HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Comment - Brent Harris 1125 Widdison LnCOMMENT ON PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO
REXBURG ZONING MAP
RELATIVE TO PROPERTY PARCEL RPRXBCA0254499
Scheduled Public Hearing — November 17, 2022, 6:30 p.m.
My name is Brent G. Harris. I reside at 1125 Widdison Lane in Rexburg. Idaho which is
north of, and relatively close to, the parcel of land for which the zoning change is
proposed. I am writing (and speaking) to voice my opposition to the proposed zoning
change. I have 3 main areas of objection.
1. Approval of this zoning change would violate the intent of the Rexburg
Comprehensive Plan, and past decisions of the Rexburg City Council.
The parcel of land being proposed for rezoning was annexed into the city of Rexburg
in 2003. It was agricultural land then and is still being used for agricultural purposes.
as are the adjacent parcels of land on both the north and south.
The following statements are made on Page 84 of the current edition of the 2020
Rexburg Comprehensive Pian:
"Rural Cluster. This Comprehensive Plan designation includes lands where
residential development is allowed at an overall base density but clustered onto
smaller lot sizes, while maintaining large tracts of open land. Again, the desire of the
communi .y is to preserve the rural character of the city, and maintaining large open
spaces in critical view areas are essential to ensure this openness is preserved. "
(underlining added)
" A,criculture. This Comprehensive Plan designation includes lands used primarilv.for
grazing, crop farming, hobby,farminl;. and other related uses. These lands are
intended to remain in their customary agricultural use for the foreseeable_ future.
Residents like the small town rural feel of Rexburg, and these areas should preserve
that character. " (underlining added)
These excerpts from the Rexburg Comprehensive Plan seem applicable to the land
(and adjacent land) under consideration for the proposed zoning change. Especially
applicable is this statement: "Residents like the small town, rural feel of Rexburg, and
these areas should preserve that character".
The owners of this land have previously petitioned several times, including twice in
2021. to allow higher density housing on the property. Each time, the request was not
approved.
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2. Rezoning of this property could potentially create life safety and traffic problems.
The parcel of land, for which the zoning change is being proposed, is a long,
relatively narrow parcel which is bounded by existing agricultural land, owned by
others, on both the north and the south; by Highway 20 on the east; and by 12' West
Street on the west.
Unless the adjoining property on either the north or south (or both) are developed
simultaneously. the only option for ingress or egress is via 12th West Street. This does
not seem reasonable. from either a life safety or traffic flow viewpoint, for a
development having LDR2/LDRI housing densities.
Potential violation of Idaho State Statutes concerning use of surface water.
Section 67-6537 of the Idaho Statutes is entitled "Use of Surface and Ground Water".
This section is part of the Idaho State Statutes that contain requirements for local land
use planning by Idaho cities and counties. The introduction of this section states:
"The intent of this section is to encourage the use of surface water for irrigation. A11
applicants proposing to make land use changes shall be required to use surface
water. where reasonably available, as the primary water source for irrigation. "
(underlining added)
The Rexburg Canal flows from the east under Highway 20 and then along the entire
south boundary of this property. There is a lateral ditch with headgates on the east
side of the property which allows for surface irrigation of the land. There is also a
canal on the west side along 12' West Street.
The land being proposed for this zoning change is currently pasture land which is
irrigated by surface water. Would this be changed if the property is rezoned? If so, it
could be a potential violation of Idaho State Code.
Thank you for consideration of my concerns.
Sincerely.
Brent G. Harris
Date: 11/16/2022
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