PZ - Attachment C Existing Conditions Report 2017City of MeridianExisting Conditions Report 2017Addendum to the C ity of meridi An Comprehensive pl An
DRAFT
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City of Meridian Existing Conditions Report 2017
City of Meridian
Prepared by:
City of Meridian
Planning Division
33 E Broadway Suite 102
Meridian, Idaho 83642
Phone 208.884.5533
Fax 209.888.6854
Existing Conditions Report 2017
Addendum to the City of meridiAn Comprehensive plAn,
by resolution no. 17-0000, on month dAy, yeAr
City of Meridian Existing Conditions Report 2017
DRAFT
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www.meridiancity.org/compplan
Table of Contents
1. Introduction 1-1
■Review of the Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-1
■Comprehensive Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-2
■Local Land Use Planning Act . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-3
■History . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-3
2. Who Lives in Meridian? What Do They Do? 2-1
■Population, Housing, and Economic Development . . . . . . . . . .2-1
■Population and Demographic Characteristics . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-2
Historic Counts and Current Estimates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-2
Forecasts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-2
Age . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-3
Race and Ethnicity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-3
Gender . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-4
Educational Attainment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-4
Cost of Living . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-5
Income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-6
Poverty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-7
■Housing Characteristics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-7
Number of Dwelling Units . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-8
Housing Unit Type . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-9
Occupancy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-9
Persons per Housing Unit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-10
Age of Housing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-10
Housing Value . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-11
■Housing and Urban Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-12
■Economic Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-13
Economic Excellence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-14
Economic Development and Infrastructure . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-14
Taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-15
Labor Force . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-15
Employment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-17
Employers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-17
Trends . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-18
Meridian Chamber of Commerce . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-18
Meridian Development Corporation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-18
The Core . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-20
3. How is the Land in Meridian Developed? 3-1
■Land Use, Transportation, and Community Design . . . . . . . . .3-1
■Zoning & Land Use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-2
Built Environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-2
Residential . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-2
Commercial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-3
Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-3
Industrial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-4
Mixed Use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-4
Civic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-5
■Zoning—Land Use Correlation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-5
■Land Ownership . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-5
■Future Land Uses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-6
■Specific Area Plans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-8
Ten Mile Interchange Specific Area Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-8
Destination Downtown (Urban Renewal) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-8
Fields District . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-9
■Area of City Impact . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-9
■Transportation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-10
Roadway Authority . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-11
Transportation Commission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-12
Roadway Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-12
Interstates, State Highways and Arterials . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-14
Collectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-15
Local Streets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-16
Entryway Corridors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-16
Travel Times and Commuting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-17
Transportation Funding Plans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-18
Long-Range Plans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-18
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Short-Range Plans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-18
Funding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-19
Meridian’s Priority Roadway Projects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-19
■Linking Transportation and Land Use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-19
Complete Streets Policy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-20
Cost Share Policy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-20
Master Street Map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-20
Livable Streets Design Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-20
■Mobility Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-22
Roadways to Bikeways . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-22
Pathway System and Sidewalks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-22
Transit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-24
Commuteride and Carpools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-24
Park-and-Ride Lots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-25
Public Airport Facilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-25
Rail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-25
■Community Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-26
Administrative Design Review . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-28
The Architectural Standards Manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-28
Standards vs . Guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-29
Entryway Corridors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-29
Signs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-29
Sustainability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-29
Land Use and Transportation Planning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-30
Siting, Design and Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-30
Energy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-31
Air Quality and Greenhouse Gas Reduction . . . . . . . . . . .3-31
Wastewater Treatment, Reclamation and Reuse . . . . . . . . 3-33
Preservation and Restoration of Natural Resources . . . .3-33
Solid Waste . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-33
Livability and Quality of Life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-33
Healthy Initiatives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-34
Safe Walking Routes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-35
Day Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-36
Youth Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-37
Senior Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-39
Success Stories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-40
Arts, Entertainment and Community Events . . . . . . . . . . . .3-41
Meridian Arts Commission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-41
Meridian History Center and Heritage Programs . . . . . . .3-41
Community Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-42
4. What Services are Provided in Meridian? 4-1
■Public Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-1
■Municipal Government, City Hall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-1
Mayor and City Council . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-4
Commissions, Committees and Boards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-4
■Public Works . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-7
Water and Sewer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-7
Water Division . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-7
Supply and Distribution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-7
Wastewater Division . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-9
Sewer Collection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-9
Sewer Treatment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-10
Industrial Pretreatment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-11
Class A Recycled Water . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-11
Support Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-11
Stormwater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-12
■Public Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-13
Police Department . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-13
Fire Department . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-15
■Recreation, Parks and Pathways . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-16
Parks and Recreation Department . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-16
Western Ada Recreation District . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-18
■Solid Waste . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-18
Residential Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-18
Commercial and Industrial Collection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-19
Other Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-20
Donated Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-20
Transfer Station Collection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-20
Table of Contents
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■Education . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-21
West Ada School District . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-21
Enrollment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-21
Bus Transportation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-22
Elementary Schools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-23
Middle Schools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-23
High Schools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-24
Charter and Magnet Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-24
Private Education Opportunities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-24
Continuing Education . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-24
■Libraries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-25
■Public Utilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-25
Electricity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-25
Communications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-26
Gas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-28
Irrigation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-28
5. What are the Physical and Cultural Features of Meridian? 5-1
■Natural, Special, Historic, & Agricultural Resources . . . . . . . . .5-1
Community Concerns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-1
Natural Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-2
Climate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-2
Air Quality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-2
Geology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-3
Hydrology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-3
Soils . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-3
Vegetation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-4
Agriculture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-4
South Meridian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-5
Fields District . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-6
Special Sites and Historic Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-7
Historic Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-7
Hazardous Areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-8
Natural Gas Pipeline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-8
State Highways . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-9
Weeds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-9
Floodplains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-9
National Interest Electric Transmission Corridors . . . . . . .5-10
6. Summary 6-1
Table of Contents
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Table 2A: Historical Census Population, Meridian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-2
Table 2B: Recent Population Growth by Meridian City Limits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-2
Table 2C: Communities in Motion 2040 Vision Forecasts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-3
Table 2D: Age by Jurisdiction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-3
Table 2E: Meridian Population Groups Over Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-4
Table 2F: Racial and Ethnic Composition by Jurisdiction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-5
Table 2G: Educational Attainment by Jurisdiction (25 and Older) . . . . . . . . .2-5
Table 2H: Comparative Cost of Living Index, Council for Community and
Economic Research . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-6
Table 2I: Mean Household Income by Jurisdiction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-7
Table 2J: Percent of Residents Living in Poverty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-8
Table 2K: Meridian Housing Units by Year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-8
Table 2L: Housing Units by Jurisdiction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-9
Table 2M: Meridian Housing Units By Type . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-9
Table 2N: Housing Occupancy and Vacancy by Jurisdiction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-9
Table 2O: Age of Housing Units by Jurisdiction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-10
Table 2P: Value of Housing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-10
Table 2Q: Housing Median Sales Price by Meridian MLS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-11
Table 2R: 2017 Idaho Tax Rates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-15
Table 2S: Annual Unemployment Rate by Jurisdiction (%) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-15
Table 2T: Treasure Valley Labor Force and Jobs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-15
Table 2U: Occupation by Jurisdiction and Select Industry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-16
Table 2V: 2017 Office Vacancy and Asking Rates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-18
Table 2W: 2017 Retail Vacancy and Asking Rates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-18
Table 3A: Current Acreages of Zoning District in Meridian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-5
Table 3B: Non-Private Land Ownership in AOCI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-6
Table 3C: Future Land Uses within Meridian’s AOCI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-7
Table 3D: Roadway Miles by Classification Type . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-12
Table 3E: Average Commute Time to Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-17
Table 4A: Meridian Water Consumption - Domestic Well Impacts . . . . . . .4-8
Table 4B: Historical Sewer Service Accounts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-10
Table 4C: 2015 Crime in the United States, State, and City . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-13
Table 4D: Meridian City Parks by Category . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-18
Table 4E: Solid Waste Collection (Tons) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-19
Table 4F: Historical Fall Enrollment, West Ada School District . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-22
Table 5A: Agricultural Land . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-5
Table 5B: National Register-Listed Historical Resources, Meridian . . . . . . .5-7
List of Tables
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Figure 1A: Heart of the Valley Shifts to Meridian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-4
Figure 2A: Corporate Locations in Meridian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-17
Figure 2B: Urban Renewal Districts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-19
Figure 3A: Meridian’s Area of City Impact . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-9
Figure 3B: 2040 Planning Functional Classification Map . . . . . . . . . .3-13
Figure 3C: Meridian Area Trip Distribution By Time of Day, 2013 . . .3-17
Figure 3D: Example of Master Street Map Roadway Typology . . . .3-21
Figure 3E: Shared-Use Pathway Along Waterway . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-23
Figure 3F: Typical On-Street Multi-Use Pathway . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-23
Figure 4A: City of Meridian Expenditures by Department . . . . . . . . .4-3
Figure 4B: Boundaries and Stations of the Meridian Fire Department .
4-16
Figure 4C: Elementary School Boundaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-23
Figure 4D: Existing Idaho Power Lines/Stations Near the City of
Meridian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-27
Figure 5A: Soils in the Meridian Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-4
Figure 5B: Agricultural Tax Exempt Land in Meridian . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-6
Figure 5C: Gas Transmission Pipeline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-8
Figure 5D: Meridian Floodplains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-10
List of Figures
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Introduction
Review of the Report
In 2010-2011 the City of Meridian updated and reformatted
its Comprehensive Plan (the Plan) . The primary goal of the re-
vamped Comprehensive Plan was to make it more useful for
the community, City staff, and decision makers . One way the
Plan became more useful, was to separate out key information
about the City’s history, present day conditions, trends, and
current initiatives, from policy and future-looking initiatives .
This separated information became the Existing Conditions
Report, which allowed the Comprehensive Plan to focus on
policy moving forward . The Existing Conditions Report is an
addendum to the Comprehensive Plan .
This Existing Conditions Report (Report) provides a framework
for future decision making by detailing the current state,
specific directions, and actions taken related to each topical
area discussed . The Report takes the City’s Mission, Vision, and
Values and melds it with the City’s Strategic Plan Initiatives,
City department capital improvement plans, and the initiatives
in the current Comprehensive Plan . While not policy oriented,
this Report is also intended to aid in integrated decision mak-
ing: i .e ., decisions that are made regarding land use policy
within Meridian, take into
full account existing condi-
tions within Meridian, and
the impacts on transporta-
tion, housing, and economic
strategies that current policies
have had .
To compose this report, exist-
ing information regarding
Meridian and its Area of City Impact was gathered from many
resources . This was accomplished by consulting with other
agencies, individuals, and resources including existing plans,
studies, and other documents . Some materials used in this
report were provided directly by City staff, some informa-
tion was provided by other affected local agencies and their
publications, and some of the information was gathered using
other resources like the internet . Where needed, City staff
contacted key agencies and requested assistance in putting
Below: Meridian City Hall
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“A good plan is like a road map:
it shows the final destination and
usually the best way to get there.”
- H. Stanley Judd
1-1
together this report . This report should be updated every few
years, to keep information current and relevant .
Comprehensive Plan
Meridian’s first Comprehensive Plan (Plan) was adopted in 1978.
That first Plan was developed to meet the requirements of the
1975 Land Use Planning Act of the State of Idaho . During the
summer of 1993, citizens representing neighborhood groups,
developers, real estate professionals, and public agencies
participated in a process to modernize the Comprehensive
Plan, and was adopted on December 21, 1993 . On November
3, 1998, the City of Meridian issued a request for qualifications
to prepare the 2002 City of Meridian Comprehensive Plan .
By June 1999, the process of developing Meridian’s 2002
Comprehensive Plan had begun, and was adopted by City
Council on August 6, 2002 .
A significant amount of growth occurred after the 2002 version
of the Comprehensive Plan was enacted . Additionally, new
initiatives like sustainability and arts had become important
considerations with important financial and quality of life
implications, and also needed to be addressed . To ensure that
the document continued to remain relevant and to make it
more useable, City leaders began a significant overhaul in 2010.
Surveys, workshops, steering committees, and social media
sites were all forms of public involvement to solicit public input
and ensure community support for an updated Plan . The goal
was to make the Comprehensive Plan a more useful resource
that the general public, developers and decision makers could
all help implement in making Meridian’s future the best it can
be . The overhauled Comprehensive Plan was adopted on April
19, 2011, and has since been amended several times .
Above: Carnival at Storey park, during Meridian Dairy Days
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Local Land Use Planning Act
Section 67-6508 of Idaho Code (the Local Land Use Planning
Act), requires Comprehensive Plans to consider, at a minimum:
previous and existing conditions, trends, desirable goals and
objectives, or desirable future situations for 17 planning com-
ponents . This report provides an informative snapshot of the
previous and existing conditions and trends in Meridian, Idaho
regarding most of the State-required planning components .
These components include: property rights; population; school
facilities and transportation; economic development; land use;
natural resources; hazardous areas; public services, facilities,
and utilities; transportation; recreation; special areas or sites;
housing; community design; agriculture; implementation;
national interest electric transmission corridors; public airport
facilities; and, other components the City has deemed necessary
to analyze . However, the desired goals and objectives for each
of the 17 planning components are not part of this report .
Rather, this existing condition report sets the foundation and
background information to base a desirable future plan for
the City . Implementation of policy related components are
addressed in the Comprehensive Plan itself, and are not part
of this report . Those components not addressed in this report
are addressed in the Comprehensive Plan .
History1
Originally known as Hunter, after a railroad official along the
Oregon Short Line route, the City of Meridian was incorporated
in August, 1903 . Meridian is one of six cities in Ada County,
and is located on the western edge of the Ada-Canyon County
border. The City has transformed from a sagebrush-filled mail
drop located on the Oregon Trail in the 1880s, to a small fruit
orchard center after the turn of the
century through the 1930s, to a
dairy-based farming community in
the 1940s . Its character as a small
farming community continued
until approximately 1990, when its
population was still about 10,000 .
Since 1990, Meridian has experi-
enced exponential growth that has changed both its character
and appearance . From 1990 to 2010, Meridian’s population grew
from approximately 10,000 to 65,000 . Despite some slowdowns
in housing starts and job creation during the 2008 recession,
the population of Meridian continued rapidly increasing to
1 For a comprehensive review of Meridian’s heritage, see Meridian, by Frank Thomason and Polly
Ambrose Peterson, Arcadia Publishing, 2010
Below: View from Generations Plaza on Main Street
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“It takes as much energy to
wish as it does to plan.”
- Eleanor Roosevelt
1-3
Figure 1A: Heart of the Valley Shifts to Meridian
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15 Miles: 618,920
20 Miles: 644,141
5 Miles: 188,291
10 Miles: 470,358
Source: 2017 Population data of Ada and Canyon Counties by COMPASS; map by City of Meridian Planning Division 2017
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an estimated population of 98,300 in 2017, according to the
Community Planning Association of Southwest Idaho2 . This
makes Meridian the second largest city in Idaho .
With the increase in population, farms and fields have given
way to residential and commercial development . Farm vehicles
and feed stores have largely disappeared to be replaced with
large residential subdivisions and commercial complexes . Today,
several large office parks, new bank branches, restaurants, and
major retail centers have sprung up throughout Meridian . St .
Luke’s has a major hospital located in Meridian, and a variety
of medical service companies have come into the City .
To continue to provide elevated levels of service, City Depart-
ments and their service capabilities have grown . In 2002, a
30,000 square foot police station was constructed . With the
increased growth since 2002, a 4,400 square foot addition
and a new 12,700 square foot public safety training center
was constructed in 2014 . Fire Stations 3, 4 and 5 have all come
on-line in the past 20 years . The wastewater treatment facility
in northwest Meridian has seen several additions, and it can
now treat approximately 10 .2 million gallons per day . The
City is in the process of completing a major upgrade to the
wastewater treatment facility which will increase the treatment
capacity to 15 million gallons per day . This project is expected
to be completed in 2019 . The City currently boasts 255 acres
of developed park land and 22 miles of pathways . In 2008
Meridian completed a new three-story city hall building, which
consolidated most City services . These are just a sampling of
the new and expanded municipal capital improvements made
in the recent past .
2 COMPASS. "City and County Population Estimate." Products, Services, and Data - Current
and Historical Population Estimates. COMPASS, 1 Apr. 2017. Web. 18 May 2017. <http://www.
compassidaho.org/prodserv/demo-current.htm>.
Above: Gene Kleiner Day festivities at Kleiner Park
Below: View of artwork and fountains in the Village at Meridian
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The transportation network looks substantially different than
it did in 1990, or even 10 years ago . The Idaho Transportation
Department (ITD) has and continues to widen and re-construct
Interstate 84 through the Treasure Valley . Further, over the
past 10 years an interchange at Ten Mile Road was completed,
and the Meridian Road interchange was rebuilt . New lanes
and upgraded intersections were added recently to Eagle
Road (SH 55) between Interstate 84 and Ustick Road, with
more capacity improvements planned for 2022 . Ada County
Highway District (ACHD) road improvements, such as Ustick
Road widening, Ten Mile roadway widening, and completion
of the Downtown Split Corridor project, have helped to relieve
congestion, but continued growth continues to put a strain
on the transportation system in Meridian . Funding to not only
maintain the existing roadways and bridges, but to expand
the transportation network, will be critical to lessen the strain
a growing community has on the transportation system .
Meridian is the population center of the Treasure Valley;
people are evenly distributed in all directions from Meridian,
with more than 188,000 people within 5 miles of downtown
Meridian (see Figure 1A) . Although airports, regional medical
centers, cultural events and venues, and other urban services
and amenities are all easily accessible, Meridian still values
and embraces its agricultural heritage .
Above: The iconic yellow water tower near Storey Park
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Who Lives in Meridian? What Do They Do?
Population, Housing, and Economic
Development
This chapter discusses characteristics of Meridian’s demographics
including population, gender, race, age, income, education,
home ownership, and employment data . As required by Idaho
State Statute §67-6508, analysis on Population, Housing and
Economic Development components of the Comprehensive
Plan are provided below . These three components set the
foundation for consideration of other components later in
this report .
The primary purpose of the population discussion is to look
at past trends, current population totals, and future projec-
tions, along with characteristics such as age, race, and gender .
Population inventories and forecasts are used to measure the
demand for future facilities such as parks, water lines and roads,
and for services such as police and fire protection. Forecasts
can also be used by businesses to anticipate market demand
and to locate service and commercial facilities .
The primary purpose of
the Housing element
analysis is to evaluate the
recent trends in housing
and anticipate the future
housing needs of the
community . Past trends
in housing and an inven-
tory of current housing
conditions provide specific
information on residential use . The report assesses where
people live and in what type of dwellings, as well as where
they might want to live in the future .
The purpose of the Economic Development analysis of the
chapter is to portray the business make-up and to analyze the
local economy for strengths and weaknesses . This background
information may be used to discuss how Meridian might expand
its economic base and target specific industries. Employment
trends and forecasts may also be used to determine if there
is a need for additional land in particular zoning categories,
and the demand for future levels of public services .
Below: Winter in the Woodbridge subdivision
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“When planning for a year, plant
corn. When planning for a decade,
plant trees. When planning for life,
train and educate people.“
Chinese Proverb
2-1
Population and Demographic
Characteristics
Historic Counts and Current Estimates
Meridian’s population was fairly stable up to about 1990, when
the City had a population of 9,596 . However, in the mid-1990s,
the City’s population began increasing rapidly, reaching 34,919
residents by 2000, and then more than doubled to 75,092 by
2010 . Table 2A tracks historical Census population data . In April
of 2017, the Community Planning Association of Southwest
Idaho, or COMPASS, estimated the City’s
population at 98,300 residents . Table 2B
tracks yearly population growth in Meridian,
beginning in 2007 .
While it did not grow quite as precipitously
as Meridian, the two-county region as
a whole also experienced considerable
growth over the last decade . Ada County
grew from 392,365 residents in 2000 to
454,400 in 2017 . Similarly, Canyon County
grew from 188,923 residents in 2000 to
215,430 in 2017 . The City of Meridian grew
by 30 .9% from 2010 to 2017 while the
two-county region grew by 15 .2% over the
same period .1 According to the US Census Bureau, Meridian
was number 13 in the top 15 fastest growing large cities in
the U .S ., from July 1, 2015 to July 1, 2016 .2
Forecasts
The Community Planning Association of Southwest Idaho, or
COMPASS, is the Metropolitan Planning Organization for the
Treasure Valley as designated by the U .S . Department of Trans-
portation . As part of its Federal mandate, COMPASS prepares
and periodically updates a regional long range transportation
plan for the area . Part of that process is to monitor population
growth and forecast future changes within the region .
1 COMPASS, Population Estimates: City and County Population estimate for April 1, 2017. Web. May
18, 2017 <http://www.compassidaho.org/prodserv/demo-current.htm>
2 US Census Bureau, Newsroom. Web. May 25, 2017 <https://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-
releases/2017/cb17-81-population-estimates-subcounty.html>
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T A ble 2A: Historical Census Population, Meridian
Year Population Average Annual Increase
1960 2,081 N/A
1970 2,616 2.6%
1980 6,658 15.5%
1990 9,596 4.4%
2000 34,919 26.4%
2010 75,092 11.5%
Source: US Census Bureau. “City Population Data 1940-2013.” Idaho Department of Labor,
Communication & Research. Web. May 18, 2017 <http://lmi.idaho.gov/census>
TAble 2b: Recent Population Growth by Meridian City Limits
Year Population Increased % Increase
2017 98,300 6,880 7.5%
2016 91,420 110 0.1%
2015 91,310 6,070 7.1%
2014 85,240 3,860 4.7%
2013 81,380 3,090 3.9%
2012 78,290 1,780 2.3%
2011 76,510 1,418 1.9%
2010 75,092 2,360 3.2%
2009 72,732 3,272 4.7%
2008 69,460 3,648 5.5%
2007 65,812 N/A N/A
Note: 2016 population increase is an anomaly year due to change vacancy source.
Source: For 2007-2010, US Census Bureau. “City Population Data 1940-2013.” Idaho Department
of Labor, Communication & Research. Web. May 18, 2017 <http://lmi.idaho.gov/census>
For 2010-2017, COMPASS. “City and County Population Estimate.” Products, Services, and
Data - Current and Historical Population Estimates. COMPASS, 1 Apr. 2017. Web. 18 May 2017.
<http://www.compassidaho.org/prodserv/demo-current.htm>.
Population Growth By Census Years
Population
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2000
1990
1980
1970
1960
Note: See Table 2A for data.
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COMPASS estimates that the population of Meridian will increase
to 155,283 by 2040, an increase of 51 .6% from today . This esti-
mate anticipates that Ada County as a whole will increase to a
total 668,932 residents in the same period. The official regional
forecast from the 3rd Revision of the Communities in Motion
2040 plan estimates that the population of the two-county
region will grow from 658,721 in 2017 to more than 1 million
people (1,011,986) in 2040 . Table 2C provides 2017 estimates
and 2040 forecasts of population
and households in select Treasure
Valley Demographic Areas . Please
note that COMPASS demographic
areas do not directly coincide with
existing city limit boundaries .
Age
Meridian is generally a young com-
munity . As shown in Table 2D, the
median age of Meridian residents
is 34 .6 years, which is slightly lower
than the Ada County median age of
35 .8 . Median age is up in Meridian
from the 2000 census median age of
30 .1, but still below the median age
of residents nationwide (37 .6) . Retired and elderly residents
(over the age of 65) make up less of the City’s population,
at 10 .9% . Table 2E compares the age groups of residents in
Meridian between the 1990 Census and 2011-2015 American
Community Survey . Young millennials between the ages of
20 and 29 have declined as an overall percent of the popula-
tion at all increments while the 65 and older age group has
increased since 2000 .
Race and Ethnicity
Table 2F shows the racial and ethnic composition of select
subgroups within the Treasure Valley region . For comparison
purposes, the table also includes the racial and ethnic char-
acteristics of Idaho and the United States .
Meridian, Ada County and the State of Idaho are less racially
and ethnically diverse than the nation as a whole . The majority
of residents in Meridian are white (92 .7%) and not Hispanic
or Latino (91 .7%) . The exception locally is in Canyon County, Ci
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Tab L e 2C: Communities in Motion 2040 Vision Forecasts
Demographic Area 2017 Actual 2040 Forecast % Change, 2017 - 2040
Population HH Population HH Population HH
Meridian 102,453 34,226 155,283 58,235 51.57%70.15%
Boise 263,052 106,922 324,149 144,605 23.23%35.24%
Nampa 101,159 34,910 150,089 56,266 48.37%61.17%
Ada County 446,219 169,358 668,932 275,037 49.91%62.40%
Canyon County 212,502 72,130 343,054 127,551 61.44%76.83%
Regional Total 658,721 241,488 1,011,986 402,588 53.63%66.71%
Note: Demographic areas encompass geographic areas than differ from actual city limits.
Source: COMPASS. “Communities in Motion 2040 Forecast by Demographic Area.” Products, Services, and
Data. COMPASS, n.d. Web. 20 June 2017. <http://www.compassidaho.org/prodserv/demo-forecasts.htm>.
T A ble 2D: age by Jurisdiction
Age (years)Meridian Boise Nampa Ada Canyon State US
0 to 9 18.2%11.8%17.1%13.8%16.9%14.7%12.8%
10 to 19 14.9%13.3%17.4%14.0%16.3%14.7%13.2%
20 to 29 10.2%16.7%14.5%13.6%13.0%13.5%14.0%
30 to 49 28.8%27.2%25.5%28.1%25.6%24.8%26.4%
50 to 64 17.2%18.9%14.3%18.4%16.1%18.7%19.5%
65+10.9%12.3%11.3%12.0%12.1%13.8%14.0%
2000 Median 30.1 32.8 28.5 32.8 30.5 33.2 35.3
2015 Median 34.6 35.9 30.6 35.8 32.8 35.5 37.6
Note: Margin of error results in values slightly greater or less than 100%.
Source: U.S. Census Buereau / American FactFinder. “S0101: Age and Sex.” 2011-2015 American Community
Survey, and “DP-1-Population Group-Total Population.” Census 2000, Web. May 18, 2017 <http://factfinder.
census.gov>.
Comparison of Age Groups
0.0%15.0%30.0%
0 to 9
10 to 19
20 to 29
30 to 49
50 to 64
65+
US Meridian
Note: See Table 2D for data.
2-3
where communities like Nampa have stronger Hispanic or
Latino populations (23 .2% in 2015), and a higher percentage
of residents that are of “Other” racial decent .
Gender
Based on the 2011-2015 American Community Survey data3,
there are 92 .4 males to every 100 females in the City . This
equates to a population that is 48 .0% male and 52 .0% female .
The ratio of male-to-female residents is below Ada County,
the State of Idaho, and the United States .
Educational Attainment
Meridian as a community has maintained a high level of
educational attainment relative to the State of Idaho and
US for the last several decades . The percentage of Meridian
residents 25 and older with a high school diploma increased
from 92 .2% in 2000 to 94 .7% in the most recent American
Community Survey (2011-2015) . The percentage of Meridian
3 U.S. Census Bureau / American FactFinder. “DP05: Demographics and Housing Estimates” 2011-
2015 American Community Survey. Web. May 18, 2017 <http://factfinder.census.gov>.
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Changes in Median Age by Year
29.8 30.1
32.5
34.6
27.0
28.0
29.0
30.0
31.0
32.0
33.0
34.0
35.0
1990 2000 2010 2015
Median Age
Note: See Table 2E for data.
T A ble 2e : Meridian Population Groups Over Time
All Persons 1990 2000 2010 2015
Under 5 9.7%11.4%9.3%7.8%
5 to 9 9.9%10.1%10.3%10.4%
10 to 19 14.8%14.2%16.0%14.9%
20 to 29 15.9%14.1%10.7%10.2%
30 to 39 19.4%20.3%16.5%14.9%
40 to 49 10.7%13.3%14.4%13.9%
50 to 64 9.3%10.1%14.0%17.2%
65+10.3%6.4%9.0%10.9%
Median Age 29.8 30.1 32.5 34.6
Source: U.S. Census Bureau / American FactFinder. “S0101: Age and Sex.” 2011-2015 American
Community Survey, and “DP-1-Population Group-Total Population.” Census 1990, 2000, Census
2010 Web. May 18, 2017 <http://factfinder.census.gov>.
Changes in Age Groups by Year as a Percent of Total Population
0.0%
5.0%
10.0%
15.0%
20.0%
25.0%
Under 5 5 to 9 10 to 19 20 to 29 30 to 39 40 to 49 50 to 64 65+
1990 2000 2010 2015
Note: See Table 2E for data.
