Planning Commission

March 5, 2024 7:00 p.m. Planning Department City Annex Conference Room MEMBERS PRESENT: Commissioners Forrest Ihler, Kristi Brower, Marsha McDaniel, Bill Scott, Dale Storer, Arnold Cantu. MEMBERS ABSENT: Glen Ogden. ALSO PRESENT: Assistant Planning Director Kerry Beutler, Planners Naysha Foster, Caitlin Long, Brian Stevens; Assistant City Attorney, Jacob Beck, Esq., and interested citizens. CALL TO ORDER: Ihler called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. MINUTES: Scott moved to accept the minutes of February 6, 2024, with two small changes Brower seconded the motion. Ihler called for roll call vote: Storer, yes; Scott, yes; Ihler, yes; Brower, yes; McDaniel, yes; Cantu, yes. The motion passed unanimously. Public Hearing (s): 1. ANNX 24-001: ANNEXATION/INITIAL ZONING. Annexation with an initial zoning of CC, Central Commercial for Property Located in the SE ¼ of the SE ¼ Section of 23, Township 2 North, Range 37 East. Located north of the Mountain America Center, east of Interstate 15, south of Interstate 15, west of Pioneer Road. Ihler opened the public hearing. Applicant: was not present – US Development Stevens presented the staff report, a part of the record. Ihler asked what the Controlled Development Overlay restricts. Stevens stated that it is the furthest out of the Airport Overlay Zones. The building would not be allowed to produce fog or mist that would impact flight sight, and there would be height restrictions. Beutler stated this overlay zone does not restrict much, there is a height concern, but it would have to be very tall to be restricted. Support/Opposition: No one appeared in support or opposition. Ihler closed the public hearing. There was no discussion. Storer moved to recommend to the Mayor and City Council approval of the annexation of 5.3 acres located in the SE ¼ of the SE ¼ Section of 23, Township 2 North, Range 37 East. Located north of the Mountain America Event Center, east of Interstate 15, south of Interstate 15, west of Pioneer Road, with initial zoning of CC, with Controlled Development Airport Overlay. Scott seconded the motion. Ihler called for roll call vote: Storer, yes; Scott, yes; Ihler, yes; Brower, yes; McDaniel, yes; Cantu, yes. 2. REZONE 24-002: Rezone from I&M, Industrial and Manufacturing to HC, Highway Commercial. Located north of Sunnyside Road, East of the Snake River, south of Pancheri Drive, West of S Yellowstone Ave. Ihler opened the public hearing. Applicant: Gilmore Jenkins, Harper Leavitt Engineering, 101 South Park Ave., Idaho Falls, Idaho, Jenkins represents the owner. The property is located east of the River, south of Pancheri, west of Yellowstone behind Candlewood Suites Hotel. This was a jerky plant and warehouse space, and that use has ended. The building has been demolished to a frame. They are hoping to rezone from I&M to HC zone which will match Planning Commission Minutes February 6, 2024 Page 1 of 3 what the Candlewood Suite Hotel is and the properties against Yellowstone. It fits with the City’s Comprehensive Plan and the uses in the HC Zone will be better suited to be adjacent to the path along the River. Storer asked where the access will be for the property. Jenkins stated that there are currently cross access easements from the adjoining properties to get back to the property, and the owner is the same for this property, Candlewood suites, and the commercial lot to the west of Candlewood Suites. Jenkins added that they are obtaining additional widths for easements and that process is in discussion. The current easements are 24’ currently and fire requires 26’. Storer asked if they are recorded easements. Jenkins stated that they are currently recorded. Jenkins showed where the easements are on the map and where the intended access point will be at this point. Long presented the staff report, a part of the record. Scott asked what the Tower 2 Overlay is. Long indicated that Tower 2 overlay is for cell towers, and towers can only go in certain areas and that is one zone that it would be allowed in. Support/Opposition: No one appeared in support or opposition. Ihler closed the public hearing. Ihler feels this is a no brainer as he sees the land transitioning from I&M to more retail/commercial. He hates seeing industrial along the River and feels they need better amenities and projects that are public facing along the River. Storer stated that it is an appropriate rezone, and certainly is a better direction than I&M. Storer is concerned about the access over a private easement, as you have a private access agreement that the City has no control over, and the City is not a party to the easement and does not control the traffic, parking and snow removal. Storer would like that to be examined policy wise, if the City will allow access to a private easement. Ihler stated that you could look at this like a big commercial park like a big shopping center, and those are all private with easements working their way to public lots. The access off Pancheri and Yellowstone is rough, and maybe as the area develops, better access could come about. Storer stated that a shopping center has access to the public street, and so this is slightly different. Storer is concerned for fire safety issues. Storer agreed that it is not pertinent to the rezone, but when the City gets to a development agreement, they need to look at that issue. McDaniel feels the rezone makes a lot of sense, and she wants to see more walkability there around the River. She does worry about crossing the road, as it is not a pleasant street to cross, but that is outside of the prevue of this Commission. McDaniel moved to recommend to the Mayor and City Council approval of the Rezone from I&M to HC for property located at 1740 South Yellowstone. Brower seconded the motion. Ihler called for roll call vote: Storer, yes; Scott, yes; Ihler, yes; Brower, yes; McDaniel, yes; Cantu, yes. 3. PUD 24-001: PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT FOR THE RESERVE AT SNAKE RIVER LANDING DIVISION II. Ihler opened the public hearing. Applicant: Joe Johnson, 1946 E Clayborne, SLC, UT. Johnson is the applicant and developer that came to Idaho Falls 3 years ago. Johnson is excited to bring a community to Idaho Falls. The Reserve will be a community and they have worked with Ball Ventures to make it a cohesive development to make it walkable, it is a point of reference for home and community. Johnson stated that a lot of thoughtfulness has gone into this project with the City Planners to make sure there is planning in place for future development. Johnson is Planning Commission Minutes February 6, 2024 Page 2 of 3 proud of the item on the agenda for the townhome part of the community. Johnson is excited to put together a public road with Ball Ventures for future growth and development. Foster presented the staff report, a part of the record. Ihler asked if this Division II is the portion to the north, part of this. Beutler stated that Reserve Division I is across the canal. Support/Opposition No one appeared in support or opposition. Ihler closed the public hearing. Ihler and Brower feel it is well planned. Ihler feels that this will drive business for the west side, and Snake River Landing has been too empty for too long. The infrastructure that has been put in will handle this traffic. Scott moved to recommend approval to the Mayor and City Council approval of the PUD for The Reserve at Snake River Landing Division II. McDaniel seconded the motion. Ihler called for roll call vote: Storer, yes; Scott, yes; Ihler, yes; Brower, yes; McDaniel, yes; Cantu, yes. Wimborne has taken a roll as Chief of Staff for the Mayor and will no longer be serving on the Commission. There are 2 vacant positions for the commission. Next meeting April 2, 2024. Adjourned at 7:35p.m. Respectfully Submitted Beckie Thompson, Recorder Planning Commission Minutes February 6, 2024 Page 3 of 3