effort of establishing their own
501(c)(3) seems kind of wasteful and a waste of time, but l think there needs to be
some principals, not just a signator, but named in the document and, then, I think -- at
least for me I think it's fine.
Bird: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Bird.
Bird: I concur with Councilman Nary on that part and what Bill said has cleared it for
me, but I certainly want to see some name in here, because anybody could be, you
know, representing that community, campaign for the Adventure Island playground.
Doug, I have a question. Have we released any of that money? We have budgeted I
think 100 or 150,000 towards this. Have we released any of that money to anybody?
Strong: Madam Mayor, Councilman Bird, we have not
Bird: Okay. I'm like Councilman Nary, I'd like to see whoever is going to sign that, their
name or if they are the president of the group or something, within this agreement, I just
-- I mean a nonprofit organization that.isn't incorporated, we have to have an agreement
with somebody. Somebody has to be responsible for that group and St. AI's has
evidently backed out as far as being responsible to this memorandum. They aren't to
the part of the deal. I don't believe as a public entity that we can just go out and make
agreements with any organization that don't have some backing. I would go along with
that. If you want to get a name in there, then, I'm for it.
Rountree: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Rountree.
Rountree: It's great to have the volunteerism, but things like this just have a way of
backfiring on us. This, in itself -- and I don't know the history, but were we to enter into
this agreement builds an expectation on the part of our constituents and a fair amount of
the money to make this work is through the volunteer effort. If it goes south and we
don't have anybody to hold accountable, there is still that expectation that this will be
done. T he 100,000 dollars that I read in h ere that the city h as d iscussed i n a prior
verbal agreement with this organization, now becomes the full cost of this activity. I
guess I'm just cautious in that when we are dealing with a -- in essence, a non-existent
entity and I don't know these folks and it's not a matter that I have a distrust for them,
but I have been in these kinds of things in the past and occasionally they don't work quit
as well as we all think they are going to and that's my hesitancy with this particular
agreement.
Strong: Madam Mayor and Councilman Rountree, just to clarify some of the money
issues, as of December of 2003, there were, -- there was 300,000 dollars in cash
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January 13, 2004
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contributions to this project and about 245,000 dollars in in-kind donations. So far, they
have solid contributions of about 545,000 dollars for this project. I think -- and that's
come through St. Alphonsus Foundation to that point, as far as fundraising efforts. It's a
pretty solid organization as far as the money goes. They have been very diligent about
holding off to even move forward with groundbreaking until they felt they had the money
in the bank for phase one of the project.
Rountree: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Rountree.
Rountree: I think those kinds of things need to be included in the agreement, that those
monies they have raised are held in a foundation or an escrow account or something
that builds at least my comfort level and maybe the rest of the Council's that it's just not
wishful thinking, it's a real deal.
Bird: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Bird.
Bird: I would agree with Councilman Rountree on that, because, you know, that is
sitting in an escrow under St. AI's nonprofit letters and it don't say a word about it in
here and this agreement isn't with St. AI's. What's to say that that money -- we know it's
going there, but what's to say definitely that it is. This memorandum doesn't say it.
Nichols: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Nichols.
Nichols: Madam Mayor, Members of the Council, you need to be careful about where
you're going with this thing, because if you're going to put into this agreement
something about the money that's already been pledged or raised, then, I do think it
puts you into the position of having to finish the project. The way this memorandum is
worded right now, you don't have to move forward until they have all of the money to do
it. If you start putting in there you're going to tie up the money that's been paid to this
group that's held by St. AI's, you run the risk of, then, being committed to do the whole
project.
Bird: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Bird.
Bird: Mr. Nichols, I agree with you on that 100 percent, but what in this memorandum
tells us that that money or that they -- who do we -- who is held responsible to do this by
this memorandum? It's with an organization that it's just a name only. There is nobody
responsible.
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Nichols: Madam Mayor, Members of the Council, if you put Mrs. Lindig's name on this,
You don't really have any much more than what you have already. If you -- if she
incorporates you have an assetless entity that's a party to the agreement. The only
thing -- what I'm hearing you say is go back to St. AI's and tell them they are back in the
game and their name has to be on the agreement. That's what I'm hearing you say.
Because if you want the party that's holding the funds to be obligated to follow through,
it sounds like they need to be back in the game and they need to be part of this
understanding.
Wardle: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Wardle.
Wardle: I believe one of the things that this organization is looking for as far as a
memorandum of understanding is not only to complete their timetables and to work
directly with the parks department. Also from a donation standpoint, they want to know
-- the donors want to know that the city is invested in the project when the funds
become available and so we are dealing with a time line on what I feel is a very
worthwhile project. Certainly, this is something that if the City of Meridian is going to
continue to utilize both volunteers fundraising efforts and involunteer activities. We
need to -- we need to figure out at least a process for them to come to us and to build
these sorts of things that we have not committed to build ourselves with 100 percent tax
dollars and so I think this is a good d iscussion to have. At the same I'm a little bit
hesitant to begin naming organizations when they are not going to -- when they have a
very fixed timeline.
Nary: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Nary.
Nary: Yes. I guess Councilman Bird and Councilmember Rountree, you know, I think
you -- I think you're at an agreement that's ahead of what this. I mean I think all this is
is memorializing the understanding we have with this Adventure Island group and I
guess I reiterate -- I think that we just want it identified in the document to me as to who
that principal is and if it's Mrs. Lindig, that's fine. This isn't an agreement to build it and
that's where I think we would be -- that's where I think we would want an agreement like
you folks are talking about of who is going to commit the money? When are we going to
see it, when is this going to get built, when is the construction plans going to be shown
to u s -- that's a whole d ifferent agreement. A II we a re d oing In ere i s I ike I think M r.
Nichols is saying is here is our understanding of this group called Adventure Island and
the principal is Mrs. Lindig. They will raise money and if they do, they will provide as a
group the money and the volunteers and the people to help build this project. Once they
do that, the city has decided to commit a certain amount of funds towards the same end
of the project. This isn't a commitment to build anything this is just a commitment that
they are going to continue to do that. I think as Council Member Wardle stated, it's just
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so that they can show, just like we have had agreements in the past with Meridian youth
baseball or the soccer folks and all of those. This is a way for them to go to their donors
and say the city is in, we need this money, this is how we are going to raise it, this is
what we are going to do with it, this is where it's going, this is what's going to happened.
I think, as Mr. Nichols has stated, I think if the other agreement you folks are talking
about puts us further into this project and completing it, but that's really but where these
folks are there. They are not even there yet and this doesn't commit the city to
anything, other than saying once you get the money, we will participate in the rest of it
and I don't think -- I guess I don't see that hurting us to any degree. All I wanted was
just a person who was identifiable as a principal of that organization, rather than just a
generic name and her signing on the end.
Strong: Madam Mayor and Councilman Nary, what you're saying is accurate, because
what's defined in the agreement is that they will provide the equipment and the
community build -- the volunteers to do the community build. Essentially, buy
everything that goes into that build, other than the 100,000 dollars I think that was
identified that would be the pour -in-place surface, which I believe has been identified,
which is -- it isn't identified that way in the agreement, nor does it need to be. We
provide, then, the specifications for how it will be built and supervision of the build
process and it kind of keeps everybody clean until that opportunity. At least the way it
looks.
De Weerd: Any further questions?
Strong: What I would need is direction where to go from here, then.
Nary: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Nary.
Nary: Mr. Strong, do you anticipate any concerns from Mrs. Lindig including her name
in the document as a principal of the Adventure Island group? Do you think she would
have any problem with that?
Strong: Madam Mayor, Councilman Nary, I don't see any reason why she would not be
willing. She's invested herself so completely in this project that putting her name on a
document I think would not concern her.
De Weerd: And it's already on there as the signator anyway.
Nary: Right.
Rountree: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Rountree.
Meridian City Council Meeting
January 13, 2004
Page 15 of 70
Rountree: I heard from counsel, as well as member N ary, about four points. If the
agreement could expound those four points and get away from the indemnifications, the
maintenances, and all of the other things that we were saying it doesn't include, but, in
fact, it does, then, yes, I think it's a great deal. Basically, we have a group, they want to
do this, they are going to provide the equipment, the labor, and the money and, yes, the
city is behind it to the point that we have already budgeted the money in our budget to
the tune of 100,000 or 150,000, whatever it is, and that's the agreement. We have done
our part they have done their part, move on. It seems like we are kind of interim in an
agreement. We have gone passed that, but not to where I was talking and I agree with
what you said, Bill. It seems to me that, you know, four bullet points or four whereas --
or therefore and one whereas, we both agree that we are going to do it. It's clean and
it's quick and you don't have to get St. AI's involved and you don't have all of this other
stuff that both our attorneys can argue about at some point in time in the future. I guess
that would be my direction. Clean it up, get it to the point that we are at right now and
we will worry about the details later.
Nary: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Nary.
Nary: Not to belabor it, but I think maybe if -- Councilmember Rountree, I would agree
that probably the long-term maintenance provisions in here aren't really necessary. I
mean once they turn the material and the project is completed, what we do with it is
ours. I mean it doesn't really make a whole lot of difference that this agreement -- it's
not going to have any need to exist any longer. It probably just needs to reflect like we
have talked about. Everything that's going to happen to the point that it gets turned
over. The indem part is really just to cover the city for the volunteers during the build
process and I think we want to have something like that hold harmless, but once it's
turned over to the city it's probably not necessary, because there is no need to have an
agreement any longer with anybody, because we are just going to maintain it, because
it belongs to the city.
Nichols: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Nichols.
Nichols: Madam Mayor, Members of the Council, I can't recall if it's in connection with
this project or perhaps some others. There are some grant funding sources which
require as part of the process that the receiving entity promise to maintain the facility for
a certain period of time and so in this -- in taking this memorandum of understanding to
potential funding sources, that, I believe, is one of the reasons that that provision was in
there, even though certainly the city would have every intention of maintaining these
things for whole lot longer than 20 years, but I believe that that was where part of that
was coming from.
Meridian City Council Meeting
January 13, 2004
Page 16 of 70
Strong: Madam Mayor, Members of the Council, that's exactly right, because in Phase
2 of this project we are intending to apply for land and water conservation funds, which
have those requirements in the funds which are applied to that phase of the project. It
would also look at the rest of the project that contributes to the total project. It's
probably important to keep those items in there. That's if we are successful with the
application, but it is a way to get additional dollars to the project.
Nichols: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Nichols.
Nichols: Madam Mayor, Members of the Council, just one other thing. The agreement
does have the ability to terminate it. If the Council becomes uncomfortable with this
agreement at anytime prior to the construction of the project, it can be terminated and,
then, our only liability comes is if there were materials purchased in reliance upon the
agreement that cannot be returned for credit. That's the liability under the agreement.
De Weerd: Okay. Council, Mr. Strong needs to know how to proceed.
Nary: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Nary.
Nary: Mr. Nichols, do you think -- I'm not going to try to repeat them, but we do have a
tape. The points as Councilman Rountree pointed out that we can memorialize, you
know, what the intents of the parties are here and making sure that that's clear in this
agreement. I think we should be -- I think we should be fine. I think the overall intent or
the overall document isn't going to change, I think, other than adding Mrs. Lindig as a
principal in the body of the text and so as Councilman Rountree stated, some
whereases to make it clear what our intentions are and what are anticipated
participation is. Would you think that would be complicated or difficult to incorporate?
Nichols: Madam Mayor, Members of the Council, we will make a stab at it. Again, we
wanted to bring this in front of you, because we didn't have the comfort level of just
running it passed on a consent agenda with signatures already on it. We want to make
it better, so we will do our best and we will provide drafts of the revised agreement to
you and you can comment on it and go from there.
Nary: Great. Thank you. We will go ahead. I guess what I'm hearing, at least from
me, I think is we will go ahead and we will see those drafts and try to get this worked out
in the next couple weeks and go forward. Is that -- do you think that's adequate,
Madam Mayor? Do you want a motion to that? I'm not sure what --
De Weerd: I would like -- Mr. Nichols, would it be feasible or reasonable to assume that
we can have this -- a draft by next week and ask Council to give you comments, so it
could be on the agenda in two weeks?
Meridian City Council Meeting
January 13, 2004
Page 17 of 70
Nichols: Madam Mayor, Members of the Council, I'm going to read the minutes and go
back through and do it and so even -- as fast as he is, Mr. Willis usually has those done
by Thursday, so I'm not sure -- I'm not sure I can promise you a drafted by Tuesday
next week. We will do it as quickly as we can. I don't know that there is any real
pressing time frame on it. It's just we have tried to move it to you as quickly as we got it
back from St. AI's with the latest changes.
De Weerd: I guess the target can be the final documents on the agenda in three weeks
and interimly if you can give your comments as soon as you get them back to Doug and
our attorney. Okay. I don't think we need a motion.
Strong: Thank you.
D. City Council President — Bill Nary
1. City Council Appointments:
De Weerd: Thank you, Doug. Okay, Item D is the City Council President.
Nary: Madam Mayor, Members of the Council, we have talked previously about
appointments for the different liaison positions. What I was going to do this coming year
is try to do them a little bit differently than we have done them in the past, so that way
we hopefully maybe can get a little different look at it. What I have ultimately decided, I
think after discussions with everyone, on the Public Works liaison, Councilmember
Rountree will take that role. That also does include the solid waste advisory committee
as Mr. Sedlacek said at our Pre -Council Meeting they go hand in hand together. The
public safety we are going to do differently than we have in the past. The Fire and
Police Department liaison will be Council Member Bird for both of those departments.
Both of the chiefs were very excited about that opportunity and thought that would be a
very good fit for them as well in working together as a group for -- they have very similar
needs and really felt very strongly about Council Member Bird's participating. That
would b e a real asset to them. The Parks Department, Council Member Wardle h as
agreed to be the liaison for that department. He has been on the commission, they,
again, were very encouraged by his continuing participation, and he will also, with
myself, be the liaison for the Planning and Zoning Department. There are some
particular needs of some projects and some things that Mrs. Powell wanted to work on
and for time considerations, I think for both of us that are going to work out for both us,
as well as the department. Then, finally, I guess a group that I -- for lack of anything
else, I labeled as public services, the services that originate out of City Hall. Currently
the finance department, the human resources department, and the city clerk will have
one liaison. I will take that duty and responsibility for the next year for those three
departments and I have communicated that to all the different departments, so they are
aware that of that. Council Members, they will be providing you with the monthly check
runs for each of the departments for your review. We haven't changed anything in
regards to our fiscal policies, so those remain the same. For Council Member Rountree
Meridian City Council Meeting
January 13, 2004
Page 18 of 70
and Wardle, what we decided about a year and a half ago, I think, Council Members will
review all the expenditures of each of the departments that exceed 5,000 dollars and
will sign off on those expenditures. The ones that are less than that don't require
Council signature, but, certainly, in the discussion with your different department heads
that you're working with, you're going to have to work with them as to how you want that
communication to flow as to what's going on. What they are doing and, of course,
obviously, when the budget time rolls around that will be the next phase of the liaison
responsibility is working directly with those departments on helping to formulate their
budgets and enhancement for the next year. Unless I forgot something, I think that was
it.
Bird: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Bird.
Bird: I didn't hear you, Bill, but I might have -- you were taking HR right?