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residents from the same age group with a bachelor’s degree
or higher increased from 27 .1% to 33 .3% over the same period,
compared to State percentages of 21 .7% in 2000 and 25 .9%
in 2015, and US percentages of
24 .4% and 29 .8% in the same years,
respectively .
Table 2G summarizes the educa-
tional attainment of residents for
select Treasure Valley jurisdictions,
as well as the State and US as a
whole .
Cost of Living
The Council for Community and
Economic Research prepares com-
parative cost of living data annually
for urban areas across the U .S . The
results comprise a relative cost of
living index for each participating metropolitan area based on
expenditure pattern for professional and executive households .
The average of all participating localities is the baseline index
value of 100, so categorical and composite values can be
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T A ble 2F: Racial and ethnic Composition by Jurisdiction
Race/Ethnicity Meridian Boise Nampa Ada Canyon State US
White 92.7%89.8%88.3%91.4%90.6%91.7%73.6%
Black or African
American 1.3%1.5%0.6%1.1%0.4%0.6%12.6%
American Indian and
Alaska Native 0.2%0.8%1.0%0.6%0.9%1.3%0.8%
Asian 2.3%3.6%1.0%2.7%0.8%1.3%5.1%
Native Hawaiian and
Other Pacific Islander 0.2%0.1%0.3%0.2%0.2%0.1%0.2%
Other Race 1.2%1.2%5.7%1.3%4.1%2.4%4.7%
Two or more races 2.0%3.1%3.1%2.8%3.0%2.6%3.0%
Hispanic or Latino 8.3%7.9%23.2%7.6%24.5%11.8%17.1%
Not Hispanic or Latino 91.7%92.1%76.8%92.4%75.5%88.2%82.9%
Source: U.S. Census Buereau / American FactFinder. “DP05: Demographics and Housing Estimates” 2011-2015
American Community Survey. Web. May 18, 2017 <http://factfinder.census.gov>.
T A ble 2g : educational attainment by Jurisdiction (25 and Older)
Level of Education Meridian Boise Nampa Ada Canyon State US
2000 2015 2000 2015 2000 2015 2000 2015 2000 2015 2000 2015 2000 2015
Less than 9th 2.0%1.3%2.0%2.1%10.1%7.3%2.1%1.8%10.8%7.6%5.2%4.1%7.5%5.7%
9th to 12th grade (no diploma)5.8%4.0%6.9%3.6%12.9%8.8%7.1%4.0%13.2%9.2%10.1%6.4%12.1%7.6%
High school Graduate 26.7%24.6%21.2%20.0%29.0%31.0%23.1%21.4%30.3%32.0%28.5%27.5%28.6%27.8%
Some college (no degree)30.4%27.7%29.2%25.7%26.5%26.6%29.2%26.9%25.3%25.6%27.3%26.9%21.0%21.1%
Associate's Degree 8.1%9.1%7.2%8.7%5.5%8.3%7.3%8.9%5.5%7.9%7.2%9.2%6.3%8.1%
Bachelor's Degree 21.1%23.3%23.0%25.6%11.5%13.1%21.7%24.8%10.3%12.5%14.8%17.7%15.5%18.5%
Graduate or Professional Degree 5.9%10.0%10.6%14.2%4.5%4.9%9.5%12.3%4.6%5.2%6.8%8.2%8.9%11.2%
Percent HS Grad or Higher 92.2%94.7%91.1%94.3%77.0%83.9%90.8%94.2%76.0%83.2%84.7%89.5%80.4%86.7%
Percent Bachelor's Grad or Higher 27.1%33.3%33.6%39.8%16.0%18.0%31.2%37.1%14.9%17.7%21.7%25.9%24.4%29.8%
Source: U.S. Census Buereau / American FactFinder. “S1501: Educational Attainment.” 2011-2015 American Community Survey, and “DP-2-Population Group-Total Population.” Census 2000, Web. May 18, 2017 <http://
factfinder.census.gov>.
Meridian Educational Attainment
2015
%
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HS Grad
9th-12th
< 9th
Note: See Table 2G for data.
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gauged as a percent of the “norm” or U .S . average based on
available data .
The index has certain limitations . For example, it does not
calculate variations in tax structure and subsequent burdens
from one locality to another . It also does not factor in cost dif-
ferences between sub-metropolitan area jurisdictions (a single
value for housing, for example, is assigned to the entire Boise
City-Nampa metro area) . Spending patterns for the top income
quintile are also not reflective of all metro area residents. Still,
the Council for Community and Economic Research Cost of
Living Index is the most comprehensive and straightforward
annual comparison of different metro areas of which the City
is currently aware .
Table 2H lists comparative costs of living for metro areas in
the northwest region of the United States . The average of all
participating metro areas for both categorical and composite
values is 100 .
Within the Boise metro area, grocery items (88 .7), housing
(80 .9), and utility categories (84 .2) all differ from the rest of
the United States. Cost of housing is significantly lower than
comparable regions . The overall cost of living in the Boise
metro area does not however deviate substantially from the
national average, or from most other metro areas shown .
Income
Meridian is a relatively affluent community with a mean
household income greater than that at the County, State, and
national levels . Based on the 20011-2015 American Community
Survey, Meridian has a higher mean household income than
Boise and Nampa . While mean household income did not grow
quite as quickly in Meridian as it did nationally from 2000 to
2015, it still remains positive both over the short and long-term .
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T A ble 2H: Comparative Cost of Living Index, Council for Community and economic Research
Metro-Area Composite Index Grocery Items Housing Utilities Trans Health Care Misc. Goods & Services
Boise ID 91.2 87.7 80.9 84.2 112.9 104.6 94.3
Anchorage AK 130.6 130.3 153.5 100.9 115.7 140.9 124.3
Colorado Springs CO 94.4 95.8 97.7 75.2 99.3 101.6 94.3
Reno-Sparks NV 104.6 101.1 97.5 92.9 118.6 104.9 111
Spokane WA 98.1 94.2 90.7 87.9 116.8 115.4 100.6
Provo-Orem UT 91.1 99.5 84.1 84.5 97.5 90.3 93.8
National Average 100 100 100 100 100 100 100
Source: C2ER. “Cost of Living Index.” Cost of Living Index. The Council for Community and Economic Research, n.d. Web. 12 May 2017. <http://c2c.coli.org/>.
Comparative Cost of Living Composite Index
91.2
130.6
94.4
104.6
98.1
91.1
100
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140
Boise ID
Anchorage AK
Colorado Springs CO
Reno-Sparks NV
Spokane WA
Provo-Orem UT
National Average
Note: See Table 2I for data.
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The State of Idaho is roughly 17% below the national median
for household income . Table 2I provides mean household
incomes for select Treasure Valley communities and the State
of Idaho, relative to the U .S . mean . It also indicates the percent
change in mean household income from the 2000 Census, 2010
Census, and the 20011-2015 American Community Survey .
Poverty
Poverty is determined by using income thresholds for a house-
hold of a given size . According to the 2011–2015 American
Community Survey, 9 .2% of the population in Meridian is
considered to be living in poverty . This is considerably lower
than the national rate of 15 .5% . In general however, poverty
levels have increased faster in the Treasure Valley and Idaho
than the national average .
As shown in Table 2J, there is a strong correlation between
education and poverty . Those without a High School equivalent
education are significantly more likely to be living in poverty.
Furthermore, this same information shows that at the local,
state and national level, the more education one receives, the
less likely they are to live below the poverty threshold .
Housing Characteristics
The City of Meridian Comprehensive Plan supports and
encourages a variety of housing types ranging from large
single-family detached homes to multi-family dwellings . Future
Land Use designations allow the City to integrate a range
of residential unit densities, from the very low Rural/Estate
Residential to High Density Residential . These land uses and
other supportive policies are intended to ensure opportunities
exist for a variety of incomes, housing preferences, lifestyles,
family sizes, and age groups .
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T A ble 2i : Mean Household Income by Jurisdiction
Jurisdiction 2000 Income % US 2000 2010 Income % US 2010 2015 Income % US 2015 Change 10’-15’Change 00’-15’
Meridian $58,505 103.4%$75,207 106.1%$76,783 101.6%2.1%31.2%
Boise $53,990 95.4%$66,840 94.3% $70,112 92.8%4.9%29.9%
Nampa $39,798 70.3%$50,446 71.2%$47,069 62.3%-6.7%18.3%
Ada $56,721 100.2%$72,123 101.7%$74,604 98.7%3.4%31.5%
Canyon $42,273 74.7%$53,071 74.9%$51,908 68.7%-2.2%22.8%
Idaho $46,344 81.9%$59,460 83.9%$62,311 82.5%4.8%34.5%
US $56,604 100.0%$70,883 100.0%$75,558 100.0%6.6%33.5%
Source: U.S. Census Buereau / American FactFinder. “S1901: Educational Attainment.” 2006-2010 and 2011-2015 American Community Survey, and “DP-3-Population Group-Total Population.” Census 2000, Web. May
18, 2017 <http://factfinder.census.gov>.
Median Household Income Comparisons
$76,783
$70,112
$47,069
$74,604
$51,908
$62,311
$75,558
$- $10,000 $20,000 $30,000 $40,000 $50,000 $60,000 $70,000 $80,000
Meridian
Boise
Nampa
Ada
Canyon
Idaho
US
Note: See Table 2I for data.
2-7
Number of Dwelling Units
COMPASS monitors regional growth in part by tracking building
permit data for each jurisdiction in the Treasure Valley . They
publish the results regularly in the Development Monitoring
Report (DMR), which provides a wealth of information about
residential and commercial building activity in the region .
In Meridian, the growth in housing stock has paralleled the
pace of growth in population . As shown in table 2K, in 2000
there were 12,293 total housing units in Meridian, and by 2010,
there were 27,993 . In 2016 the total increased to 35,355, hous-
ing units . Each year since 2008, new residential construction
in Meridian has comprised 24 .3%, or more, of total residential
unit construction, in both Ada and Canyon counties .
Table 2L reports the total number of housing units by jurisdic-
tion, and in the two-county region, in and since 2000 .
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Tab L e 2J: Percent of Residents Living in Poverty
Subject Meridian Boise Nampa Ada Canyon Idaho US
% of Population in Poverty (2015)
2000 Poverty 5.6%8.4%12.4%7.7%12.0%11.8%12.4%
2012 Poverty 7.3%14.7%22.0%12.2%19.6%15.1%14.9%
2015 Poverty 9.2%14.3%23.6%12.3%19.4%15.5%15.5%
% Poverty Rate Change
2000 to 2015 3.6%5.9%11.2%4.6%7.4%3.7%3.1%
2012 to 2015 1.9%-0.4%1.6%0.1%-0.2%0.4%0.6%
Poverty Rate by Education, 25+ (2015)
Less than high school graduate 25.6%28.7%31.7%25.8%28.5%23.8%27.5%
High school graduate (includes equivalency)12.9%15.5%19.5%13.6%15.6%14.1%14.3%
Some college, associate's degree 5.8%10.9%15.5%9.5%12.8%11.0%10.5%
Bachelor's degree or higher 3.2%5.4%5.5%4.8%4.8%5.5%4.5%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau / American FactFinder. “S1701: Poverty Status in the Past 12 Months.” 2006-2010 and 2011-2015 American Community Survey, and “DP-3-Population Group-Total Population.” Census 2000,
Web. May 18, 2017 <http://factfinder.census.gov>.
TAble 2K: Meridian Housing Units by Year
2000
(Census)
2010
(Total)2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2016
(Total)
12,293 27,993 521 1,041 1,295 1,372 1,471 1,662 35,355
Source: U.S. Census Bureau / American FactFinder. “H001: Housing Units.” Census 2000, Web.
May 18, 2017 <http://factfinder.census.gov>. 2016 Development Monitoring Report. Rep.
no. 05-2017. COMPASS, 2017. Web. 19 May 2017. <http://www.compassidaho.org/prodserv/
gtsm-devmonitoring.htm>.
Comparison of New Housing Units to Total by Jurisdiction
0 20,000 40,000 60,000 80,000 100,000
Meridian
Boise
Eagle
Garden City
Kuna
Star
2000 & Earlier 2001-2016
Note: See Table 2L for data.
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Housing Unit Type
Meridian’s population is distributed throughout the community
primarily in suburban-style developments, comprised of mostly
detached single-family housing units . Increasingly however,
higher density housing is being constructed throughout
the community, particularly near employment areas, major
roadways, and regional attractions . As shown in Table 2M,
in 2000, 10,464 housing units in Meridian (85 .3% of all units)
were traditional single-family units . The remaining 1,800 units
(14 .7% of all units) were multi-family housing units . Based on the
2000 Census and building permit data compiled by COMPASS
from 2000 to 2016, there are now 4,218 multi-family housing
units in Meridian . This constitutes 12 .5% of the City’s 33,693
housing units (not including mobile or manufactured homes) .
In 1990, 35 .4% of the City’s housing units were multi-family .
As shown in table 2E, the City realizes that an increasingly
larger percent of the population is of the 55-plus population
group, and that there is an increased need for senior housing
opportunities . There is a growing demand for non-single-family
detached dwelling units, that are easier to take care of and
closer to activities and services .
Occupancy
In 2000, 85 .7% of Meridian’s housing units were owner occupied,
with 14 .3% being renter occupied . According to the 2011-2015
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Tab L e 2M: Meridian Housing Units by Type
Housing Type 1990 2000 2015
Number % Total Number % Total Number % Total
Single Family 2,505 64.6%10,464 85.3%29,475 87.5%
Multi-Family 1,375 35.4%1,800 14.7%4,218 12.5%
TOTAL 3,880 100.0%12,264 100.0%33,693 100.0%
Source: COMPASS. “COMPASS Demographic Requests.” 25 Feb. 2014. E-mail. COMPASS. “Re: Data
Request.” 14 Dec. 2016. Email. 2016 Development Monitoring Report. Rep. no. 05-2017. COMPASS,
2017. Web. 19 May 2017. <http://www.compassidaho.org/prodserv/gtsm-devmonitoring.htm>
Note: Mobile and manufactured homes are not included in 1990 or 2000 totals and may vary
from other tables.
T A ble 2l : Housing Units by Jurisdiction
Jurisdiction 2000
(Census)
2010
(Total)
2011-2015
(New)
2016
(New)
Grand
Total
Meridian 12,293 27,993 5,700 1,662 35,355
Boise 77,850 87,960 5,470 1,380 94,810
Eagle 4,048 7,011 1,712 465 9,188
Garden City 4,590 5,439 157 171 5,767
Kuna 1,793 5,010 634 326 5,970
Star 681 2,116 831 245 3,192
Ada County Unincor-
porated 17,261 26,225 1,272 466 27,963
Ada County Total 118,516 160,295 15,780 4,813 180,888
Canyon County Total 47,965 70,628 4,278 1,770 76,676
Regional Total 166,481 230,923 20,055 6,583 257,561
Source: U.S. Census Bureau / American FactFinder. “H001: Housing Units.” Census 2000 and
Census 2010, Web. May 18, 2017 <http://factfinder.census.gov>. 2016 Development Monitoring
Report. Rep. no. 05-2017. COMPASS, 2017. Web. 19 May 2017. <http://www.compassidaho.org/
prodserv/gtsm-devmonitoring.htm>.
T A ble 2N: Housing Occupancy and Vacancy by Jurisdiction
Jurisdiction 2000 2015
Owner Renter Vacancy Owner Renter Vacancy
Meridian 84.3%15.7%3.8%75.7%24.3%2.4%
Boise 64.0%36.0%4.4%59.6%40.4%5.7%
Nampa 69.5%30.5%6.7%62.3%37.7%6.7%
Ada 70.7%29.3%4.3%67.3%32.7%4.7%
Canyon 73.3%26.7%9.1%68.7%31.3%6.9%
Idaho 72.4%27.6%11.0%68.9%31.1%13.4%
US 66.2%33.8%9.0%63.9%36.1%12.3%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau / American FactFinder. “DP-1 SF1: Profile of Housing Characteristics.”
Census 2000, and “CP04: Comparative Housing” 2011-2015 American Community Survey, Web.
May 18, 2017 <http://factfinder.census.gov>.
2-9
American Community Survey data, the ratio of housing units
occupied by owners to renters in Meridian is 75 .7% to 24 .3% .
This is slightly higher than the 67 .3% to 32 .7% ratio in Ada
County as a whole .
Table 2N also shows vacancy rates at the local, state, and
national level in 2000 and 2015 . The percentage of vacant
housing units is significantly lower locally than State and
National averages .
Persons per Housing Unit
The 2011-2015 American Community Survey reports that
there were 2 .61 persons per household in Ada County and
2 .64 for the nation as a whole . That rate was slightly higher in
Meridian, at 2 .84 residents per household in 2015 . The City
of Kuna had the highest rate in the region with 3 .10 persons
per household . On the opposite end of the spectrum, Garden
City averaged only 2 .20 persons per household .
Age of Housing
Fitting for the level of growth in the last two decades, the
housing stock in Meridian is collectively newer than in most
communities, both locally and statewide . Table 2O shows
53 .1% of housing units in Meridian as constructed since 2000,
compared to about 30 .4% in Ada County as a whole . This
percentage of new housing stock in Meridian is more than
twice as high as the State average of 24 .6% and the national
average of 16 .5% .
The City of Boise has the oldest housing stock of the Treasure
Valley cities . Roughly half of Boise’s housing units (48 .8%) were
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Tab L e 2O: age of Housing Units by Jurisdiction
Jurisdiction Since 2000 1999 - 1980 1979 - 1960 1959 - 1940 Before 1940
Meridian 53.1%37.1%7.5%1.0%1.2%
Boise 14.9%36.2%29.3%12.8%6.7%
Nampa 34.6%33.9%17.0%9.4%5.0%
Ada 30.4%34.0%23.1%8.1%4.5%
Canyon 32.7%30.8%20.7%9.7%6.1%
Idaho 24.6%29.5%25.9%11.3%8.8%
US 16.5%27.7%26.6%16.0%13.2%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau / American FactFinder. “CP04: Comparative Housing” 2011-2015
American Community Survey, Web. May 18, 2017 <http://factfinder.census.gov>.
Tab L e 2P: Value of Housing
Subject Meridian Boise Nampa Ada Canyon Idaho US
% 2000 % 2015 % 2000 % 2015 % 2000 % 2015 % 2000 % 2015 % 2000 % 2015 % 2000 % 2015 % 2000 % 2015
Less than $50,000 0.2%3.1%0.7%5.1%3.7%9.2%0.6%4.3%4.1%8.2%5.3%7.4%9.9%9.1%
$50k to $99k 19.2%3.7%28.5%6.3%62.1%31.9%24.6%5.6%51.4%27.4%39.9%13.5%30.4%15.3%
$100k to $149k 57.2%17.7%42.2%22.7%27.1%32.7%42.4%20.6%29.3%27.4%32.0%22.5%23.7%15.8%
$150k to $199k 17.6%30.8%14.6%23.8%4.8%12.9%16.4%24.1%9.4%14.8%11.9%21.3%14.6%15.1%
$200k to $299k 5.1%30.6%10.1%23.7%1.5%10.2%11.0%24.8%4.5%13.3%7.3%19.6%11.9%18.3%
$300k to $499k 0.6%12.2%3.1%13.6%0.8%2.9%3.9%15.5%1.1%7.5%2.5%11.2%6.5%15.8%
$500k to $999k 0.0%1.6%0.7%4.3%0.0%0.2%1.0%4.5%0.2%1.1%0.8%3.6%2.4%8.4%
$1,000,000 +0.0%0.2%0.1%0.6%0.0%0.1%0.2%0.5%0.0%0.2%0.3%0.9%0.6%2.2%
Median (dollars)121,200 191,000 120,700 180,200 92,200 111,900 124,700 188,800 96,300 122,200 106,300 162,900 119,600 178,600
Source: U.S. Census Bureau / American FactFinder. “H001: Housing Units.” Census 2000, and “CP04: Comparative Housing” 2011-2015 American Community Survey, Web. May 18, 2017 <http://factfinder.census.gov>.
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constructed before 1980 (compared to only 9 .7% in Meridian) .
Table 2O provides the age of housing units in select Treasure
Valley Communities, statewide, and at the national level .
Housing Value
The U .S . Census Bureau shows that overall median housing
values increased throughout the area between 2000 and 2015 .
Table 2P summarizes the change .
In 2000, the Meridian median value of an owner-occupied
housing unit with a mortgage was $121,200 . The 2011-2015
American Community Survey 5-year estimates indicate that
the median value of owner-occupied housing units with
mortgages increased to $191,100, a 57.6% increase in fifteen
years . County and State wide, increases were similar at 51 .4%
and 53 .2% respectively . Another more local source of housing
data which captures actual selling prices of homes in Meridian
is the Intermountain Multiple Listing Service (MLS) . MLS tracks
trends in the local housing market, and their data may better
illustrate current home sale trends . Table 2Q presents the
annual average of monthly median sale price for homes in the
four Meridian MLS sub-areas . As Table 2Q illustrates, overall
median sales prices fell between 2 .0% and 4 .0% in Meridian
between 2006 and 2016 . However, since 2011 sale prices have
increased between 22 .0% and 65 .6% . While median home sale
price values have fallen slightly over the last 10 years, the five
year averages has seen substantial increases .
The U .S . Department of Housing and Urban Development has
determined that any household paying more than 30% of its
income for housing is paying an excessive percentage of their
income for housing4 . Historically, 19 .2% of Meridian homeown-
ers have spent 30% or more of their household income on
their mortgage (2000 Census) . According to the 2011-2015
4 HUD. “Affordable Housing.” U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, n.d. Web. 02
June 2017. < https://goo.gl/3r4XTT>.
Below: Single family residence in South Meridian
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T A ble 2Q: Housing Median Sales Price by Meridian MLS
MLS Area 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 % Change
2006 – 16'
% Change
2011 - 16'
Southeast Meridian 280,730 277,500 240,000 198,000 178,860 185,000 215,000 227,950 265,000 280,000 275,000 -2.0%48.6%
Southwest Meridian 330,000 370,000 350,000 250,000 216,125 265,000 251,900 285,300 265,729 299,950 323,346 -2.0%22.0%
Northeast Meridian 255,000 272,500 214,000 169,000 167,500 160,000 180,533 210,000 218,500 232,500 245,000 -3.9%53.1%
Northwest Meridian 250,000 229,900 200,000 165,000 155,000 144,900 166,500 190,500 204,000 221,000 240,000 -4.0%65.6%
Source: Ada County Yearly. Rep. Intermountain MLS, n.d. Web. 2 June 2017. <http://intermountainmls.com/Statistics/Static.aspx>
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American Community Survey5, this percentage rose to 27 .0%
of homeowners spending 30% or more of their household
income on their mortgage . The same data indicates that in
2000, 40 .3% of renters spent 30% or more of their household
income on rent, and rose to 49 .2% of renters in 2015 .
Housing and Urban Development
The Meridian Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
program includes a number of initiatives to help the underprivi-
leged . The City of Meridian became an Entitlement Community
as designated by the U .S . Department of Housing and Urban
Development (HUD) in the fall of 2006 . With the Entitlement
Community designation, the City receives formula funds
annually through the Community Development Block Grant
(CDBG) Program . Generally, the City receives approximately
$350,000 each year for the Program . Planning Division Staff
administer the CDBG Program .
The purpose of the CDBG Program is to develop viable urban
communities by providing decent housing and a suitable liv-
ing environment, and by expanding economic opportunities,
principally for low-and moderate-income persons . The City
funds a variety of activities to meet that end, with several
recent examples including:
1. Homeownership assistance
2. Clearance of dilapidated, dangerous, and blighted
properties
3. Meridian Food Bank assistance
5 U.S. Census Bureau / American FactFinder. “CP04: Comparative Housing Characteristics.” 2006-
2010 and 2011-2015 American Community Survey, and “DP-4-Population Group-Total population.”
Census 2000, Web. May 18, 2017
4. Boys & Girls Club transportation funding
5. Infrastructure design in targeted areas
6. Community amenity improvements such as parks and
pathways
The overall direction of the City’s CDBG Program is established
by the City Council in the Consolidated Plan, which identifies
high-level goals and objectives for the five year interval covered
by the Consolidated Plan . Activities the City will undertake are
then detailed in annual action plans, which the City prepares
and submits to HUD each year . Community input was an
important component of the five-year plan, and was scheduled
for public hearing in July 2017 .
Below: All-Abilities Playground at Meridian Elementary School
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Economic Development
Meridian seeks to be a vibrant community whose vision is to be
the premier city to live, work and raise a family . Fundamental
to this vision is a strong and diverse business community that
is “Built for Business and Designed for Living .”
With a vibrant and diverse economic environment, Meridian
is home to some of the region’s top employers such as Blue
Cross of Idaho, Crucial Technology, Food Services of America,
Scentsy, United Heritage, and T-Mobile . As home to many
high-tech employers, technology investment is increasingly
important to the region . Overall, sense of community combined
with a low cost of doing business, strong leadership, and a
highly educated and dynamic workforce has led to Meridian’s
success . Indeed, the Boise Valley and Idaho consistently rank
among the best areas in business friendliness, cost of living
and overall cost of doing business .
Families want to work where they live and live where they work .
To address that need, Mayor Tammy de Weerd has identified
growing family wage jobs as one of her top five priorities and
is working toward that end . Over the past several years, the
Economic Excellence Team along with the Mayor have visited
hundreds of business owners to help identify industries and
service sectors that would be beneficial to the community and
to businesses bottom-line . The focus on value added jobs
will be delivered through strategic Business Enterprise Areas .
In addition, Meridian’s solid partnership with the educational
institutions in our area, creates a solid foundation for success .
Companies that provide family wage jobs require educated
workers, and Meridian continues to see an expansion of
programs offered to create a highly educated workforce .
The City realizes that the 21st century economy requires
flexibility. Over the last several decades, Meridian has evolved
Above: Looking towards the cinema in the Village at Meridian
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from an economy based primarily on agriculture to one
increasingly based on innovation and creativity . The City is
striving to strengthen its competitive position by creating an
environment and infrastructure where industries can create,
respond, and adjust rapidly . Several of the goals, objectives and
action items contained in the City’s Comprehensive Plan are
meant to improve economic prosperity by ensuring that the
economy grows in ways that strengthen industries, retain and
create good jobs across a variety of sectors, increase average
income, and stimulate economic investment in the community .
A strong and diverse economy provides the financial support
and stability for Meridian residents that will ensure that public
facilities, services, and quality of life are superior .
Economic Excellence
The Boise Valley has been discovered and is recognized
nationally as a destination to locate business and family . To
that end the City has established an Economic Excellence
team . Economic Excellence staff can work one-on-one with
stakeholders to identify business resources from starting and
expanding to relocating a business to Meridian . Staff can assist
businesses in all aspects of operating in Meridian, including
providing assistance with available property locations, incen-
tives and business programs, City processes and development
coordination, and other information . Whether the company is a
start-up or a world class corporation, the Economic Excellence
staff can help it thrive in today’s economy .
Economic Development and Infrastructure
The City recognizes the need for infrastructure to be in place
(or readily available) if it is going to attract large employers .
Infrastructure needs vary depending on the user, but typi-
cally roads, sewer and water, electric utility facilities, as well
as easy access to the highways and railroad, are key factors
in determining when and where a business chooses to locate
or expand . Therefore, the City has taken, and will continue to
strive to provide sufficient infrastructure to support all types of
businesses . The City has partnered with Idaho Power Company,
to plan for possible transmission and substation facilities to
accommodate large load requests . The City works with ACHD
and ITD to ensure that highways, bridges and intersections
are in good repair and can accommodate traffic. The City’s
Public Works Department has master plans for sewer main
lines and water and wastewater treatment that will eventually
accommodate all of the lands within the Area of City Impact .
Quality of life is a huge factor when a company is selecting a
community to do business . Having good schools, parks and
supporting services in place help Meridian rise to the top of
the class . Please see the Public Services and Public Utilities
Below: The Scentsy campus on Pine Ave and Eagle Road
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sections of this report for more information on infrastructure
and other services .
Taxes
Idaho offers one of the lowest overall per capita tax burdens
in the West . Taxes are based on a mix of income, sales, and
property taxes . The State does not have roll back or transfer tax .
Labor Force
As shown in Table 2T, the growth of Meridian’s labor force
paralleled population growth over the same period; the labor
force grew substantially from 33,035 in 2007 to 45,567 in 2017,
a 37 .1% increase . It is likely that new employment opportunities
were a driving force in population increases in the 1990s and
2000s, which explains this apparent correlation . Conversely, as
new residents moved into the area, demand for local goods
and services also escalated, which in turn increased the need
for more local workers .
