1978 05-01
Meridian Planning and Zoning May 1, 1978
Meeting called to order by the Chairman, Willard Rowley
Members Present: Annette Hinrichs; Don Sharp; Burl Pipkin; Lee Mitchell
Others Present: Ray Hamilton; Arthur Collins
There was discussion concerning a question raised by the Chief of Police about
an access to the school onto Linder in the 6lennfield Manor Sub.
It was thought that many of the children would walk to school, being a local
school area.
The traffic congestion would be reduced with no traffic outlet on Linder.
Art Collins and Ray Hamilton, Planning and Zoning Representatives from APA,
reviewed the Basie Goals and Policies which were stated at the last meeting
with the proposed changes.
There was considerable discussion concerning density in the residential area
in relation of approximately 3.5 dwelling units per acre. It was pointed out
that there could be trade offs is density against open space.
The Basic Goals and Policies were again reviewed for changes and are shown
as follova.
BASIC GOALS AND POLICIES
A. BASIC GOALS
In order to grapple with the concerns of Meridian's environmental
quality, economic growth and balance, housing, the quality of life
and other concerns, basic goals must be expressed to give a founda-
tion upon which to build a sound and stable Comprehensive Plan. In
most instances, these basic goals are compatible with the Comprehensive
Plan of Ada County, but may differ in some areas.
The plan's basic goals are:
1. To preserve Meridian's quality environment and to make provisions
for and improve the total natural environment by adopting city-
wide and planning area policies which deal with area ~ecific
policies and how
mod-management of the environment~4•"as~...~i%''~•
2. To ensure-use that growth and development occur in an
an orderly fashion in accordance with adopted policies and pro-
cedures governing the use of land, residential development, the
provision of services and the distribution of new housing units
throughout the planning area.
3. To encourage the kind of economic growth and development, which
supplies employment and economic self-sufficiency for existing
and future residents, reduces the present reliance on Boise
and maintains the city's ability to finance and implement public
improvements, services, and open space character.
4. To provide conditions whereby housing for the existing and
future variety of social, cultural, and economic groups
will be maintained and enhanced.
5. To preserve and improve the character and quality of Meridian's
man-made environment, which lends identity to the city and the
surrounding area. -~"",° _., ,,e ~~^•-°--
,TT++97--nom - -eaF2Tl--
Meridian Planning and Zoning .2. Maq 1, 1978
6. To encourage cultural, educational, and recreational facilities
which will fulfill the needs and preferences of citizens of
Meridian and to insure that these facilities are available
to the total population.
7. To establish relationships between land uses that meet basic
human needs, are efficient and harmonious, and balance costs
and revenue over ki.Rw.~T~ ys+aes .
8. To create a visuall attractive, efficientl ~b
y y-organized,~self-
identifiable planning area and city.
Proposed Policies for the Comprehensive Plan
The following basic policies underlie and shape the character and orientation
of the Comprehensive Plan:
Basic Policy 1
Population Growth - It is the policy of the City of Meridian to encourage
orderly growth for a self-sufficient community but discourage unplanned
growth within the city and planning area.
Basic Policy 2
Economic Development - It is the policy of the City of Meridian to
stimulate, encourage and give preference to those types of economic
activities and developments which provide opportunities for local employ-
ment of t~ieridian citizens and surrounding residents and to reduce the
need for persons to commute to Bai.se_Naly,4vo.2~ G%TF.S.
Basic Policy 3
Land Use - It is the policy of the City of Meridian to recognize:
1. the importance of land uses to the quality of life and environment;
2. the duties as well as the rights of land ownership;
3. the role of the City to regulate the use of land resources for
the benefit of future generations;
4. the desireability of joint use of public facilities wherever feasible.
Basic Policy 4
Open Space - It is the policy of the City of Meridian to create an inte-
grated pattern of open spaces throughout the planning area and City to
conserve basic resources, protect development from problem areas, protect
unique environmental elements as applicable, provide for park and recreation
opportunities, to give form to the man-made environment, and provide an
element of identification to the City.
