Sweetwater Carwash ALT, DES, CZC (A-2020-0198)
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DATE: 11/10/2020
TO: Chris Broders
Pivot North Architecture
FROM: Stacy Hersh, Assistant Planner
208-884-5533
SUBJECT: A-2020-0198
Sweetwater Carwash CZC, DES & ALT
LOCATION: 100 S. Meridian Road
I. PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The applicant, Chris Broders, requests Certificate of Zoning Compliance (CZC),
Administrative Design Review (DES), and Alternative Compliance (ALT) approval to
construct a 3,465 square foot vehicle washing facility on 0.79 acres of land in the C-G zoning
district.
II. DECISION
The applicant's request for Certificate of Zoning Compliance, Administrative Design Review, and
Alternative Compliance are approved with the conditions listed in this report.
Note: This is not a building permit. Please contact Building Services at (208) 887-2211 to verify if
you need a building permit and/or inspection. If you do need a building permit, you must complete
that process before you commence the use or construction. Please contact Building Services for
additional details about building permits and inspections.
ALTERNATIVE COMPLIANCE REQUEST
(1) The applicant is requesting alternative compliance to the standards set forth in UDC Table 11-
2B-3, dimensional standards for landscape buffers along entryway corridors in the
commercial districts. Per this standard, a thirty-five (35) foot landscape buffer is required
along Meridian Road.
(2) The applicant is requesting alternative compliance to the standards set forth in UDC 11-3B-
8.C. that requires a five foot (5') wide minimum landscape buffer adjacent to parking, loading,
or other paved vehicular use areas, including driveways, vehicle sales areas, truck parking
areas, bus parking areas, and vehicle storage areas. Per this standard, a five (5’) foot wide
parking lot perimeter landscape buffer is also required along the drive aisle on the east side of
the property adjacent to the Maverik Fuel Station.
CERTIFICATE OF ZONING
COMPLIANCE REPORT
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
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FINDINGS FOR ALTERNATIVE COMPLIANCE REQUEST TO UDC TABLE 11-2B-3 & UDC 11-3B-
8.C.:
In order to grant approval for alternative compliance, the director shall determine the
following findings:
1. Strict adherence or application of the requirements is not feasible; OR
(1) Strict adherence to the requirements is not feasible due to the size of the property
creating site constraints for the proposed project; the existing landscape buffer is
currently nineteen (19) feet wide.
(2) Strict adherence to the requirements is not feasible due to the site constraints of the
property for the type of project proposed for this site.
2. The alternative compliance provides an equal or superior means for meeting the
requirements; and
(1) The existing nineteen (19) foot landscape buffer adjacent to Meridian Road not
meeting the thirty-five (35) foot width dimensional standard requirements causes site
constraints for the proposed project due to the existing cross access drive; therefore, the
required thirty-five (35’) foot landscape buffer cannot be provided. The existing
landscape buffer is currently planted with trees, roughly nineteen (19) shrubs and
ornamental grasses, covered with half turf and half landscape rock divided by concrete
landscape curbing that adjoins an existing drive aisle on the property. The applicant is
proposing to add additional trees as well as additional bushes and perennials to be
planted around the proposed monument sign. Furthermore, the applicant proposes to add
additional plantings and trees along the north side of the building and internal to the site
to provide additional landscaping not required by the landscape ordinance as shown on
the landscape plan on Exhibit B. The Director finds the Applicant’s proposed alternative
compliance provides an equal means of compliance with this requirement.
(2) Due to the approach to the entrance of the car wash tunnel abutting the eastern
property line, the project does not meet the UDC 11-3B-8.C requirements for a five (5’)
foot landscape buffer along the drive aisle adjacent to the Maverick Fuel Station. The
applicant is proposing to increase the landscaping in the southeast corner of the site, the
northeast corner of the site, and increased planting throughout the center of the site. All
required trees along the eastern portion of the site have been relocated to the northern
side of the south drive aisle and to the southeast portion of the site as shown on the
landscape plan on Exhibit B. Additionally, there is an existing ten (10’) foot landscape
buffer running along the western portion of the Maverik Fuel Station site that currently
abuts the entrance to the car wash providing separation between both properties.