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T A ble 2T: Treasure Valley Labor Force and Jobs
Jurisdiction 2007 Labor Force 2007 Jobs 2007
Unemployment
2007 Job % of
Region 2017 Labor Force 2017 Jobs 2017
Unemployment
2017 Job % of
Region
Jurisdiction %
change
Meridian 33,035 32,180 855 11.8% 45,567 44,104 1,463 14.1%37.1%
Boise 110,663 107,686 2,977 39.6% 123,511 119,656 3,855 38.2%11.1%
Nampa 36,686 35,349 1,337 13.0% 40,443 38,736 1,707 12.4%9.6%
Ada 196,740 191,500 5,240 70.5% 229,736 222,433 7,303 71.0%16.2%
Canyon 83,264 80,180 3,084 29.5% 95,097 90,979 4,119 29.0%13.5%
Job % of State Job % of State
Ada & Canyon 280,004 271,680 8,324 37.2%324,833 313,411 11,422 39.9%15.4%
Idaho 754,438 731,235 23,203 100.0% 817,517 785,711 31,806 100.0%7.4%
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Employment Statistics, 2 June 2017. <http://www.bls.gov/oes/>
Note: Year 2017 values are year to date averages.
Tab L e 2S: annual Unemployment Rate by Jurisdiction (%)
Year Meridian Boise Nampa Ada Canyon Idaho
2007 2.6%2.7%3.6%2.7%3.7%3.1%
2008 4.8%4.9%6.4%4.9%6.5%5.1%
2009 9.0%8.9%11.5%8.9%11.3%8.8%
2010 8.1%8.2%11.4%8.3%11.3%9.0%
2011 7.1%7.2%10.8%7.3%10.6%8.3%
2012 5.9%6.1%9.2%6.2%9.1%7.2%
2013 4.9%5.2%7.5%5.2%7.6%6.1%
2014 4.0%4.1%5.8%4.2%5.9%4.9%
2015 3.6%3.6%5.0%3.7%5.0%4.2%
2016 3.3%3.3%4.4%3.3%4.4%3.8%
2017 3.2%3.1%4.2%3.2%4.3%3.9%
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Employment Statistics,
2 June 2017. <http://www.bls.gov/oes/>
Note: Year 2017 values are year to date averages. All others are unadjusted averages by year.
T A ble 2r : 2017 Idaho Tax Rates
Type Value
Corporate 7.4%
Sales & Use 6.0%
Inventory 0.0%
Source: Idaho State Tax Commission. “Tax Types.” Idaho State Tax Commission. State of Idaho,
n.d. Web. 6 June 2017. <https://tax.idaho.gov/m-taxes.cfm>
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T A ble 2u : Occupation by Jurisdiction and Select Industry
Industry Type Meridian Boise Nampa Ada Canyon Idaho US
Occupation % of Jobs Occupation % of Jobs Occupation % of Jobs Occupation % of Jobs Occupation % of Jobs Occupation % of Jobs Occupation % of Jobs
Agriculture, forestry, fishing and
hunting, and mining 599 1.6%1,147 1.00%1,438 4.10%3,073 1.50%4,145 5.10%40,034 5.60%2,852,402 2.00%
Construction 2,231 5.9%5,208 4.80%3,166 8.90%12,073 6.00%7,166 8.80%50,710 7.10%9,027,391 6.20%
Manufacturing 3,832 10.1%10,068 9.20%4,195 11.90%18,528 9.30%9,737 12.00%70,553 9.90%15,171,260 10.40%
Wholesale trade 1,056 2.8%2,672 2.40%823 2.30%5,319 2.70%2,445 3.00%18,663 2.60%3,968,627 2.70%
Retail trade 4,453 11.7%13,296 12.20%4,971 14.00%23,849 11.90%9,795 12.00%86,885 12.10%16,835,942 11.60%
Transportation and warehousing,
and utilities 1,810 4.8%4,361 4.00%1,233 3.50%8,465 4.20%3,907 4.80%34,427 4.80%7,226,063 5.00%
Information 984 2.6%3,267 3.00%592 1.70%5,354 2.70%1,489 1.80%13,698 1.90%3,094,143 2.10%
Finance and insurance, and real
estate and rental and leasing 2,896 7.6%6,585 6.00%1,871 5.30%13,256 6.60%3,942 4.80%37,131 5.20%9,578,175 6.60%
Prof., scientific, and mgmt., and
admin. and waste mgmt. services 4,440 11.7%14,249 13.00%3,105 8.80%25,051 12.50%6,763 8.30%69,256 9.70%16,074,502 11.00%
Educational services, and health
care and social assistance 9,899 26.1%25,842 23.60%7,458 21.10%47,115 23.60%17,661 21.70%162,392 22.70%33,739,126 23.10%
Arts, entertainment, and recre-
ation, and accommodation and
food services
2,287 6.0%11,380 10.40%3,220 9.10%17,327 8.70%6,682 8.20%63,785 8.90%13,984,957 9.60%
Other services, except public
administration 1,255 3.3%4,513 4.10%1,669 4.70%8,181 4.10%4,084 5.00%31,358 4.40%7,198,201 4.90%
Public administration 2,250 5.9%6,686 6.10%1,651 4.70%12,364 6.20%3,644 4.50%36,969 5.20%6,996,990 4.80%
Total Civilian Employment (16+)37,992 100%109,274 100%35,392 100%199,955 100%81,460 100%715,861 100%145,747,779 100%
Source: U.S. Census Buereau / American FactFinder. “DP03 Selected Economic Characteristics.” 2011-2015 American Community Survey, Web. May 18, 2017 <http://factfinder.census.gov>.
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The labor force in the Ada-Canyon two-county region also
grew considerably from 2007 to 2017 . The U .S . Bureau of Labor
Statistics (BLS) reports that Ada and Canyon counties had a
combined labor force of 280,004 in 2007 (83,264 in Canyon
and 196,740 in Ada) . The labor force grew by 16 .0% by 2017
to 324,833 (95,097 in Canyon and 229,736 in Ada) .
Employment
Unemployment rates in Meridian dipped below 3% in 2007,
at the peak of the regional economic and housing boom . As
illustrated in Table 2S, Meridian and Ada County in general
has typically enjoyed lower unemployment rates than Canyon
County and the rest of the State .
As far as general employment is concerned, Meridian’s 44,000
jobs in 2017 made up approximately 14% of total jobs region
wide . Just over one half of all jobs in Ada County are within
the City of Boise .
Employers
Some of the largest employers in Meridian today include: St .
Luke’s Regional Medical Center, Blue Cross of Idaho, and the
West Ada School District . Another major employer, Scentsy,
completed their 168,000 square foot corporate headquarters
near Downtown Meridian . This building and their larger
campus allows for all 840+ Idaho employees to work at the
same location and adds to the growing number of companies
with headquarters and corporate locations in this community .
Table 2U breaks down Ada County employment by industry .
In Meridian, “Education services, and health care, and social
assistance” constitute about 26% of all jobs . Around 20% of
jobs in Meridian are information, finance, management, and
professional services, and an additional 20% are in wholesale,
retail, and transportation . Looking across the entire County, Ci
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Figure 2A: Corporate Locations in Meridian
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Legend
Meridian Area of
Impact
Í00.5 10.25
Miles
City of Meridian
June 2017
MERIDIAN
Source: City of Meridian Planning Division, 2017.
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Region, State, and Country, education, health care, and social
services occupations are consistently high . The combination
of aging baby boomers and health care reforms has increased
demand and may draw even more investors to this segment in
the near term . With higher rates of college educated citizens
than the State or Country (see Table 2G), Meridian is continu-
ally becoming an attractive place for companies in need of
an educated workforce to locate .
Trends
The availability of office space has long been a sought after
prospect for Meridian . With The Village at Meridian, the
Silverstone Plaza and El Dorado complexes at Eagle Road
and Overland Road, and ongoing construction in the Ten
Mile Interchange area, Meridian continues to build upon the
foundation of established office space. As employment growth
continues its climb upward, it is only natural that more office
will become available as employers look to expand or relocate .
As Table 2V shows, Meridian has grown its commercial office
inventory to 3 .2 million square feet . Table 2V and 2W compares
average asking rates, availability, vacancy, and absorption
rates for office and retail space in a number of areas in the
Treasure Valley .
Meridian Chamber of Commerce
The Meridian Chamber of Commerce is a membership organi-
zation, supported by member investment and the committed
involvement of leaders in the Meridian business community .
The Chamber provides ways to become involved in the com-
munity through leadership opportunities, business advocacy,
networking, and promotion of individual businesses . The
Chamber is in the business of building relationships between
business people, and between business, government and the
rest of the community, in order to maintain a healthy economy
and an excellent quality of life .
Meridian Development Corporation
The Meridian Development Corporation (MDC), which oversees
several Urban Renewal Districts (URD) was established in 2001
by the Meridian City Council . Although it is an independent
agency, MDC functions as the City’s urban renewal agency .
The URD are shown in Figure 2B . The Downtown district is
loosely bound by Fairview/Cherry to the north, East 4th Street
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Tab L e 2V: 2017 Office Vacancy and asking Rates
Submarket Average
Asking Rate Total SQFT Available
SQFT Vacancy Vacancy
Change
Absorption
YTD
Meridian $15.85 3,243,255 327,171 10.09%-0.21%23,018
Downtown (Boise) $21.61 6,958,522 712,981 10.25%-1.33%92,451
Southwest (Boise) $17.46 1,041,867 140,668 13.50%0.84%(8,711)
West Bench (Boise) $12.92 3,765,104 434,500 11.54%-0.02%705
Ada County $15.54 21,094,851 2,433,396 11.54%-0.64%179,148
Canyon County $13.51 2,633,480 188,926 7.17%-0.45%156,003
All Submarkets $15.61 23,728,331 2,622,322 11.05%-0.65%335,151
Source: Colliers. “Colliers Idaho Market Review.” Colliers Market Insight. Colliers International, 21
Apr. 2017. Web. 10 May 2017. <http://www.colliers.com/en-us/boise/insights>.
T A ble 2W: 2017 Retail Vacancy and asking Rates
Submarket Average
Asking Rate Total SQFT Available
SQFT Vacancy Vacancy
Change
Absorption
YTD
Meridian $15.47 3,609,521 149,345 4.14%0.09%20,478
Downtown (Boise) $18.76 1,669,238 88,282 5.29%-0.67%11,220
Southwest (Boise) $13.64 1,724,473 92,991 5.39%0.00%-
West Bench (Boise) $13.78 2,990,700 434,043 14.51%0.56%(16,830)
Ada County $13.95 15,393,763 1,189,288 7.73%-0.02%25,065
Canyon County $13.51 6,657,158 498,191 7.48%0.59%66,925
All Submarkets $13.94 22,020,911 1,687,479 7.65%0.17%92,530
Source: Colliers. “Colliers Idaho Market Review.” Colliers Market Insight. Colliers International, 21
Apr. 2017. Web. 10 May 2017. <http://www.colliers.com/en-us/boise/insights>.
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Figure 2b: Urban Renewal Districts
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Ten Mile District
Downtown
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PINE
OVERLAND
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Meridian Parks
Í00.2 0.40.1
Miles
City of M eridian
June 2017
Source: City of Meridian Planning Division, 2017
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to the east, west 4th Street, and I-84 to the south . The Ten
Mile District is generally north of the Interstate 84, south of
Franklin, east of Ten Mile, and west of Linder, but excludes a
large number of areas closer to Linder Road .
In the Downtown District, MDC is charged with stimulating
and expanding downtown economic development activities .
In 2010, MDC completed Destination: Downtown, a visioning
plan focused on developing the downtown core . Destination:
Downtown established seven downtown districts, four vision
elements: Livability, Mobility, Prosperity, and Sustainability,
and addressed implantation and phasing of improvements .
The MDC focus is not only on job creation and affordable
workforce housing, but also on developing a pedestrian friendly,
transit-supported, diverse and balanced downtown environ-
ments . The Ten Mile District is strictly focused on supporting
previously identified infrastructure improvements, in order to
realize the City’s Ten Mile Interchange Specific Area Plan. In
both of the Urban Renewal Districts, renewal and development
is supported through strategic use of tax increment financing.
The Core
Meridian has launched a Health Sciences & Technology
Corridor, The Core6, in the heart of the Treasure Valley . The
corridor is anchored by several business campuses and Idaho
State University with curriculum focused on medical/health
sciences . Not only achieving Meridian’s motto of being built
for business, The Core will also focus on maintaining a healthy
community that is designed for living . Developing a corridor of
complementary businesses and services geared towards the
medical industry and high technology, The Core will provide
a one-stop destination for visitors and workforce with all
necessary amenities .
6 See the website at http://www.thecoreidaho.com
Above: Graphic from the Destination Downtown vision plan
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3
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How is the Land in Meridian Developed?
Land Use, Transportation, and
Community Design
This chapter discusses characteristics of the land in the City
of Meridian and its Area of City Impact (AOCI) . As required
by Idaho State Statute, analysis on Land Use, Transportation,
Public Airport Facilities, and Community Design components
of the Comprehensive Plan are provided in this section of the
Existing Conditions Report . These components bridge the gap
between the previous section (population, demographics, etc .)
and the background information and analysis that follows later
in the report on other planning components (public services,
utilities, recreation, etc .)
This section of the report is organized by outlining past trends
and current conditions in each of the four components: land
use, transportation, Public Airport Facilities, and community
design . This portion of the report also includes a brief analysis
of future land uses, transportation trends, and community
design principles . This information may be used to track
progress and update the Goals, Objectives and Action Items
of the City of Meridian Comprehensive Plan .
The primary purpose of the Land Use discussion is to look
at current zoning and future land uses within existing City
limits and the adjacent AOCI . Recent trends in zoning and
land use, and the variety of categories and designations are
briefly explained here, but are covered in more depth in the
City of Meridian Comprehensive Plan . Land use inventories are
used to forecast the demand for future facilities such as parks,
water lines and roads, and for services such as police and fire
protection . These past trends and future forecasts can be used
by City Departments as well as businesses, developers, and
property owners to anticipate market demand when locating
or developing public facilities and private projects .
The purpose of the Transportation portion of the chapter is
to explain how roads are classified and used in the region;
how planning for future facilities is done; and it assesses cur-
rent trends in transportation . An explanation on funding for
transportation projects is provided as well as how roadways
are starting to evolve into complete streets . A current inventory
of pathways, transit and travel lanes are explained, showing
Below: Centennial Park on the corner of NE 3rd Street and Idaho Avenue
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where additional infrastructure and modal options are neces-
sary . Further, some basic analysis of Public Airport Facilities is
provided within the Transportation section .
In the Community Design segment, the City’s design guidelines
and standards are discussed and explored for the purpose of
showing the reader how they relate back to the vision of the
community and implementation of the future land use plan .
The community design analysis also evaluates how quality
of life and sustainability play into making Meridian a great
community to live, work, and raise a family .
Zoning & Land Use
Zoning and land use is a physical expression of the community .
Identification and analysis of a City’s existing development
patterns provides a basis for future land use decisions . Because
the City of Meridian has experienced such rapid growth and
expansion, it is important to inventory current land uses and
then determine how further development should occur . See
tables 3A and 3C for acreages of zoning and future land uses .
Built Environment
In recent years, land uses in and around Meridian have changed
from primarily agricultural to a mix of residential, commercial,
and industrial uses . That trend is likely to continue, as land
traditionally used for agriculture continues to be developed
to support the needs of an ever-growing community .
The pattern of land uses in Meridian is typical of many suburban
western U .S . cities . Situated along a rail line, historic Old Town
is comprised of primarily one- and two-story commercial
structures . Single-family homes with fenced yards and attached
garages are the norm for residential lots . Along well-traveled
roads and highways, shops, restaurants, and supply stores
have developed . Industrial uses are generally located along the
railroad and interstate . As Meridian’s population has grown, and
as more vehicles traverse area roads, the pattern has intensified.
Portions of the City’s northern and eastern boundaries have
urbanized adjacent to Eagle and Boise . However, farmland and
large-lot County subdivisions still dominate the western and
southern edges of the community .
Residential
A current zoning map reflects the dominance of residential
zoning in Meridian; 71 .13% of the land area currently incorpo-
rated is zoned residential . These residential neighborhoods are
primarily developed at three to five dwelling units per acre, with
single-family detached homes . Residential areas also include
some duplex units, apartments, single-family attached units,
and manufactured homes . Densities within the residential
areas range from very low (less than 1 dwelling unit per acre)
to high (up to 40 dwellings per acre) . While relative to other
Below: The Meridian Speedway and Meridian water tower
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communities of similar size around the Country, Meridian
lacks diversity and balance in residential form and density;
recent development trends have seen a large increase of
multi-family units, especially near mixed use commercial and
employment centers .
Commercial
Commercially zoned lands represent 17 .54% of Meridian .
Most major intersections in Meridian now contain largely
commercial-type zoning and development . Commercial and
retail areas are typically along transportation corridors and
include everything from small commercial centers and individual
businesses to regional malls and commercial/office business
parks. Uses include retail, wholesale, service, office, and limited
manufacturing. There are five zoning sub-districts within
the commercial designation . The General Retail and Service
Commercial (C-G) district is the most common, followed by
Community Business (C-C) and Neighborhood Business (C-N) .
Since 2002, two commercial zoning districts, Mixed Employment
(M-E) and High Density Employment (H-E), have been added
to the available commercial zoning districts in the Unified
Development Code . While 118 .9 acres of these zoning districts
have been annexed, none of these sites have yet developed .
Office
Although only 784 .9 acres (3 .73% of City) are currently zoned
for limited office uses (L-O), Meridian enjoys a plethora of office
uses that are scattered throughout the commercial districts .
A significant amount of the office uses exist as ancillary uses
within commercially zoned districts. Office uses are allowed
in mixed use and in commercially zoned parts of the City as
principally permitted uses . Along arterial roadways, many
homes have converted to offices and several professional
office complexes have developed. In downtown, near the
Above: The PKG building on Pine Ave
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Eagle/Overland intersection, and in north Meridian, office uses
continue to materialize in response to burgeoning residential
neighborhood needs for medical and professional services
(e .g . - doctors, dentists, chiropractors, etc .)
Industrial
Industrial zoning represents 6 .04% of the total land area of
the City . The City has two industrial zoning districts: Light
Industrial (I-L) and Heavy Industrial (I-H) . Industrial uses in
the City of Meridian tend to be of the light-industrial variety
and are primarily located along the railroad corridor and the
Interstate . Industrial areas of the City typically include ware-
housing, general manufacturing, railroad users, and industrial/
office business parks. Today, there are several opportunities for
reinvestment in industrially zoned on under-utilized proper-
ties . The City, through its economic development initiatives,
hopes to expand its job base by attracting new industrial users,
particularly clean industry .
Mixed Use
Over the past several years, areas planned for mixed use
have developed with largely commercial uses . Because of this
trend, in 2010 the City amended the mixed use sections of
the Comprehensive Plan to ensure diversity in uses for areas
planned for mixed use . Similar to the Mixed Employment
(M-E) and High Density Employment (H-E) zoning districts,
the Traditional Neighborhood – Center (TN-C) and Traditional
Neighborhood – Residential (TN-R) zoning districts are relatively
new. In 2005, when the City adopted the Unified Development
Code (UDC), the TN-C and TN-R districts were added . Today,
less than 2% of Meridian is zoned for mixed use .
However, more and more mixed-use developments—projects
that include multiple land uses—are being built in Meridian .
Often these developments use a variety of the typical zoning
districts (e .g . C-G and R-15) to achieve a mix of land uses .
Emphasis on the redevelopment of downtown (Old Town) has
been a strong priority . The Old Town area is still in a transitional
state, from a small rural downtown with little investment, to
a growing center with vast potential . With large acreages of
commercial and light industrial uses developing along the
interstate and other major roadways, reinvestment in Old Town
has not kept up with the pace of new development . As the
Future Land Uses section will report, aside from residential,
mixed-use areas contain the most opportunities for develop-
ment and re-development in Meridian .
Below: Evening view of the Village at Meridian
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Civic
Civic areas include public, quasi-public, and open spaces .
They include uses like government facilities, public schools,
utilities, libraries, post offices, park and recreational areas,
and cemeteries . Parks, schools and other public facilities are
spread throughout Meridian in a variety of zoning districts .
Zoning—Land Use Correlation
The City of Meridian maintains a Zoning Map that depicts
zoning districts of the City . There are 16 zoning districts listed
in the UDC for use within the incorporated limits of the City,
as noted in Table 3A . There are a limited number of properties
in Meridian that are zoned one designation, but are actually
being used for a different purpose . This mismatch occurs for a
number of reasons . In some instances, a developer submitted
plans a number of years ago and the City approved a zone
change but the project never materialized . For example, the
City has a number of industrially zoned properties near the
downtown that are developed as residences . In other instances,
developers made use of previous City codes that allowed up
to 20% of a site to be used for uses not otherwise allowed in
the district . In north Meridian particularly, there are several
developments that are primarily residential, but have a limited
amount of existing office or small scale commercial uses within
a residential zone .
Land Ownership
Land in the City and our Area of City Impact is controlled by a
mix of private and public ownerships, with a large majority of
the land (almost 95%) being held privately . The remaining 5% is
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T A ble 3A: Current acreages of Zoning District in Meridian
Zoning District Acreage Percentage
Residential (subtotal)14,963.0 71.13%
Low-Density (R-2)306.2 1.46%
Medium Low-Density (R-4)8,457.5 40.21%
Medium-Density (R-8)5,296.8 25.18%
Medium High-Density (R-15)710.7 3.38%
High-Density (R-40)191.9 0.91%
Commercial (subtotal)3,690.6 17.54%
Neighborhood Business (C-N)181.7 0.86%
Community Business (C-C)608.3 2.89%
General Retail and Service Commercial (C-G)2,781.7 13.22%
Mixed Employment (M-E)64.6 0.31%
High Density Employment (H-E)54.3 0.26%
Office (subtotal)784.9 3.73%
Office Subtotal Limited Office (L-O)784.9 3.73%
Industrial (subtotal)1,271.5 6.04%
Light Industrial (I-L)1,271.5 6.04%
Heavy Industrial (I-H)0.0 0.00%
Traditional Neighborhood/Mixed Use (subtotal)325.8 1.55%
Old Town (O-T)136.5 0.65%
Traditional Neighborhood Center (TN-C)105.9 0.50%
Traditional Neighborhood Residential (TN-R)83.5 0.40%
TOTAL 21,035.7 100.00%
Source: City of Meridian Planning Division, March 2017
Zoning District Category Acreages
0.0 2,500.0 5,000.0 7,500.0 10,000.0 12,500.0 15,000.0 17,500.0
Residential
Commercial
Office
Industrial
Traditional
Note: See Table 3A for data.
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owned by West Ada School District, utility-related companies,
the State of Idaho, the Federal Government, Ada County, the
Ada County Highway District, the City of Meridian, and other
local government entities including the Meridian Cemetery
Maintenance District and others . The amount of privately
owned land in Meridian is substantial when compared to the
County as a whole, where Ada County parcel records show
that over 45%, of the total land area is federally owned . Table
3B summarizes non-private land ownership within the Area
of City Impact .
Future Land Uses
Today, the City of Meridian has over 21,000 acres within its
municipal boundaries . At full build out, Meridian is anticipated
to incorporate approximately 39,000 acres . The Future Land
Use Map (FLUM) portrays locations for the various land use
types. The FLUM’s primary purpose is to define and map future
land uses so that development occurs in the direction and
manner most desired by Meridian’s stakeholders . The FLUM
works in conjunction with the text of the Comprehensive Plan,
city code, and the various policies of the City . However, the
FLUM is not a zoning map and differs in that it describes the
character and type of the use that is desired in the future, and
not necessarily what currently exists . Over time, however, the
FLUM has also evolved to depict where some existing land
uses do exist. For example, existing schools, parks, fire stations
and other civic and private uses are depicted on the FLUM .
The FLUM depicts a built-out Meridian that is very diverse in
residential densities, commercial and industrial land uses, and
public/quasi-public opportunities . While the FLUM depicts
many types of land use designations, they can be broadly
divided into nine basic categories:
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TAble 3b: Non-Private Land Ownership in aOCI
Jurisdiction Acreage % of AOCI
West Ada School District 803.65 2.058%
City of Meridian 749.26 1.919%
Other Local (subtotal)82.76 0.212%
Nampa & Meridian Irrigation District 38.27 0.098%
Meridian Cemetary District 30.62 0.078%
Meridian Library District 7.07 0.018%
Pioneer Irrigation District 4.01 0.010%
Fairview Joint Cemetary District 1.00 0.003%
Star Joint Fire Protect District 1.00 0.003%
Meridian Development Corporation 0.75 0.002%
Settlers Irrigation District 0.06 0.000%
County (subtotal)98.24 0.252%
Ada County Highway District 58.74 0.150%
Western Ada Recreation District 25.09 0.064%
Ada County 14.41 0.037%
State (subtotal)89.66 0.230%
Idaho State Police 46.87 0.120%
Idaho Department of Transportation 23.25 0.060%
Idaho State University 10.60 0.027%
State of Idaho 8.94 0.023%
Federal (subtotal)70.53 0.181%
Bureau of Reclamation 67.49 0.173%
United States Postal Service 3.04 0.008%
Utilities (subtotal)90.96 0.233%
Intermountain Gas 64.01 0.164%
Idaho Power Company 21.96 0.056%
Northwest Pipeline 4.27 0.011%
Century Link 0.46 0.001%
United Water 0.25 0.001%
Subtotal of Non-private Land Ownership 1,985.06 5.083%
Total City AOCI 39,052.00 100.000%
Source: City of Meridian Planning Division, June 2017
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»Rural / Estate Residential: This is a unique land use des-
ignation that allows for the preservation of agricultural
uses and ancillary development of single-family homes
on large parcels, where City services like sewer and
water may or may not be provided .
»Residential: These areas are intended to provide a variety
of housing types . Uses include a range of densities
varying from large estate lots to multi-family homes .
»Commercial: These areas are intended to provide a
full-range of commercial and retail services for area
residents and visitors .
»Office: These areas provide opportunities for low-impact
business areas including: personal and professional
offices, technology and resource centers.
»Employment: These land uses designations, for use
primarily within the Ten Mile Interchange specific area
plan (see section on Specific Area Plans), are intended
to support a variety of office and manufacturing uses
of varying intensity, along with supporting and com-
plimentary secondary uses .
»Industrial: These areas are designated to allow a range
of industrial uses to support industrial and commercial
activities . Uses may include warehouses, storage units,
light and heavy industry such as manufacturing and
processing .
»Old Town: This area includes the historic downtown and
the core community activity center, and is a unique type
of Mixed Use . A wide variety of land uses are encouraged
and envisioned in Old Town .
»Mixed Use: These areas incorporate a variety of different,
but complimentary and compatible land uses together .
These areas are typically situated in highly visible or
transitioning areas of the City, and vary in intensity
and allowed uses. Most future commercial and office
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Tab L e 3C: Future Land Uses within Meridian’s aOCI
Land Use (LU)Total Area Annexed Not Annexed
Acres % of AOCI Acres % of LU Acres % of AOCI
Rural 1,966.8 5.0%0.0 0.0%1,966.8 5.0%
Residential 26,533.1 67.9%13,500.9 50.9%13,032.2 33.4%
Commercial 1,517.2 3.9%1,413.0 93.1%104.2 0.3%
Office 359.5 0.9%308.9 85.9%50.5 0.1%
Employment 661.7 1.7%282.1 42.6%379.6 1.0%
Industrial 954.8 2.4%608.4 63.7%346.4 0.9%
Old Town 335.9 0.9%335.8 100.0%0.1 0.0%
Mixed Use 5,076.6 13.0%2,968.7 58.5%2,107.9 5.4%
Civic & Utility 1,645.7 4.2%1,359.9 82.6%285.8 0.7%
Total 39,051.3 100%20,777.8 53.2%18,273.5 46.8%
Source: City of Meridian Planning Division, June 2017
Future Land Use Category Acreages
0.0 5,000.0 10,000.0 15,000.0 20,000.0 25,000.0 30,000.0
Rural
Residential
Commercial
Office
Employment
Industrial
Old Town
Mixed Use
Civic & Utility
Annexed Not Annexed
Note: See Table 3C for data.
3-7
uses are anticipated to occur within these mixed use
areas, along with some higher density and transitional
residential uses .
»Civic and Utility: These areas preserve and protect
municipal, state, and Federal lands for use as parks,
schools, and other public uses .