Basic Policy 5
Physical Environment - It is the policy of the City of Meridian:
I. to utilize and rely on information, such as soils data, geologic
data, and other physical and environmental data as a basis for
shaping of its public policy decisions within its planning area, anc
2. to require all public and private proposals which are likely to
alter the environment significantly,~Why such changes are justified.
yfo sTAfc
Heridian Planning and Zoning
.3.
Mqq 1, 1978
Basic Policy 6
Housing Development - It is the policy of the City of Meridian to encourage
the overall balance of public and private proposals regarding residential
development and to include a variety of densities, housing types, and
housing opportunities for all segments of the planning area population. A
balanced overall density for the residential areas will be approximately
3.5 dwel 1 i ng-units per acre.,/~>hiN rsz .v,[~c~+A.~°~q-,
Basic Policy 7
Community and Neighborhood Plannin - It is the policy of the City of
Meridian to encourage all residents, local representative groups and
interested persons to participate in the planning of their community and
neighborhood areas and to establish guidelines for improvements concerning
the environment, housing, transportation, recreation, open space, parks,
and other factors which may express local concerns and preferences.
Basic Policy 8 op,.wd~sf
Mixed Land Use - It is the policy of the Cit~of Meridian to include
pro vision. for d'ev~lopg~g~of varied typeyin the plans and proposals
for the~~r`'~]-bus=^a« d ~tr~~+ and the surrounding area.
BASIC POLICY 9
Phasing of Residential Development - It is the policy to phase residential
development within the planning area to provide for orderly growth
and development.
i V2.{ OY j~ r 7i
Residential phasing-~~- -,-.,.~„~, ~;,;,C development of various
portions of the planning area ,
The major objective of the residential phasing is to maintain a compact
urban form; which minimizes the incremental costs of providing
utilities and streets, preserves, open space, and promotes city unity.
Phasing does no~SSU est specific time frames for the various phases,
but simply a~aae areas where growth should occur in relationship
to planned facilities>>/t utilities and other services. A priority
should be placed on the phases to allow for a meaningful) transition
for the city and services and the phasing of necessary capital
improvements.
BASIC POLICY 10
Community Design - It is the policy to create civic pride and focus
attention on the need to have a community image thdi; is attainable /~e 4s°'~~~jle
~., s , a ,-.t a .. ,_ -.,~, P.,:. ~..;~.~, Pte..-„-~...,,-...;~j -'~..R~..'~~~,~.~.
Basic Policy --
Transportation - It is the policy of the City of Meridian to support and
to achieve:
I. a balanced transportation system (roads, mass transportation,
bicycle paths, pedestrian walk-ways),
2. a reduced level of private automobile usage when and where
alternatives are available,
3. the monitoring and involvement in transportation improvements
and their compatibility with existino and D1"opO~A~ rand ~~~o~
Meridian Planning & Zoning
.4.
Basic Policy j~f~L'
t~e1b'~~c.Etw~7o.~.~o/rE..~ Sf~
Ira~spaxtatinn - It is t e policy of the City of Meridian to create
provide a comprehensive recreational park system of open areas and
including:
1. small parks, community parks
Z. linear open space corridors (canals, right-of-ways, bicycle
pedestrian paths)
May 1, 1978
and
facilities,
and
3. special use areas and facilities throughout the planning area.
Basic Policy I~ /3
Coordination - It is the policy of the City of Meridian to coordinate
with special taxing districts or other governmental units who perform
the following functions relating to or within P1eridian's planning area
or city limits:
Transportation Sufoe/ dJiS7i[icT
Parks, Recreation, Open Space
Library
Fire
Irrigation
Police Protection
Sanitation eeba-e-}-(se/~~y~stE S~-,ajt)
Other Public Services
Basic Policy y3 i~f
N~ON/f ~
Community Identification - I is the policy of the City of Meridian to
create a visual and identity for the City within Ada County
and its surrounding environment.