Nary: Right. Human resources, City Clerk, and finance out of this building, so --
Bird: Okay.
De Weerd: Okay. I'm assuming that that is all agreeable. I would imagine that we
need a motion to confirm those assignments. I can't remember --
Bird: No.
De Weerd: No. It's what he said.
Rountree: It's his choice.
Bird: What he says.
De Weerd: Okay. Just for clarification, you sign documents or checks for the purchase
orders from purchases over -- 5,000 dollars and above, but you will get a check run on
all purchases that you are to review and discuss with your departments.
Nary: Madam Mayor, one last thing I forgot. Also, I guess everyone knows this, but as
Council President I also will review the expenditures, the PO's from the Mayor's Office
as well and, then, the check runs from that as well, so —
Item 7. (Items Moved from Consent Agenda)
De Weerd: Okay. Okay. Any further comments, questions? Okay. We will move on.
There are no items moved from the Consent Agenda.
Meridian City Council Meeting
January 13, 2004
Page 19 of 70
Item 8. Ordinance No. Ordinance Amending
Amended Sign Ordinance No. 03-1055:
De Weerd: So, we will move to Item 8, Ordinance Number 04-1063, an ordinance
amending the Amended Sign Ordinance Number 03-1055. 1 will ask the City Clerk to
read this by title only.
Berg: Thank you, Madam Mayor, Members of the Council. Ordinance Number 04-
1063. An ordinance of the City of Meridian amending Section 5.1.4.A pertaining to
animate d signs of Chapter 14 of Title 11 of Meridian City Code to provide for the
deletion of the word no pertaining to text messages and to reference to the definition of
scrolling within the section, providing for conflicts, validity, a savings clause, and
providing an effective date.
De Weerd: Okay. Thank you. You have heard the reading of Ordinance 04-1063 by
title only. Is there anyone in the audience who would like to hear it read in its entirety?
Thank you. Council, any action?
Bird: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Bird.
Bird: I move we pass Ordinance 04-1063, the ordinance amending the Sign Ordinance
Number 03-1055, with suspension of rules and for the Mayor to sign and the Clerk to
attest.
Wardle: Second.
De Weerd: Okay. It's been moved and seconded to approve Ordinance 04-1063. Mr.
Clerk, will you, please, call roll.
Roll Call: Bird, aye; Rountree, aye; Wardle, aye; Nary, aye.
MOTION CARRIED: ALL AYES
Item 9. FP 03-067 Request for Final Plat approval for 61 single-family residential
building lots and 22 common lots on 35.81 acres in an R-8 zone for Cedar
Springs Subdivision No 4 by Howell -Murdoch Development Corp. —
west of North Meridian Road and north of West Ustick Road:
De Weerd: Thank you. Okay. Item Number 9, FP 03-067, request for Final Plat
approval of 61 single family residential building lots and 22 common lots on 35.81 acres
in an R-8 zone for Cedar Springs Subdivision No. 4. 1 will ask for staff comments.
Powell: Madam Mayor, Members of the Council, this is the Preliminary Plat for Cedar
Springs North. They have just continued the Cedar Springs name in the Final Plat. The
Meridian City Council Meeting
January 13, 2004
Page 20 of 70
Final Plat is approximately in the red circle location and, then, the collector road
extending out to McMillan. North is to the right. This is the area of the Final Plat.
These are t he t wo Final Plats and there is the collector road as you can see there.
Their Final Plat is in substantial compliance with the Preliminary Plat. Staff is
recommending approval. I did get a phone call and an e-mail from Mr. Daren Fluke,
who is representing the applicant, saying that they have reviewed the staff report and
they are in agreement with the report and conditions contained therein. They are not
here tonight.
De Weerd: Thank you, Anna. Any questions, Council?
Bird: I have none.
Rountree: I don't have any.
De Weerd: Okay. I would entertain a motion.
Bird: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Bird.
Bird: I'm going to make a motion, but we do have this written to enter into the public
record. We got a written on Mr. Fluke's --
Berg: You got a copy of my e-mail.
Bird: Yes. I have a copy of Will's e-mail.
De Weerd: And that's what Anna had just referred to.
Bird: Yes.
De Weerd: Thank you. Mr. Bird, they are going to keep you busy tonight
Bird: Yes, they will. Madam Mayor, I'd move that we approve FP 03-067, the request
for a Final Plat approval of 61 single family residential building lots and 22 common lots
35.81 acres in an R-8 zone for Cedar Springs Subdivision No. 4 by Howell Murdoch
Development Corp. West of North Meridian Road and north of West Ustick Road,
incorporate staff comments, and for the attorney to draw up the Findings of Facts and
Conclusions of Law and Decision of Order.
Rountree: Second.
De Weerd: Okay. It's been moved and seconded to a pprove FP 03-067 for Cedar
Springs Subdivision No. 4, with the attorney to draw up the appropriate paperwork. Mr.
Clerk, with you call roll?
Meridian City Council Meeting
January 13, 2004
Page 21 of 70
Roll Call: Bird, aye; Rountree, aye; Wardle, aye; Nary, aye.
MOTION CARRIED: ALL AYES
Item 10. FP 03-066 Request for Final Plat approval for 14 single-family residential
building lots and 4 common lots on 6 acres in an R-4 zone for Parkway
Subdivision by Six Point Development, LLC — 355 West Ustick Road:
De Weerd: Thank you. Okay. Item Number 10 is FP 03-066, request for Final Plat
approval of 14 single family residential building lots and four common lots on six acres
in an R-4 zone for Parkway Subdivision and I will ask staff to open this with staff
comments.
Powell: Madam Mayor, Members of the Council, this is the Preliminary Plat for Parkway
Subdivision. It takes -- it's a small subdivision, as you see, taking access just off of
Meridian Road. It does incorporate an existing home site and a large lot to the north of
the site. There is a single-phase Final Plat and it is substantial conformance with the
approved Preliminary Plat. Staff did want to go on record. There is some concern
about the proposed drainage lot located down here. We expressed concerns that we --
a fear that may become a wet pond and that, then, would not qualify as the required
open space for the development. Again, staff wants to go on record as saying that we --
they have submitted the design construction plans to the Public Works Department.
Those were approved, but it was missing specific information to determine the geometry
of the drainage basin, which is to say in lay terms that we don't know how deep this
thing is and we don't know if it's going to be wet yet, so we just want to go on record
saying that if it becomes a wet pond, that the developer will have to compensate for that
five percent required open space in another location. There is a condition of approval
that states that, but, again, we just want to make it clear.
De Weerd: Do you feel comfortable moving forward with --
Powell: Yes. We just want the developer to know that we have our doubts as to the
drainage out there and the depth to groundwater and their ability to keep that a dry
pond.
De Weerd: Okay. Any questions? No? Is the applicant here tonight? Please come
forward. Do you have any comments regarding this for -- on staff's concerns?
Cook: Madam Mayor, Richard Cook, I'm with Briggs Engineering, 1800 West Overland
Road, Boise, and no -- we are aware of the potential problem and we will do whatever
we have to do to make it work.
De Weerd: Okay. Any questions for the applicant?
Bird: I have none.
Meridian City Council Meeting
January 13, 2004
Page 22 of 70
Rountree: None.
De Weerd: Thank you, Mr. Cook.
Cook: Thank you.
De Weerd: Okay. Council?
Rountree: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Rountree.
Rountree: I move that we approve the Item Number 10, request for Final Plat approval
for 14 single family residential building lots and four common lots on six acres in an R-4
zone for Parkway Subdivision by Six Point Development, LLC, at 355 West Ustick,
incorporating staffs comments and directing counsel to prepare appropriate findings
and conclusions.
Bird: Second.
De Weerd: Okay. It's been moved and seconded to approve FP 03-066 for Parkway
Subdivision. Mr. Clerk, will you call roll.
Roll Call: Bird, aye; Rountree, aye; Wardle, aye; Nary, aye.
MOTION CARRIED: ALL AYES
Item 11. Public Hearing: VAR 03-019 Request for a Variance for an additional
Time Extension for recording of the Final Plat for Schwenkfelder Tire
Subdivision (fka Commercial Tire Subdivision) by Pinnacle Engineers,
Inc. — west of South Meridian Road and south of West Franklin Road:
De Weerd: Number 11 is a Public Hearing on VAR 03-019, request for a Variance for
an additional Time Extension for recording of the Final Plat for Schwenkfelder -- I'm
sorry -- Tire Subdivision, formerly known as Commercial Tire Subdivision. I will open
the Public Hearing with staff comments.
Powell: Madam Mayor, Members of the Council, this is a request for a Time Extension
through the Variance process. You approved Commercial Tire Subdivision on
December 18, 2001 and January 7, 2002 you approved the one time only Time
Extension to allow another year. The applicant has stated that there was a delay in
recording because there was confusion among the client, the architect, the owner's
representatives, ACHD, and the engineering firm concerning the recording of the
subdivision and that's why they have not been able to record it as allowed by the current
code. Staff was unable to make the findings for Variance, so staff has recommended
Meridian City Council Meeting
January 13, 2004
Page 23 of 70
denial. Although, we do recognize that the City Council has approved 11 similar
requests for the one-year Final Plat submittal or the one-year recordation requirement.
That's since January 2000 and I did discuss with Councilmember Nary how we would
hope to correct this in the future, because we do recognize that our ability to grant time
extensions is limited by the current code and that it is perhaps shorter than other
communities in the valley, so with that I will answer any questions.
De Weerd: Thank you. I appreciate the footnote there. Council, any questions?
Bird: I have none.
De Weerd: Is the applicant here? Oh, they sent the big guns. Is the testimony you
provide tonight the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God?
McKinnon: It is.
De Weerd: Thank you. Please state your name and address.
McKinnon: Dave McKinnon, 735 South Crosstimber. I suppose I'm here tonight to
throw myself at your mercy. We have been through a lot of these in the past when I
was with the City of Meridian and even since I have since moved on. I know that you
have had these types of applications in front of you. I know that Anna just mentioned
the fact that there is some other jurisdictions that allow the continuation in a much larger
time frame, you know, two years before you require the extension. We are at a point in
this subdivision right now where it's at ACHD. The construction drawings have been
approved. It should be placed on ACHD's agenda to be approved. My involvement in
this project goes back to the first time it came through the City of Meridian. It's kind of
come full circle now. I wrote the first report for the City of Meridian. I wrote the Time
Extension report for the City of Meridian and now I'm asking you for one final extension,
so we can get this done. As soon as it's back from ACHD, it will be Brad Watson's
desk. We only need a few more months to wrap this up. The construction drawings
have already been approved by the City of Meridian, so we are basically just asking for
a few months for a time extension on this. As far as the findings for a Variance, there is
some language within the Variance findings under Subsection A and B in your staff
report that allow for other types of exceptions that would be allowable if it is determined
that it's unreasonable to require us to go back through the subdivision process and
consider the fact that the ordinances haven't changed significantly since the time these
were approved. The Landscape Ordinance was in effect, as it currently is when this
was approved and that was the only major ordinance that has changed since these
were approved. That's the only major ordinance revision that the city has seen in the
past few years that would have had a large impact on these projects. I would ask that
you a pprove the Variance request tonight, allow an additional time extension for this
project, and ask if you have any questions at this time.
De Weerd: Council, do you have any questions?
Meridian City Council Meeting
January 13, 2004
Page 24 of 70
Nary: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Nary.
Nary: I know Mr. McKinnon knows I absolutely hate these Variance things, but I guess
I'm curious, because I noticed in the staff report -- and I was trying to note in your
application. The staff report indicates that the reason that your client needs the
extension is they didn't quite understand how to do this right and that doesn't really
make a lot of sense to me.
McKinnon: Oh, it wasn't that we didn't know how to do this right there is no way to get
an additional Time Extension unless you go through the Variance process. In the staff
report and in my narrative it talks about some confusion. My input on this, having
worked for the city, is when the architect called our office and said I submitted for a
permit and they kicked it back, because the plat wasn't recorded. At that point, I said,
well, why wasn't the plat recorded and the architect didn't know. We had to go back a
little further and find out why it wasn't. There was some confusion between the owner,
the owner's representative, and the engineering firm as to whether or not it should have
been recorded and that's where some of the confusion was found. In addition to that,
there was some concern with ACHD concerning the connection of Pennwood all the
way through towards the -- I believe it's 7th Street to the west and there was some
concerns as to how wide that should be. I remember there was some discussion at the
first Time Extension on that.
Nary: Thanks for clearing that up.
McKinnon: Thank you.
De Weerd: Council, any further questions? Okay. Thank you.
McKinnon: Thank you.
De Weerd: This is a Public Hearing. Is there anyone else who would like to testify on
this application? Council?
Nary: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Nary.
Nary: I'd move we close the Public Hearing.
Rountree: Second.
De Weerd: Okay. It's been moved and seconded to close the Public Hearing on Item
Number 11. All those in favor say aye. All ayes. Motion carried.
Meridian City Council Meeting
January 13, 2004
Page 25 of 70
MOTION CARRIED: ALL AYES
Nary: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Nary.
Nary: It just pains me to do this, but I would move to approve VAR 03-019. Oh, I'm
sorry, I guess is there some discussion? I guess I'm ahead of myself, so I'm sorry.
Rountree: Madam Mayor, I rejoice that Mr. Nary would make that motion. Please go
ahead.
Nary: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Nary.
Nary: I would move the approval of VAR 03-019, the request for Variance for an
additional Time Extension for the recording of the Final Plat for Schwenkfelder Tire
Subdivision by Pinnacle Engineers, west of South Meridian Road and south of West
Franklin Road, pursuant to staff comments. I think as the comments are tonight, as well
as the comments from the applicant, that counsel prepare Findings of Facts and
Conclusions of Law, Decision and Order pursuant to City Code 11-18-3.
Bird: Second.
De Weerd: Okay. It's been moved and seconded to approve VAR 03-019 for
Schwenkfelder Tire Subdivision, formerly known as Commercial Tire Subdivision. Mr.
Clerk, will you call roll.
Roll Call: Bird, aye; Rountree, aye; Wardle, aye; Nary, aye.
MOTION CARRIED: ALL AYES
Item 12. Public Hearing: VAR 03-020 Request for a Variance for a Time
Extension for recording of the Final Plat for Heartwood Subdivision by
Pinnacle Engineers, Inc. — northwest corner West Franklin Road and
Northwest 10th Street:
De Weerd: Okay. Item Number 12 is the Public Hearing VAR 03-020, request for a
Variance for a Time Extension for recording of the Final Plat for Heartwood Subdivision.
I will open with staff comments.
Powell: Madam Mayor, Members of the Council, this is a Time Extension for recording
the Final Plat as done through the Variance process. This is a two -lot subdivision that
has frontage on Franklin Road and, then, immediately to the west is Linder Road. You
originally approved it on October 16, 2001. They did receive their one time one-year
Meridian City Council Meeting
January 13, 2004
Page 26 of 70
time extension on November 12, 2002. The reason for the delay in recording, as stated
by the applicant, is that they were unable to find a prospective tenant until now. Staff
was unable to make the findings for their variance, so we are recommending denial,
with the footnote that since January 2000 the Council has approved 12 similar
applications. We have the comments from forward as well. With that, I will answers
any questions.
De Weerd: You might note that we have a new Council. Any questions, Council?