Table 3C breaks down the total Meridian build out area (in
acres) by each of the land use groups previously described . The
table differentiates between properties on the FLUM that are
currently annexed and those that have not yet been annexed
into the City . By far, Meridian is planning for residential to use
more of the land area than any other designation; 67 .9% of the
FLUM shows a residential land use designation . This affords the
City an opportunity to promote both very low density housing
units and some very high density developments throughout
the City . The rest of the anticipated land uses are fairly evenly
distributed, with Mixed Use being the next highest land use
designation at approximately 13 .0% and 13 .9% including the
Old Town future land use .
For detailed descriptions of each specific land use, see Chapter
3 of the City of Meridian Comprehensive Plan .
Specific Area Plans
In addition to the general citywide land use designations, plans
have also been developed for specific areas of the City. These
Specific Area Plans provide additional narrative and specific
detail into how development should occur within these areas .
Ten Mile Interchange Specific Area Plan
A specific plan has been developed for approximately 2,800
acres bordered roughly by Linder Road to the east, McDermott
Road to the west, the Union Pacific Railroad line to the north,
and ½-mile south of Overland Road on the south . The Ten
Mile Interchange Specific Area Plan is an addendum to the
Comprehensive Plan and provides information on land use,
the roadway network, and design guidelines specific to the
Ten Mile Interchange area .
Destination Downtown (Urban Renewal)
The Destination Downtown specific area plan outlines a vision
and marketing strategy for strengthening downtown Merid-
ian’s role in the community . The planning area for Destina-
tion Downtown encompasses not only the historic areas of
downtown, but also the entire urban renewal area extending
from Fairview Avenue/Cherry Lane to Interstate 84 .
Below: The COMPASS/VRT building on Broadway Avenue and East 2nd Street
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A community-building development group, CRSA was hired
by the Meridian Development Corporation (MDC) in 2009 to
help define a vision for Downtown Meridian. The outcome of
the public visioning process were several distinct districts, with
anticipated uses varying from offices and retail, to entertainment
and lodging, restaurants, open space, and variety of residential
uses . Pedestrian amenities are emphasized throughout the study
area . Public and private investment to ensure that Old Town
becomes a centralized activity center with public, cultural, and
recreational structures is encouraged . The City’s Community
Development Department has and is working with MDC to link
the Destination Downtown plan with the City’s Comprehensive
Plan, Capital Improvement Plans, and development policies .
Fields District
The City has identified one other area for developing a specific
plan . The Fields District is located in the northwest corner of
the City’s Area of City Impact and is tentatively bound along
the Ada/Canyon County line, Chinden Boulevard, McDermott
Road, and Ustick Road . The City has been engaged in research
and feasibility studies in this area, and in the near future may
initiate a public participation plan leading to a detailed specific
area plan .
Area of City Impact
In accord with section 67-6526 of Idaho Code, an Area of City
Impact (AOCI) has been established for Meridian (see Figure
3A) . The City’s AOCI is the future planning area for the City,
where annexation and development in Meridian is anticipated .
Although all these properties are not yet incorporated, planning
responsibilities for these lands rest with the City of Meridian .
The City’s AOCI is negotiated with Ada County, pursuant to the
Local Land Use Planning Act (LLUPA) . Within the City’s AOCI,
unincorporated properties are governed by Ada County for Ci
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Figure 3A: Meridian’s area of City Impact
E A G L E
AMITY
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Legend
Area of Impact
City Limits
Í0120.5
Miles
City of Meridian
March 2017
Source: City of Meridian Planning Division, 2017.
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day-to-day administration of zoning matters . However, the
County uses the City’s adopted Comprehensive Plan and the
negotiated agreement in the administration of those duties .
Ada County has applied a Rural Urban Transition (RUT) zon-
ing district to most of the properties within the City’s AOCI .
The RUT zone allows five-acre-lots, single-family residential
development, as well as agricultural-related uses and a range
of conditional uses . To request something other than the RUT
zoning, the developer must request urban services from the City
of Meridian. Such services include sanitary sewer, water, fire,
police, parks, transportation, and libraries . The City (with rare
exception) will not provide such services unless the property
annexes into the City . All County development applications
within the AOCI are reviewed by the City of Meridian for
compliance with the Comprehensive Plan and applicable City
policies .
The importance of cooperating with Ada County is imperative
to successful, long-term land use, transportation, and utility
planning (such as water and sewer). There are very significant
financial implications for not doing so. As such, the City of
Meridian is committed to fulfilling the terms of its Area of City
Impact Agreement with Ada County .
Transportation
Today, Meridian’s transportation network is primarily composed
of roadways that are designed for moving cars and trucks . There
is also however a local network of pathways and sidewalks,
and an ever increasing amount of bicycle facilities located
throughout the City. There is not a fixed-line mass transit
service in Meridian . There are park-and-ride lots in the City,
dial-a-ride services for seniors and persons with disabilities,
as well as inter-county bus routes that make several runs on
Above: Looking east down Carlton Avenue, across Meridian Road
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the weekdays between Nampa-Caldwell and Meridian-Boise .
Although the rail corridor through Meridian has a long and
rich history, and still moves freight, the corridor is largely
underutilized today . The future does however hold promise
for expanded modes of transport and new types of service .
The transportation system into and through Meridian is key to
both local and regional commerce and mobility . With Meridian
located in the center of the Treasure Valley and along a major
east-west interstate connecting the Pacific Northwest to the
Inter-Mountain West, moving people, goods and services
is critical to maintaining a high quality of life and economic
vitality . Congestion adds time and money to commutes,
costs businesses time and money, degrades air quality, and
creates social burdens . As this chapter explains, the Idaho
Transportation Department (ITD), Ada County Highway District
(ACHD), the Community Planning Association of Southwest
Idaho (COMPASS) and Valley Regional Transit (VRT) are the key
transportation agencies that the City works with to maintain
and improve transportation in and around Meridian .
Because Meridian does not have authority over any roadways,
the City relies on other agencies to provide the necessary
funding for roadway infrastructure and its maintenance .
Meridian’s major transportation challenge is to work with the
transportation agencies in the region to meet the existing
need for adequate transportation service, while planning
for and accommodating the next wave of growth in a way
that will maximize efficiency. Poorly planned growth leads to
worsening traffic problems, and increased traffic congestion
may deter potential employers from locating or expanding .
In addition to managing future traffic needs, much of the
transportation infrastructure already developed will require
maintenance and rehabilitation . Ensuring adequate funding
for maintenance of roads, while still adding capacity, will be
a critical issue in the near future .
Roadway Authority
The City does not have any authority to plan, build or maintain
public roadways . The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) has
authority over the highways and interstate system in Meridian:
I-84, SH-69, SH-55 and US 20-26 . The Ada County Highways
District (ACHD) owns and maintains all of the public, non-ITD
roads in Ada County . The Community Planning Association
of Southwest Idaho (COMPASS) is the region’s Metropolitan
Planning Organization (MPO) and is charged with air quality
conformity and maintaining the long-range transportation
plan for Ada and Canyon counties . Valley Regional Transit
(VRT) is the regional public transportation authority for Ada
and Canyon counties. City staff and elected officials serve
Below: Bridge deck of the Ten Mile Interchange over I-84
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on several transportation agency groups, committees, and
boards . Although the City does not have authority, it spends
a considerable amount of time and effort to work with ACHD,
ITD, COMPASS, and VRT to plan for the needs of the community
and ensure that the transportation agencies make decisions
that are in the best interest of the City .
Transportation Commission
In addition to many workgroups, regional advisory committees,
and other transportation agency based groups, in which City
staff participates, the City has also established a nine-member
Transportation Commission that deals with transportation and
traffic safety–related issues. The Commission is made up of
nine voting members and six non-voting ex-officio members.
Members on the Commission are made up of Meridian citizens,
business owners or employees, and transportation profession-
als with technical expertise and/or education . In aggregate,
the Commission provides a broad, city-wide perspective on
transportation issues . Appointments to the Commission are
made by the Mayor with City Council approval .
The Meridian Transportation Commission’s primary responsi-
bilities include making recommendations to the City Council
on traffic safety and transportation matters that are brought
before them either by City Staff, a transportation agency or a
member of the public . The Commission annually compiles a
list of the highest priority roadway, intersection and pedestrian
improvement projects in Meridian . Other recommendations
regarding transportation issues are regularly sent to the Mayor
and City Council for consideration . With Valley Regional Transit
(VRT) staff assistance, the Commission has historically worked
on a public transportation plan for Meridian . The Commission
also discusses issues like speed limits, meeting the needs of the
traveling public, and safe routes to schools . The Transportation
Commission generally meets the first Monday of each month
at City Hall .
Roadway Network
As shown in Table 3D, Meridian has almost 600 centerline miles
of roadway today, including state highways and the interstate .
Meridian’s roadways are described in terms of a hierarchy of
streets, known as a functional classification system. This system,
which is jointly used by the ITD, ACHD, COMPASS, and the City,
classifies roads and highways into three classifications: arterials,
collectors, and local streets (which includes private streets) .
The American Association of State Highway and Transporta-
tion Officials describe functional classification as a process
that involves grouping roadways into classes according to the
character of service they are intended to provide .
Principal arterials facilitate statewide and interstate transport,
involve longer trip lengths, carry high volumes of traffic, and
should have a minimal number of access points and limited
on-street parking . Roadway widths typically vary from two
to five lanes wide, but can be as wide as seven lanes, with
detached sidewalks on each side and bicycle lanes, within
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T A ble 3D: Roadway Miles by Classification Type
Roadway Classification Number of Miles Percentage of All Roadways
Interstate 13.52 2.3%
Interstate Ramps 8.19 1.4%
Principal Arterial 66.87 11.2%
Minor Arterial 61.93 10.4%
Collector 18.76 3.1%
Local 427.73 71.6%
Total 597.00 100.0%
Source: City of Meridian Planning Division, 2017
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Figure 3b: 2040 Planning Functional Classification Map
A d a C o u n t y
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P A L M E R
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C A N A D A
GODDARD
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E
A
M
A N G U L C H
H W
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§¨¦184§¨¦84
GARDEN
CITY
BOISE
MERIDIAN
STAR
EAGLE
KUNA
CALDWELL
NAMPA
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Meridian Area of Impact
Functional Classification
Interstate
Expressway
Prop Expressedway
Principal Arterial
Prop Arterial
Minor Arterial
Prop Minor Arterial
Í0120.5
Miles
City of Meridian
June 2017
Source: City of Meridian Planning Division, 2017
3-13
approximately 100 feet of right-of-way . Roads may serve as a
separator for incompatible land uses .
Minor arterials provide long-distance access, mainly within
the state and region, and frequently contain two to five travel
lanes, sidewalks, and bicycle lanes. These include medium traffic
volume streets to and from other arterials and the freeway .
They collect traffic from less significant roadways and distribute
traffic and are intended to minimize access conflicts. These
arterials may also be section line roads .
As shown in Figure 3B, most arterials in Meridian are on sec-
tion lines, in one mile intervals north-south and east-west .
The notable exceptions are Pine Avenue and Main Street
downtown . A number of the arterial roadways in Meridian are
currently two-lane roadways; with the rapid growth over the
past ten years, arterial roadways are transitioning into three-,
five-, and seven-lane roadways.
Interstates, State Highways and Arterials
Meridian has three State Highways that traverse through it .
A fourth, State Highway 16 (SH 16), is planned as a freeway/
expressway to someday traverse the western edge of the City .
The southern portion of Meridian is bisected from the northern
part of town by Interstate 84 (I-84) .
There are four (principal arterial) state highways that have a
significant influence on the transportation system and therefore
deserve special attention:
»US 20-26/Chinden Boulevard: US 20-26, also known as
Chinden Boulevard, runs along the northern edge of
the City . This highway serves as the north boundary of
Meridian’s Area of City Impact east of Linder Road and
bisects the Area of City Impact west of Linder Road .
The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) is currently
studying corridor, between I-84 in Caldwell and Eagle
Road in Boise . The purpose of the study is to identify
roadway improvements and determine the need for
future right-of-way. The roadway is expected to be first
widened to four lanes, and eventually to six lanes wide
at build-out of the City . The City believes this roadway
needs to be protected from multiple access points and
preserved as a high capacity corridor (see the US 20-26
Access Management Plan .) The City of Meridian has
ordinances and development standards that preserve
the highway as a major regional transportation facility,
connecting the cities of Nampa, Caldwell, Star, Merid-
ian, Eagle and Boise. The City supports beautification
Below: State Highway 55/Eagle Road, between Fairview Avenue and River Valley Street
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and appropriate sound mitigation measures along the
Chinden Boulevard corridor .
»State Highway 16 (future extension): In 2014, SH 16 was
constructed as an expressway across the Boise River,
from State Highway 44 in Eagle to US 20-26 in Ada
County . Phase II, the extension of State Highway 16 from
US 20-26 to I-84 is the next critical step to providing
regional mobility for citizens from north Ada County
and Gem County to I-84 and south Ada County . The
section of SH 16 between US 20-26 and I-84 is currently
unfunded .
»State Highway 55/Eagle Road: State Highway 55 (SH
55), also known as Eagle Road, connects Meridian with
the cities of Boise to the east and Eagle to the north .
Eagle Road is the most heavily traveled non-interstate
roadway in the State of Idaho . Recent improvements to
Eagle Road include widening, safety medians, additional
lighting, intersection improvements and landscaping
consistent with the ITD Eagle Road Corridor Study .
Additional widening improvements are still planned, and
the City will continue to pursue additional enhancements
to reduce congestion and improve usability and safety
for all modes of travel .
»State Highway 69/Meridian Road: State Highway 69 (SH
69), also known as Meridian Road, connects Meridian
with Kuna to the south . Although SH 69/Meridian Road
is on a section line, and is designated as an arterial
throughout Meridian, it varies in form and function .
Meridian Road is designated as a minor arterial from
Chinden Boulevard, south to Cherry Lane, where it
changes in designation to a principal arterial . For the
next two miles, between Cherry Lane and I-84, Merid-
ian Road, goes through downtown and is owned and
maintained by ACHD . At I-84, Meridian Road becomes
State Highway 69 and is a State of Idaho-maintained
facility . Meridian Road/SH 69 varies in street section and
speed throughout the City, but not in its importance to
the transportation network . The City of Meridian has
ordinances and development standards that preserve
Meridian Road through downtown and south of the
Interstate .
Collectors
Collectors serve as key transportation routes and link local roads
with other collectors or arterials . Typically, they provide direct
Below: Desctruction of the old Meridian Road interchange
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service to residential areas, contain two to three travel lanes,
and have sidewalks and bicycles lanes . Collectors typically have
right-of-way widths between 57 and 88 feet, and may have
on-street parking . Examples of current collector roadways are:
Central Drive, Long Lake Way, and Chateau Drive .
Collectors are designed to carry higher volumes of traffic and
(often seamlessly) connect one arterial to another through
a given mile . Collectors are typically constructed by private
developers at the time of construction of a subdivision . They
may or may not connect through an entire mile section as a
classified collector, but in conjunction with local streets, they
should connect from one arterial to another . Collector roads
were the subject of an Ada County Highway District-funded
study by J-U-B Engineers in August 2001 . The City of Meridian
supports and will apply the following conclusions of that study:
»Intersection Spacing: Intersections of collector roads
and arterial roads should be located at or near the ½
mile point within any given section .
»Alignment: Collectors should extend in an essentially
straight line for 200 feet to 400 feet from an intersection .
Beyond that point the alignment is flexible.
»Discontinuity Between Sections: Collectors should not
be in a straight alignment for more than two miles to
prevent their use as de facto arterials .
»Planning Documents: The City uses the ACHD Livable
Street Design Guide and Master Street Map when
reviewing development applications for collector design
and cross-section .
Local Streets
Local streets serve to provide direct access to abutting resi-
dential and commercial areas and should be for local traffic
movement . Generally, they are two lanes wide with parking
and sidewalks, and have a right-of-way width of approximately
50 feet. Through traffic is discouraged. Approximately 71% of
streets in Meridian are classified as local streets.
Entryway Corridors
The City has designated several entryway corridors that lead
into and out of the community . As a gateway to the City, the
principle is to protect and strengthen the visual appearance
of the roadway corridor for those entering . Entryway corridors
Below: Goldstone Drive off of Eagle Road is a collector roadway
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are depicted on the Future Land Use Map and explained in the
text of the Comprehensive Plan . Generally, entryway corridors
require additional landscaping along key arterial roadways .
Travel Times and Commuting
As shown in Table 3E, the average commute time in 2012 for
those living in Meridian is 20 .2 minutes . This is just slightly
longer than the average commute time for all Ada County
residents . However, the average commute time in Meridian is
less than the surrounding communities of Eagle, Kuna and Star .
The time of day people travel has a significant impact on not
only commute times but also on planning for transportation
infrastructure . The highest portion of trips in Ada County occurs
during the morning and late-afternoon rush hours . Therefore,
demand on roadways leads to congestion during these peak
times . This congestion often causes more people to look at
alternative times to travel, and when available, alternative
modes of transportation . In Ada County, the “rush hour” is
only about two hours per day with peaks between 7 a .m . and 8
a .m . and between 5 p .m . and 6 p .m . (see Figure 3C) . Spreading
out the distribution of trips would make more efficient use
of the transportation infrastructure already in place . Policies
like staggered work hours or non-traditional work schedules,
could be designed by businesses to encourage travel outside
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F IGUR e 3C: Meridian area Trip Distribution by Time of Day, 2013
(Average Weekday Traffic for 7 Selected Sites)
0.0%
2.0%
4.0%
6.0%
8.0%
10.0%
12
:
0
0
A
M
1:
0
0
2:
0
0
3:
0
0
4:
0
0
5:
0
0
6:
0
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A
M
7:
0
0
8:
0
0
9:
0
0
10
:
0
0
11
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0
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12
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0
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P
M
1:
0
0
2:
0
0
3:
0
0
4:
0
0
5:
0
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6:
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M
7:
0
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8:
0
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9:
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10
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11
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Time of Day
Source: ITD Traffic Counts October 2013, via COMPASS, February 2014.
T A ble 3e : average Commute Time to Work
Community Commute time in minutes
Meridian 20.2
Boise 18.3
Eagle 24.7
Garden City 17.6
Kuna 25.9
Star 30.3
Nampa 22.7
Ada 19.9
Canyon 22.7
Source: 2012 COMPASS Regional Household Travel Survey.
Average Commute Time to Work
0.0 5.0 10.0 15.0 20.0 25.0 30.0 35.0
Meridian
Boise
Eagle
Garden City
Kuna
Star
Nampa
Note: See Table 3E for data.
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of the normal rush hour . Today, most work schedules are the
traditional 8 a .m . to 5 p .m .
Transportation Funding Plans
Long-Range Plans
The Community Planning Association of Southwest Idaho
(COMPASS) maintains the region’s long range transportation
plan, Communities in Motion (CIM), which contains the region-
ally significant corridors in Ada, Canyon, Elmore, Boise, Gem
and Payette counties . COMPASS does transportation modeling
for the region and uses traffic forecasts to not only anticipate
where roadway projects are needed but also to monitor air
quality standards and to provide development activity reports .
The COMPASS Board, which is composed of local elected
officials and special interest organizations, is charged with
making decisions about transportation and related air qual-
ity planning, primarily through CIM . The 2040 version of the
long-range plan was adopted by the COMPASS Board in 2014 .
The Federal government requires CIM to be updated at least
every four years . The plan addresses anticipated transporta-
tion issues over the next 20 years, evaluates how projected
population and economic growth and development patterns
will impact current transportation facilities, and considers
funding and expenditures for future transportation needs .
CIM seeks to strike a balance between roadway expansion,
maintenance and other transportation alternatives, such as
transit, carpooling, bicycling, walking, and transportation
demand management . The Ada County Highway District
(ACHD) also has a long-range transportation plan, called the
Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), for Ada County . The ACHD
CIP lists arterial roadways that are eligible to use impact fee
dollars that are generated within the County . The ACHD CIP
is fiscally constrained with a 20 year horizon.
Short-Range Plans
In addition to long-range plans, ITD and ACHD have near-term
transportation plans . The ITD’s Transportation Investment
Program (ITIP) contains about five years of projects and is
typically updated annually by the ITD Board, with input from
other agencies (like COMPASS) and the public . The projects in
COMPASS’s CIM are used to draft the Regional Transportation
Improvement Plan (TIP) which feeds into the ITIP . The ITIP
shows how Federal transportation funds will be used to finance
projects including: roadways, bridges, highway safety, public
transportation, maintenance projects like overlays (i .e ., new
layers of paving), and even airports and air quality projects .
The ACHD near-term funding program is called the Integrated
Five Year Work Plan (IFYWP) . This plan is usually adopted in the
summer of each year by the ACHD Board of Commissioners .
The IFYWP primarily contains both maintenance and capital
projects for roadways, intersections, bridges and pedestrian
facilities, and is meant to coincide with the overall budget
adoption process . Projects in the IFYWP are prioritized primarily
on safety, congestion and other cost-benefit and program-
matic criteria . Each year the City of Meridian sends a list of
priority projects to ITD, COMPASS and ACHD for consideration
as the ITIP, TIP and IFYWP are adopted (see below for more
information) .
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COMPASS does transportation modeling for the region and uses
traffic forecasts to not only anticipate where roadway projects are
needed but also to monitor air quality standards and to provide
development activity reports.
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Funding
Funding for roadways in Meridian, and throughout Ada County,
is provided through taxes and fees . Most of the money for
roadway maintenance and new capital projects are provided
via the gas tax, vehicle registration fees, Highway User Funds,
development impact fees, and property taxes . In 2005, the ITD
recommended that a new program, GARVEE (Grant Anticipation
Revenue Vehicle) bonds, be used to fund six transportation
corridors throughout the state . Three of the six corridors:
I-84, Caldwell to Meridian; I-84, Orchard to Isaacs Canyon;
and, Idaho 16, I-84 to Emmett, are in the Treasure Valley . To
date, approximately $1 billion in GARVEE bonds have been
authorized by the Legislature . GARVEE funds were used to
widen I-84, build a new interchange at I-84 and Ten Mile Road,
and reconstruct the Meridian Road Interchange . To keep up
with demand, other funding options, like a local option sales
tax, an increase to the gas tax and/or establishing economic
development zones, have been discussed by the Legislature,
but have not been approved . New funding mechanisms will
most likely be needed to keep up with the demand for both
maintenance and expansion of the necessary transportation
infrastructure in the Valley .
Meridian’s Priority Roadway Projects
Each year the City Council, at the recommendation of the
City’s Transportation Commission, sends a list of high priority
transportation projects to ITD, ACHD, and COMPASS . The
projects in the priority list include state facilities (highways
and interchanges), ACHD roadways and intersections, and key
pedestrian projects . In 2017, some of the top priority projects
were: Linder Road, Franklin to Pine (road widening); Pine Avenue,
Meridian to Locust Grove (road widening); Locust Grove Road,
Victory to Overland (road widening); Fairview/Locust Grove
(intersection), Linder Road Overpass of I-84, Chinden Boulevard
widening; and pedestrian sidewalks in downtown .
Linking Transportation and Land Use
The relationship between housing, transportation, and the
environment is becoming more evident every day . Changes
to one impact the others, and there are very real financial
and quality of life implications for decisions . In June 2009, a
partnership between HUD, DOT and EPA was established to
encourage livable and sustainable communities . This Federal-
level partnership and policies have set the stage for what is
being worked on locally .
To better connect transportation planning and land use
decisions, ACHD and the cities in Ada County have compiled
Below: Completing the Split Corridor Phase 2 project was a priority for the City
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the Transportation and Land Use Integration Plan (TLIP) . This
plan, initiated in 2007 and adopted in 2009, envisions livable
streets for the future . The goal is to create a roadway network
that balances the needs of all roadway users —motorists,
pedestrians, cyclists, transit and people with disabilities—with
streets that complement the built environment . Because a
one-size-fits-all program for roadway construction does not
respond to the land use needs of the community, the City and
ACHD have agreed to work more closely to join together the
land use plans of the City with the transportation plans of the
District . There are four tools that ACHD and the City use to
implement TLIP: the Complete Streets Policy, the Livable Streets
Design Guide, a Cost Share Policy, and a Master Street Map .
Complete Streets Policy
The primary purpose of the ACHD Complete Streets Policy is
to ensure that streets, bridges, and transit stops within Ada
County are designed, constructed, operated, and maintained so
that pedestrians, bicyclists, transit riders, motorists, and people
of all ages and abilities can travel safely and independently
on and along public streets . In the past, for example, ACHD
primarily constructed five-lane arterial streets with attached
sidewalk, no bike lanes, and no concern for the abutting land
uses . The Complete Streets Policy balances all users’ needs
and sets the foundation for land use agencies to partner with
ACHD to create user-friendly corridors that meet the needs of
the traveling public as well as the goals of comprehensive and
specific area plans. The Complete Streets Policy is contained
in Section 3100 of the ACHD Policy Manual .
Cost Share Policy
A tool in the TLIP repository is the ACHD Cost Share Policy .
The Cost Share Policy maintains flexibility within the roadway
design process, establishes a consistent set of transportation
elements that ACHD will be responsible for, and allows partnering
agencies an opportunity to participate in creating a “complete”
street section . This policy allows partnering agencies to work
with ACHD to design, construct and fund non-transportation
elements as part of ACHD’s road improvement projects . Many
times the City requests features like detached sidewalks with
landscaping or multi-use pathways to improve pedestrian safety
and enhance community aesthetics along specific roadways.
The Cost Share Policy allows a partnering agency to enter into
an agreement with ACHD to ensure appropriate improvements
are included for all users, in road projects .
Master Street Map
In January of 2010, ACHD adopted a Master Street Map for Ada
County . This map is another TLIP planning tool that works in
conjunction with city comprehensive plans . The Map creates
a vision for future roadway characteristics based on land use
plans and transportation goals . The Master Street Map pro-
vides the guide for arterial right-of-way needs, collector street
locations and design, regional mobility corridor locations and
design, and other specific roadway features desired throughout
the City and its Area of City Impact . The Master Street Map
designates location, function, and typology for roadways, and
specifies the number of travel lanes and right-of-way needed
for each collector and arterial in Meridian . Meridian supports
the Master Street Map through adoption by reference in the
City’s Comprehensive Plan . The information contained on the
Master Street Map is used by both ACHD and the City when
roadway projects are beginning the design process, and in
the development review process .
Livable Streets Design Guide
The final tool in the TLIP toolbox is the Livable Streets Design
Guide . The Guide sets the design parameters for roadways in
Ada County . After referencing the Master Street Map to see
what type of roadway is planned, a developer, agency staff,
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Figure 3D: example of Master Street Map Roadway Typology
ADA COUNTY HIGHWAY DISTRICT I LIVABLE STREET DESIGN GUIDE I Page 25
Design Element Typical
Design/Operating Speed 35 mph
Number of Travel Lanes
(per direction)
2
Travel Lane Dimensions 11’
Center Turn Lane
Dimensions
11’
Right Turn Lanes Allowed for heavy turning movements or heavy
truck traffi c
Medians 11’, to be substituted with turn lanes at
intersections
Median Openings for cross streets only when medians used
Bicycle Lanes 5’
On-Street Parking Permitted, not typical; but possible 7’ parallel
when used (includes gutter pan width)
Drainage curb and gutter
Buff er Area 6’ (see clear zone and buff er zone below)
Sidewalk 5’ minimum recommended (see walk zone
dimension below; frontage zone allows shy area
from sidewalk as needed)
Intersection Control signals or stops (stops on cross streets only)
Lighting Standards vehicle/roadway only
2.8 STREET DESIGN: RESIDENTIAL ARTERIAL
5’
11’
11’
11’
5’
bicycle
lane travel lan
e
median
travel la
n
e
13’
71’
13’
97’
R.O.W.
11’
travel lan
e
11’
travel lan
e
bicycle
lane
2’
2’
pedestria
n
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e
(
s
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s
)
pedestria
n
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(
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Clear zone: 2’
Buff er Zone: 4’
Walk Zone: 5’ minimum recommended
Frontage Zone: 2’ for utility placement and buff er from walls
Pedestrian Zone
This is an illustrative legend to explain how the pedes-
trian zone is broken down: the colors do NOT indicate
color-based surface treatments.
5’4’2’
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2’
The landscaping and enhanced pedestrian zone treatments depicted in the cross-
sections depend on future funding and future maintenance by a developer or local
jurisdiction. These costs are not borne by ACHD. Street trees placed in six (6)-foot buf-
fer (combined Clear and Buff er Zones) require root barriers; or, city/county/developer
can provide additional two (2) feet of right-of-way — see ACHD Tree Planting Policy.