Basic Policy }4/S
Hierarchy of Planning Components - It is the policy of the City of Meridian
to provide for varied scales of identification accordingly:
Planning Area
City
Community
Neighborhood
~~~~ f~'a-c t f~ r~r~.
Letters from R. T. Nahas wsa read: One (1) to the Planning and Zoning and due (1)
to the Mayor.
It was thought that the Commission should have some questions to ask Mr. Nahas when
he comes here during the week of May 8th.
Mrs. Hinrichs noted some questions to pursue.
The Motion was made by Annette Hinrichs and seconded by Burl Pipkin that the
meeting xith Mr. Nahas be set for Tuesday, May 9th, 1978 at 7:00 P.M. at the
City Hall rith the Planning and Zoning Commission and the City Council preBeat.
Motion passed: All yea.
Meridian
•5-
1, 1978
The next program presented by Mr. Collins and Ray Hamilton was the Activity Center
Options, Meridian Comprehensive Plani
z
ACTIVITY CENTER OPTIONS
MERIDIAN COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
Option I: The Regional Shopping Center becomes the central business
district and the present inner core transitions and is rejuvenated as
per market and economic trends.
Comments:
1) Citizens want the regional shopping center as per the survey
Total Response
Important 55.1%
Unimportant 32.4%
Stratified Sample Responses
Families with children
Families without children
People who work in Boise
People who are not employed
People who work in Meridian
People who are retired
60.6% (important)
50.9% (important)*
59.2% (important)
64.8% (important)
(split of opinions)
(split of opinions)
New residents (0-3 years) 58.9% (important)*
Residents (4-9 years) 56.2% (important)*
Older residents (10 years +) 51.7% (important)*
Families of $0-9,000 (split of opinions)
Families of $10-19,999 58.4% (important)*
Families of over $20,000 65.1% (important)
Meridian Planning and Zoning
.6.
May 1, 1978
2) Commercial business within the inner core area~e been
declining .
3) Survey indicates that most people shop for minor purchases at
Cherry Plaza (small convenience items)
Total Response
Cherry Plaza (54.2%)
Stratified Sample Responses (Cherry Plaza)
Families with children 58.6%
Families without children 53.1%
People who work in Boise 57.1%
People who work in Meridian 56.3%
People who are retired 47.9%
(Downtown Meridian 33.3%)
People who are not employed 59.5%
New residents (0-3 years) 57.3%
Residents (4-9 years) 59.6%
Older residents (10 years +) 49.6%
(Downtown Meridian 30.9%)
Families of $0-9,999 47.0%
(Downtown Meridian 35.1%)
Families of $10-19,999 55.2%
Families over $20,000 64.3%
4) Planning and Zoning Commission and Mayor have endorsed the
Regional Shopping Center and are encouraging Mr. Nahas to proceed.
Meridian Planning and Zoning
.7.
May 1, 1978
5) The Regional Shopping Center option allows public funds to be
diverted to the service provisions such as sewers, park and
open space areas, police and fire improvements.
~+
Option II:: C~jerry ~/a zza h~ %a ~~r a,~'.' /?~~7~~:f„
Comments:
1) Survey indicates that most people shop for minor purchases at
Cherry Plaza.
2) Commercial expansionism is presently occurring at Cherry Plaza
area.
3) Commercial businesses within the inner core area have been
declining - "8th"al~uj '
4) Option II allows public funds to be diverted to the service
provisions, such as sewers, park and open space, police and
fire improvements, urban roads and streets.
5) An additional commercial area to the South (contiguous) to
Meridian freeway interchange) may result.
Option III: The inner core area is revitalized and becomes the central
business district through a rehabilitation program (Meridian Redevelopment
Association) involving both private and public funds and commercial activity
to the north is contained.
