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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRFD - 23-00503 – Comprehensive Plan Update(208) 359-3020 35 North 1st East Rexburg, ID 83440 Rexburg.org | Engage.Rexburg.org Reason for Decision 23-00503 – Comprehensive Plan Update 1. October 18, 19, 20, 2022, Plan Rexburg Workshops were held at City Hall. 2. April 24, 25, 26, 2023, Open House held at City Hall to view the Comprehensive Plan Draft. 3. July 26, 2023, Work Meeting was held to present the final draft of the Comprehensive Plan. 4. August 17, 2023, the application was presented to the Planning & Zoning Commission. (23-00503) Comprehensive Plan Update – Final draft of the Comprehensive Plan to be presented for consideration. (Action) Alan presented the final draft of the Comprehensive Plan, commenting on the long process, input from many entities, and asking that the Commissioner’s consider recommending it to City Council for approval. Vince asked how the approval or denial of the Comprehensive Plan’s final draft would relate to the East Parkway Cooridor. Alan explained that the Comprehensive Plan is a guiding document and states that it follows the adopted City Plans. If any City Plan is adopted or changed, it automattically becomes part of the Comprehensive Plan; the Comprehensive Plan does not dictate those plans. Vince acknowledged the audience may have concerns about the Comprehensive Plan setting the East Parkway Corridor location in stone. Alan confirmed that the Comprehensive Plan has no power over that at all, rather the Adopted Transportation Plan does, and it can be amended at any time. Randall asked if the Transportation Plan was already adopted. Alan explained that a work meeting has been scheduled for September 6th to go over the Transporation Plan that had been tabled. (video index 01:11:30) Sally inquired about the updated statistics. Alan confirmed they were updated. Vince asked if the statistics were updated to the best of staff’s abilities. Alan confirmed that the statistics were updated to the best of the sources being quoted in the Comprehensive Plan; that Rexburg did not conduct its own studies for the statistics but rather relies on the Census and other plans. Alan reiterated that staff plans on reviewing the Comprehensive Plan annually to ensure the data (208) 359-3020 35 North 1st East Rexburg, ID 83440 Rexburg.org | Engage.Rexburg.org remains as current as possible. Vince asked for the difference between the Comprehensive Plan and the zone. Alan explained the Comprehensive plan is a guiding document of what is predicted based on current conditions to help the City plan for future development and uses, which helps save City and Citizens money. Vince inquired about the Commission’s ability to deny potential zone changes even if the applicant is meeting the Comprehensive Plan proposed zoning. Alan confirmed that the Planning & Zoning Commission and City Council have the authority to deny the application; that the Comprehensive Plan is a future idea, and maybe the application doesn’t fit what is happening now. Attorney Rammell advised that in such situations to articulate the considerations leading to the denial of the application, even though the application is in accordance with the Comprehensive Plan. Eric added that the Land Use Planning is very well written and takes extreme efforts to explain that zoning and the Comprehensive Plan are two separate things. Vince asked if the City had tried, to the best of it’s ability, to reach out and receive as much input as possible. Alan replied yes, but looking back, the City could have done better. He disclosed that a meeting is scheduled next week for staff to discuss how to do this better in the future. Sally commented that the Steering Committee really did try to reach out to many people; that even using social media, information can be blasted, but people have to be interested and want to take part in that information. Alan added that those who were interested have been very dedicated, seeking answers, and helped us understand more. Sally resolved that there is no way to get everybody. Eric agreed that unless a specific issue is in their back yard, people are not interested. Vince countered that this is. Vanessa offered that they don’t realize it. Eric commented that those who want to see change, or no change, gather people to get their input, while others relinquish that duty to those who are actively participating. Randall asked if on page 53, the land use map, when this is approved, if the land use map be approved as well, or is it separate. Alan exlained that this is a big part of the Comprehensive Plan and it does regulate; requiring potential applicants to change the map before asking for a zone change. Aaron thanked and complimented the staff, commenting that this has been a slow process as it was a topic during one of the first meetings he attended three years ago. McKay discussed the Comprehensive Plan being a living document and staff having the ability to change it to keep it updated. Alan reported that yes, staff will review it annually and do a thorough review every 5 years, to ensure that the goals and objectives are relevant. He concluded that it is a living document and (208) 359-3020 35 North 1st East Rexburg, ID 83440 Rexburg.org | Engage.Rexburg.org can be changed at any point; it can be adopted, changes published, and changed again. Eric validated that the plan was well written to allow for continual review. Randall questioned the prioritization considerations listed on page 36, as he felt like the list was more in City Council’s pervue. Alan maintained that what Planning & Zoning approves can effect other things, such as funding; that City Council is