Okay. Is the applicant here? You still have to be sworn in. Is the testimony you
provide tonight the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth so help you God?
McKinnon: It is.
De Weerd: Thank you. Please state your name and address
McKinnon: Dave McKinnon, 735 South Crosstimber, again, here tonight to cause
Councilman Nary more pain and to grovel some more to ask for a Time Extension for
this project. I'll just keep my comments short, as we have already discussed the whole
idea of the Variance for this type of use, but just to point out that a Conditional Use
Permit was secured for this project several years ago. The Conditional Use Permit that
was secured was to allow two buildings on this site. The applicant came in afterwards
and asked for a subdivision to this site. When he originally came in for the Conditional
Use Permit the planned ordinance had not yet been adopted, so there was no time
frame put on the Conditional Use Permit, so it will not expire until such time as the
Council says it would or would not. The 18 -month time frame for expiration is with the
PUD. He could still build two buildings on this site without going through the process of
subdivision, but it would just create a longer process if he had to come back and start
the process over again. He has found someone to take over the site. He's in
negotiations with them at this time and we will get this project pushed through and
signed by the -- actually, just get it recorded within the one year time extension. Thank
you.
De Weerd: Council, any questions? Thank you.
McKinnon: Thank you.
Nary: Good groveling.
De Weerd: This is a Public Hearing. Is there anyone further who would like to testify?
Council?
Bird: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Bird.
Meridian City Council Meeting
January 13, 2004
Page 27 of 70
Bird: I would move that we close the Public Hearing on VAR 03-020, the Variance for a
Time Extension for Heartwood Subdivision by Pinnacle Engineers.
Rountree: Second,
De Weerd: It's been moved and seconded to close the Public Hearing on Item Number
12. All those in favor say aye. All ayes. Motion carried.
MOTION CARRIED: ALL AYES
De Weerd: Discussion?
Bird: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr, Bird.
Bird: Hearing no discussion, I move that we approve VAR 03-020, the request for a
Variance for the extension for recording of the Final Plat for Heartwood Subdivision by
Pinnacle Engineers, northwest corner of West Franklin Road and Northwest 10th Street
and for the attorney to draw up the Findings of Facts and Conclusions of Law and
Decision of Order.
Rountree: Second.
De Weerd: It's been moved and seconded to approve VAR 03-020 for Heartwood
Subdivision. Mr. Clerk, will you, please, call roll.
Roll Call: Bird, aye; Rountree, aye; Wardle, aye; Nary, aye.
MOTION CARRIED: ALL AYES
Item 13. Public Hearing: CUP 03-054 Request for a Conditional Use Permit to
modify commercial to include four out pads, 25,000 square foot retail and
include Phase II of office complex in C -N and R-40 zones for Devon Park
Subdivision No. 1 & 2 by Hopkins Financial Services, I nc. — 8 24 E ast
Fairview Avenue:
Item 14. Public Hearing: CUP 03-055 Request for a Conditional Use Permit to
construct a 25,000 square foot retail building with a drive up window in a
C -N zone for Devon Park Subdivision No 1 & 2 by Hopkins Financial
Services, Inc. — 824 East Fairview Avenue:
De Weerd: Thank you, Mr. Clerk, Items 13 and 14, if there are no objections, I will
open the two. Council? Okay. I will open Public Hearing CUP 03-054, request for a
Conditional Use Permit to modify commercial to include four out pads for a 25,000
square foot retail and include phase two of office complex in C -N and R-40 zones for
Meridian City Council Meeting
January 13, 2004
Page 28 of 70
Devon Park Subdivision No. 1 and 2. Also Item Number 14, Public Hearing CUP 03-
055, request for a Conditional Use Permit to construct a 25,000 square foot retail
building with a drive -up window in a C -N zone for Devon Park Subdivision No. 1 and 2.
1 will open with staff comments.
Powell: Madam Mayor, Members of the Council, as we are all well familiar, this is the
Devon Park site and it has gone through a number of changes to their original
conceptual planned development approval. I think a few months ago I kind of went on a
tirade about the number of changes that we had been seeing on this and these two
applications I have to admit are what prompted it, because we couldn't figure out what
was going on anymore. We have resolved that and we have it all straightened out.
This is the -- what the applicant is proposing and just a real quick rundown on some of
the changes. One of the last reviews that we had adopted -- and, I'm sorry, these are a
little hard to see. They went to kind of a small office pattern that kind of wings around
here and, then, some other ones in the center and I think they were pleased with that
arrangement and they kind of mirrored it over onto this side as well. They have also
included one more pad out along the Fairview frontage, so that -- those are kind of the
big changes. There was a change in the type of use. They have increased the office
component by approximately 35,000 square feet and reduced the commercial retail
component by approximately 18,000 square feet. There is an overall gain in square
footage, but it is distributed throughout the smaller buildings and, then, as I mentioned,
they added the pad along Fairview. This is what they are proposing and, then, this was
the former -- how it stood on the previous approvals -- most recently. There is also a
little bit different relationship on how the larger buildings relate to the surrounding
properties and staff has addressed that in the staff report. The second Conditional Use
application is for this building here and that's the detailed -- detailed CU approval for
that structure. This is the site. These are the elevations. The Planning and Zoning
Commission did work to kind of breakup this facade long here, I will get to the Planning,
and Zoning Commission changes. This is the front elevation. Okay. Going to the
summary sheet from the Planning and Zoning Commission with recommendation to the
City Council. Doug Tamura did testify in favor of both applications on the applicant's
behalf. The Commission, as I mentioned before, discussed the buffer width between
Fairview Terrace Mobile Home Park and the retail buildings and that was where they
had the concern about this large blank facade right facing the mobile home park and I
will go back up to the site plan -- or the vicinity map. That building -- the long facade is -
- does go that way and it kind of butts up to the mobile home park there. No other
public testimony was received, written, or verbal. They did -- the Commission did add
trees beyond the minimum requirements within the 20 foot buffer area next to this
facade. With that, there were no outstanding issues before the City Council and I will
answer any questions you may have on either application.
De Weerd: Council, do you have any questions? Is the applicant's representative
here?
Tamura: Madam Mayor, Members of the Council, my name is Doug Tamura.
Meridian City Council Meeting
January 13, 2004
Page 29 of 70
De Weerd: I'm sorry. We need to swear you in first. Is the testimony you provide
tonight the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God?
Tamura: It is.
De Weerd: Thank you. Please state your name and address
Tamura: My name is Doug Tamura, 499 Main Street. I'm the owner, architect, and
developer of this project and we concur --we are hereto concur with Planning and
Zoning's recommendations and conditions of approval. We are just here to announce
that we signed a lease with Hastings that would be our first commercial tenant and so
we are here to go ahead and -- we need to have them built and ready to occupy by the
1 St of August, so --
De Weerd: Mr. Tamura, can you put this either on the stand over there, so that our
other citizens can see what you're referring to. You have a pointer there in front of you
if you need to point something out.
Tamura: One of the things that required us to make these final changes is that we have
been in negotiations with Hastings for the last three or four months. They finally
decided that they would rather be on the -- on the left side of Lakes Avenue versus the
right side and so it required us to change our whole site plan. When I worked with Anna
we thought the best would be to just clean up the whole thing, submit what we believe is
going to be our final presentation on how the whole project will layout. One of the things
that we did do is that the second phase of the commercial, which is on the east side of
Lakes Avenue, is only a conceptual only, so as we have tenants that come up we will
submit detailed conditional uses for each one of those items. We are in the process of
just starting construction on our first three office buildings. The road and cul-de-sac --
Lakes Avenue is installed to here. It's tied into Teare right here. We have got the
infrastructure for the stoplight and the stoplight will be installed by the end of this month.
We have got all the sidewalks in place and as soon as weather permits we will go
ahead and start installation of those street lights and landscaping and, then, we are
working with our sign people on constructing our sign works, so, hopefully, by this
spring we will have all our ponds in place, our signs, and under construction on our first
commercial building, along with three of the office buildings.
De Weerd: Thank you. Any question?
Nary: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Nary.
Nary: So, this building here, Mr. Tamura, is that here or is that there?
Tamura: It's this building right here.
Meridian City Council Meeting
January 13, 2004
Page 30 of 70
Nary: Okay. Thank you. It looks really good.
Tamura: Thank you. Are there any questions?
De Weerd: Thank you. Is there anyone else who would like to testify on Item 13 or 14?
Seeing none, Council, is there any discussion? I would entertain a motion to close the
Public Hearing.
Bird: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Bird.
Bird: I move we close the Public Hearings on CUP 03-054 and CUP 03-055, both of
them for Devon Park Subdivision No. 1 and 2.
Rountree: Second.
Nary: Second.
De Weerd: Okay. It's been moved and seconded twice to approve the closing of Public
Hearings on Items 13 and 14. All those in favor say aye. All ayes. Motion carried.
MOTION CARRIED: ALL AYES
De Weerd: Discussion?
Nary: Madam Mayor.
De Weerd: Mr. Nary.
Nary: Just briefly, I think it looks really nice. I think Mr. Tamura has really done a good
job here. It's going to be a very nice addition and I think from Planning and Zoning
standpoint getting it built means you won't keep changing it, so --
Bird: Get some buildings up so it can't get changed again.
De Weerd: I'm sure staff appreciates it. Thank you for being patient.
Wardle: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Wardle.
Wardle: I would also agree that the public's had an opportunity to comment on the 20
foot setback, changing from 25 to 20 feet, and agree that the developer will add some
trees in there to mitigate that as well, so -- and the building looks great. I think it's great
to bring in new businesses to the city and I think this will be a fine addition.
Meridian City Council Meeting
January 13, 2004
Page 31 of 70
De Weerd: Thank you. I would entertain a motion. Mr. Nary,
Nary: Oh. Madam Mayor, I'd move the approval of CUP 03-054, request for a
Conditional Use Permit to modify the commercial to include four out pads, 25,000
square foot retail and include phase two of the office complex in a C -N and R-40 zone
Devon Park Subdivisions No. 1 and 2 by Hopkins Financial Services at 824 East
Fairview Avenue. To include all staff comments, comments of the applicant, and for
counsel to prepare Findings of Facts and Conclusions of Law and Decision and Order.
That's it.
Bird: Second.
De Weerd: Okay. It's been moved and seconded to approve CUP 03-054. 1 will ask
the City Clerk to, please, call roll.
Roll Call: Bird, aye; Rountree, aye; Wardle, aye; Nary, aye.
MOTION CARRIED: ALL AYES
De Weerd: Thank you. Item Number 14. Do I have a motion? Mr. Wardle.
Wardle: Madam Mayor, I move that we approve CUP 03-055, request for a Conditional
Use Permit to construct a 25,000 square foot retail building with a drive -up window in a
C -N zone for Devon Park Subdivision No. 1 and 2 by Hopkins Financial Services,
Incorporated, 824 East Fairview Avenue. To incorporate all staff comments and direct
counsel to draw up appropriate Findings of Facts and Conclusions of Law.
Bird: Second.
De Weerd: It's been moved and seconded to approve CUP 03-055, Devon Park
Subdivision No. 1 and 2. Mr. Clerk, will you, please, call roll.
Roll call: Bird, aye; Rountree, aye; Wardle, aye; Nary, aye.
MOTION CARRIED: ALL AYES
Item 15. Public Hearing: CUP 03-049 Request for a Conditional Use Permit for
an Emissions Testing Center in a C -C zone for Hark's Corner Emission
Center by L&J Capital Ventures, LLC — 1651 West Franklin Road:
De Weerd: Thank you. Item 15 is a Public Hearing on CUP 03-049, request for a
Conditional Use Permit for an emissions testing center in a C -C zone for Hark's Corner
Emissions Center. I will open with staff comments.
Meridian City Council Meeting
January 13, 2004
Page 32 of 70
Powell: M adam M ayor a nd M embers o f t he C ouncil, t his i s k ind o f a n a ncillary u se
that's been requested on the Hark's Corner site. Hark's Corner is approved for multiple
uses, so we didn't feel it necessary to redo the planned development. This does add an
emission testing van in the northeast corner of the property. You'd think those would be
easy things for me. They are not. Sorry. This is the site plan as shown on one of the
former site plans. The use does not show up in the schedule of uses. The closest use
that I could determine was a public, quasi -public use, because it is sanctioned by the
state for the auto emissions testing. That is why they are here with a Conditional Use
request before you. With regard to the specific application, the applicant's
representative Jeffrey Hall did testify in favor of the application at the Planning and
Zoning Commission. No members of the public testified opposing or with any concerns
regarding the application. The key discussion items at the Planning and Zoning
Commission were the existing and proposed landscaping and, then, the location of the
shed a nd its relationship to the required parking a nd a Iso s ignage. Y ou m ight h ave
noticed there is quite a bit of additional signs out there. This is a little shot of the facility.
It is sitting there currently in operation. The Planning and Zoning Commission did
recommend that a planter be placed at the corner of the emissions testing building.
They have not done that yet. It was a little unclear -- if you look on Page 2 of the
recommendation, right underneath site specific comments, it says in additional to all site
specific requirements required by the CUP for Hark's Corner, a planter is required to be
located at the corner of the emission testing building between the building and the
emission testing lane. The lane would -- I don't know if you're going to be able to see
that. The lane is in this area here, so the Commission wanted kind of a landscape
buffer in this location. That has not been installed yet. They did not specify a width to
that, so if the Council wanted to clarify that a little, that might help the applicant. In
addition, the Council wanted to clarify for me how you might want to treat these in the
future. That would also help. I don't know. They are not really a temporary use. These
things tend to go in and stay in. With the upcoming zoning ordinance update, I just
wanted some general comments from you, if you could, on how you might want to treat
these in the future.
De Weerd: Thank you, Anna. Any questions, Council?
Bird: I have none.
Nary: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Nary.
Nary: I guess on that last point -- I mean I'm glad it's a structure and not just a van,
because I think it looks more like a business than just a van. Do we have something in
regards to like -- I mean the only thing I can think of is an espresso stand, because it
has that small structure out in the parking lot of another business and something like
that. It seems like that would be the most similar type, because you have got drive -up
traffic, you have got a small little structure out there, it's already -- it's an accessory use
Meridian City Council Meeting
January 13, 2004
Page 33 of 70
to the property that's already there. That would be the most similar one I could think of
fora schedule or something like that.
Powell: And I think we have required just traditional retail approval of those and they
are considered a drive -up window, so we have required Conditional Use Permit
approval of those as well. You're right, people are still idling in these things, so they are
kind of just a drive -up window with not much service is really what they are, without the
retail component, and I will treat them that way if they want. This one they did not want
to put it on a permanent foundation, because I think once it gets known as being on this
site, they do want to relocate it to a different portion of the site, which wasn't really
addressed in their application at all. In my original discussions with owner that's what
was -- that's what I was told, so they didn't put it on a permanent foundation or anything
like that. Maybe the applicant wants to comment on that.
De Weerd: Any further questions? Comments? Is the applicant or the representative
here? Is the testimony you provide tonight the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but
the truth, so help you God?
Hall: Yes, it is.
De Weerd: Thank you. Please state your name and address.