1’
shy
1’
shy
7’sidewalk 6’
buffer
zone
7’
sidewalk
6’
buffer zon
e
ADOPTED MAY 27, 2009
Source: Residential Arterial, ACHD Livable Street Design Guide, May 2009.
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or the general public can go to the Guide to see what ele-
ments are specifically envisioned for any arterial and collector
roadway . Based on the City’s land use components contained
in the Comprehensive Plan, pathway locations on the Master
Pathway Plan and ACHD’s needs for capacity, the Livable Streets
Design Guide illustrates what each street typology should look
like . There are customized cross sections within the Guide for
access, the pedestrian zone, parking, transit, bicycles, buffers,
travel lanes and landscaping . Figure 3D depicts an example
roadway typology from the Livable Streets Design Guide .
Mobility Management
Mobility management is a concept that focuses on using all
available resources to augment and advance mobility for all
people . Several strategies are typically used to meet the needs
of citizens from all walks of life . In 2009, COMPASS, through a
Federal grant, developed the Mobility Management Development
Guidebook to help local governments establish partnerships
and collaborate to provide the most efficient transportation
system . The guidebook is a resource manual of best practices
that incorporates transit access, mobility enhancements, and
site and road design . The Guidebook includes a checklist for
local governments, developers, and others to incorporate
access and mobility into land use decisions . The Guidebook
also explores how providing mode choices helps to serve all
roadway users .
Roadways to Bikeways
In May 2009, a long-range master plan for bicycle facilities
in Ada County was adopted by the ACHD Commission . The
Roadways to Bikeways Plan provides a broad vision, policy,
and goals and objectives for how the ACHD can facilitate
and improve conditions for bicycling in Ada County . The Plan
designates dedicated bicycle facilities within a quarter-mile
from 95% of Ada County residents; it will connect all parts of
the County . The adopted bicycle master plan guides future
investments in the bicycle system on roadways: to enhance
and expand the existing on-street bikeway network, fill-in
gaps, address constrained areas, provide for greater local
and regional connectivity and encourage more bicycling .
The Plan also provides basis for signed, shared roadways,
bicycle boulevard designations, and a variety of programs and
policies to allow and promote safe, efficient, and convenient
bicycle travel . The ACHD is looking to update the Roadways to
Bikeways Plan in 2017 . In 2012, ACHD adopted the Downtown
Meridian Neighborhood Pedestrian and Bicycle Plan, which
identifies safety and connectivity needs within the downtown
area . Within Meridian, there are currently 77 miles of bike
routes . The ACHD Bicycle Resources website1 provides maps
of existing routes, lists of upcoming bicycle projects, and links
to bicycle planning efforts .
Pathway System and Sidewalks
The Meridian Pathways Master Plan is a guide for pathway
development over the next 20 to 50 years . The Plan proposes
an extensive pathway network stemming from the existing
creeks, canals and other drainage or irrigation laterals within
and around the City of Meridian . The Plan includes an inven-
tory of existing pathways and micro-pathways, as well as a
comprehensive network of future pathways that will connect
residents to schools, parks, businesses, neighborhoods, and
various recreation and entertainment destinations .
The City of Meridian currently maintains nine pathways,
including the Fothergill Pathway, the Bear Creek Pathway, the
Blackstone Pathway, the Locust Grove Pathway, the H .R . Bud
Porter Pathway, the Diane & Winston Moore Pathway, the Five
Mile Creek Pathway from Pine to Badley, the Jackson Drain
1 http://www.achdidaho.org/Community/BikeResources.aspx
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Connection, and the Lochsa Falls/Paramount Pathway . Today,
these pathways primarily serve as a recreational amenity, but
they are also used for commuters going to and from work and
school . The Pathways Master Plan includes detailed maps and
design standards for future pathways in the City .
As an offshoot of the Meridian Pathways Master Plan, the
City also finalized a Rail with Trail Action Plan in early 2010.
The Action Plan takes a closer look at the Union Pacific Rail
Corridor, presents a conceptual alignment for a multi-use
pathway paralleling the tracks from McDermott Road to Eagle
Road, and proposes strategies for implementation of the future
facility . In 2014, the City received a Transportation Alternatives
Projects (TAP) grant to study the trail/arterial crossings near
the railroad tracks . In 2016, COMPASS formed a Rails with
Trails Workgroup that is looking at developing a continuous
regional pathway within the rail corridor, connecting Meridian
to Nampa and Boise . Additional local and federal grant money
is being pursued for design and construction of the trail .
ACHD has a dedicated pool of funds for projects that expand
and enhance a safe, efficient, and accessible pedestrian and
bicycle network for all residents of Ada County . These pedes-
trian and bicycle projects are known as Community Programs .
ACHD currently offers a Community Programs application for
pedestrian and traffic calming projects which gives citizens,
neighborhood associations, and land use agencies the ability
to apply for projects . A target of 5% of the annual Integrated
Five Year Work Plan capital funds are typically dedicated to
Community Programs, which equates to approximately $1 .5 - $2
million per year . In addition, half of the local vehicle registra-
tion fee money goes toward Community Programs each year .
Through public outreach programs, the community has previ-
ously highlighted the need for more quality parks, recreation
programs, pathways, and other public amenities . The Treasure Ci
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Figure 3e: Shared-Use Pathway along Waterway
varies varies 10’varies varies
Fence
Source: Updated graphic from the Meridian Pathway Master Plan, 2010.
Figure 3F: Typical On-Street Multi-Use Pathway
12 - 14’10’6’+
Source: Updated graphic from the Meridian Pathway Master Plan, 2010.
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Valley Futures Program Community Outreach emphasized
the community’s interest in more pedestrian linkages and
enhanced design standards . The City is interested in making
these linkages when opportunities present themselves . The
City’s Unified Development Code requires sidewalks and
micro-pathways be installed with new subdivisions . Through
ACHD’s Community Programs, a group of select community
members have identified gaps in the pedestrian pathway and
sidewalk system . These gaps now await improvement .
Transit
Valley Regional Transit (VRT) is the regional public transporta-
tion authority for Ada and Canyon counties . Annually, the City
contributes to an inter-county transit service that runs between
Nampa-Caldwell and Meridian-Boise . Park-and-ride lots serve
as the primary stop for the inter-county bus . VRT does not
currently provide a fixed-line bus service in Meridian. Since
late 2016, a demand-response service geared towards getting
seniors and persons with disabilities to services and activities
has been in operation . This Lifestyle Service shuttles individu-
als around Meridian and is operated by Harvest Transit, with
oversight by VRT (Go-Ride) . The City is currently working with
VRT to design and then implement a fixed-line bus system.
Two City Council members serve on the VRT Board which
establishes policy and guides the strategic priorities for public
transportation . VRT has an approved plan to develop a regional
public transportation system in the Treasure Valley . The plan,
called ValleyConnect, calls for bus services in all cities in Ada
and Canyon counties .
Commuteride and Carpools
ACHD operates a Commuteride vanpool service in Ada County
where each van accommodates 11 to 14 people . The Com-
muteride program provides ride matching services that connect
commuters with similar home and work locations and schedules .
Similarly, Commuteride helps businesses plan a customized
vanpool service for businesses and their employees . Com-
muteride Carpool and Vanpool Service is a cooperative effort
between ACHD, VRT, and the Federal Highway Administration
(FHWA) .
Below: One of several Harvest Transit shuttles,
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Park-and-Ride Lots
Park-and-ride lots are a service provided by ACHD . The lots
offer a place for commuters to park and collectively ride to
work in a prearranged carpool or vanpool . Existing park-and-
ride lots are located at Gem Street between Main Street and
Meridian Road; Overland Road and SH 69 (Country Terrace);
Overland Road and Eagle Road (Rackham Way); Overland
Road and Ten Mile Road; and at St . Luke’s Regional Medical
Center (Eagle Road/I-84) . To assist potential users, these lots
are marked with green and white directional signs . The City
anticipates that additional park-and-ride lots will be necessary
in the future and will coordinate with ACHD on siting these
future lots as development demands .
Public Airport Facilities
The City of Meridian does not have an airport within the City
limits or Area of City Impact, nor does it plan to site or develop
an airport . However, the Boise Airport (BOI) provides passenger
and freight service to the citizens and local businesses . BOI is
the only public, general aviation and commercial airport located
within Ada County . The airport is located approximately ten
miles east of Meridian off I-84 . BOI serves over three million
passengers annually . It is also home to the Idaho Air National
Guard and the National Interagency Fire Center . There are
also airports just west of Meridian, including the Nampa
Airport (MAN) and Caldwell Industrial Airport (EUL), providing
professional pilots, businessmen, corporate, industrial and
recreational aircraft owners aviation options .
Rail
The Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) owned Boise Cutoff spur rail
line runs east–west and bisects the City between Cherry Lane
and Franklin Road . In 2009, the Boise Valley Railroad began
operation along the spur line to provide freight movement to
industrial customers . Today, WATCO Companies has a long-term
lease with UPRR to operate the Cutoff in Meridian .
In 2009, a preliminary study was completed by the region’s
planning organization (COMPASS) to determine the feasibility
of a regional high capacity mass transit line . The High Prior-
ity Corridor Study identified the Boise Cutoff as the primary
candidate for a future transit line . A future multi-use pathway
(rail with trail) is also in the planning stages along the rail line .
Meridian’s current Comprehensive Plan and the land uses
along this corridor reflect the anticipated multi-modal uses
along the rail corridor .
Below Park-and-Ride lot near the Ten Mile Interchange at Overland Road
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Community Design
Community design tends to focus on elements of the natural
and built environment that contribute value to living, working
and playing in the community . One could make an argument
that all of the components in this report should be analyzed
in this section . It is true that most all of the other components
(land use, transportation, housing, etc .) factor into community
design . However, for the purposes of this report, community
design includes analysis primarily on design review, sustain-
ability, livability, healthy initiatives, and arts and community
events . These terms are all inter-related and are very subjective;
the terms often mean different things and/or are more or less
important to different people and groups . The goal of this
section of the report is to explain how the community has
come together to define what community design means and
frame how it works in Meridian . As the City moves forward with
the Comprehensive Plan policies, it will use this framework to
analyze and develop potential strategies for the City .
The inherent goal of community design is to improve on the
livability and quality of life for not only current, but also future
generations of Meridian residents . In this section of the report,
a description of the current policies, initiatives and programs
that contribute to community design and quality of life are
presented . Like the other elements analyzed in this report, the
components of this chapter directly shape the look, feel and
function of the community known as Meridian .
A large portion of this section of the report is dedicated to the
City’s design review process . Design review is a process that
applies design review procedures, guidelines, and standards
for the review of outdoor projects and physical development .
Design review examines the physical and functional relation-
ships of the various components of development and works
in tandem with adopted zoning codes and use standards .
Community design also involves preserving and enhancing
unique and extraordinarily valuable areas of the City . Basically,
community design provides a means to maintain the unique
characteristics of the City, and to improve the built environment
for today and tomorrow .
This section also addresses livability and sustainability . In
Meridian, livability and sustainability go hand-in-hand with
a healthy community, including physical, social, and mental
health . Arts, community events, and celebrations all play a
role in making Meridian livable . A truly healthy community
is one that is sustainable long-term, working with its current
Below: Open space on the Scentsy Campus
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residents to define what elements are key to providing a high
quality of life today and for future generations .
When the 2002 version of the Comprehensive Plan was devel-
oped, citizen groups met to discuss issues and concerns
regarding community character . Issues related to development
included infilling or increasing density within the city limits
and preserving habitats and natural areas . These issues will
be addressed later in the report . Many stakeholders thought
that particular areas within the City were under-used and
that perhaps, these should be the first areas considered for
redevelopment rather than farmlands/green fields. Many
felt that the City under-utilizes areas already disturbed by
development . Residents were also sensitive to preserving open
space within urban areas; they felt that by identifying these
areas and natural resource areas such as wetlands, riparian
areas, and wildlife areas, the City could achieve a balance of
open space and new development . Planting more trees and
designing a community garden were also discussed . These
elements relate directly to community design and creating a
high quality of life .
As part of the overall planning process for the 2002 Com-
prehensive Plan, a sub-committee was established to discuss
community design and special sites . This sub-committee
identified a number of issues and concerns that focused on
design standards, zoning, and the implementation of the
current Comprehensive Plan. Standards of specific concern
related to gateways and community signage . Citizens suggested
establishing a unified sign and gateway theme for the com-
munity . Also, they expressed concern regarding the protection
of existing special sites like waterways and historic buildings .
These concerns form the foundation for the goals, objectives,
and action items contained in the Comprehensive Plan .
Below: Grand Lodge at Meadow Lake Village
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A truly healthy community is one that is sustainable long-term,
working with its current residents to define what elements are
key to providing a high quality of life today and for future
generations.
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Administrative Design Review
In 2007, the City Council determined it was in the best interest
of the City to discuss implementing citywide design review . City
Planning staff established a design review steering committee
to guide them in crafting the program . Members of the design
review steering committee, representing various professions
from the development community, volunteered numerous
hours and offered their expertise, insight, and experience to
assist City staff in drafting this process .
Administrative design review is intended to promote and
establish community character and economic stability by
ensuring that urban design and architectural principles adhere
to community established goals . Design review is also intended
to protect the general health, safety and welfare of the citizens
by enhancing property values; protecting the natural envi-
ronment; promoting community pride; protecting historical
resources; preserving the aesthetic qualities which contribute
to a City’s character; and promoting the economic vitality of
the community by preserving and creating well-designed
commercial and residential developments .
The Architectural Standards Manual
The Architectural Standards Manual (ASM) and administrative
design review process establish development standards to
encourage quality building design . In combination with the
Unified Development code and the Comprehensive Plan, the
City has established a set of guiding principles and standards
that encourage and allow for creativity while maintaining a
baseline level of effort . The ASM establishes expectations for
proposed development based on the type of structure and
zoning designation in which it will be located . These standards
were developed to address the following:
Above: Primary entryway at Big Al’s on Eagle Road
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1. Cohesive Design
2. Building Scale
3. Building Form
4. Architectural Elements
5. Materials
6. Signs and Lighting
In addition to providing the City with a planning tool that uses
standards to address the functional and aesthetic qualities and
characteristics of development, the ASM lays the foundation
for growth and development to create attractive, lasting, and
quality-built environments that contribute to the progression
of Meridian as a livable community .
Standards vs. Guidelines
Standards vary in the amount of detail and specificity that
a community employs . Some communities provide general
guidelines for design that allow some autonomy on the part of
the developer and designer . The City of Meridian’s Architectural
Standards Manual provides standards to limit subjectivity and
streamline the review process, but there is some inherent
flexibility and a method for alternatives through a process
called Design Standards Exceptions . This process provides
flexibility, supports innovation, and promotes creativity within
the community, but maintains the baseline level of effort to
both protect private investment and the community vision .
The ASM also provides a large number of example photos to
lessen ambiguity. Eliminating guesswork promotes efficiency
but still allows for unique projects to be created .
Entryway Corridors
Meridian has designated several arterial roadways as entry-
way corridors or gateways into the City . Generally, entryway
corridors require additional landscaping along major arterial
roadways that lead into and out of Meridian . These gateways
have a significant effect on visitors first impression of the City,
making them especially important for not only landscaping
but also building, parking lot, and public space designs .
Signs
Signs are necessary not only for wayfinding, but also for
advertising, marketing and community character purposes .
Like landscaping in entryway corridors, signs can impress
upon visitors a community’s character . Signs should not be a
distraction to motorists or pedestrians, or otherwise present
a safety hazard by interfering with line-of-sight, blocking
traffic control devices, or hampering traffic flow. Likewise,
signs should enhance the aesthetics of the community by
complimenting building designs and landscaping . Signs should
provide assistance to the public and business owners in locating
businesses, gathering places, roadways and other attractions .
Meridian has taken a hard look at sign regulations to ensure
there is balance between safety, advertising, communication,
architectural elements, aesthetics, and free speech .
Sustainability
The fundamentals of sustainability within local government
center on creating balanced solutions; solutions that deliver
services at levels citizens expect in an environmentally and
socially responsible way; and ensuring the best economic
choice in the long term . These fundamentals interact in the
process of balancing the needs of protecting and enhancing
our economy, our natural environment and our community’s
built environment today and for future generations .Ci
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Meridian’s popularity as a prime location to build a business
and raise a family has required the City to rise to the challenge
of providing services at a new level of demand . Commercial
and residential developers seek out Meridian because it is
“livable .” Yet, with growing demand for services, the City is
challenged to maintain its well-touted “livability” factor .
Over the last decade, the City of Meridian has incorporated
sustainability concepts in a variety of projects including
energy conservation projects; establishing a state-of-the-art
wastewater treatment and reclamation facility; and creating
Environmental Programs within the Public Works Department .
“Sustainability and Environmental Awareness” is a stated
priority issue of City leadership and will be a dynamic aspect
of how future service, programs and projects are understood,
created and implemented .
Land Use and Transportation Planning
As part of its planning process, the City promotes areas of
mixed-use development that bring shopping, services and
recreation opportunities within walking distance of dwellings .
Mixed-use developments are envisioned to provide the neces-
sary density of homes to support bus and transit programs .
Through this type of planning, automobile trips will be reduced
along with their emissions .
The City of Meridian continues to promote transportation
alternatives . For many years, the City has required that devel-
opers install segments of the multi-use pathway system as
subdivisions are built . The Master Pathways Plan designates
routes for multiple use pathways throughout the City . These
pathways are intended for non-motorized usage . Sidewalks,
paths, and bike lanes directly adjacent to roadways provide a
link between pathways or between a pathway and a destina-
tion . People who choose to ride or walk rather than drive are
typically replacing short automobile trips, which contribute
disproportionately high amounts of pollutant emissions . Since
bicycling and walking do not pollute, require no external energy
source, and use land efficiently, they effectively move people
from one place to another without adverse environmental
impacts—they are sustainable forms of transportation .
Siting, Design and Construction
The design, construction, and operation of buildings impact
the environment . In 1998 the U .S . Green Building Council
developed a set of standards for environmentally sustainable
design, construction and operation of buildings . These standards
are formalized in certifying a building as LEED (Leadership in
Below: The Portico office building achieved a LEED Gold rating
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Energy and Environmental Design) . LEED is an internationally
recognized green building certification system, providing
third-party verification that a building or community was
designed and built using strategies aimed at improving
performance across all the metrics that matter most: energy
savings, water efficiency, CO2 emissions reduction, improved
indoor environmental quality, and stewardship of resources
and sensitivity to their impacts .
As an example of Meridian’s efforts to be good stewards of
the environment and to set a positive example, City Hall was
constructed with LEED certification in mind. Among other
benefits, Idaho Power Company has calculated City Hall’s
annual energy savings to be the equivalent of providing power
to 56 homes for an entire year .
Energy
In February 2009, the United States Congress passed the
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act . Included in the Act
was the Energy Efficiency Conservation Block Grant (EECBG)
Program which appropriated funds to be used by states, local
governments, and tribes for implementing energy conservation
strategies and projects . The goal of the EECBG program was
to reduce total energy use, reduce greenhouse gas emission
and improve energy efficiency in transportation, building,
and other sectors .
Through the EECBG, Meridian was awarded $608,000 .00 in 2009
for energy efficiency projects. A portion of the funds were used
to prepare long and short term energy strategies for the City
for increasing efficiency in city and public facilities, thereby
reducing City operating costs and reducing greenhouse gases .
Funds also went to a variety of constructed improvements,
including replacing older less efficient pumps with blowers at
the water treatment plant, replacing Main Street lights between
Franklin Road and I-84 with more energy efficient bulbs, and
upgrading other lighting fixtures at facilities throughout the City:
Air Quality and Greenhouse Gas Reduction
The City of Meridian has begun and completed a number of
efforts to reduce and limit the impact of City operations on
air quality in the Treasure Valley . The City has done this by
working with the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ),
supporting valley-wide initiatives, implementing City policies,
evaluating land use applications, and by City departments and
contracted entities using best management practices . The
Below: No idling of engines helps to reduce air pollution
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following are some of the actions the City has been involved
in, or is currently implementing:
1. Town Hall Meetings on Business Emissions: The City has
worked with the Department of Environmental Quality
(DEQ) and the Idaho Small Business Development Center
to give presentations to local businesses on strategies
for them to reduce their emissions .
2. Clean Air Zone Idaho: The City of Meridian is a member
of the Clean Air Zone Idaho program . This program
encourages citizens to avoid idling and “Turn off your
engine” while waiting in City parking lots . These signs
are placed at all City facilities . This program improves
air quality by reducing vehicle emissions .
3. Telecommute to work: The City has instituted a VPN,
or virtual private network, that allows city workers to
telecommute . The VPN provides remote access to the
network, file, and servers through a secure connection,
allowing certain employees to perform their work
from home or other locations when needed . Every trip
eliminated from the City’s roadways improves its overall
air quality by eliminating vehicle emissions .
4. Radio Read Meters: The City of Meridian’s Public Works
Department staff utilizes radio read meter technology
and in-vehicle mounted computers to transmit and access
information in an effort to reduce trips to and from the
field and office. This technology not only reduces fuel
costs but also pollutant emissions .
5. On-line Business: The City of Meridian has expanded
the amount of business that can be conducted with
the City on its website . The City recognizes that every
transaction that can be done online is a potential trip
off the road .
6. Biogas: The City installed biogas conditioning equip-
ment at the Wastewater Resource Recovery Facility, to
treat the methane-rich biogas so that it can be used to
provide heat to the digesters and wastewater treatment
plant buildings . The Public Works Department diverts
and utilizes the biogas generated from the anaerobic
digesters as an alternative fuel amendment (in lieu of
combusting natural gas) in a few of the wastewater treat-
ment plant’s boilers . The use of biogas as the heating
source for the digestion process saves the City up to
$5,000 per month during winter operations .
Below: Reclaimed water system at the Meridian Wastewater Treatment Plant
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Wastewater Treatment, Reclamation and Reuse
The Public Works Department Wastewater Division operates
and maintains a centralized wastewater resource recovery
facility . This facility is located in northwest Meridian, near the
Ustick and Ten Mile intersection . With a vision for sustain-
ability, Meridian became the first city in Idaho to be issued a
Citywide Class A Recycled Water Permit in 2009 . This permit
signified a change in how the City uses existing and finite water
resources available in the Treasure Valley Aquifer System . The
City is now using highly treated, or recycled water, instead of
irrigation water at select City parks, the Ten Mile Interchange
Landscaping, a commercial car wash, and other open spaces .
This conserves ground water and reduces discharge flows
into the Boise River . As Meridian is located in an arid climate,
recycled water is a “drought-proof” water supply that reduces
demand on municipal supply, frees up agricultural water for
agricultural uses, and lowers effluent flow to the Boise River.
The City of Meridian Wastewater Division regularly investigates
areas for resource recovery and sustainability .
Preservation and Restoration of Natural Resources
A vast majority of Meridian’s natural watercourses have been
altered by irrigation users . Many residents no longer recognize
these creeks and watercourses as natural resources . While
Meridian residents and visitors are often denied access and
potential benefits from these watercourses and associated
floodplains, these same water courses do provide critical
irrigation water delivery .
In recent years, there have been renewed efforts to study
additional restoration opportunities to improve and reestablish
some of the historical and natural conditions of waterways .
The City has held conversations on how to better educate the
general public about the importance of these waterways for
natural conservation, regulatory needs, and for the history of
the irrigation districts that support agricultural industry .
During the summer of 2009, the City’s Public Works Depart-
ment, with the assistance of volunteers and members of the
Idaho Youth Conservation Corps, oversaw Meridian’s first
stream restoration project along the Five Mile Creek near
Locust Grove Road and Franklin Road . Restoration targeted a
700-linear-foot stretch of the creek . The work helped reshape this
portion of the creek to a more natural condition and preserve
the floodplain from development. The project was paid for
by wetlands mitigation funds from the Idaho Transportation
Department . The City plans for more projects like the Five
Mile Creek restoration in the future .
Solid Waste
Republic Services is the solid waste collection contractor for
the City of Meridian . Republic is dedicated to providing reli-
able and innovative recycling and waste reduction programs
to the City . See Chapter 4, Solid Waste, for more information
on recycling efforts .
Livability and Quality of Life
As explained at the beginning of the Community Design sec-
tion, livability and quality of life are hard terms to explain and
measure . Benchmarks, or metrics for measuring livability, are
difficult to describe. Often places that are livable have the “it”
factor . They are the most sought after places to live . For the
purposes of this report, livability and quality of life refer to the
environmental and social quality of an area as perceived by its
residents . Community livability is about creating neighborhoods
that are safe, vibrant, attractive, affordable, accessible, cohesive,
and full of character . A few key factors that primarily contribute
to livability within a community are: health, personal security,
overall cleanliness, quality and quantity of social interaction Ci
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opportunities, entertainment, aesthetics, and existing unique
cultural and natural resources . Livability is largely affected by
conditions in the public realm—places where people naturally
interact with each other and their community—like parks,
streets and sidewalks, and other community gathering places .
Livability is important because it can maintain or increase
property values and business activity, and it can improve
public health and safety .
New urbanism (sometimes referred to as Smart Growth and/
or Neotraditional Design) is a land use strategy striving to
enhance quality of life . New urbanism has gained traction over
the past several years, and some of the design elements of
New Urbanism are included as part of the City of Meridian’s
planning documents . Essentially, new urbanism is a land use
management strategy that is based on making a community
more livable by providing walkable, connected, mixed-use,
diverse, sustainable, high-quality neighborhoods that provide
a variety of transportation options for everyone .
Although there are no statistical data on Meridian’s livability
today, one could argue that Meridian’s popularity indicates
that many of the livability factors are present in most areas of
Meridian . This is not to imply that the City should not explore
ways to improve our neighborhoods and make them even
more livable .
Healthy Initiatives
The impact of the built environment on public health continues
to be explored by many organizations . The Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention defines a healthy community as: “A
community that is continuously creating and improving those
physical and social environments and expanding those com-
munity resources that enable people to mutually support each
other in performing all the functions of life and in developing
Above: Retail component within the mixed-use Gramercy development
Below: Retail and residential land use connectivity at McMillan Road and Montelion Way
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to their maximum potential .” The City realizes that it is at the
local level that it is imperative to take a proactive approach in
addressing the link between the built environment and health .
By 2040 nearly 50% of the U .S . population will be over the
age of 65 or under the age 18 . Therefore the livable and
sustainable community of the future must have physical and
social features that benefit people of all ages. When a wide
range of needs is addressed, family and individuals have the
opportunity to stay and thrive in their communities as they age .
Multi-generational planning also builds community . Rather than
creating and encouraging social, income, or age-segregating
neighborhoods of the past, the City hopes to foster diverse
multi-generational neighborhoods that accommodate dif-
ferent lifestyles and stages which contribute to sustainable
communities . The City encourages a mix of not only housing
options, but also amenities and opportunities for interaction
across generations . Today, Meridian does not have a plan to
address aging and multi-generational needs . Through better
understanding physical and social needs, building consensus,
and developing new shared strategies that link the genera-
tions and build more inclusive and sustainable communities,
the City can facilitate the creation of neighborhoods that are
truly vibrant and healthy .
Central District Health Department (CDHD) reviews develop-
ment applications and sends comments and conditions back
to the City, related to any potential public health issues . CDHD
has adopted a policy to further smart growth and sustain-
able development in southwest Idaho . Not surprisingly, the
objective of the policy is to support land development and
building decisions that promote improved public health . CDHD
recognizes that the built environment has an impact on public
health, with links to obesity, diabetes, and asthma, to name a
few . This cooperative partnership between the City of Meridian
and CDHD is not new, but what is new are some of the policies
and principles these agencies are jointly trying to implement .
Safe Walking Routes
A healthy community is one that has good connectivity between
residential areas and community gathering places, like schools .
As part of the development review process, the City regularly
requires developers to install sidewalk, micro-pathways and
multi-use pathways that connect to school sites, public spaces,
and nearby neighborhood serving uses . The West Ada School
District has walk zone maps for their schools which can be
found on their website2 .
2 http://www.westada.org/Page/13875
Below: Detached pathway along Main Street near the Meridian Interchange
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The City and the School District annually partner to compile a
list of high priority pedestrian projects for ACHD’s Community
Programs . The list of priority projects is based on concerns
City staff and School District employees hear from parents and
others in the community . Efforts to improve safety, like the
YMCA’s Safe Routes to School program, have been around for
years . The City supports the YMCA, through COMPASS dues and
programming . Safe Routes coordinators go to elementary and
middle schools in Meridian and educate children on things like
bicycle and pedestrian safety . This fun, interactive, educational
program has been well received throughout the community .