3. The alternative means will not be materially detrimental to the public welfare or
impair the intended uses and character of the surrounding properties.
The Director finds that the proposed alternative will not be detrimental to the public
welfare or impair the intended use/character of the surrounding properties.
After reviewing the applicant’s request, staff finds the proposal meets the intent of the Unified
Development Code. Therefore, the proposed site design is approved.
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Site Specific Conditions of Approval
1. The applicant shall construct all proposed fencing and/or any fencing required by the UDC,
consistent with the standards as set forth in UDC 11-3A-7 and 11-3A-6B.
2. Per UDC 11-5B-5B2, the Director (at the applicant's request) approved alternative compliance
regarding the required thirty-five (35’) foot landscape buffer along Meridian road and the five
(5’) foot parking lot perimeter landscape buffer on the eastern portion of the site, UDC Table 11-
2B-3 and UDC 11-3B-8.C (see Findings above).
3. No signs are approved with this application. Prior to installing any signs on the property, the
applicant shall submit a sign permit application consistent with the standards in UDC Chapter 3
Article D and receive approval for such signs.
4. The applicant shall complete all improvements related to public life, safety, and health as set forth
in UDC 11-5C-3B. A surety agreement may be accepted for other improvements in accord with
UDC 11-5C-3C.
5. Upon installation of the landscaping and prior to inspection by Planning Division staff, the
applicant shall provide a written certificate of completion as set forth in UDC 11-3B-14A.
6. The site plan prepared by Pivot north Architecture on October 29, 2020, labeled SP1.0, is
approved by the City of Meridian Planning Division as shown in Exhibit A with the following
condtions:
Provide signage in the buffer along Meridian Road signaling for people to watch for on-
coming traffic when exiting the washing facility.
7. The landscape plan prepared by Breckon Land Design on October 29, 2020, labeled L1.1 and
L1.5,are approved by the City of Meridian Planning Division as shown in Exhibit B with the
following conditions:
Per UDC 11-3B-10, existing trees that are retained shall be protected from damage to
bark, branches, and roots during construction; severely damaged tree shall be replaced
in accord with subsection C5 of this section.
8. The elevations prepared by Pivot north Architecture on October 5, 2020, labeled A3.01, are
approved by the City of Meridian Planning Division as shown in Exhibit C with the following
notations:
The applicant requests a design standard exception to the following Goal contained in
the Architectural Standards Manual:
Goal 5.1I “Untextured concrete panels and prefabricated steel panels are prohibited as field
materials for building façades, except when used with a minimum of two other qualifying
field materials and meeting all other standard fenestration and material requirements.” The
applicant is proposing a heavy-duty aluminum panel siding mimicking wood paneling as the
primary material of the building. The secondary material is a high-grade gauge of metal
siding that will be six (6’) feet wide and have a small “V” groove where the panels meet
running horizontal. Breaking up the aluminum siding will be accent wall panels that will be
located a minimum of 4 -6 inches from the aluminum siding. These panels will have a base
material of a CMU wainscot that is roughly three (3’) feet high. The CMU material will be a
ground face block, this will show the aggregate in the CMU which will add a visual texture to
the material. Above the CMU will be a light gray metal panel with a horizontal groove in the
panel. The accent panels will have a height of eighteen (18’) feet along with the aluminum
siding having a height of about sixteen (16’) feet. The applicant chose the high-grade metal
panels for its durability in holding up to the different elements experienced throughout the
year as well as providing a more modern look connecting the materials to the vehicles. Staff
finds the quality/variation of the materials proposed along with the glazing, metal
awnings, and tower elements on the northwest and east corners of the building
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highlighting the entrance and exit of the car wash tunnel furnishes a more modern
design that contributes to the overall attractiveness of the building. Staff supports the
justifications for exemption from the Architectural Standards Manual.