Hall: Jeffrey Hall, 1651 West Franklin Road, Meridian. I just want to touch on a couple
things for you. The first thing is the recommendation of Planning and Zoning
Commission to do a planter. We felt and staff wanted to have a nice landscaped area
there that would take up part of our parking, also part of our space where people drive
up to get their emissions. They, actually, have to be within about three feet of the
building in order to do the appropriate emissions with the cables and everything to reach
their vehicles. We thought we would go ahead and do a little round planter on one of
the corners and that is what we determined, so I don't remember -- we never did
discuss anything about size of the planter or anything else, just as long as we put
something decorative there. We did talk about doing a planter and we have got a
planter, although with the current weather conditions we thought we probably wait until
spring to put the planter there with the plants in it, otherwise, I don't know what people
would really t hink o f i t a t this point. S econdly, we did discuss a bout t he building as
mobility and that we can move it at anytime, although we don't know if we will ever want
to move this building. For right now it's great where it's at and if we ever in the future
decide to move it on any other part of the other future development that is going into the
west, that we, of course, will have to come back before you. Any questions?
De Weerd: Council?
Nary: Madam President?
De Weerd: Mr. Nary.
Meridian City Council Meeting
January13, 2004
Page 34 of 70
Nary: Or Madam Mayor. I'm sorry.
De Weerd: That's all right.
Nary: Were you talking about a fairly large planter, like, I guess, keep somebody from
hitting the building? You're not talking about a plastic planter here?
Hall: No. We -- actually, it's a stone. It's a stone planter.
Nary: I don't know what we would do without Mr. Van Hess and something to do with
plants, but --
Hall: I know. We probably don't want to touch on that today
Nary: Right,
Hall: No. No. Actually, we have got over that now, so we can move forward.
De Weerd: Okay. Any other comments? Thank you. Is there anyone else in the
audience who would like to testify on this application? Counsel, what is your pleasure?
Bird: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Bird.
Bird: Hearing nothing, I would move that we close the Public Hearing for CUP 03-049.
Nary: Second.
De Weerd: Okay. It's been moved and seconded to close the Public Hearing for Item
15. All those in favor say aye. All ayes. Motion carried.
MOTION CARRIED: ALL AYES
De Weerd: Do we have a motion?
Rountree: Discussion?
De Weerd: Or discussion. Do you have discussion?
Rountree: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Rountree.
Rountree: I'll make this comment. I may as well start, but I think the last time I made
this comment when I was on Council it ended up in the letters to the editor, but I will
Meridian City Council Meeting
January 13, 2004
Page 35 of 70
make this comment again. This is nothing against the application it's everything to the
City of Meridian. We literally ask the developers to spend thousands of dollars in design
landscaping in esthetic detail for these sites and, then, we do this to them. What are we
doing? Which way are we going? We have to decide. These things are very
necessary in our community but is there a better way to do it? I don't know. We need to
think about that. Anna, to your point, maybe that's something we need to think about is
how to deal with these things, if, in fact, it's our intent to develop a pleasing visual
experience to live in Meridian. End of comment and editorial.
De Weerd: Thank you, Mr. Rountree.
Wardle: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Wardle.
Wardle: I move that we approve CUP 03-049, request for a Conditional Use Permit for
an emissions testing center in a C -C zone for Hark's Corner Emission Center by L&J
Capital Ventures, LLC, 1651 West Franklin Road. To incorporate all public and staff
comments and direct Council to draw up appropriate Findings of Facts and Conclusions
of Law.
Nary: Second.
De W eerd: It has been moved and seconded to approve CUP 03-049 for a Hark's
Corner emission center. Is there any further discussion? Okay. Mr. Clerk, will you,
please, call roll.
Roll Call: Bird, aye; Rountree, aye; Wardle, aye; Nary, aye.
MOTION CARRIED: ALL AYES
De Weerd: I s there any d irection that C ouncil would I ike to g ive A nna as t hey start
working on guidelines for this type of an application?
Bird: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Bird.
Bird: I would just like to follow up what Charlie said and I agree with him
wholeheartedly. We put in these developments and make people spend thousands and
thousands of dollars for landscaping and, then, set out in the middle of the lot something
like that. Not that I would like to see any business being run off, but I think there is
things we can do to make it more attractive, Anna, and I think that's something that
needs to be worked with.
Powell: Madam Mayor?
Meridian City Council Meeting
January 13, 2004
Page 36 of 70
De Weerd: Anna.
Powell: Sorry. I guess I'd like to hear what Council Member Wardle wants to say first.
I'm sorry.
De Weerd: Mr. Wardle.
Wardle: Madam Mayor, I was just going to say my -- could be an issue that I think we
deal with, not just as a city, but it's something that we deal with regionally. Again, the
service is very necessary to our air quality and it's something that with some help from
Anna I'd like to bring up to my recent appointment to the Air Quality Board, so if you'd
feel comfortable maybe bouncing some ideas off and I could get some connections for
you there.
Powell: Okay. I guess all I was -- Madam Mayor? Excuse me.
De Weerd: Anna.
Powell: Are you leaning toward not wanting to have any kind of structures -- a pre -fab
structure, such as this, that are not on a permanent foundation or aren't within properly
landscaped areas. Is that kind of what I was hearing or --
Rountree: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Rountree.
Rountree: I don't have the concept in mind, I don't have it on paper, but we recognize
that this is an important part of our community. We have to be concerned about air
quality. As such, we know that we ought to incorporate knowing that in the designs of
these kinds of activities on these street corners that are going to be frequented by a lot
of traffic in looking for these kinds of businesses. That if we are going to have the
developers design features into their developments architecturally and landscape wise,
we ought to work with them to develop some way to fit these things better, as opposed
to just kind of a protrusion in whatever it is they have spent a lot of time and money to
do. Whether it's a -- the concept might be something like a bus stop that you would
design along a thoroughfare that, you know, you get them off, you put a bench, you
have seating, you might well do something like this in some of these pads that they are
off to the side, they might be surrounded street side with landscaping. You have to deal
with the signing appropriately. Something that incorporates them, however, into the
site, as opposed to just having them be a -- in a lot of cases just an interloper. I'm here
today, I'm there tomorrow, and I might be on this end of the parking lot today. If the
power doesn't work out of the power pole here, I'm going to be down on the other end
tomorrow, I'm going to have my sandwich board, I'm going to have my sandwich board
there -- it just doesn't make sense to me when I see and we need it, we ought to just
work with the developers to incorporate the need in their site plans.
Meridian City Council Meeting
January 13, 2004
Page 37 of 70
De Weerd: I guess the only thing I would add is that we would want to I ook at the
arterials or the streets that they are on and how those designations are. Some of our
areas we require a larger setback because it is a major thoroughfare it requires more
beautification. There might be different standards, and certainly maybe the building
instead of the van or -- those are d etails that could be b uilt into i t and m aybe even
similar color schemes to the building or the development that they are in, similar rooftop
of something. Those are some ideas, Anna that you could incorporate into some kind of
standards for this.
Powell: Thank you.
De Weerd: Maybe more than you wanted
know how to say it.
Powell: Cortabitarte.
Before I open the next item. I would like to
Item 16. Public Hearing: AZ 03-026 Request for Annexation and Zoning of 5.11
acres from RT to C -G and I -L zones for Cortabitarte Annexation by Jack
Cortabitarte — south of East Fairview Avenue, and west of North Eagle
Road:
De Weerd: Okay. I'm glad I asked. I will go ahead and move to Item 16, Public
Hearing AZ 03-026, request for annexation and zoning of 5.11 acres from RT to C -G
and I -L zones for Cortabitarte annexation. I will open with staff comments.
Powell: Madam President -- Madam Mayor. Oh, man, I almost made it. Sorry. Madam
Mayor, Members of the Council. This is the subject property. The applicant's
representative h ad o riginally t alked t o m e -- t he g oal i s t o f acilitate t he e xpansion of
American Food Services, which is on this location, into this property. They basically
want to move their lot line back -- rear lot line back, so that they can use a larger area
here. It was two different subdivisions in two different jurisdictions, so it presented quite
a problem, so we d id work most of that out through this a nnexation a pplication. The
applicant is requiring annexation of the entire property. The lot line adjustment -- cops --
would -- is ready to go. The City Engineer has researched these issues necessary as to
how to do it between the two different subdivisions and has reconciled that, so he is
prepared to sign the lot line adjustment application. This property will just be developed
as part of the food services building. This property, staff has recommended a
Development Agreement. They are requesting zoning to C -G on this portion and, then,
I -L on this portion. The Comprehensive Plan does designate this as mixed use regional
and staff has been consistently requesting a Development Agreement that details all the
policies from the Comprehensive Plan associated with the mixed-use regional
classification. It is a much smaller site than most of the ones that we have seen that
have come forward with just the annexation request and no development application.
Let's see. Kent Brown, representing the applicant, testified in favor of the application at
the Planning and Zoning Commission. It does come forward with a recommendation for
Meridian City Council Meeting
January 13, 2004
Page 38 of 70
approval. Jack Cortabitarte, the applicant, also testified in favor of the application and
responded to questions. They did make a specific change to the staff report that was in
regard to an existing building on the northern portion of the property. Staff was under
the initial impression that that building would be removed. The applicant did ask that
they not be required to abandon the residential use at this time, but as such time as
sewer and water were available, that that use would be abandoned at that time. That it
would be developed for a commercial or office or other appropriate use for that zone,
but that the existing residence would stay in use on the septic system and well until
such time as services were available. The summary -- staff's summary to you did
mention the lot line adjustment as an outstanding issue. That has been resolved, as I
mentioned earlier. With that, I will answer any questions that the Mayor or Commission
might have.
De Weerd: Any questions, Council?
Bird: I have none.
De Weerd: Mr. Rountree.
Rountree: Madam Mayor -- they are going to make me say president. Anna, is
Fairview part of the gateway system? I was going to look and did not. I'm sorry.
Powell: Fairview from the boundary to the east, which is a quarter mile west of
Cloverdale, for about a mile, so it only goes a quarter mile from Eagle is listed as a
gateway and, then, after that it is no longer a gateway. This property is not --
Rountree: Okay. Thank you
De Weerd: Thank you. I don't see any further questions. Is the applicant or the
applicant's representative here? Thank you. Is the testimony you provide tonight the
truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God?
Cortabitarte: Yes, it is.
De Weerd: Thank you. Please state your name and address.
Cortabitarte: My name is Jack Cortabitarte, 3115 Crescent Rim Drive, Boise, Idaho.
The property is owned by my family, my uncle, and myself, as a result of a deceased
uncle. It's a farmhouse, a 5.1 acre farm, that they have owned -- my uncle owned since
1949, 1 believe, when he bought it and Food Service of America is our neighbor
adjacent and they want to expand their operation for parking of their trucks on the back
portion of the property. We have been working with the City of Meridian for -- Planning
and Zoning for about a year and a half and got it resolved where we would annex the
entire property into the city. Then, ask for two zonings, one to facilitate Food Service of
America with an industrial zone and one to appropriately position the front for what it
really is is a commercial zone. Currently it is a small farmhouse on the front, a
Meridian City Council Meeting
January 13, 2004
Page 39 of 70
residential farmhouse that the family intends, once city sewer and water is available to
our site, which it is not now, by the City of Meridian, we will market the front property as
commercial.
De Weerd: Thank you. Any questions Council?
Rountree: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Rountree.
Rountree: Madam Mayor -- we have our -- I have a question for you.
Cortabitarte: Oh, I'm sorry.
Rountree: Just to clarify for the record. Is the transaction between you and Food
Service of America one of lease or sale?
Cortabitarte: The transaction that will be done if this is approved is a sale.
Rountree: Okay. Thank you.
De Weerd: Thank you. Is there anyone further who would like to testify on this
application? You're all waiting for the very last; right? Council, we have an open Public
Hearing.
Wardle: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Wardle.
Wardle: I move that we close Public Hearing AZ 03-026.
Bird: Second.
De Weerd: Okay. It's been moved and seconded to close the Public Hearing for Item
16. All those in favor say aye. All ayes. Motion carried.
MOTION CARRIED: ALL AYES
De Weerd: Council, action? Or discussion? Or both.
Rountree: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Rountree.
Rountree: I think the issue that concerns me with this is just the one of nonconformancy
by allowing continual residence in the particular house, the building on the -- what would
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January 13, 2004
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be C -G zoning. Other than that, I think it's consistent with what we want to do. I'm not
sure that -- I know we are setting precedence occasionally with some things we do, but
that's one that I'm not sure we want to -- I don't think we want to go there.
Nichols: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Nichols.
Nichols: Madam Mayor, Members of the Council, Councilman Rountree can you
articulate your concern a little more for me? Is it a concern of a nonconforming use
continuing on the commercial zone or --
Rountree: Precisely.
Nichols: Okay. Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr, Nichols.
Nichols: Members of the Council, one of the things that would mitigate for this property
to be developed as it was zoned is that as a nonconforming use. Someone that would
want to buy that house and get a conventional loan is not going to get a conventional
loan, because they are not going to get a rebuild letter from the city that says since it's a
nonconforming use, if the use is damaged or there is a fire, that kind of thing, it can't be
put back as a residence. That restriction on the ability to borrow, to sell, really helps
keep these nonconforming uses from being continued passed the normal life of the
structure, for one. Secondly, just the nature of this property on Fairview I think would
probably be such that it would -- the more problematic thing would be somebody coming
in and wanting to convert the house into a commercial use and still continue to use the
septic system. That would be the more problematic issue.
De Weerd: So, Mr. Nichols, those are things that need to be made clear and I believe
the applicant knows that that is a nonconforming use and he could not sell it as a
residence or continue or to remodel with the septic system to a commercial use. The
applicant is nodding his head, so --
Nary: Or converted to a caretaker house.
Bird: No.
De Weerd: That really opens the --
Nichols: Madam Mayor, if I may ask Councilman Rountree. Does that address your
concerns?
Rountree: Madam Mayor, that certainly clarifies some of the issues that I could
anticipate doing that.
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January 13, 2004
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De Weerd: I believe that those are clarities or things that we can make clear in the
findings. Any further discuss? I would entertain a motion.
Wardle: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Wardle.
Wardle: I move that we approve AZ 03-026, request for annexation and zoning of 5.11
acres from RT to C -G and I -L zones for Cortabitarte Annexation by Jack Cortabitarte,
south of East Fairview Avenue and west of North Eagle Road. To incorporate all public
and staff comments and direct Council to draw up appropriate Findings of Facts and
Conclusions of Law.
Nary: Second.
Rountree: Second.
De Weerd: Thank you. Does that motion that's been moved and seconded ask the
attorney to make clear the comments that Councilman Rountree cited?
Wardle: Yes.
De Weerd: Thank you. Okay. It's been moved and seconded to approve AZ 03-026.
Mr. Clerk, will you, please, call roll.
Roll Call: Bird, aye; Rountree, aye; Wardle, aye; Nary, aye.