Day Care
Accessible, affordable and quality before- and after-school
child care is a necessary component of creating a livable com-
munity . A robust local system of child care and early education
programs has social, economic and environmental benefits
for children, families and the community as a whole . In 2013
69 .9% of mothers with children under the age of 18 held jobs,
and 57 .3% of mothers with children under 1 year old held jobs3 .
By providing child care service that is affordable and close (or
within) residential areas, child care can contribute to the local
economy by supporting parents and local employers . Since
1997, the American Planning Association (APA) has recognized
that child care is a critical component of livable communities4 .
As such, APA advocates for including child care policies within
local planning . Local planning policies play an important role in
ensuring adequate child care in a community . Creating policies,
identifying local resources and working with developers and
community partners, the City hopes to have a more proac-
tive and positive influence on the child care programs being
provided in the future .
3 Department of Labor. "Mothers and Families." U.S. Department of Labor. Women's Bureau, Sept.
2014. Web. 6 June 2017. <https://www.dol.gov/wb/stats/mother_families.htm>.
4 American Planning Association. "APA Policy Guide on the Provision of Child Care." APA Policy
Guides. APA, July 1997. Web. 6 June 2017. <https://www.planning.org/policy/guides/adopted/
childcare.htm>.
Below: Community fishing event
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A robust local system of child care and early education programs
has social, economic and environmental benefits for children,
families and the community as a whole.
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Youth Programs
Meridian prides itself on being a unique city with an abundance
of choices that support our commitment to maintaining a safe
and caring community and strive to be a place young people
feel accepted, respected, and connected . Our city government
and civic leaders are extremely pro-active in engaging youth
in nearly every aspect of community life, including community
service and opportunities to provide a youth perspective in
policy making, advocacy, and issues of importance to young
people .
As the home to many families of all shares and sizes, Merid-
ian’s mission is to be a premier city to live, work and raise a
family . Meridian has received recognition from several national
award programs and publications . These honors include being
selected by 24/7 Wall Street – USA Today as the “Number One
Place to Live in America”, Family Circle Magazine as one of
their “Top 10 Best Cities for Families,” by Money Magazine as
one of its “100 Best Places to Live,” and by America’s Promise
Alliance and ING as one of the nation’s “100 Best Communities
for Young People .”
The City of Meridian has developed and maintains several
initiatives and organizations focused specifically on youth.
The Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council (MYAC) is a teen organi-
zation that gives a “voice” to our teens and opportunities for
them to shape our future . Youth Council members, in graded
9 through 12, meet with the Mayor and other advisors twice
a month to discuss issues and ideas of interest to the youth
of Meridian . They are actively involved in many community
service projects and events, and with several volunteer and
advocacy activities they plan themselves . Events they have
planned and participated in have focused on issues important
Above: Cableone movie night at Settlers Park
Below: Bounce houses at Storey Park
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to them as diverse as suicide prevention, seatbelt use, texting
while driving, smoking and nicotine use, and hunger .
Through the City of Meridian’s Youth on Commissions Program,
high school students apply and are appointed to seats on City
commissions, committees, coalitions, and task forces which
serve in an advisory capacity to the Mayor and City Council .
These include the Parks and Recreation Commission, Trans-
portation Commission, Mayor’s Anti-Drug Coalition, Meridian
Arts Commission, Historical Preservation Commission, and the
Solid Waste Advisory Commission .
To promote advanced education, the City annually offers up
to four $1,000 City of Meridian Scholarships to graduating
seniors who will be attending accredited colleges or vocational
programs . These scholarships are awarded to successful
applicants who demonstrate evidence of leadership potential
through their community involvement, as well as volunteerism,
school activities, or work experience . Additional consideration
is given to applicants who have completed the Meridian Police
Department’s Alive at 25 safe driving courses .
Alive at 25 is a free defensive driving class taught several times
a month by Meridian Police officers with the goal of lowering
auto accidents involving teens and young adults, ages 14 – 24 .
Through interactive media segments, workbook exercises,
class discussions and role playing, this four-hour course helps
young drivers develop convictions and strategies that will keep
them safer on the road .
Younger children in Meridian also have opportunities to
engage with City government . For a number of years, the
Mayor has invited presidents and CEOs of local companies
to not just sponsor a book but to also join her in co-hosting
the Mayor’s and CEO’s Kids Book Club . Each month during the
school year, students in grades 3, 4, and 5 gather to discuss
a pre-selected book with Mayor Tammy and each respective
month’s “leader-reader .” The goal is to impart on our youth
the importance of being a good reader, as well as the pure
enjoyment to be found through reading a good book . Students
who actively participate get to keep the hardcover books they
are provided with, therefore building their own home librar-
ies with high-quality books . To further promote reading and
literacy, a Little Free Library is to be placed in Meridian City
Hall’s outdoor plaza, serving as a free all-hours community
book exchange for children and adults alike .
Meridian’s Parks and Recreation Department maintains 20 city
parks, which feature child-friendly amenities such as playground
equipment; ball fields; basketball, tennis, pickle ball, bocce
Below: The Meridian Senior Center in Kleiner Park
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and volleyball courts; Frisbee golf cages; game tables; splash
pads; horseshoe pits; and skateboard ramps . The department
also offers a variety of enrichment programs, classes, and day
camps for children and teens, primarily offered at the Meridian
Community Center the City owns and maintains, located in
Old Town Meridian adjacent to the Centennial Park .
Apart from programs and organizations offered through the
City of Meridian, local children and teens have access to the
Meridian Boys and Girls Club and the Meridian Homecourt .
The Meridian Boys and Girls Club offers several programs,
including after school and summer sessions for school-aged
children . The Meridian Homecourt serves Meridian residents
and is a sports complex featuring regulation sizes courts for
volleyball, basketball, and other spots . The Boys and Girls Club
recently expanded their center in downtown Meridian . The
Treasure Valley YMCA is also in the early construction phase
of their next facility in South Meridian .
Senior Programs
On the other end of the age spectrum, older adults must interact
with the built environment in ways that reflect their physical
capabilities and lifestyle . Although they may have more time
after retirement to enjoy parks and other recreational activi-
ties, conditions such as chronic diseases and limited vision
may limit mobility . Providing accessible and suitable housing
options that are easily accessible to community destinations
are key to allowing older adults to remain independent, active
and engaged with the community . Housing for seniors that
is integrated into the fabric of the community is becoming
increasingly important as the Baby Boom Generation enters
retirement .
In the early 1960s a group of seniors started meeting at the
old Occident Club once a month for potlucks and cards . It
became apparent that Meridian Seniors needed a place to call
their own and they began to raise money with various fund
raising events. The Meridian Senior Center is now a non-profit
community center that enhances the lives of its members
through traditional activities .
In May 2012, the Meridian Senior Center built a new 13,800
square-foot facility known as “The Center at the Park” in
Meridian at Julius M . Kleiner Park, near Fairview Avenue and
Eagle Road . The new center was made possible by a generous
land and building donation from the Julius M . Kleiner Family
Trust . The new center includes a main dining area for daily
lunches with two state-of-the-art kitchens, complete with the
latest equipment, an arts and crafts room, a cards and game
Below: Concerts on Broadway event in front of Meridian City Hall
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room, a health screening room, an indoor walking track, and
office space. Activities offered at the center include bingo,
pinochle, billiards, art, quilting, dance and yoga classes . The
center also provides some specialized activities and events,
such as, attorney visits, feet care, and blood pressure and
blood sugar testing . The facility is open to Meridian residents
and those that live in the surrounding community . Hours of
operation are Monday through Friday from 8:00 a .m . to 4:00
p .m . The Kleiner Park Center is the place to be for seniors in
the community .
Success Stories
Healthy behavior is a combination of knowledge, practices and
attitudes that together contribute to motivate actions regarding
health . The City of Meridian can learn from other communities’
success in creating and promoting programs that encourage a
healthy and vibrant community . Some of these success stories
include programs and projects that incorporate things like
community gardens, sharing of resources (e .g . – vehicles and
parking lots), cooperatives where local goods, services and
wares can be sold or traded, branch libraries, and additional
policies that encourage socially and environmentally conscious
design and construction projects . The City strives to better
understand the impact of neighborhood design on residents’
ability to be physically active, the impacts of development
on natural systems, and the effects of community design on
overall community health . By taking actions that promote and
preserve good health, Meridian should be a community that
sustains well into the future .
Above: “Natives”, by C.J. Rench at Fairview Ave and Main Street
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Arts, Entertainment and Community Events
Meridian Arts Commission
Meridian envisions a vibrant arts and entertainment scene that
integrates the arts experience into everyday life and enhances
the spirit of the City . The Meridian Arts Commission (MAC)
was created in 2006, and since then it has provided the com-
munity with visual, performing, and musical arts opportunities
throughout the year .
Through the Art in Public Spaces collection, Meridian City Hall
integrates visual art into its functional spaces on hallway walls
in the building . City Hall also has dedicated space in which
art is the function: Initial Point Gallery, located on the third
floor. MAC curates and installs monthly art exhibits in Initial
Point Gallery, featuring the work of Treasure Valley artists, and
schedules an opening reception for each show, many of which
include performances by local musicians .
MAC encourages youth to take part in the arts by partnering
with Treasure Valley Youth Theater, a Meridian company . The
inaugural performance was “Peter Pan, Jr .,” presented in March
2014, to rave reviews . In the summer, MAC presents Concerts
on Broadway, a popular free outdoor concert series on the
steps of City Hall . MAC also hosts an art show in conjunction
with Dairy Days and an annual Art Week .
Major public art pieces such, “Under the Sun and Dreaming,”
by C . J . Rench, have beeen installed in downtown Meridian . All
together there are three pieces of art along the Main Street
corridor along with several traffic box art wraps. Local artists
Amber Conger, Stephanie Inman, Ken McCall, and more have
permanent public art installations throughout Meridian and
in many of our parks. MAC also has a traffic box community
art project, which allows a number of artists to have their 2D
work featured on vinyl wraps throughout the city .
Meridian History Center and Heritage Programs
The Meridian History Center is a volunteer-operated education
center and office located on the first floor of City Hall. These
volunteers are members of the Meridian Historical Society .
They maintain, display and archive records, photographs, and
memorabilia relating to Meridian’s rich history .
In the late 1980s, the City established the Historic Preservation
Commission to preserve the character and fabric of historically
significant areas and structures within the City of Meridian, and
to honor and preserve its rich heritage for future generations .
Below: “Out on the Town”, by Daniel Borup at Meridian City Hall
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The Historic Preservation Commission consists of six members
serving three-year terms . At least two appointed members
have professional training or experience in the disciplines of
architecture, history, architectural history, urban planning,
archaeology, engineering, law or other historic preservation
related disciplines .
Meridian remains true to its identity by remembering its
past while looking towards the future . In addition to having
a history center and art gallery located inside Meridian City
Hall, monuments in Generations Plaza, along Meridian Road,
and in the City Hall Plaza pay tribute in words and photos to
Meridian’s earliest settlers, Meridian’s evolving history, and
past City leaders .
Community Events
The community celebrates several traditional annual events
including Dairy Days Celebration, Chili Cook-Off, Firefighter’s
Salmon BBQ, Concerts on Broadway Series, Family Fourth of
July Extravaganza, National Night Out, Free Family Fishing
Day, Trunk or Treat, and Winterland Parade and a Christmas
Tree Lighting Celebration . Attendance at these community
celebrations shows how engaged and important these events
are to the business community and citizens .
The visual arts, performing arts, community events, and
Meridian’s heritage are integral components of the commu-
nity’s identity . As this section reports, the culture in Meridian
is distinct and alive, giving it a rich quality of life . The sense
of community is evident in many celebrations and events,
neighborhoods, and public institutions .
Above: The Meridian Historical Walking Tour is a self guided tour of downtown Meridian
Below: Fourth of July fireworks at Storey Park and the Meridian Speedway
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What Services are Provided in Meridian?
Public Services
This chapter discusses the characteristics of public utilities,
facilities and other services provided in the Meridian area . As
required by State Statute, schools, recreation, and other public
services, facilities and utility components of the Comprehensive
Plan are analyzed here . As part of the public services section,
the report also outlines the way the City is governed, including
its various boards and commissions .
The City itself has several departments, each responsible for
providing specific services. This chapter will not only detail
which services each City Department provides, but also services
that are provided and managed by other jurisdictions, agencies
or service providers . A current inventory of infrastructure like
parks and pathways, fire stations, schools, and other public
services are explained .
This chapter also reports how non-private service and util-
ity providers are meeting needs today and how they plan
on meeting future demand for services . Other services, like
transportation, youth programs, and senior activities (see
Chapter 3) were explained previously in this report and are
not duplicated here .
Municipal Government, City Hall
Meridian City Hall is a three-story 100,000 square-foot build-
ing located in downtown that serves as the hub of Meridian’s
municipal government . City Hall currently houses most City
departments serving as a convenient “one-stop-shop” for
citizens seeking services including:
1. City Clerk’s Office: The City Clerk’s Office provides
support and administrative services to the Mayor and
City Council, all operating departments, and the public,
while maintaining for the City an essential, formal link
with citizens, area businesses, other jurisdictions and a
wide variety of public agencies .
2. Community Development: The Community Development
Department is comprised of three divisions, including:
Building Services, Land Development Services, and
Planning . Building Services is responsible for activities
associated with structural, fire, electrical, mechanical
Below: Meridian City Hall from the south
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and plumbing permits for residential, commercial and
industrial projects . Land Development Services is respon-
sible for plan review and coordination with the Public
Works Department, to ensure that new developments
are properly serviced by utilities like sewer, water and
drainage . The Planning Division is divided into two
groups: Current Planning and Comprehensive Planning .
Current Planning is primarily responsible for processing
development applications and assisting property owners
and developers through the land use permitting and
entitlement process, and over-the-counter inquiries .
Comprehensive Planning is involved with long-range and
specific area plans, transportation planning, community
development, and administration of the Community
Development Block Grant program .
3. Public Works: The Public Works Department consists
of five divisions: Administration, Engineering, Business
Operations, Water, and Wastewater . The mission of
Public Works is to anticipate, plan and provide exemplary
public services and facilities that support the needs of a
growing community in an efficient, customer-focused
and financially responsible manner. Public Works coop-
erates with other agencies such as the Ada County
Highway District to coordinate efforts on utility work
and transportation services . More discussion on the
Public Works Department occurs later in this chapter .
4. Finance/Purchasing/Billing: The Finance Department is
the general business management arm of city govern-
ment, providing specific financial and accounting services
for elected officials, City employees, and the citizens
of Meridian . Basic services of the Finance Department
include: budgeting, financial analysis and reporting,
utility billing, accounts payable, purchasing and payroll,
monitoring state and city rules and regulations, and
maintenance of sound internal controls . The mission
of Purchasing is to provide contract management, and
procurement services through competitive public bid-
ding to obtain maximum value for the tax dollar and to
provide service to all City of Meridian departments and
the public in a timely, courteous and ethical manner .
5. Parks and Recreation Department: The Parks and Recre-
ation Department’s mission is to enhance the community’s
quality of life by providing well-designed and properly
maintained parks and recreational opportunities for all
citizens . More discussion on the Parks and Recreation
Department occurs later in this chapter .
6. Fire Department: The Fire Departments mission is to
protect and enhance the community through profes-
sionalism and compassion . More discussion on the Fire
Department and the services it provides occurs later in
this chapter .
7. Human Resources: Human Resources assists all City
departments in determining staffing needs and coor-
dinates recruitment to fill those needs. Recruitment
efforts include working closely with the Directors of
each department within the City to post and advertise
open positions, processing and reviewing applications,
scheduling and conducting interviews, tracking the
“To understand the heart and mind of a person, look not at
what he has already achieved, but at what he aspires to do.”
Khalil Gibran
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process of all applicants, and providing information on
the progress to interested parties .
8. City Attorney’s Office: The City Attorney’s Office provides
leadership to the City and works as a strategic business
partner with managers and employees to help the
City achieve its mission, goals and objectives . The City
Attorney’s Office proactively seeks to understand and
meet the needs of its customers, elected officials, and
employees of the City by providing expertise, direction,
support, and training in the areas of law while ensuring
a safe, fair, and legally-compliant work environment .
9. Mayor’s Office: The Mayor’s Office focus is on becoming
the Star of the New West, transforming Meridian into
a 21st century city . Meridian is uniquely conducive to
supporting a broad array of business activities while
maintaining the high quality lifestyle and focus on
family so greatly valued. Fulfilling the needs of busi-
nesses and families begins with having a safe and caring
community that provides quality education, family-wage
jobs, cutting-edge health care, diverse housing options,
a trained workforce, and an abundance of recreation,
shopping, dining, and entertainment opportunities .
Meridian seeks to be a vibrant community whose
vision is to be the premier city to live, work and raise
a family. The Mayor’s Offices’ main commitment is to
help neighbors realize this vision .
The City of Meridian’s mission is: “We love Meridian; it’s our
town and our mission is to cultivate a vibrant community by
delivering superior service through committed, equipped
employees dedicated to the stewardship of our community’s
resources .” . Meridian delivers quality service, planning, and
fiscal responsibility with open spaces, strong partnerships, and
various educational opportunities . Culture, unique business,
venture, and an abundant choice of jobs make Meridian not
just a destination, but a lifestyle .
Figure 4A: City of Meridian expenditures by Department
City Admin
$5,275,224
Fire Department
$10,544,454
Parks & Recreation
$6,350,140
Police $16,858,626
CD -Admin
$3,516,107
MUBS $998,158
Public Works
$5,216,287
Water $11,135,663
Wastewater
$32,269,908
Source: Finance Department, FY2017 Meridian Budget Summary.
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Mayor and City Council
Meridian uses the Mayor-Council form of local government .
In Meridian, the Council, which includes the Mayor, possesses
both legislative and executive authority . The City Council adopts
codes that govern the City in addition to applicable state and
federal law . The Council also deals with property acquisition,
serves on regional commissions and boards, and must approve
of mayoral nominations . The Council also exercises primary
control over the municipal budget .
The Mayor and a representative from each of the six council
seats are elected by the citizens, each term consisting of four
years . Elections for City Council are held every two years with
three of the six seats up for election . Mayoral elections are
held every four years .
Commissions, Committees and Boards
Citizen involvement is an essential ingredient for strong local
government . The City of Meridian promotes citizen involve-
ment by inviting residents to serve on a variety of boards,
commissions, and committees designed to assist City leaders
in information gathering and deliberative processes . Some of
the volunteer boards and commission in Meridian are:
1. Parks & Recreation Commission: This all volunteer
commission focuses its efforts on park planning, capital
improvements, pathways, policies, recreation programs,
and budget . The Parks & Recreation Commission makes
policy recommendations to the City Council as they relate
to the parks system . The Commission is composed of at
least five, and up to nine members that are appointed by
the Mayor and confirmed by the Council. Each member
serves a three-year term with no maximum on number
of years of service .
Below: Mayor Tammy de Weerd and the Meridian City Council
Citizen involvement is an essential ingredient for strong local
government. The City of Meridian promotes citizen involvement by
inviting residents to serve on a variety of boards, commissions,
and committees designed to assist City leaders in information
gathering and deliberative processes.
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2. Planning & Zoning Commission: This all volunteer com-
mission advises the City Council on planning policies
and goals, development projects and issues related to
land use, zoning, transportation, and housing issues, as
framed by Meridian’s Comprehensive Plan. There are five
members of the Planning & Zoning Commission . Each
member is appointed by the Mayor, with confirmation
by the Council . Terms for Commissioner are six years,
with no maximum .
3. Meridian Arts Commission: This all volunteer commis-
sion works on arts/cultural policy and promotes public
awareness and participation in the arts . The purpose of
this advisory commission is to highlight the City’s rich
cultural resources, enhance the City’s aesthetic envi-
ronment, and promote the development of economic,
educational, recreation, and tourism opportunities
within the city through the advancement of publicly
accessible arts . The Commission consists of a minimum
of five members and no more than nine members at any
time . Each commissioner serves a term of three years,
except for the youth member that serves a one-year
term . One member of the City Council serves as a liaison
and ex-officio member of the Commission.
4. Historical Preservation Commission: The Historic Preserva-
tion Commission (HPC) works to preserve the character
and fabric of historically significant areas and structures
within the City of Meridian to honor and preserve its rich
heritage for future generations . The HPC is advisory to
the City Council and submits an annual report regard-
ing the Commission’s activities and accomplishments .
There are currently six volunteer members on the HPC,
Above: City Council Chambers
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appointed by the Mayor with confirmation from the
City Council. Terms of office for the HPC are 3-years.
5. Transportation Commission: The Transportation Commis-
sion researches and makes recommendations to the City
Council related to traffic safety issues, pedestrian and
bicyclist concerns, speed limits, public transportation,
and priority transportation projects . The Commission
provides a forum for cooperation, coordination, and
communication between the City, other governmental
agencies, and citizens and organizations concerned
with the safe and efficient movement of vehicular and
pedestrian traffic. This Commission is made up of nine
voting and six ex-officio members which include: West
Ada School District, ACHD, COMPASS, ITD, VRT and a
City Councilor . Transportation Commission members
are comprised of four citizens, three business owners/
employees, and two members with some technical/
educational expertise in transportation . Commission-
ers are appointed by the Mayor and City Council by
resolution .
6. Impact Fee Advisory Committee: This Committee reviews
and makes recommendations to the City Council regarding
existing and proposed impact fees and fee structures
to help ensure that growth pays its own way . This is an
ad-hoc committee established by the Mayor and City
Council .
7. Solid Waste Advisory Commission: This Commission’s
purpose is to propose and recommend to the Mayor
and the City Council any new or amended rules, regu-
lations, policies, and fees relating to the orderly and
efficient administration of the City’s fully-automated
solid waste collection system . The Commission consists
of a minimum of five members but not more than nine
members serving a term of 3 years . Appointed mem-
bers are selected from: one Utilities Billing Manager or
designee, one Director of Public Works or designee,
one City Attorney or designee, and at least three but
not more than five local citizens.
In addition to the groups listed above, other organizations
like the Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council, the Mayor’s Faith
Ambassador Council, and the Mayor’s Anti-Drug Coalition
allow citizens to be actively involved in serving various needs
throughout the community .
Below: All City Commission meetings are held at Meridian City Hall
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Public Works
Water and Sewer
The City of Meridian owns and operates a domestic water
system, sewage collection system, and a wastewater resource
recovery facility (WRRF) serving the residents of Meridian .
The Water Division provides customer service and operates
and maintains public wells, the distribution system, and res-
ervoirs . The Wastewater Division provides customer service
and operates and maintains the collection system, lift stations,
and the wastewater treatment plant .
Unlike most communities outside of Ada County, the City of
Meridian Public Works Department does not have jurisdiction
over roads and highways within the City . City staff works in
conjunction with ACHD projects to design improvements in
coordination with road construction . The City saves money on
pipe installation by removing the need to restore pavement
and pay for traffic control. This also minimizes inconvenience
to the travelling public . Public Works does not have jurisdiction
over pressurized irrigation systems or irrigation canals either .
Water Division
Supply and Distribution
The Meridian water system consists of a large network of deep
wells, booster pump stations, reservoirs and over 545 miles
of six-inch to 16-inch pipe line . Twenty-three wells, ranging
in capacity from 500 to 2,500 gallons per minute (gpm), are
located throughout the City with a combined capacity of about
50 million gallons per day (mgd) . Water storage consists of
one 500,000 gallon water tower located near the Meridian
Left: View of the Meridian water tower from below
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Speedway, and two two-million gallon reservoirs- one near
Meridian and Ustick Roads, and one near Locust Grove and
Victory Roads . The capacity of existing wells is approximately
50 million gallons per day (mgd) .
Wells and reservoirs are linked via a telemetric Supervisory
Controls and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system to a central
computer at the Water Division . This system controls reservoir
levels, well on-off cycles, and pressure set points . Several
wells are equipped with standby generators in the event of
power failure .
Based on 2016 water use records, Meridian used 3 .4 billion gal-
lons of drinking water for its 33,000 household and commercial
service connections (98,000 population), which is approximately
9 .3 million gallons of water each day . While all subdivisions
constructed after 1993 were required to install pressurized
irrigation systems using non-potable water, significant irriga-
tion demands exist from residential neighborhoods that were
constructed prior to that time . As shown in Table 4A, winter water
demand in the City is about 160 million gallons/month while
summertime demand is 450 million gallons/month . Summer
irrigation activity increases demand by 290 million gallons/
month . In order to keep up with water demand, the City has
constructed, on average, one new well per year . Expansion of
the City water system is largely dictated by growth patterns .
The City maintains a simulation for modeling water impacts .
The computer simulation allows Public Works to conduct water
modeling as new development applications are proposed and
are built . The model also helps staff to identify priority areas
for both new development in the City as well as segments of
the existing water distribution system that are approaching
capacity . Capital improvements can then be prioritized to
upgrade and extend lines that are projected to reach capacity .
Below: City of Meridian Water treatment facility
T A ble 4A: Meridian Water Consumption - Domestic Well
Impacts
Domestic Well Impacts
Winter Average 160 million gal/month
Summer Average 450 million gal/month
Summer Irrigation Activity (ground water):
Inceased Demand (over winter)290 million gal/month
Potential Conservation 1.2 billion gal/year
Source: Meridian Public Works Department, May 2017
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Water main replacements are necessary to replace aging
infrastructure in the Water Distribution system . Replacement
projects are identified in a variety of methods, most commonly
through modeling, sampling, maintenance, and repair programs .
Through analysis of the distribution system and related water
quality and flows the Water Division and Public Works technical
staff identify areas in need of improvement and replacement .
Capital funds are utilized to design and construct water
infrastructure replacements identified throughout the City.
Wastewater Division
Sewer Collection
The first sewer mains for the City’s collection system were
constructed nearly 100 years ago . Much of the initial sewer
installed in the prior to the 1980’s was constructed of concrete
and clay pipe . However, the majority of the collection system
expansion occurred after PVC became the preferred pipe
material . The current system is comprised of approximately
425 miles of gravity sewer mains and 6 miles of force mains .
This infrastructure currently serves a population of approxi-
mately 100,000 people and includes about 1,500 commercial
connections and about 33,000 residential connections (Fiscal
Year 2016) . The collection system includes twelve lift stations,
three of which are privately owned .
The City maintains a simulation for modeling sewer impacts .
The computer simulation allows Public Works to conduct sewer
modeling as new development applications are proposed
and are built . The model helps staff identify priority areas for
development in the City as well as segments of the existing
sewage collection system that are approaching capacity .
Capital improvements can then be prioritized to upgrade the
lines that are projected to reach capacity .
Above: City of Meridian wastewater resource recovery facility
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Sewer main replacements are necessary to replace aging
infrastructure in the sewer collection system . Replacement
projects are identified in a variety of methods, most commonly
through the sewer TV and cleaning program and thorough
analysis of the collection system by the Wastewater Division
and Public Works technical staff . Capital funds are utilized
to design and construct sewer infrastructure replacements
identified throughout the City, including replacements of
the sewer collection system infrastructure in the downtown
sewer corridor .
Sewer Treatment
The present wastewater resource recovery facility (WRRF)
began operation in 1979 with a rated capacity of 2 .8 mgd . The
WRRF consists of primary, secondary, and tertiary treatment
followed by disinfection. Treated effluent is discharged to Five
Mile Creek . The City continues to upgrade the facility follow-
ing its Facility Plan and 5 year Capital Improvement Plan . The
estimated design capacity at the plant today is approximately
10 .2 mgd as approved by the Department of Environmental
Quality . The City is in the process of completing a major
upgrade to the wastewater resource recovery facility which will
increase the treatment capacity to 15 million gallons per day .
This project is expected to be completed in 2019 . An update to
the wastewater resource recovery facility plan was completed
in 2012, and the City is currently in the process of updating
this document again . The results of the facility plan will be
used to develop the capital improvement plan for the WRRF
and guide the future studies, improvements, and expansions
at the plant for the next several years .
The City received a reissued NPDES Wastewater discharge
permit in June of 2017 . This permit includes very low nutrient
limits on phosphorus and ammonia which will precipitate
significant capital investment into upgrades at the wastewater
Below: City of Meridian wastewater treatment equipment
TAble 4b: Historical Sewer Service accounts
Year Total Accounts Annual Increase (%)
2006 23,245 14.55%
2007 24,287 4.48%
2008 24,857 2.35%
2009 25,364 2.04%
2010 26,054 2.72%
2011 26,620 2.17%
2012 27,361 2.78%
2013 28,357 3.64%
2014 29,279 3.25%
2015 30,628 4.61%
2016 31,922 4.22%
Source: City of Meridian Public Works, June 2017
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resource recovery facility . Numerous sampling and monitoring
requirements for the effluent, Five Mile Creek, and the Boise
River are also mandated .