9. The approved site plan, landscape plan and/or elevations may not be altered without prior written
approval of the City of Meridian Planning Division.
10. The applicant shall pay any applicable impact fees prior to the issuance of a building permit.
11. If any changes must be made to the site plan to accommodate ACHD requirements, the applicant
shall submit a new site plan to the City of Meridian Planning Division for approval prior to
issuance of the building permit.
12. The applicant shall complete all required improvements prior to issuance of a Certificate of
Occupancy. It is unlawful to use or occupy any building or structure until the Building Official
has issued a Certificate of Occupancy.
13. Prior to Certificate of Occupancy, the applicant shall provide a copy of a recorded cross
access agreement OR record a cross-access/ingress-egress easement to adjoining properties
to the north, south, and east (S118223255, S1118223415 and S1118223220) and submit copy
of said easement to the Planning Division in accord with the provisions of UDC 11-3A-3A2.
14. The City of Meridian requires that the owner enter into a Warranty Surety Agreement and post a
Warranty Surety in the amount of 20% of the total construction cost for all completed public
sewer and water infrastructure for a duration of two years. This surety amount will be verified by
a line item final cost invoicing provided by the owner to the City. The surety can be posted in the
form of an irrevocable letter of credit, cash deposit or bond, and must be in place prior to
Certificate of Occupancy. Applicant must file an application for surety, which can be found on
the Community Development Department website. Please contact Land Development Services
for more information at 208-887-2211.
General Conditions of Approval
1. The applicant and/or assigns shall have the continuing obligation to provide irrigation that meets
the standards as set forth in UDC 11-3B-6 and to install and maintain all landscaping as set forth
in UDC 11-3B-5, UDC 11-3B-13 and UDC 11-3B-14.
2. The applicant shall comply with the outdoor storage as an accessory use standards as set forth in
UDC 11-3A-14.
3. The applicant shall comply with the self-services uses standards as set forth in UDC 11-3A-
16.
4. The project is subject to all current City of Meridian ordinances and previous conditions of
approval associated with this site (Ordinance 02-987).
5. The issuance of this CZC does not release the applicant from any previous requirements of the
other permits issued for the site.
6. The applicant and/or property owner shall have an ongoing obligation to prune all trees to a
minimum height of six feet above the ground or sidewalk surface to afford greater visibility of the
area.
7. The applicant has a continuing obligation to comply with the outdoor lighting provisions as set
forth in UDC 11-3A-11.
8. The applicant and/or property owner shall have an ongoing obligation to maintain all landscaping
and constructed features within the clear vision triangle consistent with the standards in UDC 11-
3A-3.
9. The applicant and/or assigns shall have the continuing obligation to meet the specific use
standards for the proposed use as set forth in UDC 11-4-3-39, Vehicle Washing Facility.
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III. CITY COUNCIL REVIEW
The applicant or a party of record may request City Council review of a decision of the Director. All
requests for review shall be filed in writing with the Planning Division on or before November 25,
2020, within fifteen (15) days after the written decision is issued, and contain the information listed in
UDC 11-5A-6B.
If City Council review of the decision is not requested, the action of the Director represents a final
decision on a land use application. You have the right to request a regulatory taking analysis under
Idaho Code 67-8003.
IV. EXPIRATION
The Certificate of Zoning Compliance shall expire if the construction, alteration or the use has not
commenced within one year of the date of issuance of the Certificate of Zoning Compliance.
In accord with the above provisions, the subject Certificate of Zoning Compliance is valid until
November 10, 2021.
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V. EXHIBITS
A. Site Plan (date: 10/29/2020)
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B. Landscape Plan (date: 10/29/2020)
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C. Building Elevations (date: 10/5/2020)