MOTION CARRIED: ALL AYES
Item 17. Public Hearing: AZ 03-021 Request for annexation and zoning of
114.52 acres from RUT to R-8 (PD) and C -G zones for proposed
Redfeather Estates Subdivision No. 2 by Packard Estates
Development, LLC — south of East Ustick Road and east of North Eagle
Road:
Item 18. Public Hearing: PP 03-024 Request for Preliminary Plat approval of 302
building lots and 28 other lots on 90.29 acres in a proposed R-8(PD) zone
for proposed Redfeather Estates Subdivision No 2 by Packard Estates
Development, LLC — south of East Ustick Road and east of North Eagle
Road:
Item 19. Public Hearing: CUP 03-041 Request for a Conditional Use Permit for a
Planned Development for single-family residential use with reduced
setbacks, lot sizes, lot frontages, house sizes and increased block lengths
for proposed Redfeather Estates Subdivision No 2 by Packard Estates
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Development, LLC — south of East Ustick Road and east of North Eagle
Road:
De Weerd: Thank you. Since we have saved the best until last, I will go ahead and
open Items 17, 18, and 19, the Public Hearings for AZ 03-021, request for annexation
and zoning of 114.52 acres from RUT to R-8 PD and C -G zones for the proposed
Redfeather Estates Subdivision No. 2. Public Hearing PP 03-024, request for
Preliminary Plat approval of 302 building lots and 28 other lots on 90.29 acres in a
proposed R-8 PD zone for proposed Redfeather Estates Subdivision No. 2. Public
Hearing CUP 03-041, request for a Conditional Use Permit for a planned development
for single-family residential use with reduced setbacks, lot sizes, lot frontages, house
size, and increased block lengths for the proposed Redfeather Estates Subdivision No.
2. 1 will open with staff comments.
Powell: Madam Mayor, Members of the Council, here we go. I'll try and keep it brief,
but give you enough information that you can understand tonight's testimony. This is
the area of the applications. The -- in particular the annexation and zoning application.
The Preliminary Plat covers this area and this area. It does not include this property out
to the west. This is -- the annexation path is from Stokesberry Subdivision, across
Eagle Road and, then, to the area contained within the Redfeather Preliminary Plat.
This is Ustick Road up here. Some of the key features here is that there is a large one -
acre subdivision within Ada County. There was -- Duane Drive does stub to this
property to the south. The City of Boise wraps around the property like this. There is a
school right here. Ustick Elementary is right at the edge of the city limits and does have
a short common boundary with the proposed application. You can see the elementary
school there. These are additional ones of Duane Drive if you want to go back to those.
This is the -- phase one of the Preliminary Plat. For reference, again, here is Ustick.
Here is the elementary school. Come down into the property. There is a stub street to
here. The Planning and Zoning Commission, I believe, did discuss a stub street in this
area for the Clover Meadows Subdivision. Then, as you saw on the application, there is
a connection point here to this other property that's located here, so you see a close up
of that. They are taking some property from this lot, so that -- to continue that roadway
through that area there. There are stubs here. They did provide a stub to Duane Drive.
ACHD -- at the ACHD hearing the motion was -- or the wording was that the gate would
be removed -- they did install an emergency access only gate. That the gate will be
removed when a formal request by anyone, i.e., the City of Meridian, a citizen, the
developer, a resident of the Perkins -Brown Subdivision, et cetera, is received by the
district to open Duane Drive to make it public right of way. There was discussion of that
at the Planning and Zoning Commission that the -- asking the applicant to work with
ACHD and the -- and the residents of -- along Duane Drive of that subdivision to come
up with some more clear wording as to exactly who could request that and clarify that
before coming to you. I would imagine that Mrs. McKay will have that information for
you later today. Let's see. The other issues related to the plat were, as I mentioned,
the connection somewhere to the south. The Clover Meadows Subdivision, which I
believe is down here, does not have a way to get through the property to the school.
They were looking, hopefully, to have some pedestrian access through the site, so that
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January 13, 2004
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their kids have a better path up to the school. Regarding the planned development that
accompanies this application, the applicant is asking for reduced lot frontages, reduced
lot sizes, block lengths that exceed the city's maximum block lengths and minimum
block lengths, so they are below the minimum and above the maximum. They were to
clarify the Ustick Road right of way and street buffers along Ustick Road of 25 feet and
street offsets and, then, stub streets. There were quite a few issues raised in the
planned development. In exchange for the reduced allowances, the applicant has
provided a park -- a 2.37 -acre pocket park with swimming pool and cabana and, then,
on the -- and, then, a 10 -foot pedestrian pathway along the South Slough or the Finch
Lateral as it's also known. There were a couple of other issues I wanted to raise. Go
back to -- oops. We have -- staff has consistently on these requests for annexation and
zoning without a development -- or without specific development plans, we are
consistently asking for a Development Agreement that clearly identifies what the
Comprehensive Plan policies are for the mixed used regional Comprehensive Plan
designation, which is also applicable in this case. Just as a reference, perhaps you will
remember the Kissler annexations come around here and, then, also around here.
They will kind of connect up with this and we also have been getting interest on these
two corners for the C -G zoning without any specific development approvals. We have
gone through and added those Comprehensive Plan polices, which do include a mix of
uses, including residential. The other issue I wanted to talk about was to, hopefully, get
some guidance from the Council regarding illegal lot splits in Ada County. This
property, in particular, was attached to this piece of property prior to 1985. It was
recently split off. However, it has changed hands about three times. The Planning and
Zoning Commission did not require the applicant to obtain the owner's permission to
annex that property and include it in the subdivision. They did take that away. Staff is
kind at a loss as to what to do. Our subdivision ordinance says that the lot has to be a
lot of record as of April 1984. However, Ada County says that you -- for any property
that was of record as of January 1, 1985, you are entitled one legal lot split. We cannot
rely on ours, because their could be to -- for us to say for you to come in with a
subdivision it has to be what the property looked like in 1984. We can't rely on that,
because someone could do legal sub -- one-time splits within Ada County. It gets
difficult when you get multiple owners -- changes in ownerships over time such that --
that I think this has changed hands twice -- or this twice and this once since the illegal
split was done. On the other hand, staff really doesn't want to encourage illegal splits in
the county before they come into the city and staffs reluctance regarding that is
because you really lose the urban fabric. In this case, you're going to have sidewalk
and street up to here and, then, it's just going to stop and, then, it will pick one once it
hits the city limits again. These properties, until they are redeveloped or brought into
the city, will always just kind of have a blank -- no street improvements and in this case
it was -- I had particular concerns, because there was a school there. The applicant -- I
did ask her aside from the Public Hearing for the Planning and Zoning Commission to
work on some connections to the school. They have brought that back with this
application tonight. They did readjust the lots to provide a pedestrian path that
accesses that very corner of the school, so that they can get those kids to the school
without having to go to Ustick and I did appreciate that effort on the applicant's part or
the applicant's representative. In general, this question of illegal lot splits is also going
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January 13, 2004
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to come up on another application that's headed your way and I haven't talked to you
about it, so I just wanted to know some of your thoughts on it and where you wanted the
staff to go regarding those illegal splits. The one remaining issue, I believe, is the issue
of the water -- looping the water service and the applicant's representative did meet with
Public Works and they did say that they will -- to adequately serve that property they will
need to loop that water system with the first phase of the plat. With that, I'll answer any
questions.
De Weerd: Council, do you have any questions for staff at this point?
Nary: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Nary.
Nary: I know we are going to get a lot more, but, Anna, did I hear right on that stub
street to that Perkins -Brown Subdivision there is gate there, is that a private road and
they want to put a gate for basically just emergency access only?
Powell: Correct. This is a public street. It's not a private road. It is a public street, but
it is -- it's developed to county standards at the time it was constructed, so it's not a
curb, gutter, sidewalk street, as is typically known. This is a view of Duane Drive up
there.
Nary: It's a public street on both sides of that gate?
Powell: Yes. There is a stub street --
Nary: And Mr. Grove wants to put a gate across the public street there?
Powell: N o. N of t he -- t he P erkins-Brown S ubdivision requested t he g ate, b ecause
they did not want the traffic from this subdivision going up Duane Drive, which was not
approved to full ACHD standards. It was in response to their request that this gate was
installed as an emergency access only and, then, ACHD put in the provisions that
whenever anybody asks it will be open.
Nary: Okay. Thank you.
De Weerd: Council, before we proceed with the applicant and testimony on this
application, would you desire a 10 -minute break?
Bird. I would
Rountree: Some parts of me would.
Bird: I move that we have a 10 -minute break.
Meridian City Council Meeting
January 13, 2004
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Rountree: Second.
De Weerd: Okay. We will reconvene in 10 minutes
(Recess.)
De Weerd: I will go ahead and reconvene the meeting. This is a Public Hearing. The
general process that we follow is we open with staff comments, allow the applicant up to
10 minutes to explain the project and anything that might have been brought up during
staff comments. Then, invite public testimony for three minutes, with the applicant to
have an opportunity to answer any questions that might have arose during the public
testimony. With that said, I will ask the applicant to, please, come forward. Or
representative.
McKay: Becky McKay Engineering Solutions 150 East Aikens, Eagle
De Weerd: Is the testimony you provide tonight the truth, the whole truth, and nothing
but the truth, so help you God?
McKay: Yes,
De Weerd: Okay. Thank you, Becky.
McKay: Thank you. As Anna indicated, this is an annexation and rezone application,
along with an accompanying Preliminary Plat and Planned Unit Development
application. This is kind of an unusual application, because we had to find a pathway of
annexation. If you recall six, eight month ago, we petitioned the city to remove this area
out of the Meridian area of impact, asked that it be released, and go to Boise City. After
long discussion with the Council, it was determined that since the South Slough Trunk
was basically on its way eastward, that it was in the best interest of the city that this
property remain within Meridian's area of impact and that they would have the ability to
service this property in the near future. The one struggle we had was, obviously, finding
a pathway of annexation. We did that by incorporating two parcels that are on Eagle
Road. As you can see, the Schrammeck and the Bryson property. Our application,
even though it has 114.5 acres in the annexation application, only 90 of those acres --
90.29 to be exact, are part of our Preliminary Plat and our planned development. The
other 24.23 acres is part of the Commercial area that we are requesting a C -G zoning
designation. On your Comprehensive Plan, the residential portion that's in our
Preliminary Plat is designated medium density residential. That's three to eight dwelling
units per acre. The portion along Eagle Road corridor where we abut the city limits is
designated m ixed use regional. We d id not s ubmit a plan on the m ixed-use regional
area. We talked with staff about that and they believe that with a development
agreement requiring any uses to come under conditional use and, obviously, setting
forth some types of standards in your Comp Plan for that Eagle Road corridor and the
mixed use regional area, they felt comfortable with approving that as a C -G zone and,
then, we requested an R-8 zone on our residential portion with a planned development
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overlay. We are proposing 302 buildable lots. These are all single-family lots. Detached
dwellings. No attached. We have approximately 28 common lots and our open space
we have 10.3 acres total open space and nine percent of the project is in what we call
eligible open space for the -- qualifying under your definition under your landscape
ordinance. Our design of this project -- this is the Boise portion that my applicants
owned. That's 20 acres. We submitted applications to Boise city, we were annexed
and approved and we are currently under construction with what we call Redfeather No.
1 and that's why this is Redfeather No. 2. We are improving the south half of Granger
Street and, then, with this application we will take Granger Street and build this collector
roadway all the way up to Ustick, aligning with the existing subdivision to the north that's
in Boise City limits. We have different products of homes. The area up here adjoining
Ustick or the arterial, these are 50 foot lots. They are about 5,500 square feet. Then,
as we go south the lots continue to get larger and larger. They are ranging from 5,500
square foot, we have got some 65's, 7,000, 8,000 and, then, 9,000 as we get down in
this area along the southern portion. This is approximately 2.37 acres and it's a -- like a
private pocket park. We have got pedestrian pathways coming into the park. There will
be a clubhouse, a pool, a parking lot, and some play facilities there for the children. We
connect to Briarwood Subdivision with a pedestrian pathway, because there is not
enough right of way at the end of their cul-de-sac to extend that roadway into our
project. Therefore, it's a pedestrian only connection. There is also a very large old tree
that prohibits us from having a secondary access on Briarwood, like an emergency
vehicle access, so that was the best that we could do. As Anna indicated, one thing
that was bought up at the Planning and Zoning Commission was to make a connection
to the elementary school site. This right here is Ustick Elementary. The staff asked us
to get with Wendell Bigham of the school district, see if we could come up an alignment
for a pedestrian path to keep from sending these kids out to Ustick or the arterial to get
to school. We have agreed upon that pathway location. We have revised our drawings
to incorporate that, so we have solved that issue. The Milks Lateral comes across this
proper just like this. It's an open ditch. We will be piping that pretty close to its historical
location. We will be working with the Perkins -Brown Subdivision, because they have
got a large box and headgate, which diverts water in I, think two different directions. We
will have a pump station off of that Milks Lateral. It's a Nampa -Meridian station that's on
it right now serving Dawson Meadows. We will go in and upgrade that pump station to
make it a regional station and Nampa -Meridian will own and maintain that. This lot you
see here in white is part of our subdivision. This person owned a larger portion of
ground and they wanted to keep like roughly three acres. We did provide your staff with
a lot layout showing how that lot could redevelop in the future and they have got that in
our file. As we come westward we have this pod down here and this was the area of
contention. We had two public hearings at the Ada County Highway District
commissioners and a problem arose with -- Duane Drive is a straight, substandard, rural
section. It's about 21 -- between 21 and 24 feet wide, no curb, gutter, or sidewalk. It
goes in a straight line for almost one half -mile Very low density, two and a half acre lots
all along that. Their concern was with this property developing we could generate up to
eight or nine hundred trips per day exiting Duane Drive. Now, that was within the
threshold of a local street, so we did not exceed that threshold, but their concern was,
obviously, the changing of the character of their neighborhood and the inability of that
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January 13, 2004
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rural substandard street to handle that kind of volume of traffic. The Highway District
Commissioners struggled with this idea and we came up with what they thought was a
good compromise and I had to agree with them. We will go ahead, dedicate this right of
way, and build this right of way. We will put chokers at this intersection here and
improve it up to the b oundary o f Perkins -Brown. We will work with the Meridian Fire
Department to make sure that they are acceptable with this type of a gate design here,
but, yet, the gate will have to allow pedestrians and bicyclists to ingress and egress out
of the subdivision and, then, obviously, any emergency vehicles that would come into
this pod down here. In the motion, there was some confusion about what their intent
was. Mr. Mills and I discussed it just a minute ago and I discussed it with their staff. I
have read their minutes, what they stated was in the event that an interested party were
to submit application to the commission to open this street. They would have a new
Public Hearing and readdress or revisit that idea, so that they weren't just -- they didn't
want to cut it off for any opportunity in the future to open it if need be. Their reasoning
was at some point in time there is only one way in and out of Perkins -Brown
Subdivision. It may be the desire of that development -- of that subdivision that they
have a secondary access, because it may be too difficult to ingress and egress to
Ustick. That was their reasoning and they did not -- and I stressed to them if you forego
this opportunity to make some type of a connection, but, yet, block it off, it's lost forever,
and so they recognized that. The other thing they had us do is they had us move our
stub street here to the west down to this location, so that when the properties to the
west develop, that it would discourage any traffic if this were to be open from coming up
in this direction. As far as servicing this property, if we go westward, the South Slough
has been bored to the east side of Eagle Road. We will be extending that. I believe a
12 -inch main. We have also met with your staff concerning water. Water is on the west
side of Eagle Road, so it does need to be designed and bored to the east side in order
to loop the system. You have water -- a 12 -inch water main in Ustick that we will have
to bring in, extend down Ustick, and bring down into this development, therefore,
looping your whole water system out in this area. I believe that the staff and ourselves
have come to an understanding that we think will work for everyone. In this area here
your staff asked that we put a basketball court.
