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Home My WebLink AboutP&Z Minutes 2.6.25(208) 359-3020 35 North 1st East Rexburg, ID 83440 Rexburg.org | Engage.Rexburg.org Planning and Zoning Minutes - February 6, 2025 P&Z Commissioners: City Staff: Vince Haley (Vice Chair) McKay Francis Alan Parkinson – P&Z Administrator Randall Kempton Vanessa Johnson Katie Jo Saurey – P&Z Administrative Assistant Sally Smith (Chairperson) Brian Thackeray Kyle Baldwin – Planner 1 Aaron Richards Vern Muir Natalie Powell – Compliance Officer Jim Lawrence Dan Hanna Spencer Rammell – Commissioner Attorney Bruce Casper Vice Chairperson Haley opened the meeting at 6:31 PM. Planning & Zoning Meeting: 1. Welcome 2. Pledge of Allegiance 3. ROLL CALL of Planning and Zoning Commissioners: Present: Vince Haley (Vice Chair), Randall Kempton, Jim Lawrence, Bruce Casper, Brian Thackeray, Vern Muir Absent: Sally Smith (Chairperson), Aaron Richards, McKay Francis, Vanessa Johnson, Dan Hanna 4. Approval of the P&Z Minutes for January 9, 2025 (Action) MOTION: Motion to approve the Planning & Zoning minutes as recorded for January 9, 2025 (Action) Action: Approve, Moved by Randall Kempton, Seconded by Jim Lawrence. Commissioner Discussion on the Motion: none VOTE: Motion carried. (Summary: Yes = 6, No = 0, Abstain = 0). Yes: Vince Haley (Vice Chair), Randall Kempton, Jim Lawrence, Bruce Casper, Brian Thackeray, Vern Muir No: Abstain: PUBLIC HEARING 5. Public Hearing – (24-01171) White Owl Business Park – Rezone from LI to MDR2 – Located at approximately 4 W Moody Rd, the application is to change the zoning map of 16.9 acres from Light Industrial (LI) to Medium Density Residential 2 (MDR2). – White Owl Business Park LLC (Action) (208) 359-3020 35 North 1st East Rexburg, ID 83440 Rexburg.org | Engage.Rexburg.org Conflict of Interest/Ex parte Conversation: Chairperson Smith asked the Commissioners to disclose any conflicts of interest or conversations held outside of this meeting relative to this particular subject. Presentation: Planning & Zoning Administrator Parkinson showed the location of the parcel on the screen and explained that the rezone is for a portion of the parcel and feels the request for housing fits the location better than a light industrial use. Staff reviewed and approved the request, with Public Works commenting that while not immediately available, connection to sewer and water will be available at a later date. Commissioner Thackeray questioned the ability to split a single parcel into two different zones. Administrator Parkinson confirmed that zoning does not need to follow parcel lines. Commissioner Kempton asked why the zone change request is only for a portion and not the entire parcel and about the staff comments. Administrator Parkinson replied that plans for the north portion are unknown at this time and that there is a new sewer line planned along Moody Rd and the developer has been made aware. Administrator Parkinson reviewed the nearby zones and confirmed that the MDR2 request aligns with the Intermediate Residential Comprehensive Plan designation. The applicant, Bron Leatham, shared that the rezone request is not to build to the full density, but to allow flexibility for their plan. When the land was purchased, the area was viewed as a light industrial corridor. With the recent nearby developments, industrial is no longer the best use. Mr. Leatham gave a few details about the potential project with The Homestead and reiterated that the request for MDR2 is to eliminate some of the limitations of the MDR1 zone to allow flexibility for the planned project. Vice Chairperson Haley opened the public input portion of the hearing at 6:42 pm. Favor: Sam Stoddard, representing Homestead, spoke in favor of the rezone which would allow for a potential assisted living facility, conveniently located near Walmart and the Temple. Attorney Rammell asked Vice Chairperson Haley to give his project disclaimer. Vice Chairperson Haley reminded the Commissioners not to base decisions on potential projects and that the property could be sold and used to the maximum of the zone. Neutral: Wendy Sakota stated that she is not against the zone change and feels the potential project is a good option and better than some things that could happen behind her house. She asked how close the project would be to her back yard. (208) 359-3020 35 North 1st East Rexburg, ID 83440 Rexburg.org | Engage.Rexburg.org Administrator Parkinson answered it would be a minimum of twenty five feet, and the zone allows for attached housing consisting of three or more units. He reiterated that the discussion should be on the zone, not the project. Opposed: none Written Correspondence: none Rebuttal: Vice Chairperson Haley closed the public input portion of the hearing at 6:47 pm. Commissioner Discussion: Vice Chairperson Haley reviewed the differences between the current and proposed zone, deciding that the requested zone is more favorable to a residential area. Administrator Parkinson added that then Light Industrial is adjacent to a residential zone, it must meet the residential setbacks. Commissioner Lawrence said that Light Industrial does not seem to fit the area with recent changes. The residential request will help transition to other medium density zones to the west. Commissioner Kempton agreed that Light Industrial does not fit anymore but questioned which residential zone would fit. He reasoned that because the MDR2 request is within the Comprehensive Plan designation, it fits. Commissioner Thackeray questioned if the zoning to the immediate east would conflict with this zone. Discussion around the conditional use requirements for religious facilities and zoning ensued. Commissioner Lawrence pointed out that the neighbors were notified, and no one was in opposition. Commissioner Muir asked about access to the parcel. Administrator Parkinson replied that additional accesses may be required with the platting process. Commissioner Casper voiced concerns about the canal running across the north end of the parcel. Administrator Parkinson assured him that the developer would work with the canal company. Commissioner Kempton pointed out that the rezone request does not include that portion of the property. Vice Chairperson Haley re-opened the public input portion of the hearing at 6:55 pm to allow the applicant to provide rebuttal. Mr. Leatham addressed Ms. Sokata’s comment sharing that when he purchased the property, he committed to not putting in housing. Recently, they have had conversations about the proposed project being housing, but not student housing. He suggested that if he sells, and doesn’t condition the sell, she should attend the public meetings as a concerned citizen and suggest applying conditions to the project, such as a height limit of a single story. Vice Chairperson Haley closed the public input portion of the hearing at 6:57 pm. Vice Chairperson Haley voiced his support for the Medium Density Residential 2 zone request, believing that it fits better than Light Industrial, based on what is going into that area. (208) 359-3020 35 North 1st East Rexburg, ID 83440 Rexburg.org | Engage.Rexburg.org MOTION: Motion to recommend City Council approve the White Owl Business Park rezone from Light Industrial (LI) to Medium Density Residential 2 (MDR2) because it fits the area and will enhance the area there. It is also in conformance with the Comprehensive Plan. Action: Approve, Moved by Bruce Casper, Seconded by Vern Muir. Commissioner Discussion on the Motion: VOTE: Motion carried. (Summary: Yes = 6, No = 0, Abstain = 0). Yes: Vince Haley (Vice Chair), Randall Kempton, Jim Lawrence, Bruce Casper, Brian Thackeray, Vern Muir No: Abstain: Heads Up: ▫ February 20th, 2025: none ▫ March 6th, 2025: Rezone Administrator Parkinson informed the Commission that training will resume once a new commissioner is selected and seated. 6. Adjourned at 7:00 PM.