All proposed septic systems in the Meridian area are reviewed
and approved by Central District Health . Approval is based
on characteristics such as distance to groundwater and soil
suitability . Today, there are relatively few active septic systems
within the corporate boundaries of the City . A vast majority of
dwellings in Meridian are connected to the City’s sewer system .
The demand for new sewer service accounts has continued to
increase every year since 2006, as shown in Table 4B .
Industrial Pretreatment
The Industrial Pretreatment Program is responsible for execu-
tion of an industrial pretreatment program which monitors and
regulates industrial and commercial wastewater discharges in
the public sanitary sewer system . The pretreatment program is
an integral part of the wastewater treatment process providing
protection from potentially hazardous discharges . The City
currently has minor industrial users such as restaurants and
car washes. The City does not have any significant categorical
industrial users .
Class A Recycled Water
The City of Meridian maintains its Class A Recycled Water
program to produce and distribute recycled water for a variety
of uses . Recycled water is a highly treated water resource
generated at the City’s municipal wastewater resource recovery
facility that meets standards for Class A reuse, as established
by the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) . The
City has been producing Class A recycled water since 2009 for
uses such as irrigating landscaping at the Ten Mile Interchange,
some City parks, and the treatment plant site, toilet flushing,
as well as a commercial car wash .
Support Services
The Public Works Department is also composed of support
services including Engineering, Business Operations, Environ-
mental Programs, Asset Management, and Capital Construction
Inspection . These services support operation of the water and
wastewater facilities, and utility planning guidance . Additionally,
they provide administration, rate analysis, engineering and
utility coordination, floodplain administration, environmental
programs, and other special projects as assigned by the Mayor
and City Council .
Below: Reclaimed water system utilizes purple pipes to distinguish from potable water pipes
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Stormwater
In October 1999, the Environmental Protection Agency pro-
mulgated final Phase II of the National Pollution Discharge
Elimination System (NPDES) Stormwater Regulations . These
regulations affect, among others, small municipal separate
storm sewer systems located in urbanized areas . Ada County
as a whole is listed as an urbanized area in Appendix 6 of the
final rule. Although the Ada County Highway District (ACHD) is
responsible for all public street stormwater runoff, the City of
Meridian is required to comply with EPA Construction General
Permit requirements for its capital projects .
The primary impact to the City is that NPDES permits and
corresponding stormwater pollution prevention measures are
required during the construction of City capital improvements
where ground disturbing activities exceed one acre . As a result,
Meridian requires that all City-owned capital improvement
projects provide and implement either an Erosion and Sedi-
ment Control Plan (ESCP), or Stormwater Pollution Prevention
Plan (SWPPP) .
Above: Five Mile Creek and pathway along Pine Ave
Below: Ten Mile Creek near the Locust Grove water reservoir
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Public Safety
Police Department
With the rapid rate of growth, one would expect an increase
in the number of crimes occurring in Meridian . This has been
slow to occur for the City of Meridian . The City takes great pride
in the crime rate when compared to the dramatic increase in
population . The rate of criminal offenses has remained lower
than the national and state averages for several years . Table
4C provides a breakdown of crime rates at the local, state, and
national level by crime type in 2015 . The rate of violent and
property crimes in Meridian is remaining low despite the fact
that the City has grown so quickly .
In 2016, the Meridian Police Department received 52,216
calls for service . This is a decrease of 0 .5% from 2015, when
calls for service were 51,947 . Even though the calls for service
have decreased slightly, the population growth continues
to increase for the City of Meridian . The Meridian Police
Department wants to continue to ensure we have enough
sworn officers to ensure a safe and livable community and so
requested a staffing study of the agency in 2016. A Staffing
and Resource Analysis review was completed for the Police
Department’s patrol and traffic services. The review included
the development of a police allocation model to determine
the number of officers required to deliver patrol and traffic
services, and to forecast future needs based on anticipated
change in population and housing . The analysis suggests the
addition of officers, school resource officers, neighborhood
contact officers, and support staff. These new officers assist
the Meridian Police Department in maintaining respectable
crime rates as well as an impressive clearance rates despite
all the growth in the City .
Hiring new officers also requires training and with the Public
Safety Training Center, the Police Department is able to provide
local on-site training for officers. Additionally, this facility allows
the Police Department to host a variety of trainings which
include an Advanced Academy, Incident Command System
and Emergency Operations training, Women in Command, and
Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement trainings .
These courses provided low cost trainings for the department
Below: Meridian Police vehicles at a National Night Out event
Tab L e 4C: 2015 Crime in the United States, State, and City
Area Violent crime Property crime
Population Incidents Rate per 100k Incidents Rate per 100k
Meridian 91,077 97 106.5 1,055 1,158.4
State of Idaho 1,654,930 3,568 215.6 28,858 1,743.8
United States 321,418,820 1,231,566 383.2 7,993,631 2,487.0
Source: FBI, UCR Table 8, 4 Ci
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members and are attended by students from various Public
Safety Agencies throughout the Treasure Valley . Hosting these
types of classes is a cost savings for the Police Department
and reduces out-of-state travel .
The Police Department also administers and supports several
special programs including:
1. MADC – Meridian Mayor’s Anti-Drug Coalition is run
from the Police Department and works collaboratively
with a multitude of sectors of our community for drug
education, and prevention by dealing with environmental
strategies to reduce the amount of illegal drug use and
drug abuse in our community .
2. National Night Out - . This event builds community
policing for the City of Meridian, while collaborating
with local homeowners and businesses to ensure that
we continue to be a safe place to live, work, and raise a
family. Our Officers along with Meridian Fire and elected
officials attend over 30 National Night Out events
each year meeting with over 2,500 citizens . This is an
opportunity for Our Officers to visit our neighborhoods
in a fun, educational way .
3. Meridian Police Athletic League – The Meridian PAL
is a non-profit youth recreation sports organization
which is an activity program for children aged 3 to 14
that offers opportunities for youth to play with friends,
develop leadership skills, sportsmanship, and teamwork .
Meridian PAL offers baseball, flag football, and soccer
which are among the best youth sports programs
offered in the area .
4. Public Safety Academy –The City of Meridian’s Public
Safety Academy is very unique in that the Meridian
Police and Fire Department’s collaborate to build an
academy, educating our community in an engaging
and interactive way . Community members experience
different components of our agencies to further build
Police and Fire advocacy in the City of Meridian .
5. Bike Patrol – The Bike Patrol Team covers many areas
throughout the City . The team responds to calls occur-
ring throughout the summer in downtown Meridian, at
the local parks, and at The Village .
Below: Meridian Bike Patrol
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6. Neighborhood Watch – The Neighborhood Watch is
a very effective crime prevention program, bringing
citizens together with law enforcement to deter crime
and further teach community members the tools and
resources available to them to be vigilant about crime
prevention . Additionally, the Meridian Police Depart-
ment also began supporting the online neighborhood
networking program, NextDoor .com in 2014, to better
connect with residential areas and to help keep residents
connected with each other .
7. Prescription Drug Drop Off – The Prescription Drug Drop
Off is a program where old or unwanted prescription
or over-the-counter medications can be disposed of
properly . The Police Department has collected over
13,780 pounds since October 2009 .
Fire Department
The Meridian Fire Department was formed in 1908 and consisted
of only volunteers for many years . The Meridian Rural Fire
District was organized in the early 1950s . The two departments
decided in the 1970s to combine forces and house their fire
equipment in one station located in the center of town . The
Meridian Fire Department hired its first full-time employee in
1977 serving as a Fire Marshall for the two districts . The Fire
Marshall was the only full-time employee until 1991 when the
first paid firefighter was hired. The Meridian Fire Department has
quickly transformed from a primarily all-volunteer department
into a combination department with 61 full-time firefighters.
As shown on Figure 4B, Meridian Fire has grown to five Fire
Stations strategically located throughout the Meridian area .
In 2005, a Fire Education Safety Center was constructed off
of Locust Grove Road and is staffed by two Public Educators
(one full time, 1 part time) . In 2007, a state of the art training
tower was built onto Station 1, providing numerous training
opportunities for Fire personnel . Today, the Fire Department
plans on having a total of 11 fire stations throughout the City
at full build-out .
The Fire Department is managed by a team of professionals
that includes a Fire Chief, Deputy Chief of Prevention, Deputy
Chief of Operations, Division Chief of Training, Division Chief
of Planning, three Battalion Chiefs, two Training Captains, two
Fire Inspectors, two specialists in Public Safety & Education,
and three Administrative Support Staff . The Meridian Fire
Department responds to emergency calls in a 54 square mile
jurisdiction, serving a population in excess of 108,000 residents .
Below: Fire Department training facility behind the Franklin Road Fire Station
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In 2016, Meridian firefighters responded to 6,275 calls for service.
Services provided by the Meridian Fire Department include:
Fire Suppression, Advanced Life Support Emergency Medical
Service, Technical Rescue, Hazardous Materials Response, Fire
Prevention Education, Fire and Life Safety Inspections, and
Plans Review for new developments and construction .
Recreation, Parks and Pathways
Parks and Recreation Department
The City of Meridian, Parks and Recreation Department
is responsible for maintaining public open spaces and for
providing a quality system of parks and recreation facilities
and positive leisure opportunities available to all persons in
the community . The Department is also responsible for the
development and maintenance of the pathways system and
the urban forest . This parks and recreation system consists of
387 acres of parkland, 255 acres of developed parks, and 132
acres of undeveloped land . The system is made up of 19 parks
(not including Lakeview Golf Course): three undeveloped sites,
just less than 22 miles of pathways, the Homecourt facility,
and a community center . Additionally, Parks and Recreation
offers a variety of recreational programs, adult sports leagues,
special events, and handles shelter/field reservations and
temporary use permits .
Figure 4b: boundaries and Stations of the Meridian Fire Department
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City of M eridian
June 2017
Source: City of Meridian Planning Division, 2017.
The Meridian Fire Department responds to emergency calls in
a 54 square mile jurisdiction, serving a population in excess of
108,000 residents. In 2016, Meridian firefighters responded to
6,275 calls for service.
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The City of Meridian completed the Parks and Recreation
Master Plan in December of 2015 . The Master Plan provides
a guideline for recreation development . After analyzing the
Findings that resulted from the master planning process,
including the Key Issues Matrix, a summary of all research,
the qualitative and quantitative data, the GRASP® Level of
Service analyses, and input assembled for the Master Plan, a
variety of recommendations emerged to provide guidance in
consideration of how to improve parks, recreation, and pathway
opportunities in the City of Meridian . The recommendations
describe ways to enhance the level of service and the quality
of life with improvement through organizational efficiencies,
financial opportunities, improved programming and service
delivery, and maintenance and improvements to facilities and
amenities .
The Parks and Recreation Master Plan also updated the Merid-
ian Pathways Master Plan (Adopted in 2007 and previously
amended in January of 2010) and serves as a tool to further
aid in the implementation of that plan . It does not suggest
any significant changes to proposed expansion of the pathway
system as outlined in the original plan, but rather seeks to
accomplish the following objectives:
1. Quantify the impacts of pathway system expansion
in terms of cost for ongoing maintenance, given the
significant proposed increase to pathway mileage at
plan build-out .
2. Establish guidelines for what portion of the pathway
system is appropriate and sustainable for the City to
maintain .
3. Establish City priorities for near-term pathway implemen-
tation that will have the greatest impact on connectivity .
4. Propose changes to existing policy that will facili-
tate ongoing expansion and designate maintenance
responsibilities so as to meet the needs of the City,
the development community, and other stakeholders .
The City of Meridian currently has an adopted Level of Service
that is three acres of developed park land per 1,000 persons
with a goal of increasing to a Level of Service Standard of
four acres/1,000 persons by 2040 . With recent rapid popula-
tion growth, the current (2017) Level of Service is 2 .6 acres
per 1,000 persons, based on the most recent population
estimates of 98,300 . However, the department has 150 acres
of undeveloped park land that once developed will raise the
Below: Splash pad at Settlers Park
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Level of Service toward the goal . Current park construction
projects are projected to raise the Level of Service back to the
three acres/1,000 level over the next two years .The Parks and
Recreation Department intends to work with the development
community and other organizations whenever possible to
create partnerships and bring additional parks to reality .
Finally, based on feedback from focus group participants
and the community survey results from the master planning
process, there is a demand for indoor recreation space . The
Department’s recent acquisition in 2016 of the Homecourt
gym facility from the YMCA will help to address those needs .
Western Ada Recreation District
There is a public park in Meridian that is not owned and
maintained by the City . At 22 acres, Fuller Park, which is owned
and operated by the Western Ada Recreation District, contains
amenities, such as baseball fields, a fishing pond, playground
areas, picnic shelters, restrooms, an open play area, a walking
path, and off-street parking . Residents of Meridian also have
access to a pool during the summer located in Storey Park .
The pool facility at Storey Park is owned and operated by the
Western Ada Recreation District .
Solid Waste1
The City of Meridian contracts its refuse and recycling services
through an exclusive franchise agreement with Republic
Services (Agreement) . Republic Services continues to perform
under the terms and conditions of the Agreement and has
demonstrated its commitment to providing reliable solid waste
collection; innovative, effective recycling and waste reduction
1 For more information on Solid Waste services in Meridian, see the Republic Services website at
https://www.republicservices.com/locations/idaho/meridian. Data from the FY2016 Republic Services
Annual Report.
programs; quality customer service; valuable public outreach
and education efforts; and strong community involvement to
Meridian residents and businesses .
Residential Services
By the end of FY2016, there were 30,194 active residential trash
accounts in Meridian with 26,228 of those participating in the
residential recycling program . Collectively, Meridian residents
threw away 39,046 tons of trash, with the average Meridian
household disposing of 220 pounds of trash per month . This
T A ble 4D: Meridian City Parks by Category
Name, Facility, and Size Acres
Regional Parks
Julius M. Kleiner Memorial Park 58.2
Meridian Settlers Park 52.7
Community parks
Bear Creek Park 18.8
Heroes Park 30.1
Storey Park 14.5
Tully Park 18.7
Neighborhood Parks
8th Street Park 2.8
Champion Park 6.0
Chateau Park 6.7
Gordon Harris Park 11.1
Renaissance Park:6.5
Seasons Park 7.1
Mini Parks
Centennial Park 0.4
Cox Monument 0.1
Fire Station #4 Park 0.6
Special Use Parks
City Hall Plaza 0.9
Generations Plaza 0.2
Source: Meridian Parks and Recreation Department, 2017.
Note: For a compelte list of park amenities and features, see the Parks and Recre-
ation website at http://www.meridiancity.org/parks/
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was an increase from 215 pounds/household/month in FY2015 .
The recycling program captured 4,558 tons in FY2016, with
the average Meridian household recycling 29 .67 pounds of
materials per month .
Meridian residents continue to participate in Republic Services’
“grass only” subscription based recycling program that began
in 2013 . This subscription based program allows customers to
order a special grass cart (green with tan lid) for $7 .95/month .
Grass collection occurs weekly on trash day from April through
October, but the cart has year round benefits, including: leaf
recycling in November and overflow trash from December
through March .
The Meridian Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) collec-
tion site continues to be the busiest mobile collection site in
Ada County . In FY2016, 5,840 vehicles delivered 116 tons of
hazardous waste to the Meridian mobile site . The cost of this
program is included in monthly residential trash rates .
Commercial and Industrial Collection
Republic Services provides collection to each commercial
business in Meridian at least once a week . Commercial trash
is taken to the Republic Services transfer station, consolidated
with other trash, and taken to the Ada County Landfill. In
FY2016 commercial trucks collected 21,244 tons of trash
from Meridian businesses . Of the 1,145 Meridian businesses,
456 have active recycle containers on site . Items that can be
recycled in the commercial recycling program are identical to
the materials residents recycle . Commercial recycling totaled
1,435 tons in FY2016 .
Roll off services are provided on request to both permanent
and temporary accounts . Industrial service includes compactors
or roll off boxes in a variety of sizes . Industrial trash increased
Below: Republic Services trash collection vehicle
T A ble 4e : Solid Waste Collection (Tons)
Program 2015 Waste 2016 Waste 15'-16' Change
Residential
Trash 36,798 39,046 5.8%
Recycle 4,349 4,558 4.6%
Grass Only 690 654 -5.5%
Hazardous 101 116 12.9%
Commercial
Trash 19,020 21,244 10.5%
Recycle 1,255 1,435 12.5%
Industrial 24,327 27,624 11.9%
Industrial Recycling 2,178 2,139 -1.8%
Source: City of Meridian. City Council Meeting. Solid Waste Advisory Commission Annual Report.
March 7, 2017.Ci
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throughout the year with an annual total of 27,624 tons .
Republic Services also offers an industrial recycling service,
which diverts several materials from the landfill for recycling via
roll off hauls from customer sites . Recycled Materials include:
wood, yard trimmings, appliances, plastics, and cardboard/
paper . In FY2016, 2,139 industrial tons were recycled .
Other Services
Republic Services offers other special collection events through-
out the year including Spring Clean Up, Fall Leaf Collection,
Holiday Clean Up, Christmas Tree Pick Up, and Rake-Up Merid-
ian . In 2016 Republic Services partnered with the Solid Waste
Advisory Commission to develop Hand in Hand We Recycle!
This innovative program provides opportunity for households
without recycle service (such as those in apartment complexes)
to participate by dropping off separated recyclable materials
at the mobile collection site .
Donated Services
A total of $115,157 was donated in contractor provided services
during FY2016, per Republic Services’ Agreement with the
City . Donation values are based on contracted commercial
rates in the City of Meridian, plus any additional temporary
services . Commercial rates include; cost of removal, disposal,
and container rental . In addition to services, Meridian Parks
and Recreation have free access to the Transfer Station and
Meridian Code Enforcement is authorized to call in abandoned
items such as; appliances, furniture, and other bulky waste .
Transfer Station Collection
Located at 2130 W . Franklin Road, Republic Services’ transfer
station accepts waste from commercial trucks, residential
trucks, roll off trucks, mini roll off trucks, public vehicles, and
local businesses . The waste collected at the transfer station is
consolidated and taken to the Ada County Landfill for disposal.
In FY2016, the Meridian Transfer Station (MTS) collected 155,543
tons of material . This was a large increase due in part to the
temporary closer of the Boise Transfer Station, which was then
diverted to MTS .
Below: Hand in Hand We Recycle! container
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Education
West Ada School District
Public school facilities in the City of Meridian are operated by
West Ada School District (formerly Joint School District No .2) .
Enrollment data about the school district are for the entire
district, an area larger than the City of Meridian and its Area
of City Impact . West Ada School District serves the cities of
Meridian, Star and Eagle, western and southwestern portions
of Boise, part of Garden City and the unincorporated areas of
Ada County that lie between these municipalities . In total, there
are 32 elementary schools, 11 middle schools (2 of which are
alternative middle schools and one a magnet middle school),
6 comprehensive high schools, 3 alternative high schools, 2
charter high schools, and 2 magnet high schools throughout
the district .
Enrollment
Not including the Pre-Kindergartners or Kidnergartners, there
were 14,547 elementary-age children enrolled in West Ada
School District at the beginning of the 2016-17 school year .
There were 9,110 middle school children enrolled in the school
Above: Mountain View High School off of Millennium Way
Historical Fall Enrollment, West Ada School District
4,000
6,000
8,000
10,000
12,000
14,000
16,000
20172015201320112009200720052003200119991997
1st-5th
6th-8th
9th-12th
Note: See Table 4G for data.
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district at the beginning of the 2016-17 school year . High school
enrollment at the beginning of the 2016-17 school year, for
grades 9 through 12, was 11,811 students . Table 4G shows
historical student enrollment in West Ada School District,
which has doubled over the last 20 years .
Land acquisition for future school sites within West Ada School
District are based upon the following acreage standards:
»Elementary Schools 10-12 acres;
»Middle Schools 40 acres; and
»High Schools 55 acres .
As shown on the City’s Future Land Use Map (Appendix D),
about one elementary school is projected within each square
mile of the City .
Bus Transportation2
School bus transportation in West Ada School District is a
cooperative effort involving transportation staff, schools,
parents, students, and the community . The West Ada School
District contracts with Cascade Transportation Company to
operate and shuttle students . The District bus facility is located
2 For more information on busing, see the West Ada School District’s FAQ at https://www.westada.
org/Page/13866.
T A ble 4F: Historical Fall enrollment, West ada School District
School Year Total Pre-K K 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th 10th 11th 12th
2016-2017 38,521 300 2,753 2,676 2,853 2,951 3,075 2,992 2,987 3,033 3,090 3,043 2,955 2,974 2,839
2015-2016 37,756 280 2,565 2,779 2,917 3,032 2,920 2,949 2,922 2,995 2,900 3,148 2,974 2,797 2,578
2014-2015 36,859 248 2,616 2,796 2,949 2,836 2,881 2,862 2,858 2,812 2,855 3,230 2,839 2,642 2,435
2013-2014 37,491 221 2,806 2,981 2,884 2,953 2,949 2,958 2,892 2,903 2,959 3,184 2,757 2,517 2,527
2012-2013 37,312 244 2,839 2,845 2,883 2,945 2,931 2,878 2,921 2,954 2,943 3,086 2,657 2,761 2,425
2011-2012 36,538 235 2,713 2,806 2,872 2,930 2,868 2,874 2,911 2,918 2,795 2,913 2,766 2,516 2,421
2010-2011 35,933 307 2,722 2,852 2,882 2,843 2,826 2,896 2,867 2,764 2,629 3,056 2,528 2,432 2,329
2009-2010 35,322 245 2,757 2,849 2,839 2,803 2,874 2,808 2,698 2,571 2,830 2,830 2,509 2,399 2,310
2008-2009 34,441 205 2,731 2,829 2,770 2,799 2,762 2,681 2,492 2,801 2,568 2,677 2,476 2,414 2,236
2007-2008 33,432 226 2,629 2,735 2,697 2,759 2,628 2,478 2,702 2,543 2,483 2,583 2,491 2,289 2,189
2006-2007 32,277 212 2,555 2,609 2,679 2,542 2,387 2,652 2,472 2,395 2,412 2,664 2,400 2,287 2,011
2005-2006 30,582 204 2,446 2,537 2,400 2,259 2,517 2,365 2,306 2,335 2,460 2,414 2,332 2,071 1,936
2004-2005 28,655 232 2,313 2,259 2,132 2,361 2,237 2,162 2,214 2,313 2,204 2,322 2,146 1,965 1,795
2003-2004 26,987 208 2,023 1,987 2,234 2,103 2,012 2,121 2,156 2,139 2,166 2,197 2,104 1,796 1,741
2002-2003 26,114 185 1,881 2,155 2,070 1,958 2,074 2,114 2,082 2,122 2,015 2,189 1,925 1,687 1,657
2001-2002 25,233 158 2,011 2,007 1,886 1,977 2,042 2,005 2,082 1,922 1,988 2,024 1,822 1,702 1,607
2000-2001 23,946 133 1,839 1,846 1,891 1,943 1,920 2,007 1,832 1,911 1,811 1,954 1,791 1,612 1,456
1999-2000 22,820 143 1,619 1,847 1,851 1,830 1,891 1,767 1,834 1,740 1,732 1,861 1,714 1,561 1,430
1998-1999 21,918 145 1,556 1,868 1,748 1,766 1,695 1,743 1,688 1,652 1,698 1,850 1,623 1,482 1,404
1997-1998 20,788 121 1,635 1,722 1,656 1,627 1,621 1,635 1,549 1,641 1,622 1,680 1,557 1,475 1,247
1996-1997 19,624 111 1,456 1,658 1,534 1,543 1,527 1,504 1,567 1,557 1,524 1,682 1,463 1,321 1,177
Public School Finance. “Attendance & Enrollment.” Idaho State Department of Education. Public School Finance Department, n.d. Web. 03 July 2017. <https://www.sde.idaho.gov/finance/#attendance>.
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on Franklin Road, between Linder and Ten Mile Roads in Merid-
ian . To reduce the need for safety busing, the district works
with ACHD and City staff to develop safe routes to school .
Through this collaborative effort, projects are identified with
school boundaries, walk zones and safety busing in mind .
Elementary Schools
Traditional elementary schools include kindergarten through
grade five. Most of the elementary schools in the district
have a traditional school year calendar, but there are several
which operate on a modified calendar. The district operates 32
elementary schools, each strategically located through the 384
square mile district . These schools typically range in size from
350 to 750 students . The buildings vary in age, with the oldest
being 59 years old and the newest having opened in 2016 .
Middle Schools
Middle schools include 6th through 8th graders . Like most of
the elementary schools, the middle schools have a traditional
school year calendar . The district’s 11 middle schools serve as
a bridge for pre-adolescents as they move from elementary
F IGUR e 4C: elementary School boundaries
CHERRY
MCMILLAN
L I N D E R
B L A C K C A T
FRANKLIN
L O C U S
T G R O V E
AMITY
M E R I D I A N
PINE
USTICK
COLUMBIA
VICTORY
E A G L E
T E N M I L E
OVERLAND
STATE
M A I N
CHINDEN
LA KE HAZEL
FAIRVIEW
C A N A D A
M C D E R M O T T
S T A R
B ois e Ri v e r
¬«55
¬«69
¬«44
£¤26
£¤16
§¨¦84 §¨¦84
Star
Eagle Hills
Andrus
River
Valley
River
Valley
Joplin
Peregrine
Mary
McPherson Pepper
Ridge
Discovery
Ustick
Prospect
Paramount
Siena
Willow
Creek
Hunter
Meridian
Ponderosa
Lake
Hazel
Hillsdale
Hillsdale
Legend
Area of Impact
Traditional
Attendance
Elementary Schools
Í0120.5
Miles
March 2017
Source: City of Meridian Planning Division, 2017.
Change in Enrollment with City Population
65,000
70,000
75,000
80,000
85,000
90,000
95,000
100,000
32,000
33,000
34,000
35,000
36,000
37,000
38,000
39,000 20
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Population
Note: See Table 2B and 4G for data.Ci
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to high school. Academic emphasis is placed on refinement
of basic skills through instruction in traditional subjects such
as language arts, social studies, mathematics, and science .
The curriculum in middle school is expanded to include more
opportunities to pursue the fine arts and other elective choices.
High Schools
All of the district’s 13 high schools offer a full academic pro-
gram with courses in basic skills and college-preparatory skills .
Central Academy, Meridian Academy and Eagle Academy, the
district’s alternative high schools, provide opportunities for
at-risk students . Meridian, Centennial, Eagle, Mountain View
and Rocky Mountain High Schools are all 5-A classification for
athletic competition and other competitive programs such as
music, drama, and debate . Renaissance High School and Idaho
Fine Arts Academy are both Schools of Choice . Renaissance
utilizes a lottery application system and the Idaho Fine Arts
Academy an audition application .
Charter and Magnet Programs
In addition to traditional scholastic opportunities, West Ada
School District offers a variety of Charter and Magnet schools to
accommodate, encourage, and challenge all students . Magnet
schools are available at all levels and include:
The Arts: Chief Joseph School of the Arts , Christine Donnell
School of the Arts, Eagle Elementary School of the Arts, Gateway
School of Language and Culture, and Pioneer School of the Arts .
Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)
Education: Galileo K-8, Summerwind STEM Academy (K-5), Eliza
Hart Spalding STEM Academy (K-5), and Barbara Morgan STEM
Academy (K-5) . STEM programs have also been expanded at
all middle and high schools .
Other Magnets: Gateway School of Languages and Culture, and
Renaissance High School . Renaissance has a fully recognized
International Baccalaureate (IB) program . Students complete
their Associates degrees while completing their high school
diplomas . Strong partnerships with Idaho State University
and the College of Western Idaho formed the foundation of
this program .
Private Education Opportunities
In addition to the public school system, Meridian has several
private schools opportunities . These facilities cater to all children
of all ages, from pre-school through high school . Some of the
larger private schools in Meridian are: Cole Valley Christian,
Challenger School, and The Ambrose School . There are several
other, smaller private schools in Meridian as well .