relying on Planning & Zoning to be familiar enough to say this does or does not match and to listen to the public. Chairperson Smith opened the public input portion of the hearing at 8:00 pm. In Favor: Corey Barnard, agreed with Eric that this is a very cogent, well written plan, reflective of a lot of work. He stated he has read each iteration as it has been made available and confirmed that the City has responded to public input. He commented that he is proud of the City for that. Brent Harris, stated he supports the plan and appreciates Alan as he’s been very helpful and listened to opinions, staff, the Commission, and Council. He suggested that in the future every comment should be responded to in a way that each iteration does not have to be read to know what happened. He summarized that he generally accepts the plan, acknowledging it will never be perfect, but conceding it is good. Neutral: Jonathan Reed, asked about the work meeting scheduled for the Transportation Plan and if a decision will be made at that time. Alan replied that the conversations could continue, that a decision will not be made at the work meeting, but that Council could take it from the table and make a decision on it at the City Council meeting. He expressed comfort that the Comprehensive Plan could be updated and changed as needed and commented that nothing happened with the East Parkway Corridor after previous discussions that were held years ago. Opposed: Kevin Baxter, commented that his parents raised him to say no if he didn’t know enough about something, and he feels mildly ill-equipped to speak on this issue. He is opposed to the Comprehensive Plan Update because he delivers construction materials for work and while on one hand more development means more business and recreational activities to serve the community, but he has noticed that second to agriculture and major commerce, a major land use is residential, and he is not sure how this plan affects that. (208) 359-3020 35 North 1st East Rexburg, ID 83440 Rexburg.org | Engage.Rexburg.org Mike Glasscock, stated he is against the plan. He expressed his concerns with City Councilmembers and Planning & Zoning Commissioners being on the steering committee and questioned if it was a conflict of interest to vote for their own plan and if those on the steering committee should recuse themselves from voting. He addressed his next concern on page 5 of the plan, stating that the plan was put together by Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation of Health. In his opinion, the company has an agenda to promote equity health. He was also concerned that the plan mentioned social determinates of health and discussed this in relation to presidential candidate Hillary Clinton’s platform from 2016. He stated that if the City is socialist, to say that, and to not hide it in the Comprehensive Plan. He feels there is no reason to have social engineering in the Comprehensive Plan that deals with bricks and motor, stating it is a ruse. He claimed that there were a few committees able to view the Comprehensive Plan before the public, and his understanding is there was the ability to communicate electronically with each other with post it notes and suggested this formed a quorum. He asked Planning & Zoning to not approve the plan and send it back to the City to have it worked on some more. Wanless Southwick, felt many things about the Comprehensive Plan were good and he appreciates the changes made in response to public input. He thought there was less opportunity for the public to review the final review than ought to have been. He questioned whether it was ready to be acted on for approval. He expressed concern with traffic on 12th W, suggesting additional highway crossings are needed to increase traffic route options to relieve traffic congestion. He commented that grant funds mentioned at last nights City Council meeting could be used to build two overpasses, based on his knowledge of the cost. He suggests this is a reason to consider not approving the plan in it’s present form. Written Correspondence: none. Rebuttal: Alan addressed Mr. Glasscock, explaining that Blue Cross of Idaho provided a grant, no input or authority to the plan, but asked the City to look at trails and paths to help citizens improve their health. He further provided that this foundation is a separate entity than the health insurance. Alan reiterated that the Comprehensive Plan does not call out transportation, rather it is submissive to the Transportation Plan. Alan shared that the Transportation Plan does call for additional overpasses and estimated the cost of a single overpass to be in excess of $20 million since Highway 20 is a high clearance road for large loads, requiring overpasses to have extra height. He suggested attending the Transportation meeting on September 6th. (208) 359-3020 35 North 1st East Rexburg, ID 83440 Rexburg.org | Engage.Rexburg.org Chairperson Smith closed the public input portion of the hearing at 8:22 pm. Sally asked Attorney Rammell if being on the committee was a conflict of interest. Attorney Rammell cited the S Bar Ranch case where the court focused on the phrase “immediate or direct economic conflicts of interest” indicating this is the reason why conflicts of interest are asked for during every application. Eric respectfully took exception to the accusation that this was Planning & Zoning’s plan. He stressed that it was everyone’s plan; Rexburg’s plan. He offered that being more involved in the process was not a conflict of interest, just more involved, and that the community had the choice to be involved. Alan added that Attorney Zollinger approved of everyone on the Steering Committee, there was not a quorum making