Comments:
1) Option III has economic implementation problems because of the
other priorities which have been expressed, such as development
of the industrial tax base, provisions for additional schools,
parks and open space area, and provisions for central sewage
treatment plant and trunk lines.
2) In order for the inner core rehabilitation area to become the
central business district, its economic attraction should be
different from that of Cherry Plaza to the North.
3) An additional commercial area to the South of I-80 may also
result and its economic attraction should be different from
the inner core rehabilitation area.
Meridian Planning and Zoning .8.
Maly 1, 1978
Mr. Pipkin stated that the Commission should never lose eight of what type of
development is to take place in Meridian as a whole,
A Community Growth matter was next proposed by Mr. Collins and Mr. Hamilton:
COMMUNITY GROWTH
Objectives
1. To develop, monitor, and update a comprehensive plan which will
provide for orderly growth, sensible use of the areas resources,
reduce cost of public services, and enhance areas where services
have been provided.
2. To utilize vacant lands within the Meridian City limits and Urban
Service Planning Area, in order to maximize public investments,
curtail urban spread and protect agricultural lands and oper-
ations until those lands are needed for development.
POLICIES
I. No new residential, commercial or industrial developments will be
approved outside of Meridian's Urban Service Planning Area,
unless it can be shown that urban services can be provided.
2. "Urban Services" shall be included, but not be limited to the
following when applicable:
a. Public central sewer and water facilities
b. Storm drainage
c. Urban standard streets and roads
d. Police and fire protection
e. Pedestrian walkwa s and ~~/~~
Y Sisa~i2 paths
Meridian Planning and Zoning
i
,g, Hay 1, 1978
2.
f. Open space, parks and recreation lands
g. Schools (elementary schools that are central. to the neighborhoods)
(Junior and Senior high schools that are central to communities)
h. Public Transit
3. In order to attain Meridian's goals and objectives, the following
R~wo~d
7y;S land use activities will not be considered or approved:
a. Polluting industries
b. Strip commercial and strip industrial
c. Scattered residential (sprawl)
4. The following land uses may be permitted only with constraints,
which insure compatability with adjacent land uses:
a. Surface utilities
b. Junk yards
c. Major cut and fill operations
d. Sand and gravel or other borrow operations
There was considerable discussion that will be used as background to form the
Comprehensive Plan later, in relation to zoning and land use in relatiott to
present and aurronnding uses.
Strip development was also discussed.
Ownership does not guarantee a certain use for the owner.
Meeting adjourned.
CHAIRMAN
attest:
City Clerk
cc: Mayor & Council; P&Z Commission;Stuart ;Schoen;Ann;Shults;Welker;
Fitzgerald;Hamilton;AIC;APA;ACHD;Ada Zoning Director;Ada Commission;
Dentral Health;Nampa-Meridian Irrig;Comprehensive Plan B5-1;
Glennfield Manor Sub.
~ o c~~~~~ C ~s'c~~~0~ ~ Coo
REAL ESTATE : : COUNSELING & MARKETING aEn~TOa'°
To R"aver Den T~".. Storey Anril 26,1978
Dear Don,
It has been brought to my attention that I am in violation of
one of the renuirements of serving on the planning and Zoning
commission of the city, due to my moving outside the city
limit:>, I therefor tender my resignation to ,you effective
April. ?6,1978 with the delivery of this letter, with my best
regards and +,hanks for allowing me to serve the city. If I can
ever be of any assistance to you feel free to call on me.
`= Sincerely
m,-, ~tir
Jim K1'
PHONE (2081 3654495 FHO NE 120 H1 HHH 4501 PHONE 12081 343.56]]
143 W MgIN Sf I i E 1'AiHViF W qVF 1530 W ID4H0
P O BO% 611 P O HO% 236 P O BOX 23B
EMMETT. IDAHO H361] MERIDIAN. ~OAHO H3642 ROISE IDAHO 83]01