Executive SummaryActionchecklisNorth Meridian Area Plan
Executive Summary/Action Checklist
North Meridian Area Plan ES-1
Compiled by Wardle & Associates
November 15, 2002
Executive Summary
Community character and infrastructure concurrency were the primary concerns of the North
Meridian planning effort that united the public and private sectors in a unique partnership. That
relationship has produced the North Meridian Area Plan--a “framework” for future growth in
North Meridian.
The proposed “plan” :
· Identifies policy modifications and structural changes which are required to improve
the delivery of public services and facilities;
· Establishes a flexible land use plan which encourages innovative and diverse
neighborhoods with close-by commercial uses and services.
· Proposes traditional Neighborhood Development (TND) standards as an a “alternate
code” incentive to developers.
The accompanying document details the proposed modifications and changes in depth. Principal
findings and recommendations of the Plan are as follows:
1. Community character will change through adoption of the North Meridian Land Use Plan
which proposes alternatives to the repetitive residential development patterns of the past.
q Diverse residential neighborhoods will be created through the planned development
process or through the TND (alternate code) ordinance.
q Commercial uses and services will be provided through a flexible, mixed-use hierarchy
which overlays the residential base and is keyed to the transportation system.
2. Many public facility and service delivery programs are well established and require minor or
no modification in order to accommodate future growth.
q No change is anticipated for police, EMS, library, domestic water or irrigation programs.
q Minor modifications are required for:
· Schools
- The District’s pro-active site acquisition program must continue to precede the
development process.
- Consistent site improvement standards must be developed with the City.
· Sanitary sewer system expansion
- City policy change is needed to enable developer-initiated system expansions
which conform to the City’s long-term facility plan.
North Meridian Area Plan
Executive Summary/Action Checklist
North Meridian Area Plan ES-2
Compiled by Wardle & Associates
November 15, 2002
3. Specific actions to address future recreation and public safety requirements:
q Parks
· The Parks Plan must be made consistent with the City’s park impact fee ordinance.
· Two park impact fee benefit zones should be created.
· Neighborhood parks should continue to be impact fee-eligible.
· Park type, location and size should take public school recreation facilities into
consideration.
- Neighborhood parks may provide adequate recreational opportunity when located
in areas with one or more public schools.
q Fire Department facility needs will be met by the formulation of a capital improvement
program and implementation of a long-term funding strategy.
4. Timely and cost-effective North Meridian transportation improvements will require…
q A phased funding plan based on a revision of COMPASS growth projections; a Capital
Improvement Plan (CIP) based on the revised growth forecast; and updated system
construction costs keyed to the CIP.
q A clear definition of roadway classifications and future lane needs.
q Designation of a principal north/south link from I-84 to State highway 16; Black Cat
Road is proposed to provide that connection.
q Modifying ACHD’s 5-year program to make improvement of the arterial roadways
impact fee-eligible.
q Cooperative agreements with developers for privately-funded, impact fee-reimbursable
projects.
q Creation of a impact fee benefit zone directly related to the North Meridian Area.
North Meridian Area Plan
Executive Summary/Action Checklist
North Meridian Area Plan ES-3
Compiled by Wardle & Associates
November 15, 2002
Action Checklist
Meridian City
q Amend Comprehensive Plan Land Use Map with North Meridian Land Use Map
q Add Mixed Use-Village Standards to Text and Modify all Mixed-Use Standards
q Adopt Traditional Neighborhood Development (TND) Code
q Develop Capital Improvement Program for funding Community Facilities
q Adopt Park Plan, modify Land-Use Map accordingly
Ada County
q Approve Meridian City Comprehensive Plan Amendment for North Meridian
Ada County Highway District
q Prepare Capital Improvement Plan based on up-dated growth projections (see
COMPASS)
q Complete Construction Cost Up-date for phasing/funding Transportation System Plan
q Amend five year work program to make North Meridian System improvement projects
impact fee eligible
COMPASS
q Revise North Meridian growth projections
q Reallocate transportation funding to match growth projections
q Designate Black Cat Road as the SH 16 to I-84 connection
The North Meridian Area Plan is a cooperative effort of the North Meridian development
community, with the City of Meridian, Ada County, Ada County Highway District, and
approximately seventy-five stakeholders, facilitated by Michael D. Wardle, Wardle &
Associates, 50 Broadway, Suite B., Boise, ID, 83702 (208) 344-3448.