De Weerd: I'm sorry, Becky, can you --
McKay: I'll wrap it up. Asked that we put some type of an amenity on here. We had a
basketball court. Also, there is a multi -use pathway that's in your parks plan that we are
showing here. Do you have any questions?
De Weerd: Council, any questions?
Nary: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Nary.
Nary: Mrs. McKay, I mean in looking at the commission action for ACHD on that gate, I
mean all they say is when a formal request is received by the district to open it, the gate
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January 13, 2004
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will be removed. Was there more -- is there some other document that reflects that they
would have another Public Hearing and they'd have more process than what this says?
McKay: My recollection of Commissioner Wynkoop indicated that they would hold
another hearing and have opportunity to discuss it again and revisit it. You may -- I
guess you may want to question Mr. Mills. He was at the same meeting, so were all the
residents of Duane Drive. That was the impression that I got in what Commission
Wynkoop said. In their minutes it's an abbreviated minutes and so it didn't get
everything that he stated in his motion.
Nary: I'm looking at their site-specific conditions of approval in their report and Number
7 says install swinging gate at the connection of Duane Drive and Palm Street for the
present time. Construct a pedestrian bicycle pathway that connects the improvements
on Duane Drive and it has an asterisk part that says the gate will be removed when a
formal request by anyone in the City of Meridian, a citizen, the developer, or a resident
of the Perkins -Brown Subdivision, et cetera, is received by the district to open Duane
Drive.
McKay: Okay. Councilman Nary -- and Mr. Mills indicated it should have said received
and approved by the commission. I believe that is correct.
Nary: Well, I know we have had lots of issues over those types of things.
McKay: Okay. He said it should --
Nary: What it says is what is says, so --
McKay: Okay. He said it should have said received and approved by the commission.
That was their intent because they would have to have some type of formal action to
open it. They couldn't just with somebody sending a letter and say, okay, we are going
to open the gate tomorrow.
Nary: That's what it says.
McKay: But that's not what -- you know, that was not, I don't believe, their intent. I
guess one could misconstrue it. Yes. You're correct.
De Weerd: D efinitely could. A ny other q uestions for the applicant's representative?
Thank you.
Nary: I'm sorry, Madam Mayor, one more thing. On that pool -- I mean how big a pool
and clubhouse are you talking about? 2.3 acres for that whole site seems fairly small to
me. That's barely larger than our Adventure Island playground. How big is -- how big is
this pool and clubhouse facility?
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January 13, 2004
Page 49 of 70
McKay: Well, usually, the -- the last one we did the clubhouse was only like 800 to
1,000 square feet. They are usually kind of like a meeting room for birthday parties,
anniversary parties, and things like that. They are not a big, big clubhouse. Then, the
pools are typically larger than a residential pool, but not as big, obviously, as something
like the Y. If you look at this drawing here, the landscape architect has depicted it to
scale and you can see here there is the parking facility, there is the clubhouse, there is
the pool. Then, all their pathways, their playground equipment, and you can see that
there still is a substantial amount of the area is still in usable grass area.
Nary: And if I heard you right, Mrs. McKay, I thought you said it was nine percent of
the --
McKay: Nine percent of the entire 90 -acre site is eligible open space.
Nary: And I guess I was thinking isn't a PUD requirement 10 percent?
McKay: No, sir. You have the option.
Nary: Oh, Okay.
McKay: Two amenities or 10 percent.
Nary: And how long is that pathway?
McKay: This pathway here? It's running probably about 400 feet, 500 feet. Just what
adjoins us and the South Slough.
Nary: Madam Mayor, if I could just ask one more question, too. On that out parcel of
the property owner that piece there at about the center on the east border you know, the
other -- this piece. This piece here.
McKay: Oh, up here?
Nary: No this piece here.
McKay: Oh, yes. That's a park
Nary: Okay.
McKay: It's being annexed and part of our plat.
Nary: Oh. Okay.
McKay: This portion is not a part, sir.
Nary: I got it.
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January 13, 2004
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McKay: This is owned by another property owner and we have stubbed to him. The
issue of the annexation one was that parcel.
Nary: Okay.
McKay: And I can explain that if the Council would like understanding of how that
transpired.
De Weerd: Would you like that explanation, Council?
Rountree: Sure.
McKay: At one time Mr. Smitchger owned part of this property, including this home and
one acre that the house sits on.
Powell: Becky, could you use the overhead, so that the audience can see what you're
doing?
McKay: Sure.
De Weerd: There is a pointer.
McKay: There is Mr. Smitchger's home right there. Back in approximately 1997, Mr.
Smitchger sold off the bulk of the property to the Caven's, but he retained the house
and the one -acre and, then, the Caven's sold it to my client. My client was not aware of
the fact that this illegal division took place and, obviously, had no part of it. My
argument at the Planning and Zoning Commission was Mr. Smitchger attended our
Public Hearing on the issue of the area of impact change and he was quite vocal that he
preferred not to be in anyone's impact area, because he didn't want to be in Boise City
limits or Meridian C ity I imits. I told the staff that if they required o r m andated that I
include that, he's not going to consent to that annexation. There is no way. I mean he
was just -- you know, he's an elderly gentleman, wants to be left alone and wants no
part of this. It puts us over a barrel. We don't intentionally go out there and illegally split
these parcels, we are -- usually it's some act by some other entity, but we have to deal
with them and if I can clean them up, I do. In this case, I can't -- I can't fix the wrong.
Nary: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Nary.
Nary: That pathway, Mrs. McKay, it's approximately in this location here below these
two out parcels? Is that right?
McKay: Right. It runs right down that lot line and matches up with the elementary site.
That's their playground right there.
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January 13, 2004
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Nary: So, how would people here really use that? Through this?
McKay: Yes.
Nary: That's the only access point?
McKay: Yes. They'd come down the sidewalks.
Nary: So, the people that live here, their only access to the school on the sidewalk is to
walk all the way around here to get to that path.
McKay: Right. They come down the detached -- we'd have detached sidewalk along
the collector, so they wouldn't be right up against the roadway and the kids would come
down there and, then, come in just like that. It would still be quicker than probably going
out, around, and into the site like that. Plus it keeps them off the arterials.
De Weerd: Becky, I just would like clarity on that nine percent open space. Are you
including the drainage lots?
McKay: The drainage lots -- we exclude in our eligible open space -- we base that on
your definition of your landscape ordinance. We exclude any required arterial buffers it
says, which would be any landscaping along Ustick, any landscaping on both sides of
Granger collector drive. Anything that can be considered usable open space. The staff
has deemed if it's drainage it has to be -- if you're using that as your -- we are only
required to have five percent. We are at nine. Even if some open space was ineligible,
like some of these drainage strips that we sometimes do, say like this, it -- we'd still
exceed the required landscaping.
De Weerd: Yes but you're counting it.
McKay: We count it if it meets the criteria under your landscape ordinance, yes.
Powell: Madam Mayor, Members of the Council, we do allow drainage areas to qualify
as open space, as long as they are not wet ponds and that was the issue I brought up
earlier this evening is that once it becomes a wet area it no longer qualifies. Unless it's
a water amenity, but --
McKay: And, Madam Mayor, we have no groundwater at this site. Yes.
De Weerd: Any further questions, Council? Thank you.
McKay: Thank you.
De Weerd: Okay. Did we have sign up sheet, Mr. Clerk? I will go ahead and accept
testimony in favor. Is there anyone else who would like to testify in favor of this
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January 13, 2004
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application? Okay. I will first need to swear you in. Thank you. Is the testimony you
provide tonight the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God?
Belcher: I do.
De Weerd: Thank you. Please state your name and address.
Belcher: My name is Fitzroy Belcher. I live at 2920 Duane Drive. This subdivision as
proposed will back up to our property. As planned, I will have three lots backing onto
my property. Duane Drive, as has been stated, is approximately 25 feet wide. It's
landscaped to the pavement all the way through. There are no curbs, sidewalks, or
gutters. Most of the people on the street have livestock, cattle, and horses. There are
some sheep and there are some goats. W e a re concerned about t he density that's
going to back up against our properties. The second item of concern is keeping the
traffic off of Duane Drive. Being only 25 feet wide, we can't stand a whole lot of traffic
and when you talk about 900 vehicle trips per day, as ACHD has projected, that's too
much. Ada County Highway District voted to close it, except for emergency access
only, and I was at the meeting and I did not hear this, that any person or whoever could
go and ask it to be open. The motion doesn't read that way in the ones that they sent
out to us, to the public that testified. It would help the traffic situation if we had access
to Eagle Road for that 20 acre piece, the south piece that's not up there now. In my
letter to the Council I asked that development, that is the construction of housing on that
20 acres, be withheld until such time as access is out to Eagle Road and that would
help us a lot. If the Council or whoever decides that Duane Drive has to be open with
unlimited access, we ask that, it be developed to a full 50 -foot platted width with
sidewalk, curb, and gutters. We also ask that we not be required to pay for that
improvement, that if it's to be done in the future, the developer pay for that. That's our
concerns on it.
De Weerd: Thank you
Belcher: We are also concerned about water, since we are all on wells, and the source
of our -- where none of us are on deep wells, we are all on shallow wells and the
irrigated ground to the east of us is what kept us with water. In the early '90s we -- there
were three or four places on the street that had to lower their pumps, because of the low
water table. When I first moved there the water table was about three feet, it's down
now to about 25 feet or 30 feet.
De Weerd: Okay. Thank you. Do you have questions for Mr. Belcher, Council?
Nary: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Nary.
Nary: Mr. Belcher, where is your property located in the relation to the
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January 13, 2004
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Belcher: Okay. If I can get this thing to work. I am -- see the other -- go back. Okay.
My property is right here.
Nary: Thank you.
De Weerd: Thank you. Is there anyone else who would like to testify? Is the testimony
you are about to give the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you
God?
Williams: Yes, it is.
De Weerd: Thank you. Please state your name and address
Williams: Carla Williams, 2830 Duane Drive.
De Weerd: Thank you.
Williams: I support everything that Mr. Belcher just said. We have had many
discussions about this, but there are a couple more items that I would like to bring up.
One is in regard to the wells, it's really unclear to us what this development is going to
do to affect both our irrigation and our drinking water wells, and there hasn't been a lot
of information given to us on what those effects are. The second thing is on the
development of Duane Drive. If you look at the picture that shows the actual street and
you see all of the trees, one of the things that's really unique about this street and
creates the quaintness of the street is all of the mature trees. These trees are
anywhere from ten to 25 years old. If the street gets widened, many of these trees are
going to have to be removed. In addition to requesting for the curbs and gutters, I
would also bring up the fact of what's going to happen to this landscaping and how will
that be restored. My third point is on the traffic. The development that was done by
Heather Meadows that butts into Duane Drive off of Ustick Road, there was a pretty big
development done there. The funeral parlor was put in several years ago and we are
continually getting more and more traffic onto Ustick Road. It's harder to get from Ustick
Road onto -- or, excuse me, from Duane Drive onto Ustick Road, because of the activity
that's happening. Ustick Road is a two-lane road and there are -- there is a turn lane
into Heather Meadows. Adding this kind of traffic down Duane Drive without it having a
turn lane is going to be a big traffic issue and probably safety issue, too. Those are the
points I'd like to make.
De Weerd: Thank you. Any questions? Okay. Thank you very much. Anyone else
who would I ike to testify o n this? I s t he testimony you p rovide tonight t he t ruth, the
whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God?
Stokes: It is.
De Weerd: Thank you. Please state your name and address.
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January 13, 2004
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Stokes: Mark Stokes, 2870 Duane Drive. To start out with, the issue of the density, the
majority of the lots there are Duane Drive are two and a half acre lots. I think most of the
residents are kind of consigned to the fact that there is not a lot we can do to change
that disparity between the size of the lots. The big issue has been the extension of
Duane Drive into that 20 acres that sits to the south. This matter was before the ACHD
twice. The first time I urged them to go out and actually look at the site. At that time, I
think two of the commissioners had actually gone out and looked at the street and
convinced the others to take the opportunity to go out and look at it. When we all got
together the second time is when they did vote on the issue of the gate and I think it
was a reasonable solution that the residents -- residents can live with. Ms. Bowcutt, I
think on the developer's behalf, is happy with it. The ACHD commissioners were --
found it acceptable. While it's kind of a nonstandard or nontypical practice, it kind of
serves everybody's needs. I guess before you dismiss that idea, I would ask you also to
take a look at it if you have any question and just don't dismiss it as a matter of policy,
you know, where the other groups involved have found it to be a reasonable alternative.
And it was definitely the intent of the ACHD commissioners that that gate would remain
closed. The way it was stated in the meeting was that they made it clear to the residents
that at some future point in time the potential would always exist that somebody may
want to look into the possibility of opening that gate up. They also felt that by the time
that that south 20 acres was developed there would be other multiple access points into
that 20 acres, so that Duane Drive, as an access point, probably wouldn't be necessary
anyway.
De Weerd: So, Mr. Stokes, was it your impression that at that point where they would
revisit the gate, that it would go to public hearing so you all would have an opportunity?
Stokes: Yes. That's the way the commissioners presented it to the residence of Duane
Drive and everybody at the meeting.
De Weerd: So, that would need further clarity.
Stokes: What was read is a misstatement on what actually happened at the meeting.
De Weerd: Unfortunately, those are the findings and, you know, those would have to be
changed if that is -- by their -- by ACHD but thank you for that clarity.
Stokes: Thank you.
De Weerd: Further testimony? Is the testimony you provide tonight the truth, the whole
truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God?
Wallace: Yes, it is.
De Weerd: Thank you.
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January 13, 2004
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Wallace: My name is Patrick Wallace and I'm a resident at 3070 North Duane Drive. I
just want to show my support for the folks that have been here from Duane Drive and
have spoken so far this evening. I'm a new resident. I'm the new kid on the block on
that street. I moved in there last March with the idea of getting away from some of the
more urban settings that we had been in and we are finding ourselves becoming more
thrust into that spot than we had ever intended or wished. I think that our -- the other
folks on the street have mentioned -- talked to you folks a lot about the street and the
concern with the number of cars on Duane. My concern is the number of cars that we
are a dding to U stick. U stick -- rush h our at U stick i s -- it's I ike d owntown H onolulu,
which is where I was born and raised, and it's just not right. It's -- we are getting the
cart before the horse. We don't have a way to move the people out of the area in a
timely, safe, and efficient manner at this point and that's all I got to say.
De Weerd: Thank you. Any questions? Thank you. Is there any further testimony? Is
the testimony you provide tonight the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so
help you God?
Broadhead: It is.
De Weerd: Thank you.
Broadhead: I'm Michelle Broadhead and I reside at 2875 Duane Drive. I just wanted to
also agree with what they said so far and just so, the clarity is made there on the
through traffic. I have four little ones that we walk back and forth to the bus stop every
morning and afternoon and not all of them are in school yet. I have several more years
of this process to continue and that road is not a safe place for cars going quickly down.