Continuing Education
The City has a solid partnership with the education institutions
in Meridian, primarily West Ada School District, and Idaho State
University (ISU) who opened the doors to ISU-Meridian in the
fall of 2009 . Students at ISU specialize in Law and Leadership,
Research and Medical Arts, and International Studies . The City
has been working with ISU to not only strengthen educational
programs but to create partnerships with the private sector . The
ISU President’s Southwestern Idaho Advisory Council on Health
In addition to traditional scholastic opportunities, West Ada
School District offers a variety of Charter and Magnet schools to
accommodate, encourage, and challenge all students.
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Science Education and Economic Excellence focuses on specific
business and research opportunities . This Council of business
and educational leaders helps prepare ISU to expand health
science education opportunities and support the efforts of
The CORE .
Other colleges and universities in the Meridian area include
(main campus location in parenthesis): Boise State University
(Boise), University of Idaho Extension (Boise), College of
Western Idaho (Nampa), College of Idaho (Caldwell), Northwest
Nazarene University (Nampa), Stevens-Henager College (Boise),
Carrington College (Boise), and Treasure Valley Community
College (Ontario, OR) .
Libraries3
Separate from the City, is the Meridian Library District . The
mission of the Meridian Library District is to support the com-
munity by enriching lives, igniting curiosity, and cultivating
connections . The Library District currently has two traditional
libraries, one in the Silverstone Business Campus and the
main library branch on Cherry Lane . The library also operates
unBound, a technology lab on Main Street and Broadway
Ave . In an ongoing commitment to offer services to the entire
community, Meridian Library operates its bookmobile 7 days
a week at locations throughout the District .
Public Utilities
Electricity4
Idaho Power Company is an electric utility engaged in the
generation, transmission, distribution, sale and purchase
of electric energy . Idaho Power provides electrical services
throughout the City of Meridian and the Area of City Impact .
Idaho Power is a public service company regulated by the Idaho
Public Utility Commission, the Oregon Public Utility Commis-
sion and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission . Power is
predominantly supplied by 17 hydroelectric generation facilities
on the Snake River system . Power is also supplied through a
shared ownership of three coal-fired generation plants located
in Wyoming, Montana and Oregon . Additional generation is
provided through Idaho Power’s ownership of three natural
gas-fired generation plants. Idaho Power‘s headquarters are
in Boise, Idaho . They have an employee base of approximately
2,000 people .
3 For more information, see the Meridian Library District’s website at http://www.mld.org/.
4 Blake Watson, Idaho Power. “RE: Existing Conditions Report 2017 | Idaho Power.” 22 May 2017.
E-mail.
Below: unBound technology lab on Main Street
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Today, Idaho Power serves a 24,000 square-mile service area
and roughly 1,000,000 people in southern Idaho and eastern
Oregon . As of May 2017, Idaho Power serviced approximately
42,500 residential and general business customers within the
City of Meridian limits . With 17 low-cost hydroelectric power
plants as the core of its generation portfolio, Idaho Power’s
530,000 residential, business and agricultural customers pay
some of the nation’s lowest prices for electricity .
Idaho Power facilities currently located in the Meridian area
include transmission lines and seven stations, one located
at the intersection of Locust Grove and McMillan Roads; the
second located at Black Cat Road and Franklin Road; the
third located near the intersection of Franklin Road and E .
2nd Street; the fourth near the intersection of Ten Mile and
Ustick Roads; the fifth near the intersection of Stoddard and
Overland Roads, the sixth located at the intersection of W .
Franklin Rd . and Cloverdale Rd ., and the seventh located in
the area of S . Eagle Rd . and Amity Rd . Figure 4D depicts the
general location of electric utility facilities of a voltage of 69,000
volts or greater . Typically, public streets and road rights-of-way
serve as corridors for electric facilities . Transmission lines are
usually located on road rights-of-way or private easements
that Idaho Power Company acquires from property owners .
Additional transmission lines and substations will be necessary
in the future in order to service Meridian’s growing needs .
Designation of the locations of future electric utility facilities
shown in Figure 4D applies to a general utility corridor area
rather than to a specific site.
Idaho Power takes a proactive stance in the planning process
and is committed to strengthening communication with Meridian
so that both the City’s and Idaho Power’s goals can be mutually
recognized and implemented . In December 2012, Idaho Power
completed the Eastern Treasure Valley Electric Plan . The plan
involved a Citizen Advisory Committee to assist Idaho Power
in the placement of potential future locations for transmission
lines and stations . Idaho Power employs a three-part strategy:
responsible planning, responsible development and protection
of resources, and responsible energy use, which ensures they
approach the current and future demands thoughtfully . Wise
use of energy helps ensure fair priced and reliably electricity
today and tomorrow .
Communications
Centurylink provides basic telephone service and CableOne
provides cable T .V . service, within the City of Meridian and its
Area of City Impact . Both companies provide internet services .
Several telecommunications companies offer wireless and
Below: Large Idaho Power transmission line along Eagle Road
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Figure 4D: existing Idaho Power Lines/Stations Near the City of Meridian
Source: Blake Watson, Idaho Power. “RE: Existing Conditions Report 2017 | Idaho Power.” 22 May 2017. E-mail.Ci
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cellular phone service and other providers offer internet and
T .V . service through other wireless means . Portions of the City
have been equipped with fiber-optics.
Gas
Intermountain Gas Company is the sole provider of natural
gas in southern Idaho, including Meridian . There are dual,
high-pressure, natural gas pipelines that bisect the southwest
part of the Area of City Impact . These pipelines and the associ-
ated easement are discussed further in the Hazardous Areas
section of this report .
Irrigation
Irrigation water in Meridian is supplied by a series of irrigation
canals and laterals diverted from the Boise River . Three main
canals serve the City and its Area of City Impact: New York
Canal, Ridenbaugh Canal, and Settlers’ Canal . Maintenance and
operation of the New York Canal and its laterals is performed
by the Boise Project Board of Control, under contract with
the Bureau of Reclamation . Both the Board of Control and
the Bureau of Reclamation review rights-of-way, easements,
road crossings, relocation of facilities, utility crossings, and
other related matters for the New York Canal . Water rights
associated with the New York Canal are administered by the
Nampa and Meridian Irrigation District (NMID) . The NMID is
also responsible for maintenance and operation of the Riden-
baugh Canal and its laterals and administration of associated
water rights . Settlers’ Canal is operated and maintained by
Settlers’ Irrigation District, while its laterals are maintained by
the water users . Settlers’ Irrigation District is responsible for
administration of water rights associated with Settlers’ Canal .
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What are the Physical and Cultural Features of Meridian?
As required by Idaho State Statute, this section of the report
includes a discussion of Natural Resources, Hazardous Areas,
National Interest Electric Transmission Corridors, Agriculture,
and Special Sites and Historic Resources . These physical, cultural,
historical and natural resources (and obstacles) form the basis
of the community and affect growth and development .
Analysis of the City’s natural resources includes climate, air
quality, geology, hydrology, soils, and vegetation . Special sites,
including community landmarks and natural features that are
important to the community are then identified in this section.
Agriculture has both natural/physical and social/cultural impacts
on the community and is addressed next, followed by Historic
resources representing Meridian’s heritage . Hazardous areas,
those that could pose a threat or danger to the community if not
properly administered, are addressed right before concluding
this section . The last couple of paragraphs concern National
Interest Electric Transmission Corridors .
Natural, Special, Historic, & Agricultural
Resources
Community Concerns
When the 2002 version of the City of Meridian Comprehensive
Plan was composed, citizen groups were formed to discuss
issues and concerns regarding natural resources and community
character . The following is a brief synopsis of some of those
concerns, which have also been reinforced in recent years,
and are included as goals within the current City of Meridian
Comprehensive Plan .
Meridian residents tend to value their natural resources and
are interested in preserving and protecting them while rec-
ognizing a need for growth and development . Water quality/
pollution, canal tiling and piping of ditches, noise pollution,
air quality, floodplains, connectivity, density, neighborhood
services, natural habitat, agricultural preservation, and open
space preservation were the top concerns expressed .
As growth continues, increased pressures are placed on
natural resources . Productive agricultural soils, vegetation,
and waterways are all valuable resources that the residents of
Meridian enjoy and want to preserve . While development is
expected within the Area of City Impact, a maze of monotonous
development is not desired, either . City leaders and citizens
Below: Overlooking a lake at Kleiner Park
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focus on trying to balance open spaces and Meridian’s agri-
cultural heritage with development and growth . Development
in Meridian which expresses concerns and appreciation for
the aesthetic qualities of the physical environment should be
encouraged . Meridian has seen much of its natural resources
change over the years from agricultural open spaces to a
growing city . Growth projected for Meridian emphasizes the
need for attention to Meridian’s character, specifically its natural
and historic resources . Providing and protecting unique sites
and resources will assure continuance of the quality of life that
the residents have come to know and expect .
Natural Resources
Climate1
The City of Meridian and surrounding area is favored by a
mild, arid climate . While summer hot periods rarely last longer
than a few days, temperatures of 100º F or higher occur nearly
every year . July is the average warmest month, with the average
temperature of 75 .8º F . January is the average coolest month
with an average temperature of 31 .3º F . The normal precipita-
tion pattern in the Meridian area shows a December winter
average of 1 .34 inches of precipitation and a very pronounced
summer low of about 0 .30 inches in August . Meridian has
a United States Department of Agriculture Hardiness Zone
designation of 7a, with some areas of 6b . Meridian’s elevation
is approximately 2,600 feet above sea level .
Air Quality2
The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (IDEQ) regularly
monitors air pollutant levels in Ada County . During the 1970s
and early 1980s the County experienced violations of the
national standards for carbon monoxide (CO) and Particulate
Matter (PM10) . As a result, the Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) designated the area as nonattainment for these
two pollutants . Ada County, however, has not experienced any
violations of the national standards for CO since 1986 . In 1999,
EPA removed Ada County’s designation of nonattainment for
PM10 . In 2001, IDEQ submitted a Maintenance Plan for CO
that can help the progress of the area into attainment, and in
2002 a maintenance plan for PM10 .
1 US Department of Commerce, NOAA, National Weather Service. “Boise Climatology.”National
Weather Service. NOAA’s National Weather Service, n.d. Web. 07 June 2017. <http://www.wrh.noaa.
gov/boi/climo.php>.
2 Idaho Department of Environmental Quality. “Northern Ada County (Maintenance
Area).”Nonattainment and Maintenance Areas in Idaho. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 June 2017. <http://
www.deq.idaho.gov/air-quality/monitoring/attainment-versus-nonattainment/>
Below: Hoar frost at Meridian City Hall
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As a result of efforts to restrict CO and PM10 pollutant sources,
Northern Ada County is currently classified as a Maintenance
Area for CO and PM10 . Automobile and area source emissions
are the two major sources of CO . The main sources of PM10
are fugitive road dust and agriculture . For more information
on Air Quality, see the Idaho Department of Environmental
Quality website .
Geology3
The Meridian area lies within the Snake River and Boise River
Plains. Geology consists of a series of volcanic lava flows inter-
bedded with soil layers . Most outcrops within a few miles of
Meridian expose black basalt lava flows on the Snake River
Plain. Significant geologic areas include the Snake River and
its tributary, the Boise River, plus the Idaho Batholith .
Generally, geology-related issues in the region involve the
basalts of the Snake River Plain or the windblown silt and sand
that covers the basalt . The windblown material on the plain
in the Meridian area supports some of the best farmland in
southwest Idaho, but its properties can create problems for
construction . Large structures placed directly on this material
rather than on engineered foundations may settle because of
compaction or the spreading of the unconsolidated material .
Hydrology
The hydrology of the area is affected by local agricultural
and development practices . Surface water within the Area
of City Impact includes the Boise River and several perennial
and intermittent creeks, plus an extensive network of canals,
laterals and drains . These surface water features contribute to a
complex and robustly recharged aquifer system . Groundwater
is currently the only source of potable water for the City . Water
3 2002 City of Meridian Comprehensive Plan
meeting EPA safe drinking water standards is readily accessible,
however, aesthetic contaminants, such as iron and manganese
are present and must be avoided or treated . The primary
regulated contaminant of concern for Meridian is uranium,
which occurs naturally in shallow aquifer units . Although
treatment is possible, the City’s strategy for dealing with this
contaminant is to avoid it by drilling test wells and completing
production wells at other depths . Twenty-three wells ranging
from 160 to 800 feet deep are located throughout the City to
provide drinking water to residents .
Soils
An understanding of soil properties makes it possible to
predict suitability or limitations for present and future uses .
In some cases, limited soil absorption for a domestic septic
Below: Farm ground in south Meridian
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tank, combined with a high seasonable water table, limits
the capacity of the soil to absorb and filter additional liquid
being discharged by a drainfield. The probable result is usually
contamination of groundwater supplies . Soils that are shallow
or water-saturated do not have adequate volume to absorb
and filter sewage effluent. Figure 5A shows common soil types
in the Meridian area .
Vegetation
Trees provide shade and wildlife habitat, reduce heat island
effects, reduce soil erosion, and improve air quality . Throughout
the Meridian area are natural tree and shrub corridors, usually
along the creeks and drains . Not only do these vegetation
resources provide aesthetic values and recreation opportuni-
ties, they are also critical for wildlife, allowing for the migration
of species between developed areas . Without these riparian
zone corridors and the ability to move through them, many
species would not have habitat areas large enough to support
them . Protection and preservation of natural vegetation along
all creeks and drains within the Meridian area assures that
residents are able to continue viewing wildlife and natural
scenery, while preserving a valuable natural resource . There
are no forests in Meridian, but outside of the riparian zones
previously mentioned, portions of the City are heavily planted
with trees and shrubs . Parks and subdivisions contribute to
the recreational and aesthetic values of the City, and enhance
the appearance of urban areas as they are typically densely
landscaped .
Agriculture
Much farmland in the Meridian area has, or is being converted
into, urban development . However, there are still some prime
agricultural lands in production within Meridian’s Area of City
Impact. For the purposes of this report, prime farmland is defined
Figure 5A: Soils in the Meridian area
CHERRY
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Area of Impact
Soils
Abo silt loam
Aquic Torriorthents
Colthorp cobbly loam
Colthorp silt loam
Elijah silt loam
Elijah-Urban complex
Moulton-Notus complex
Moulton-Phyllis complex
Notus-LesBois complex
Pipeline silt loam
Pits and Dumps
Power silt loam
Purdam silt loam
Purdam-Power silt loams
Xeric Haplargids
D D D D
D D D D
D D D D Xeric Haplocalcids
Other Types
Í0120.5
Miles
Ada County
Soils
March 2017
Source: City of Meridian Planning Division, 2017.
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as land that has a good combination of physical and chemical
characteristics for producing food and other agricultural crops
with minimum inputs of fossil fuels, fertilizer, pesticides, and
labor and with minimal soil erosion, while also having access
to irrigation water . Figure 5B shows the irrigated agricultural
land, meadows, and dry grazing land in Meridian .
While rapid growth has converted 24,243 acres of agricultural
lands into roads, houses, and shopping centers over the past
50 years, there is still 8,505 acres of undeveloped land with
soils considered to be prime farmland (if irrigated) within
Meridian’s Area of City Impact (AOCI) . Within this area, 6,725
acres of this prime farmland are in active use (irrigated), and
there is an additional 6,788 acres of open space that is not
prime farmland, but could be used for other agricultural uses .
With a rich history built on agriculture, Meridian would like to
preserve some of its rural character, protect opportunities for
local produce, maintain and expand diversity in employment
opportunities, and preserve a variety of housing and lifestyle
choices, such as living on working agricultural land or open
space .
South Meridian
In 2008, Meridian in cooperation with Ada County began the
process of evaluating current and future land uses in South
Meridian. This study area, loosely defined between I-84, Kuna,
Boise, and the Ada-Canyon County line, was eventually adopted
into the Meridian Area of City Impact . While the process clearly
identified which city that County residents and stakeholders
T A ble 5A: agricultural Land
Land Within Meridian Area of City Impact (AOCI)2014 (Acres)2017 (Acres)
Total Area 39,627.01 39,535.73
Total Developed 22,971.36 24,242.56
Developed Since 1960 21,867.16 23,138.35
Development on Prime Farmland (If irrigated)17,359.67 18,382.40
Total Remaining Undeveloped Land 16,655.66 15,293.17
Undeveloped Prime Farmland 7,542.94 6,725.26
Undeveloped Prime Farmland (If Irrigated)9,527.98 8,505.25
Undeveloped Not Prime Farmland 7,127.68 6,787.92
Source: City of Meridian Planning Division, 2017. Note: Development status deter-
mined by existing City limits, Roadway right-of-way, County subdivisions, and pending
development applications as of June, 2017. Agricultural exempt properties (determined
by State tax codes, 2017) were subtracted from City limits and County subdivisions.
Development Status of Land Within Meridian AOCI (2017)
0.00 10,000.00 20,000.00 30,000.00 40,000.00
Acres
Developed Before 1960 Developed After 1960
Undeveloped Prime Farmland Undeveloped Not Prime Farmland
Note: See Table 5A for data. Prime farmland assumes irrigated soils.
Use of Prime Farmland Within Meridian AOCI (2017)
0.00 10,000.00 20,000.00 30,000.00 40,000.00
Acres
Development on Prime Farmland Development not on Prime Farmland
Undeveloped Prime Farmland Undeveloped Not Prime Farmland
Note: See Table 5A for data. Prime farmland assumes irrigated soils.
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most identified with, either Meridian or Kuna, no land uses
were selected and the entire area was instead designated as
a Future Planning and Referral Area, to be determined later . In
2012, through a second round of public outreach and planning
efforts, the City worked with stakeholders to identify future
land uses for this area . An “ultra-low” density future land use
designation was developed as part of this process .
This new land use, Rural/estate Residential, is intended to
protect rural lifestyles, while allowing for small ranchettes
and rural neighborhoods, such as clustered developments .
Clustered developments consist of a small neighborhood
of homes developed in relatively close proximity, to reduce
utility costs, and are surrounded by open space or integrated
with community farming areas . These types of developments
can help transition to nearby urban projects and also protect
larger agricultural uses into the future .
Fields District
At the time of this report, the Fields District, a study area
in the northwest corner of Meridian, is being evaluated for
agricultural and bioscience related opportunities through
private, public-private, and public-public initiatives . This study
is evaluating available land, local and state policies, market
demand, partnership, capital needs, and human resources for
a variety of unique economic development and marketing
initiatives not only in northwest Meridian, but the in Treasure
Valley as a whole . Some of the outcomes from this process may
involve identifying and preserving for agricultural related land
uses, tourism, education, economic development, clustered
subdivisions, and/or food security .
Figure 5b: agricultural Tax exempt Land in Meridian
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City Limits
Agricultural Land 2017
Irrigated Ag Land
Meadow Land
Dry Grazing Land
All Other Land
Í0120.5
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Tax Exempt
Agricultural Land
March 2017
Source: City of Meridian Planning Division, 2017.
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Special Sites and Historic Resources
Historic Resources
Meridian has a unique, storied history . Preservation of that
history is important because of the richness and meaning
that it adds to the lives of its residents and the link it provides
between the past and future . As development has increased,
however, rural historic resources throughout the region have
disappeared .
Historic preservation in Idaho began in 1881 with the creation of
the Historic Society of Idaho Pioneers . In 1907, the Idaho State
Historical Society, a state agency serving several preservation
functions, was formed . Preservation efforts in Idaho began
in earnest in 1966 with the passage of the National Historic
Preservation Act . As shown in Table 5B, there are several
Meridian properties currently listed in the National Register
of Historic Places .
In addition to these properties, Ada County has identified a
number of architectural resources found within the Area of
City Impact .4 Historic commercial buildings recorded within
the City reflect its important agricultural heritage. They include
grain elevators, a feed mill, a wagon shop, a cheese factory,
and a number of shops . Historic public buildings include a
public library, Meridian Rural High School, and a municipal
pumping station, all constructed prior to 1923 . The history of
town settlement is also reflected in the many private historic
residences that have been recorded .
Outside the City Core, but within the Area of City Impact,
architectural resources include historic farmsteads, residences,
hay derricks, irrigation facilities, and schools . Some of these,
such as the White Cross School/Hamming Farmstead, are no
longer present due to road widening and residential develop-
ment . A study of historical irrigation in Ada County recorded a
number of agricultural features within Meridian’s Area of City
Impact . These include the Ridenbaugh Canal Check Dam and
associated structures, the Ten Mile Check/Weir structures, the
Sundell Lateral Lava Rock Check, and various Settler’s (Lemp)
Canal features .
No Geological sites or monuments have been identified in
Meridian, nor are there any Native American sites recorded
within Meridian’s Area of City Impact . However, the Five Mile
Creek is noted in Ada County’s 2006 Historic Preservation
Plan as a potential site for archaeological exploration . Cross-
ing of this facility requires a permit from the Army Corps of
Engineers which triggers a site investigation for historic and
cultural resources .
4 Ada County. “Historic Site Inventories.” Ada County Idaho. Ada County Historic Preservation
Council, n.d. Web. 07 June 2017. <https://adacounty.id.gov/Historic-Preservation/Historic-Site-
Inventories>.
TAble 5b: National Register-Listed Historical Resources, Meridian
Register #Resource Name Address Status
5001599 Bell, R.H. and Jessie, House 137 E. Pine St.Exists
5001600 Hill, Clara, House 1123 N. Main St.Exists
82000210 Hunt, E. F., House 49 E. State St.Exists
82000223 Meridian Exchange Bank 109 E. 2nd St.Removed
3000122 Mittleider Farmstead Historic District 575 Rumpel Ln.Removed
8000905 Mountain States Telephone and Telegraph Co.815 N. Main St.Exists
82000227 Neal, Halbert F. and Grace, House 101 W. Pine St.Exists
96001506 Tolleth House 134 E. State Ave.Exists
Source: National Register. “Database.” National Register of Historic Places Program: Research.
National Park Service, n.d. Web. 15 June 2017. <https://www.nps.gov/nr/research/>.Ci
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Hazardous Areas
Besides floodplains, some heavy industry located primarily
near the rail corridor, and gas stations scattered throughout
the community, there are few other hazards or hazardous
areas that are noteworthy in the Meridian area . Without large
industrial complexes, an airport, petroleum tank farms and other
uses which tend to generate safety and pollution concerns,
the City of Meridian is relatively free of hazardous areas which
plague larger metropolitan areas . As more development
occurs however, safety and hazardous areas will likely increase
from more service stations, increased traffic, and storage and
conveyance of hazardous chemicals associated with certain
businesses . While federal regulations provide protection to
a degree, as development increases, so will the potential for
spills, accidents, and fires.
Natural Gas Pipeline
As shown in Figure 5C, there is a high-pressure natural gas
pipeline that runs through the northwest and southwest areas
of Meridian . This pipeline operates at a maximum pressure of
850 PSIG and carries only natural gas . There is typically a 75-foot
wide easement that is associated with the pipeline . Coupled
with the gas transmission pipeline, there is an existing liquefied
natural gas plant located in the northwest part of the Area of
City Impact, at 4014 N. Can-Ada Road. Liquefied natural gas
is gas that has been converted temporarily to liquid form for
ease of storage or transport; liquefied natural gas takes up
about 1/600th the volume of natural gas in the gaseous state .
It is odorless, colorless, non-toxic and non-corrosive . Hazards
include flammability, freezing and asphyxia. The City and the
gas company have certain restrictions and specific provisions
when developing on or around the gas pipeline .
F IGUR e 5C: Gas Transmission Pipeline
`_
FAIRVIEW
FRANKLINBLACK C A T CHERRY
CHINDEN
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AMITY M E R I D I A N
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Area of Impact
City Limits
`_Intermountain Gas
Williams Pipeline
Gas Transmission
Infrastructure
Í0120.5
Miles
March 2017
Source: City of Meridian Planning Division, 2017.
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State Highways
State Highways are typically posted for higher-speeds and
are considered by many in the community to be hazardous .
There are four ITD roadways that currently traverse through
Meridian: Interstate 84, SH 55 (Eagle Road), U .S . 20/26 (Chinden
Boulevard), and SH 69 (Meridian Road) . Many of the accidents
that occur in Meridian are along State Highways . The City has
worked, and will continue to work with ITD, ACHD and COMPASS
on improving safety along State Highways for motorists and
pedestrians . Some of the safety projects that the City would
like to see include: additional pedestrian facilities, intersection
improvements, and improved access management .
Weeds
There are vast and far reaching economic and environmental
impacts of invasive weeds . Idaho has about 800 of the nation’s
2,000 weed species present, most of which are alien to the
state . Noxious weeds overwhelm native plant communities
and disturbed areas, spreading steadily year by year . Importing
natural controls is not possible for all weeds, and may take
many years and significant financial resources to introduce
natural controls . Therefore, it is important to educate and
implement aspects of weed management . Prevention and
inspection are the most economical management system for
reducing the rate of noxious weed spread .
Floodplains
The City of Meridian is a member of the National Flood Insur-
ance Program (NFIP) and regulates development in flood prone
areas . Although located in the high desert, over 24 miles of
intermittent and year-round streams are found within Merid-
ian’s Area of City Impact . These streams are unique because
they also serve an irrigation purpose . These dual-purpose
waterways have been channelized and widened to allow them
to carry large flows in the event of a canal failure. Even though
the streams have been modified four streams have associated
Special Flood Hazard Areas . Flood events have occurred in the
early spring when rain and rapid snowmelt combine . Meridian
has experienced such flooding events in 1963 and 1982.
As a participating community in the NFIP, Meridian establishes
Floodplain Overlay Districts and regulates all development in
the Districts through permits . Development includes activities
such as grading, filling, building structures, and even storage
of materials. The purpose of floodplain management is to
protect life-safety, guide development in the flood-prone areas
that is consistent with the requirements for the conveyance of
Below: The Meridian Road Interchange over Interstate 84
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flood flows, and minimize the expense and inconveniences to
the individual property owners and the general public caused
by flooding.
Meridian currently maintains good standing in the NFIP by
meeting or exceeding minimum floodplain development
standards . Additionally, Meridian is a member of the Com-
munity Rating System (CRS) . This is an NFIP program that
rewards communities that adopt standards above minimum
requirements . The CRS also provides residents discounts on
flood insurance premiums.
National Interest Electric Transmission Corridors
During the 2007 Idaho State legislative session, the Local Land
Use Planning Act was amended to require that Comprehensive
Plans incorporate an additional element to address National
Interest Electric Transmission Corridors . The U .S . Department
of Energy (DOE) has been tasked with identifying national
corridors .
Designating a National Corridor does not constitute a recom-
mendation or a proposal to build additional transmission facili-
ties; it simply serves to spotlight the congestion or constraints
adversely affecting consumers in an area . The DOE issued two
draft National Corridor designations; one in the Northeastern
States and one in the Southwestern States . The State of Idaho
is indirectly affected as several transmission facilities either
cross the state or emanate from the state toward the congested
area . Idaho Power has provided maps illustrating their current
and proposed facilities within the Meridian Area of City Impact
and the Treasure Valley . Should the Idaho State Public Utilities
Commission notify the County of other federally mandated
corridors, the Comprehensive Plan and this report will need
to be updated .
Figure 5D: Meridian Floodplains
FAIRVIEW
FRANKLINBLACK C A T CHERRY
CHINDEN
MCMILLAN
L I N D E R
OVERLAND
AMITY M E R I D I A N
PINE
USTICK
VICTORY
LA KE HAZEL
C A N A D A
T E N M I L E
S T A R
E A G L E
B o i s e R iv e r
¬«44
¬«69
¬«55
£¤26
£¤16
§¨¦84 §¨¦84
Legend
Area of Impact
City Limits
Flood Map
Floodway
100 Year Flood
500 Year Flood
Not Regulated
FEMA
Flood Map
Í0120.5
Miles
March 2017
Source: City of Meridian Planning Division, 2017.
www.meridiancity.org/compplan
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www.meridiancity.org/compplan
Summary
This report is a companion to the City’s Comprehensive Plan,
last adopted in April of 2011, and most recently amended
October 2016 . By separating relevant information about the
City’s history, present day conditions, trends, and current
strategic plan for its future, the Existing Conditions Report
2014 allows the Comprehensive Plan to be a clear and concise
vision document . By understanding what Meridian’s resources
are, its history, and some of its recent initiatives, this document
serves to identify planning, policy, and services which should
be addressed in the Comprehensive Plan . In this regard, the
Existing Conditions Report is not only a valuable planning
and decision making tool, but a means to measure progress .
The source documentation for this report is largely composed
of material which, with time, changes . Given that, the Existing
Conditions Report is a living document, and as sufficient time
has passed or significant changes occur within the City, updates
will be made to retain its relevance as a companion document
to the Comprehensive Plan . It is envisioned that this report
will be updated approximately every three years .
Below: Blue Cross of Idaho Campus on Eagle Road and Pine Avenue
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