PZ - Staff Report2016 UDC Text Amendment – H-2016-118 1
STAFF REPORT
HEARING DATE: October 20, 2016
TO: Planning and Zoning Commission
FROM: Bill Parsons, Planning Supervisor
208-884-5533
SUBJECT: H-2016-0118 – 2016 UDC Text Amendment
I. SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF APPLICANT’S REQUEST
The Planning Division of the Community Development Department has applied to amend the text of
certain sections of the Unified Development Code (UDC) as follows:
1) definitions, density requirements in the residential districts, traditional neighborhood standards
(TN-R and O-T districts), ditches, laterals, canals or drainage courses, fencing, pathways, structure
and site design standards, landscaping requirements (stormwater facilities), common open space and
site amenities requirements, specific provisions (certificate of zoning compliance, annexation and
rezones and alternative compliance), subdivision process, subdivision design and improvement
standards including common driveways.
NOTE: All of the proposed text changes to the UDC are provided in underline and strike-through
format in Exhibit A below for the Commission’s and Council’s review and consideration.
II. SUMMARY RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends approval of the proposed text amendments to the UDC based on the analysis
provided in Section VII and the Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law listed in Exhibit B.
III. PROPOSED MOTION
Approval
After considering all staff, applicant and public testimony, I move to recommend approval to the City
Council of File Number H-2016-0118 as presented in the staff report for the hearing date of October
20, 2016 with the following modifications: (add any proposed modifications.)
Denial
After considering all staff, applicant and public testimony, I move to recommend denial to the City
Council of File Number H-2016-0118 as presented during the hearing on October 20, 2016 for the
following reasons: (You should state specific reasons for denial.)
Continuance
After considering all staff, applicant and public testimony, I move to continue File Number H-2016-
0118, to (insert specific hearing date), and direct staff to make the following changes: (insert
comments here.)
IV. APPLICATION FACTS
A. Site Address/Location: Citywide
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B. Applicant:
Planning Division, Community Development Department
City of Meridian
33 E. Broadway Avenue, Ste. 102
Meridian, Idaho 83642
C. Applicant's Statement/Justification: See narrative and Exhibit A for more information.
V. PROCESS FACTS
A. The subject application is for a Unified Development Code Text Amendment as determined by
City Ordinance. By reason of the provisions of the Meridian City Code Title 11 Chapter 5, a
public hearing is required before the Planning & Zoning Commission and City Council on this
matter.
B. Newspaper notifications published on: October 3 and 17, 2016 (Commission)
C. A public service announcement was broadcast via email on September 29, 2016 (Commission)
regarding this application.
D. The proposed amendment was vetted through the UDC Focus Group. These changes were
also presented to the Building Contractors Association of Southwest Idaho at their official
meeting on September 13, 2016.
VI. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN POLICIES AND GOALS
Staff finds that the subject Unified Development Code Text Amendment complies with and furthers
the goals and objectives of the Comprehensive Plan.
The specific objectives and actions that support the proposed amendment are listed below:
• “Keep current the Unified Development Code and Future Land Use Map to implement the
provisions of this plan.” (7.01.01A)
Over the past year, the Planning Division has kept a running list of proposed changes that staff
believes are necessary to efficiently administer the UDC and eliminate vague language. The
proposed UDC amendment is meant to keep the UDC relevant with current development trends in
the City without compromising life, safety or the general welfare of the community.
As part of the public outreach, staff solicited comments from a broad range of developers, design
professionals and the BCA to provide better transparency regarding the proposed revisions. A
majority of the suggestions received from these groups have been incorporated in the revisions of
these documents.
• “Enforce City Codes.” (3.05.02D)
The proposed revisions in this application represent changes that City Staff believes will make the
implementation and use of the UDC more understandable and enforceable.
VII. ANALYSIS
The subject application proposes modifications to the following UDC sections: definitions, density
requirements in the residential districts, traditional neighborhood standards (TN-R and O-T districts),
ditches, laterals, canals or drainage courses, fencing, pathways, structure and site design standards,
2016 UDC Text Amendment – H-2016-118 3
landscaping requirements (stormwater facilities), common open space and site amenities requirements,
specific provisions (certificate of zoning compliance, annexation and rezones and alternative compliance),
subdivision process, subdivision design and improvement standards including common driveways.
All of the proposed changes to the UDC including the support documents are attached for review in PDF
format (see Exhibit A). Further, Staff has vetted a majority of the proposed changes with various design
professionals and outside organizations (UDC Focus Group and BCA) to increase transparency as the
City embarks on changes to these documents.
In summary, the changes proposed in this application represent changes that City Staff believes will make
the implementation and use of the UDC more understandable and enforceable.
VIII. EXHIBITS
A. Strike-out/Underline Version of the Proposed Changes
B. Required Findings from the Unified Development Code
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Exhibit A. – Strike-out/Underline Version of the Proposed Changes
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2016 UDC Text Amendment – H-2016-118 6
2016 UDC Text Amendment – H-2016-118 7
2016 UDC Text Amendment – H-2016-118 8
2016 UDC Text Amendment – H-2016-118 9
2016 UDC Text Amendment – H-2016-118 10
2016 UDC Text Amendment – H-2016-118 11
2016 UDC Text Amendment – H-2016-118 12
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Exhibit B. – Required Findings from Unified Development Code
1. Unified Development Code Text Amendments:
Upon recommendation from the Commission, the Council shall make a full investigation
and shall, at the public hearing, review the application. In order to grant a text amendment
to the Unified Development Code, the Council shall make the following findings:
A. The text amendment complies with the applicable provisions of the comprehensive plan;
Staff finds that the proposed UDC text amendment complies with the applicable provisions of
the Comprehensive Plan. Please see Comprehensive Plan Policies and Goals, Section 6, of
the Staff Report for more information.
B. The text amendment shall not be materially detrimental to the public health, safety, and
welfare; and
Staff finds that the proposed zoning ordinance amendment will not be detrimental to the
public health, safety or welfare. It is the intent of the text amendments to further the health,
safety and welfare of the public.
C. The text amendment shall not result in an adverse impact upon the delivery of services
by any political subdivision providing public services within the City including, but not
limited to, school districts.
Staff finds that the proposed zoning ordinance amendment does not propose any significant
changes to how public utilities and services are provided to developments. All City
departments, public agencies and service providers that currently review applications will
continue to do so. Please refer to any written or oral testimony provided by any public service
provider(s) when making this finding.