That's my big concern is the safety of my family and there are no sidewalks for them to
ride bicycles on or any of that stuff as well. I wanted to clarify that at that ACHD
meeting the president of the ACHD was all for shutting that road, putting a gate up there
and never letting anything through and because that is not the policy. We opted for the
-- well, we will put the gate up, but probably no one will bug us about it and it clearly was
stated that it would go to Public Hearing and from there have to be done through the
process there, so that's --
De Weerd: Thank you. Thanks for that clarification. Any questions?
Nary: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Nary.
Nary: How do your kids get to school now? Are they bused or --
Broadhead: They are bused. Yes. They are because there are no sidewalks down our
road or down Ustick, which is how we would have to go is down Ustick Road and there
are not sidewalks there.
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January 13, 2004
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Nary: Do you know that will change, then?
Broadhead: It will not -- I'm sure it will not, because part of our subdivision is out onto
Ustick and so that won't be developed, but as the new subdivision goes in I'm sure they
will put sidewalks. It will be the silly curvy sidewalk that leads nowhere on either end
and just to make it look pretty and doesn't do anything, so --
Nary: Thank you
De Weerd: Is there any further testimony? Okay. Would the applicant like to come up
and respond to testimony? Just restate your name and address.
McKay: Becky McKay, Engineering Solutions, 150 East Aikens, Suite B, Eagle.
Concerning the issue of density that Mr. Belcher brought up, our gross density for this
project is 3.3 dwelling units per acre, with the medium density designation on your
Comp Plan being three to eight, I mean we are, obviously, at that lowest spectrum of
that allowable density. As you well know in many other meetings, there has been
discussion of making sure that these projects have what we call an adequate amount of
density and three was always the number that was kicked around as the minimum that
we should be targeting for. I don't believe that this is considered a high-density
development. I mean this is pretty standard. Mr. Belcher talks about restricting any
development on the 20 acres until access to Eagle is developed. That's not necessary
when we have access internally within our own development. That would ludicrous. The
issue of Duane Drive was settled at the highway district commission. Obviously, the
Council has to give their nod to it, but it's been discussed and rehashed and I feel that
we have taken care of their concerns. In my meetings with them in the past they said,
you know, if you will help us and support us with the Duane Drive issue, because that is
our sensitive spot, then, you know, we will basically go away. I believe one individual
told me, but that's not the case. Anytime we have urban and rural residential
development colliding in along a perimeter of an impact area, we have this discussion of
compatibility of traffic and so forth and it is something that we always struggle with. We
do the best that we can and in this design we have a collector roadway that we are
talking from Ustick all the way out that will connect to Cloverdale and as you well know,
those collectors add capacity. They add alternatives to turning movements and try to
minimize the impact on these arterials to give people alternative routes, so we are not
just dumping all our traffic on Ustick. The issue of wells. We have no impact on their
wells. I don't know how we can affect their wells when we are connecting to the city
domestic water system. Irrigation. We will be improving the irrigation out there by piping
the Milks Lateral, which, therefore, will add capacity to that, because we won't have the
evaporation, the percolation that we see, the problem with cleaning of the ditches,
typically find it improves an irrigation situation. We have committed to working with the
neighbors. We committed to certain types of fencing. I think we have done what we
can. The sidewalks along Ustick, they are built in segments. I guess if the Perkins -
Brown subdivision would like to get with ACHD, they do have funding, certain accounts
where they can petition to have the district utilize sidewalk money to improve the
sidewalks going to elementary schools or other public entities like that and so they
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January 13, 2004
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might want to talk with Mr. Mills. We have got a really good project here that we feel is
a benefit and we think this is the type of project that the city envisioned when they were
spending all that money to run the South Slough Trunk out there. This is right on that
periphery of Boise. Our density is lower than the projects that are to the side of Ustick
and to the east side of our project. This is a good project. One issue I did forget that I
do need to go on the record. There is a ditch along our south boundary and it just a
user's ditch. The residents of Cloverdale Meadows, which Cloverdale Meadows, if you
look at this drawing, they are acre lots right here. Our property boundary falls at the
center of that ditch and I have talked with their -- their kind of irrigation guru Gary Peva
and I believe he sent a letter to Public Works, and they asked us if we would set our
fence on the north side of the ditch, because they want access to the ditch. The don't
want us to pipe it, because they gravity irrigate out of it and so I wanted to go on the
record that that was the only request that I received from Cloverdale Meadows was that
we leave that ditch open and put our fence on the north side. The fence would be inset
I t hink two -- I ike two f eet from where t he t rue b oundary i s. I t made s ense to m e,
because they don't pump out of a ditch, they gravity. Also, this slough here, it's -- we
wanted to utilize that as a water amenity. It's a nice amenity. It's been beat down by
cows it has a real gradual four -to -one, maybe even five -to -one slope. It has a few
scraggly trees along it, but I think it can be a real pretty feature and I have allocated
open space for visibility there to the pathway and the slough. I wanted that to go on the
record also. Thank you. Do you have any questions?
De Weerd: Questions?
Nary: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Nary.
Nary: Mrs. McKay, why an R-8 and not an R-4, since the density is only 3.3?
McKay: Because -- I have had this discussion before. The net density, if you look at
the net, I think the net is 4.35. We have had discussions in the past with your previous
staff on could you -- do they look at both the gross and the net density, can you exceed
the base density zone, so with an R-4 my gross -- or my net density would be 4.35, so
we just --
De Weerd: It's also lot minimums, too.
McKay: Right but under a Planned Development, we are allowed for deviation in
minimums. It just made the most sense. I debated on which way to go and I think I
even changed the application back and forth a couple of times until I made up my mind.
With the planned development overlay, the Development Agreement, I mean everything
is set as far as density and lot sizes. The zone is almost immaterial, is that not -- I
mean with the Development Agreement if this project were to go away, the zone would
be mute.
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January 13, 2004
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Nary: The other question I guess I have is, as Mr. Belcher stated, you know, he has
three, -- he has three lots right behind his house. One of the discussions that we have
had on a number of these is that compatibility, that transition between these, and there
doesn't appear to be really any transition at all between the existing rural sub and this
subdivision, because you would have such fairly heavy density right along your western
border there. I mean was there any thought to try to make this a little bit more of a
transition between these two? It just seems fairly intense.
McKay: Okay. Madam Mayor, Councilman Nary, that's a good question and in
circumstances where I have a very extremely low rural residential density on one side of
me and I have got a property that has enough width that I can utilize cul-de-sacs to
minimize the number of lots I back up to, to also give it less density adjoining them. My
problem with this site is, one, this site is not very wide. I have got rural residential lots
here rural residential lots here, rural residential lots along my east boundary and rural
residential lots along my south boundary. Which ones do I choose to try to transition
from? Do you see what I -- my problem is? If -- it's almost impossible to make it work. I
can't -- you can't do cul-de-sacs next to everybody. I mean it would be a horrible site
plan and you would not get the densities necessary to cover the cost of extending
services for a half a mile. What we try to do is I worked with them on the fencing. They
wanted a particular type of fencing. I have been -- you know, I have met with these
people in neighborhood meetings, I have met with the Altman's multiple times, because
this street comes right through here, nipping right through that property there where
there is some existing right of way. See, the other problem I have is there is old existing
right of way out here. Granger has old existing right of way that goes through the middle
of this project. There is existing right of way here. There is right of way on Perkins -
Brown side old right of way here. We a re trying to clean some of that up by either
vacating or getting the district to relinquish their right to that and, then, building the
collector, so --
Nary: And I understand what you're saying, Mrs. McKay. I guess it appears, though, in
looking at your site plan is that although it is difficulty and I understand that, but you
didn't really -- you didn't really try to create a buffer for any of those particular ones, but
the one that's here where this Georgiana first sub or something is what it says on my
site plan. Okay? You have, basically, that single family home still there, so all of those
homes on this side -- and this is a finished subdivision, I believe.
McKay: Yes, sir.
Nary: Okay. This one here, there is only two lots of Briarwood Subdivision that butt up
against all of these and you have all of these folks here in Perkins -Brown with the bulk
of your lots right up against their backyards. The same thing here, you only have two
lots, but you have got all of these people here. I mean I guess it seems to me like you
solved the problem somewhat on this side, but where all these people are living you
didn't really even try to resolve that on their side. I guess I understand why they are
concerned, because all you have done is really create a fairly heavy, intense level of
Meridian City Council Meeting
January 13, 2004
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development right over their fence, with just providing them a better fence. That doesn't
seem like it's really trying too hard.
McKay: Well, Madam Mayor, Councilman Nary, in the planning -- this discussion
comes up every time we -- when the county approved all these acre lots, five acre lots,
two and a half acre lot subdivisions, they have been nothing but a thorn as far as the
planners in this valley for many years. The Boise City Council, the other planning
directors, have always stated one thing we have to keep in mind, residential is
compatible with residential, and to mandate that we have alike lots, it would defeat the
whole purpose of good urban planning. When we have a site like this one, I looked at
all options, I mean, you know, we don't just slap the street in there. I try to do as much
as I can to minimize the opposition as possible by transitioning, if the property is
allowable, by providing collectors, open space, working with them on fencing,
pedestrian pathways, different things. This is compatible. It is. We find all over this
valley where you have small lots backing up to acre lots, five acre lots, two and a half
acre lots, but that -- that is acceptable in the planning world. We don't just throw the
projects out the door because I don't back two and a half acre lots or acre lots next to
them. I guess -- does that answer your question? We struggle with it all the time and I
can only do so much. This isn't a big site. It's only 90 acres and it's kind of cut up.
Nary: Well -- and I understand your thinking
McKay: Okay.
Nary: It doesn't answer my question.
McKay: Okay.
Nary: Because I understand --
McKay: I looked at that. I was very cognizant of that.
Nary: We have rejected other projects, because they were not compatible. We have
looked at how they transition from one to another. I guess in this one, to me, with a
PUD, where you have total freedom in designing your project in a PUD, that you can
create transitions along that border, because you have the ability to create heavier
intense on this side, which is abutting other city types of densities. To me, I think you --
I mean I'm not a planner and I'm not a designer, but I think you have that ability in a
PUD and in this particular situation I don't think you did that.
McKay: And I respect your opinion on that and I guess what I'd like to explain to you is I
have to align with this street, that's why this block, as you can see, is only six lots deep.
I could only come in with a little short block in order to keep that collector in this
alignment the way the highway district prefers it. Then, when I come over here I looked
at trying to do some cul-de-sacs. I couldn't even make them work. They were too short
to even -- if you can't make them a certain length, it's just a waste of land. I looked at
Meridian City Council Meeting
January 13, 2004
Page 60 of 70
various options. The other issue we look at is we keep our density up on the arterials. I
have got little bitty lots right across the street from me, so if I put nice, big, half acre lots
here, I got little bitty Boise city lots that are about 6,000 to 5,500 square foot right here.
Am I compatible with them? Absolutely but I feel I'm compatible with these lots and I
have done the best I can with what we had to work with. We don't have to do these big
collectors, but it's, obviously, preferable from a transportation perspective, but I mean I
can't -- I only have so much I can give. I mean I guess if we mixed the collectors
altogether and cut it all up into cul-de-sacs, you know, some developer may be
interested, but I can't get three dwelling units per acre doing that. I can't. I can probably
get 2.3 or four. You know we try. That's all I can tell you, that, you know, that's all we
can do. Thank you.
De Weerd: Council, any further questions for staff or applicant?
Wardle: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Wardle.
Wardle: And I'm not sure who can answer this question for me, but what I'm hearing
tonight is that the neighbors are not necessarily as concerned with the development
itself as they are with the traffic and the gate. In my mind the information we have -- or
that I have, I'm not sure -- I have some issues with the gate and so I guess the couple
questions I'd have, what would be the hearing process to reopen that gate, because I'm
sure all the residents are concerned with that. Then, secondly, who would own the
gate? How is it -- how is that all taken care of? If I could get some direction on where
to get those answers.
De Weerd: Well, what Becky can't answer, we will ask Mr. Mills to come up.
McKay: As far as the gate, Madam Mayor, Councilman Wardle, as far as the gate is
concerned, what we do is we work with your Planning, Public Works staff and your Fire
Department to come up with an acceptable design that would meet their standards, so it
wouldn't be a hindrance in the event that they had to take emergency vehicles through
there for whatever reason they would be. Also, that it would facilitate pedestrian and
bicycle traffic to go through there. As far as the process for the commission, I will let Mr.
Mills answer that.
De Weerd: Is the testimony you provide tonight the truth, the whole truth, and nothing
but the truth, so help you God?
Mills: It is.
De Weerd: Thank you.
Mills: Bruce Mills, Ada County Highway District, Garden City, Idaho. First of all, I want
to say I agree with Mrs. McKay about her analysis or her recollection of what took place
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January13, 2004
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in our commission meeting and it's unfortunate that -- I looked through these -- our staff
report and our findings of fact and they don't reflect accurately what I remember from
the meeting. What I remember from the meeting was that -- that the gate -- yes, it could
be any organization, it could be the City of Meridian, it could be the developer, and it
could be anyone who could request that the gate be removed. However, just receiving
the request was not to approve the gate, but it would have to go through a process of
approval through ACHD that is my recollection. If our Findings of Facts need to be
changed to reflect that, we certainly can do that and I apologize for the fact that they
aren't accurate, at least to my recollection. Madam Mayor and Councilman Wardle, your
question about the gate ownership, I'm not -- that's something that we don't have a lot of
gates around here, so I'm not sure myself where the ownership and maintenance of that
would lie. I don't know the answer to that one question. The -- the other question was --
I'm sorry, I forgot it.
De Weerd: It was about the -- how that gate would open up and, certainly, with the
experience the city has had with gates and when they go away and that sort of thing, we
would want that kind of clarity in your findings by your entity and certainly not by our
action. Mr. Nichols, do you have something to add?
Nichols: Madam Mayor, Members of the Council, it looks to me like before you can take
any action on this application, you may want to see whether ACHD is willing to revise
it's findings -- that the board is willing to revise the findings to better reflect what the
decision was at the hearing. But -- and if that's the case, then, it would also be
appropriate for this Council to tell Mr. Mills what to take back to ACHD in terms of the
kinds of things that you would like to see in those findings -- and not to presuppose
approval. With regard to the gate issue things such as a requirement that all of the
property owners on Duane Drive receive notice of the hearing. If you take a 300 foot
requirement, all of them might not receive notice, and so that all of them on Duane Drive
would receive notice of any hearing on an application to remove the gate, that the City
of Meridian also receive notice of the hearing and an opportunity to provide comment,
maybe even suggesting that there be some showing that it's necessary for public safety
and welfare that the gate be removed. Some conditions, if that's what you want to see,
that they could, then, put in their findings, so that everybody that looks at the findings
would have the understanding that if this development were approved and a gate were
erected, under what circumstances it could be taken down.
De Weerd: Thank you, Mr. Nichols. Council, do you need any further clarity from Mr.
Mills while he's up here?
Wardle: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Wardle.
Wardle: I would like to suggest that the ideas from Mr. Nichols are things that I would
personally like to see. I would like the ACHD board to clarify not only that, but also the
process of removing that gate and so if we could take that back and give something that
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January 13, 2004
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would be clear enough to us as a body, that it would also be clear to the residents, that
would be appreciated.
Mills: Madam Mayor, could I ask a clarification on that, please? When you say the
process of removing, you're talking about the physical removal or you're talking about
the process -- the public process?
