HomeMy WebLinkAboutP&Z Work Meeting Notes 4.26.231
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
5:00 Work Meeting: Comprehensive Plan Draft Presentation – Emily Morales & Alan
Parkinson
Mayor Merrill opened the meeting at 5:03 pm and welcomed everyone. He informed the
audience that this is the night to get City Council and Planning & Zoning up to date on the
Comprehensive Plan Draft. He let everyone know that the plan will be updated and comments
will be incorporated into the plan that will be available to the public next week. He mentioned a
public meeting for the Transportation Plan on June 14th, at 5:00 pm, then introduced Emily
Morales.
Emily began her introductions explaining her role and her team’s role in updating the
comprehensive plan. She explained that this is a community informed plan, so that the
community supports the plan and it will be easier to enforce. She articulated that the plan is to
be used on a daily basis to support land use decisions and that there are written policies that
can influence how different properties are developed.
Emily explained that it is Idaho statute that the comprehensive plan be updated every 10 years.
As she transitioned to the population growth, she mentioned that the previous meetings
comments concerning the data will be addressed. It is agreed that no matter how big or small
the growth is, it should be planned for, even if it takes 20, 40, or 50 years, so that a clear
intention is established now for the different areas in Rexburg.
She gave an overview of the process thus far, including the phases, opportunities for public
input, and those involved in the update. She summarized the achievements made, including
simplifying the document from 199 to 68 pages by identifying portions of the plan that were
still relevant, then streamlining and condensing the objectives and action items.
Emily offered screenshots of the updated plan on the screen, including the health and
community wellness statement that was added to support the Blue Cross of Idaho grant. She
stated that the plan is flexible and allows for opportunities and partnerships to occur as
opportunities exist but will be a helpful guiding document for new City Council or Planning &
Zoning Commissioners.
35 North 1st East
Rexburg, ID 83440
Phone: 208.359.3020
Fax: 208.359.3022
www.rexburg.org
Planning & Zoning Notes
April 26th, 2023
2
Emily pointed out the land use categories on the boards placed around the room and expressed
that she would like to see comments on all the boards, not just the Future Land Use Map. She
asked the Council to review the land use categories to be sure they are described as envisioned,
while explaining to the audience that the comprehensive plan is more general and doesn’t give
zoning designations, just general locations to assist the vision.
The previously expected timeline was shown, indicating the release of the Public Draft to be
May 1st, with the public comments being integrated the week of May 22nd. The plan would then
go before P&Z around the end of June. Emily declared the timeline was tentative and more
time will be needed to incorporate the additional comments received.
Emily touched on the fact that the plan is a living document and while we seek alignment
between the different plans, many things happen within a community and this plan will not be
the same for another 10 years. She opened the floor for questions.
Bryanna inquired if there would be a work meeting where P&Z & City Council would see all of
the public comments and respond to those comments. The Mayor indicated the public
comments would be seen online on the public draft, but agrees that the group will need
another meeting to discuss things on the plan, especially the transportation plan. Both agreed
that the timeline would need to be adjusted. McKay agreed that instead of the changes going
from P&Z to City Council and back to P&Z they should meet with a group to air out any
questions jointly.
Emily acknowledged that the internal draft intended for the group was shared to the public, so
there were community members who came to these meetings with many comments and
feelings. She mentioned the comments had been read quickly and compiled, but it would not all
be integrated into the plan by Monday. She explained the internal draft intended for the group
was because she was still meeting with staff for modifications this week, and that all the
comments from the open house will help refine the final draft. Robert liked the idea of meeting
before the comments were integrated into the plan and asked for a new timeline with group
and community touchpoints.
Bryanna brought up a conversation she had with Keith where he requested Council input about
whether the Transportation Plan should be completed before or after the Comprehensive Plan.
Bryanna expressed her opinion of before.
The group discussed the process of including public input and feedback into the plan and it was
concluded that a work meeting to discuss the feedback would be beneficial.
Mayor Merrill encouraged those in attendance to spread the word that the City was looking for
comments and feedback on the comprehensive plan.
Adjourned at 5:58 pm.