HomeMy WebLinkAboutP&Z Minutes 1.5.231
City Staff and Others:
Alan Parkinson – P&Z Administrator
Katie Jo Saurey – P&Z Administrative Assistant
Kyle Baldwin – Planner 1
Natalie Powell – Compliance Officer
Spencer Rammell – Commissioner Attorney
Chairperson Smith opened the meeting at 6:31 PM.
Planning & Zoning Meeting:
Welcome
Pledge of Allegiance
ROLL CALL of Planning and Zoning Commissioners:
Present: Vince Haley (Vice Chair), Randall Kempton, Todd Marx, Sally Smith (Chairperson), Bruce
Casper, Eric Erickson, Vanessa Johnson, McKay Francis, Jim Lawrence
Absent: Aaron Richards, Brad Wolfe
Minutes:
Approval of the P&Z Minutes from December 1, 2022 (Action)
MOTION: Motion to approve the Planning & Zoning minutes as recorded for December 1,
2022.
Action: Approve, Moved by Todd Marx, Seconded by Bruce Casper.
Commissioner Discussion on the Motion: None
VOTE: Motion carried. (Summary: Yes = 6 , No= 0 , Abstain = 4).
Yes: Vince Haley (Vice Chair), Todd Marx, Sally Smith (Chairperson), Bruce Casper, Eric Erickson,
Brad Wolfe
No: None
Abstain: McKay Francis, Jim Lawrence, Randall Kempton, Vanessa Johnson
Public Hearings:
1. (22-00848) Palisades Apartments – Handcart Ln – Rezone from HDR1 to HDR2.
The Comprehensive Plan Map designation for this parcel is Medium Density Residential 1
(MDR1) – High Density Residential 2 (HDR2). The parcel is approximately 1.458 acres. -
Bron Leatham (Action)
35 North 1st East
Rexburg, ID 83440
Phone: 208.359.3020
Fax: 208.359.3022
www.rexburg.org
Planning & Zoning Minutes
January 5, 2023
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Alan presented the application for rezone, explaining the location and zoning and endorsing the
application for recommendation for approval to City Council. Sally asked for the differences
between HDR1 and HDR2. Alan answered HDR1 allows for 30 units, while HDR2 allows for 42
units per acre; almost everything else is identical. Sally confirmed the acreage as approximately 1.4
acres. Eric asked Alan about parking, since the parcel is so small with higher density limits, and he
shared his concern with parking on small parcels. Alan clarified the developer is aware of the
parking requirements. Once a site/building plan is submitted, we’ll make sure the developer meets
the code requirements. Sally asked what the parking requirements are. Alan explained two parking
stalls are required for each unit that contains more than one bedroom, while a single bedroom only
requires 1.5 parking stalls per unit. Eric mentioned the application indicated studio apartments.
Alan confirmed that studio apartments would qualify for 1.5 parking stalls per unit. Vince asked for
the building height limit in HDR2. Alan responded 55-60 feet and the height of Stonebrook was
discussed. Vince asked about Cook Farms zoning and Alan verified Juniper sands is HDR2.
Bron Leatham arrived and presented his application.
Bron explained that they are seeking to rezone the two lots, from HDR1-HDR2. They developed
Juniper Sands nearby and it has been a successful project. Juniper Sands is about 144 units on 4
acres, almost the maximum density possible, and it is a terrific product for married and single
individuals. It is a great product with a competitive price point. He acknowledges most of the
surrounding is HDR1, except the 20 or so acres of Juniper Sands. He pointed out that all
infrastructure is already in place for this site. Sally asked about how the roundabout was working.
Vanessa replied that she drives it twice a day and it is great. Eric asked if it was alleviating pressure
on the intersection, Vanessa responded that she thinks it has. Bron thinks safety has improved, and
the roundabout will provide additional relief once it is fully built out to the south and connects with
Golden Beauty. Alan commented that there will be additional benefits when the roundabout is
completed in the spring, when the Railroad construction is completed. Bruce commented that this
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development will taking peoples parking. Vanessa commented that when nearby townhomes
resurface their parking lots, those residents park on this lot.
Eric expressed his concern to Alan regarding the traffic at this intersection. Alan responded that
Keith has looked at this and believes that once the roundabout is completed, it will be able to handle
the traffic. A discussion of possible future road projects ensued.
Chairperson Smith opened the Public Hearing at 6:43 pm.
Favor: None
Neutral: None
Against: None
Conflict: None
Chairperson Smith closed the public hearing at 6:45 pm.
Rebuttal: none
Discussion:
Vince asked for the zoning map to be displayed. He then commented about the relative zoning,
HDR2 to South and HDR1 to North, and how the height would be a concern if the density was
less, but with the density as it is, the height won’t be as much of an impact. He stated that the height
does not concern him enough to vote against the zoning change.
Eric inquired about other developments that are in the HDR2 zone, with only Juniper Sands fitting
that description on the same side of town.
Todd agreed with Vince, he would be concerned about potential height but the buildings already
there are similar, and commented that without having 4 acres, the developer will be limited by
parking.
(video index 16:42)
McKay agreed and discussed the differences between HDR1 and HDR2 commenting that the
differences are negligible between HDR1 to HDR2. Vince commented that the roads that are there
are a good buffer. McKay commented that there are no individual homeowners in attendance
because this is a like product to the surrounding area and believes this is a positive addition to the
community.
Randall wishes it would be a park, as there is not a lot of green space in that area. Eric discussed
commercial/mixed use and his preference for commercial development in that area such as a little
grocery store. Sally commented that G’s Dairy is right there. Eric thinks this is a good use of this
ground, but would like to find a way to encourage commercial development. Todd brought up the
business offices across from Bodify being vacant. Vince responded that in the future there might be
improvement with the new access/roundabout. Eric commented that the railroad track creates an
issue and separates town. Vince circled back to the application at hand for the rezone of
undeveloped land.
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Plats: None
MOTION: Motion to recommend the City Council approve (22-00848) the Palisades
Apartments Rezone from HDR1 to HDR2, because it meets the Comprehensive Plan and it
fits in the area based on discussion.
Action: Approve, Moved by Vince Haley Seconded by Sally Smith
Commissioner Discussion on the Motion: None
VOTE: Motion carried. (Summary: Yes= 9 , No= 0 , Abstain = 0).
Yes: Vince Haley (Vice Chair), Randall Kempton, Todd Marx, Sally Smith (Chairperson), Bruce
Casper, Eric Erickson, Vanessa Johnson, McKay Francis, Jim Lawrence
No: N/A
Abstain: N/A
Heads Up for January 19th:
(22-00299) Development Code – Ordinance Amendment
Adjourned at 6:56 PM.