Wardle: I'm talking about -- if I'm a citizen, I want to know how -- what actions would
need to be taken to remove that gate and allow traffic to flow through my street. That's
what I want to know. I want to know how I'm going to be notified if I have an opportunity
to speak or, if not, I would -- those are the kind of clarifications that I would like to see.
Mills: Thank you. I understand.
De Weerd: Thank you. Council, any further discussion? It appears that there are some
things unresolved, if you want to continue this, you can certainly do so or take action if
some of it isn't pertinent to the direction you're going.
Nary: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Nary.
Nary: I'll just make a comment before someone makes a motion. If it is the desire of
Council to continue this matter for that purpose to get some clarity from the Ada County
Highway District, I certainly am not going to oppose that, but I guess I also want to
make clear, at least even at this juncture, sometimes we do that and it tends to give the
false impression that if we can clarify this one piece, then, that's good enough. I'm not --
I'm not right now sold on this project, I'm not really comfortable with the density, the
open space, the design and the scape, so if we clarify this one piece, I'm certainly not
going to commit that I'm i n f avor of it a nyway. M y personal feeling i s I d on't h ave a
reason in my mind to continue it to answer a piece when I have a whole lot of other
concerns about it anyway. If the Council wants to do that, I certainly -- I don't care if we
gather more information, but I don't want to leave anybody with the impression that that
alone is enough. At least right now it's not.
De Weerd: Thank you, Mr. Nary. Any other comments or a motion?
Rountree: We need to close the hearing.
De Weerd: If you would like to take action on this application, we could close the Public
Hearing. If you wish to continue it for more information, we would not want to close the
Public Hearing.
Wardle: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Wardle.
Meridian City Council Meeting
January 13, 2004
Page 63 of 70
Wardle: I would move that we continue this Public Hearing for specific comments from
ACHD to a date certain and would ask that -- I'm not sure what that date would be. Do I
need to ask Mr. Mills?
De Weerd: You can suggest a date and he can nod his agreement or you ask him to
come and suggest a date.
Wardle: Mr. Mills, could you, please, come up and suggest a date for me?
Mills: Bruce Mills, Ada County Highway District. I, actually, have a question maybe for
Mr. Nichols, because I'm not -- I haven't gone through this process myself. The things
they are asking, would it be -- would it have to go back through a Public Hearing
process before the commission, in your opinion?
Nichols: Madam Mayor, Members of the Council, I'm grateful I'm not the ACHD lawyer
on many occasions. I don't know that a Public Hearing is necessary to clarify parts of
the findings that should have been so specified, which is what everybody's testimony
was, including the applicant. Whether there are, you know, some of the additional
things that I suggested, maybe that's already included in your procedures for hearings,
you know, removal of gate requires notice to all the property owners along that street
kind of thing, maybe that's already there. If it's not, then, I don't know if that requires a
public hearing and it certainly would be the kind of conditions that would -- basically are
more stressful, if you will, to the applicant than they are to the neighbors, because they
are designed for the protection of the neighbors and I'm not sure if a public hearing is
necessary. That was a long way of saying I don't know.
Mills: And, Madam Mayor, I wish I knew myself exactly and I probably should and I
apologize for that. I would say, to be on the safe side, probably four weeks, just to
make sure we are through this process. If it could be done earlier, we could still get that
information to your staff. I don't know if you can change your agenda at that point, but
that would probably be the date that I would be looking at. That would just assume that
we would still have to get it on our council agenda with proper notice, get an answer and
be able to get it back so you can put it on your agenda.
De Weerd: So, you could always do it for two weeks and if the Commission has not
been able to act on it, if that is the necessary step, we can, then, continue it out at a
better time certain or a date certain.
Nary: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Nary.
Nary: And I'm not seconding the motion, because I didn't want to continue it, but I
would only suggest that rather than having these people come back in two weeks, if it's
going to be continued, and come back in two weeks. Maybe we will set it over again,
Meridian City Council Meeting
January 13, 2004
Page 64 of 70
we're probably better off setting it off three or four weeks and, then, we probably would
have an answer, more likely, rather than having all these people come back twice.
De Weerd: That is an excellent point.
Wardle: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Wardle.
Wardle: Taking that into consideration, I move that we continue this hearing, Public
Hearing, to February 10th, four weeks from today.
Bird: Is that for all three Public Hearings?
Wardle: All three Public Hearings, yes.
De Weerd: For specific issues?
Wardle: With the intent of clarification of ACHD's findings concerning the gate on
Duane Drive.
De Weerd: Do I have second?
Rountree: What the heck. I will second that. We will get it going
De W eerd: Okay. It's been first -- or it's been moved to continue -- Yes, first and
seconded. I is been moved to continue this Public Hearing to February 1 0th to hear
back from ACHD on the requirement of the gate -- of the public process for the gate
removal, as well as public notification. I s there any further d iscussion? All those in
favor say aye. Those opposed say nay.
MOTION TIED: TWO AYES, TWO NAYES
De Weerd: Thank you. I get to vote tonight. I, too, will vote naye. The motion fails. I
would consider a second motion.
MOTION CARRIED: THREE NAYES, TWO AYES
Bird: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Bird.
Bird: I would move that we close the Public Hearings on AZ 03-021, PP 03-024, and
CUP 03-041, regarding Redfeather Estates Subdivision No. 2 by Packard Estates.
Nary: Second.
Meridian City Council Meeting
January 13, 2004
Page 65 of 70
De Weerd: Okay. It's been moved and seconded to close the Public Hearing on Items
17, 18, and 19. All those in favor say aye. Those opposed naye? Okay. Three ayes.
The ayes have it. The Public Hearing is closed.
MOTION CARRIED: THREE AYES, ONE NAYE
De Weerd: Discussion?
Bird: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Bird.
Bird: I, too, am like Councilman Nary. The gate in the findings of ACHD is a small part
of this, in my mind. I think -- and I realize that most of those properties on the drive
there, what back up to it is probably pasture. Your houses are probably towards the
street, but I think this is just a real density. I see nothing of what's going to happen off of
Eagle. We have got some surprises before by doing this, by not knowing what the
complete development was going to be. I just think there needs to be a lot of work done
on this particular deal before I could support it and it's just not the gate.
De Weerd: Is there any further comments or discussion? Mr. Wardle?
Wardle: And I would just like to say that while I may or -- well, I can't support the project
itself with the f indings that we have without the clarification on the gate. While that
doesn't mean that I -- that I disagree with the density I certainly disagree with the
findings as is without the clarification that we have, so I'd just like to say that that's the
case.
De Weerd: Thank you
Nary: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Nary.
Nary: I guess before we make any motions, I would just make one more comment. I
think I probably said my piece as to what I think of this project. I do respect Mr. Groves
and Mrs. McKay and I do think they have put together a lot of projects that have been
very beneficial to the city. I think this one just needs a little more time. I think there is --
I think there are ways to make this project more attractive for all involved, including the
city. I think Mr. Bird's right, there is some -- there are some question marks out there
that just concern me today in wanting to approve this as it's presented. You know, you
get -- you get used to sometimes, sitting up here, that people aren't always happy with
the results of decisions that are either brought before us that we agree with or disagree
with, but that road and that gate is not a seller to me. We have had issues that lasted
for years -- and Mr. Groves knows it -- and it is not something that we would tread into
Meridian City Council Meeting
January 13, 2004
Page 66 of 70
lightly and I think it is a problem. It isn't the only problem, as I already stated, but it is a
problem, but, again, the density and the design of this project, the type of open space,
the fact that it is a PUD, I think it could be done in a much more transitional way than
what is presented. I think it could be done better and I hope to see it again in a little bit
different configuration.
Bird: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Bird.
Bird: I'd like to state that I'm not -- I didn't -- the gate is a problem, but it wasn't the only
problem I see. The road there. I see another -- to be flat out truthful, I see another
Wingate Lane. I seriously do. Of all the people, I probably get the most phone calls
over that and I don't want to go through it again. I don't think the people that live on that
Duane Drive want to go through it. I don't think the developer wants to go through it.
Rountree: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Rountree.
Rountree: Thank you, Keith, for reminding me of that
Bird: It started with you.
Rountree: I know. It's one of those things you don't want to remember. I guess -- there
is some really good aspects of this and I appreciate the toughness of the site, because
not only is it rural residential, it's urban residential. How do you accomplish a balance
between those? There is something about it I don't like, but that doesn't offer the
applicant anything and I hate to have them sit there based on a subjective statement
like that. I'd like to offer you a solution or a potential solution. I don't have one. The
real kicker for me is that I'm concerned what's going to happen on Eagle Road, what
kind of access, what kind of development. We have folks here tonight that have
testified that, well, I guess as long as you don't run traffic through our neighborhood that
at some point in time this development might bring us another access to Eagle Road.
Well, that might be somewhat of a hollow promise that's been planted in their minds.
I'm not sure that there will be another access on Eagle Road that benefit them or this
subdivision. Having said that, I'll wait for more learned motions from the resident
Councilmen and see where I'll go in terms of supporting them.
De Weerd: Thank you. Is there any further discussion? Before, apparently,
Councilman Nary makes a motion?
Nary: Madam Mayor, I'm going to move on Item 17 to deny AZ 03-021, the request for
annexation and zoning of 114.52 acres from RUT to an R-8 PD and C -G zones for the
propose Redfeather Estates Subdivision No. 2 by Packard Estates Development, LLC.
South of East Ustick Road and east of North Eagle Road, for counsel to prepare
Meridian City Council Meeting
January 13, 2004
Page 67 of 70
Findings of Facts and Conclusions of Law, Decision and Order based upon the
testimonies presented tonight. I believe, Mr. Nichols, if I'm correct, you usually suggest
that we give the applicant some indication as to why and what they could do differently,
or am I mixing this up with something else?
De Weerd: Mr. Nichols.
Nichols: Madam Mayor, Members of the Council, there is a state statute that requires
when you deny a permit that you inform the applicant what they could do to obtain
approval. Technically, annexation and zoning is not a permit, therefore, technically, it
does not apply. However, I think it's probably good practice, given the fact this property
will develop, if you inform the applicant what it is you would like in an application. It
doesn't presuppose that you'll approve it, but it just simply -- it does help an applicant
know what they would have to do to obtain approval on -- instead of trying to read your
minds with the next one.
Nary: Thank you, Mr. Nichols. I guess I would -- part of the motion that the Findings of
Facts indicate that the concerns that were -- have been expressed by the Council
tonight in regards to the density. The buffering with the existing residential homes along
the boundary of t his property, the open s pace -- the usable o pen s pace, t he kind of
usable open space that is presented. The amenities that are included as part of the
PUD, as well as the access point through different portions of the subdivision, as well as
the lack of -- the lack of clarity or conceptual plans regarding the western most portion
of the property that abuts Eagle Road. I think all of those concerns have been
expressed by the Council tonight on this property, should be reflected in the findings.
Bird: Second.
De Weerd: It's been moved and seconded to deny approval of AZ 03-021 for the stated
reasons. Mr. Clerk, will you, please call roll.
Roll Call: Bird, aye; Rountree, aye; Wardle, aye; Nary, aye.
MOTION CARRIED: ALL AYES
De Weerd: Thank you. Items 18 and 19 are a mute point, but I do believe we do need
motions.
Nary: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Nary.
Nary: I'd move the denial of PP 03-024, the request for Preliminary Plat approval of 302
building lots and 28 other lots on 90.29 acres in a proposed R-8 PD zone for the
proposed Redfeather Estates Subdivision No. 2 by Packard Estates Development.
South of east Ustick Road, east of North Eagle Road, for counsel to prepare Findings of
Meridian City Council Meeting
January 13, 2004
Page 68 of 70
Facts, Conclusions of Law, Decision and Order, based upon the comments by the
Council and the fact that the property has not been annexed into the city.
Bird: Second.
De Weerd: It's been moved and seconded to deny PP 03-024. Mr. Clerk, will you,
please, call roll.
Roll Call: Bird, aye; Rountree, aye; Wardle, aye; Nary, aye.
MOTION CARRIED: ALL AYES
De Weerd: Thank you. Item 19.
Nary: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Nary.
Nary: I'd move the denial of CUP 03-041, the request for a Conditional Use Permit for a
planned development for a single family residential use, with reduced setbacks, lot
sizes, lot frontages, house sizes, and increased block length for proposed Redfeather
Estates Subdivision No. 2 by Packard Estates Development. South of East Ustick
Road, east of North Eagle Road, and for counsel to prepare Findings of Facts and
Conclusions of Law, Decision and Order, pursuant to Council's discussion this evening
and that the property has not been annexed into the city.
Bird: Second.
De Weerd: It's been moved and seconded to deny the approval of CUP 03-041. Mr.
Clerk, will you, please, call roll.
Roll Call: Bird, aye; Rountree, aye; Wardle, aye; Nary, aye.
MOTION CARRIED: ALL AYES
De Weerd: Thank you, Mr. Clerk. Okay. We do have an Item 20, Executive Session
Bird: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Bird.
Bird: I'd move that we go into Executive Session as per Idaho State Code 67-
2345(1)(b).
Nary: Second.
Meridian City Council Meeting
January 13, 2004
Page 69 of 70
De Weerd: Okay. It's been moved and seconded to adjourn into Executive Session per
Idaho State Code 67-2345(1)(b). Mr. Clerk, will you call roll.
Roll Call: Bird, aye; Rountree, aye; Wardle, aye; Nary, aye.
MOTION CARRIED: ALL AYES
(Enter into Executive Session)
(Return from Executive Session)
De Weerd: I'll entertain a motion to come out of Executive Session.
Nary: So moved.
Rountree: Second.
De Weerd: Okay it's been moved and seconded to come out of Executive Session. Do
we do it by roll call?
Nary: No.
De Weerd: Okay. All those in favor say aye.
MOTION CARRIED: ALL AYES
De Weerd: Just to note on the record that no decisions were made. Is there any further
business from the Council?
Bird: Madam Mayor.
De Weerd: Mr. Bird.
Bird: We need to get on the agenda next week — not on the Consent or anything like
that but on our Regular Agenda a discussion on purchasing a car for the Mayor of
Meridian.
De Weerd: Do you want that on Pre -Council or Regular?
Bird: I believe I would like that on Pre -Council why?
Nary: Madam Mayor. I know we don't have a Pre -Council next week because we have
a S pecial M elating with the County Commissioners so we would probably put it a s a
Department Report discussion.
Bird: That's right.
Meridian City Council Meeting
January 13, 2004
Page 70 of 70
De Weerd: Okay anything further. Did you make a motion?
Rountree: He made a motion. I'll second that motion.
Bird: Charlie seconded it.
De Weerd: Okay it's been moved and seconded to add to next weeks Regular Agenda
discussion of a vehicle for the Mayor. All those in favor say aye. All ayes motion
carried.
MOTION CARRIED: ALL AYES
De Weerd: Is there any further business in front of the Council. I would entertain a
motion to adjourn.
Bird: So moved.
Rountree: Second.
De Weerd: Okay it's been moved and seconded to adjourn the meeting. All those in
favor say aye. All ayes motion carried and it's only 11:30.
MOTION CARRIED: ALL AYES
MEETING ADJOURNED AT 11:30 P.M.
(TAPE ON FILE OF THESE PROCEEDINGS)
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