decisions, and that all comments could be seen on the online draft. Eric echoed Alan, pointing out that the post it notes on the map were done during public meetings, posted on the boards accessible to the public, then reduced to a list of items in the public record. Attorney Rammell emphasized that accusations of back-room deals are taken very seriously, and the question/complaint regarding the Steering Committee followed the book and was reviewed by the Madison County Prosecuting Attorney, who communicated with the City’s attorney, who communicated with the Mayor. He stated that those accusations are not taken lightly and that the City takes pride in doing things the right way. Commissioner Discussion: Vince asked how long the final draft had been available to the public and how many citizens had reached out about it. Alan responded it had been available at least 14 days ago, that it was a little difficult for the public to find it, and that only 2 citizens had reached out to him. Vince commented that while he didn’t want to minimize the situation, the numbers were minimal. Vince then asked if every sticky note was reviewed. Alan replied that himself, staff and Logan Simpson staff had compiled and addressed the sticky notes. Vince asked how the public should submit any additional comments. Alan suggested they email the City Clerk, as she puts any correspondence into the record. Discussion turned to a previous comment of there not being enough commercial zoning. Bruce shared that the City has tried to notify people to come in and that unless it effects them directly they don’t care. He thinks too many people are complacent, and pointed out that the Commission has worked long hours thinking about the citizens of Rexburg, trying to help everyone and that it is nice that the plan is changeable. (208) 359-3020 35 North 1st East Rexburg, ID 83440 Rexburg.org | Engage.Rexburg.org Eric concluded that after being involved in the process, he thinks it is a great plan that addresses a large part of the issues, and he fully supports the implementation of it. Sally commented that Logan Simpson did an excellent job, not helping to plan the City, but taking comments from Citizens and the history of the City and putting it all together. She reiterated that it will never be perfect and that is why it is a living document. McKay emphasized that even with an outdated Comprehensive Plan, the City was still able to progress. He commented that it is a no brainer to move forward with the plan, with the understanding that it can be changed. He pointed out that it is frustrating to sit on a panel and see how few people are engaged, but looking back he wasn’t engaged before either. He shared that it is frustrating as a developer to try to work with such an outdated document; people want to bring great things but are restricted by the current plan. Vince, summarized that this is a community plan, there were many opportunities to make it your community plan, and it is a living document that can be changed. He discussed the unforeseen growth seen since 2008. With all of the opportunities to be involved, he does not want to take a step backwards and not move forward. Aaron, thanked those in attendance and commented on the previous lack of attendance for the Form Based Code decision. MOTION: Motion to recommend to City Council that the Comprehensive Plan updated version be adopted because of the long hours put in by citizens, patrons, council-people and planning and zoning, who are thinking in the best interest of the citizens of Rexburg, Idaho. Action: Approve, Moved by Bruce Casper, Seconded by Vanessa Johnson. 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, Aaron Richards, No: none Abstain: none The group discussed the Comprehensive Plan will go before the City Council on September 6th, after the Transportation Work Meeting. (208) 359-3020 35 North 1st East Rexburg, ID 83440 Rexburg.org | Engage.Rexburg.org 5. September 6, 2023, the application was presented to City Council. Planning and Zoning recommendation to approve the final draft of the newly updated 2023 Comprehensive Plan #23-00503 as complied by Logan Simpson Consultants. Designated as Resolution No. 2023 – 12 if motion passes – Alan Parkinson and Megan Moore, ASLA Logan Simpson Planning and Zoning Administrator Parkinson said after collecting input from the Councilmember, residents and city staff for over a year about the Comprehensive Plan, he is recommending approval of the newly updated Comprehensive Plan. Council Member Flora said Cultural Arts Director Platt made comments regarding the historical designations in the Comprehensive Plan. Planning and Zoning Administrator Parkinson replied, the designation Mr. Platt requested designations were added where possible. Council Member Johnson mentioned several citizens had a difficult time locating the Comprehensive Plan draft. She wondered if city staff could make it easier to locate information on the city website and other forms of communication. Planning and Zoning Administrator Parkinson said several city staff members and the residents that stated they had difficulty locating the information on the website met to discuss how city staff can better inform the public. They discussed which method to use to make it easier to navigate the city website. Council Member Walker moved to approve Resolution No 2023 – 12 the final draft of the updated 2023 Comprehensive Plan as complied by Logan Simpson Consultants; Council Member Erickson seconded the motion; Mayor Merrill asked for a vote: Those voting aye Those voting nay Council Member Flora none Council Member Johnson Council Member Chambers Council Member Erickson Council Member Walker Council President Busby The motion carried.