HomeMy WebLinkAboutP&Z Work Meeting Notes 6.26.24(208) 359-3020
35 North 1st East
Rexburg, ID 83440
Rexburg.org | Engage.Rexburg.org
Joint Work Meeting Notes - June 26, 2024
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
5:30 pm Work Meeting: Training & Land Use Statistics
Alan opened the work meeting summarizing the agenda as Attorney Rammell’s training and a
presentation on Land Use Statistics. He mentioned that there is a new law concerning the area
of impact that may modify how the city interacts with the county for code amendments.
Councilmember E. Erickson started a brief discussion about Sugar City’s requests to extend
their impact area. A County Planning & Zoning meeting will be held July 8th, 2024, at 5:30 pm to
discuss the latest application.
Alan began his presentation stating that it was put together last year and will be updated later
this year. He stated that the statistics include the area of impact and explained that the
comprehensive plan takes into consideration the roads, where the zoning map does not,
resulting in a difference in acreage in the first few slides. He walked through the slides, pointing
out that Rexburg has the potential to house 111,000 people using the existing zoning (including
the impact area). Councilmember Johnson stated that it is important to recognize that this
doesn’t mean that the impact area will be annexed and worried that people would be upset to
hear that. Alan responded that there is no reason to expand the impact area or rezone if just
trying to infill, and landowners still have the freedom to request annexation into the city.
Councilmember E. Erickson added that there will always be pressure to expand the impact
area because of people building in the county but wanting city services. Alan conceded that
land outside the city limits is cheaper than land inside city limits and some developers want to
buy cheap land, develop it, then request annexation into the city.
Alan explained that these statistics are meant to show the potential and areas of shortcomings
of available acreage. The group discussed the shortage of Light Industrial acreage and
Commercial, with the Mayor pointing out that once the airport moves it would be a good location
for light industrial zoning. Councilmember Johnson inquired about what is typical for
commercial acreage in a city. Alan answered that there is no standard since each city is
different. He summarized that Rexburg has been a college town and is shifting into a
commercial element. The group briefly discussed levy rates and tax income.
(208) 359-3020
35 North 1st East
Rexburg, ID 83440
Rexburg.org | Engage.Rexburg.org
Attorney Rammell presented a case against the City of Boise where the findings of facts were
deemed insufficient. He suggested making sure that all reasons for a decision are made known
on the record, even if dissenting. Attorney Rammell gave an example of if traffic is contested
during an application and staff says a traffic study will be done, rather than making the
conclusion that traffic doesn’t apply or isn’t an issue, state on the record that any traffic
concerns have been addressed by staff and will continue to be monitored and addressed by
staff. He indicated that this will require that staff and legal counsel be more involved.
Councilmember Johnson stated she was confused and asked if Attorney Rammell was saying
that if city staff sign off on an application that the council has to rubber stamp it. Attorney
Rammell responded no. Vince explained that he tries to explain a denial by saying it doesn’t
meet this ordinance, or xyz reason. Councilmember E. Erickson added that it isn’t enough to
say it just doesn’t fit. Mayor Merrill added to deny for a reason, not just because you don’t like
it. Attorney Rammell suggested not making a general statement without any reference, and if
you disagree with staff, flush it out on the record.
Attorney Rammell will work with Attorney Zollinger to create a legal memo of any changes in
the process moving forward. He reminded everyone that if notes are relied upon to make a
decision they must be turned over to Deb to be part of the record. He finished by suggesting
that that if City Council denies an application that Planning & Zoning recommended, or vice
versa, to acknowledge all the reasons on the record.
Work Meeting Adjourned at 6:32 PM.