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Home My WebLink AboutP&Z Minutes 8.21.25(208) 359-3020 35 North 1st East Rexburg, ID 83440 Rexburg.org | Engage.Rexburg.org Planning and Zoning Minutes - August 21, 2025 P&Z Commissioners: City Staff: Randall Kempton (Vice Chair) Vanessa Johnson Alan Parkinson – P&Z Administrator Sally Smith (Chairperson) Brian Thackeray Katie Jo Saurey – P&Z Administrative Assistant Aaron Richards Vern Muir Kyle Baldwin – Planner 1 Jim Lawrence Dan Hanna Natalie Powell – Compliance Officer Bruce Casper Tammy Geddes Spencer Rammell – Commissioner Attorney McKay Francis Vice Chairperson Kempton opened the meeting at 6:31 PM. Planning & Zoning Meeting: 1. Welcome 2. Pledge of Allegiance 3. Mayor’s Business a. Reappointment of Commissioner Vanessa Johnson b. Recognize Reappointment of Commissioner McKay Francis Both participants have been ratified by City Council and County Commission to serve a second term. Mayor Merrill thanked all Commissioners for their service. He mentioned that there are two seats open on the City Council. 4. ROLL CALL of Planning and Zoning Commissioners: Present: Randall Kempton (Vice Chair), Sally Smith (Chairperson), Jim Lawrence, Bruce Casper, Brian Thackeray, Vern Muir, Tammy Geddes Late: Dan Hanna Absent: Aaron Richards, McKay Francis, Vanessa Johnson 5. Approval of the P&Z Minutes for June 5, 2025 (Action) MOTION: Motion to approve the Planning & Zoning minutes as recorded for June 5, 2025 (Action) Action: Approve, Moved by Jim Lawrence, Seconded by Bruce Casper. Commissioner Discussion on the Motion: none VOTE: Motion carried. (Summary: Yes = 6, No = 0, Abstain = 1). Yes: Sally Smith (Chairperson), Jim Lawrence, Bruce Casper, Brian Thackeray, Vern Muir, Tammy Geddes No: none (208) 359-3020 35 North 1st East Rexburg, ID 83440 Rexburg.org | Engage.Rexburg.org Abstain: Randall Kempton PUBLIC HEARINGS 6. Public Hearing – (25-00664) Summerfield Meetinghouse – CUP – Located at approximately 2355 Summerfield Ln, the application is to allow religious worship and meeting house in a LDR2 zone. – Johnny Watson (Action) Conflict of Interest/Ex parte Conversation: Vice Chairperson Kempton asked the Commissioners to disclose any conflicts of interest or conversations held outside of this meeting relative to this particular subject. Commissioner Hanna arrived at 6:37 pm Presentation: Administrator Parkinson shared the location of the Conditional Use Permit (CUP) on the map. He explained that a meeting house requires a CUP in a residential zone. Staff has reviewed it, it is in a good location, keeps traffic off of public roads and supports the people within that area. Staff recommends that the Planning & Zoning Commission recommend the City Council approve the Conditional Use Permit. Vice Chairperson Kempton opened the public input portion of the hearing at 6:38 pm. Favor: Francis Heppler expressed support for the proposed development near her residence. She noted that nearby neighbors are also in favor, viewing the project as a welcome improvement over the current weed-filled lot. She appreciated that the development is modest in scale and thanked the committee. Sandra Cramer expressed strong support for the proposed development near her home. She noted enthusiasm about the project and mentioned that being able to walk to church would help reduce traffic in the area. She thanked the committee. Commissioner Casper asked for clarification on the location of the proposed meeting house. Administrator Parkinson pointed out the location on the map. Neutral: none Opposed: none Written Correspondence: Three items were received in favor of the application. Since all were reviewed by the P&Z, the letters would not be read into the record. Rebuttal: none Vice Chairperson Kempton closed the public input portion of the hearing at 6:41 pm. Commissioner Discussion: Commissioner Lawrence expressed agreement with the proposed development, describing it as a good use of the land that will benefit the community. (208) 359-3020 35 North 1st East Rexburg, ID 83440 Rexburg.org | Engage.Rexburg.org Commissioner Kempton commented on the application stating that the building would be used by 300 people at once, but predicted it would accommodate more than that if housing multiple wards. Commissioners discussed where meetings are currently held, noting their appreciation of not having to travel long distances to attend church. MOTION: Motion to recommend City Council approve the Conditional Use Permit for the Summerfield meeting house located at 2355 Summerfield Ln to be housed in a LDR2 zone . Action: Approve, Moved by Bruce Casper, Seconded by Dan Hanna. Commissioner Discussion on the Motion: none VOTE: Motion carried. (Summary: Yes = 8, No = 0, Abstain = 0). Yes: Randall Kempton (Vice Chair), Sally Smith (Chairperson), Jim Lawrence, Bruce Casper, Brian Thackeray, Vern Muir, Dan Hanna, Tammy Geddes No: none Abstain: none 7. Public Hearing – (25-00575) – Development Code Amendments – Proposed updates to the Development Code. – Alan Parkinson (Action) Conflict of Interest/Ex parte Conversation: Vice Chairperson Kempton asked the Commissioners to disclose any conflicts of interest or conversations held outside of this meeting relative to this particular subject. Presentation: Administrator Parkinson shared that these are the same changes to the Development Code that have been reviewed at the last two City Council and Planning and Zoning Work Meetings. Only the changes requested during those work meetings have been made. The group discussed the process for the changes, including the official public hearing and the Commission’s ability to choose to vote on each section individually. Commissioner Kempton questioned why mid-sized daycares were not permitted in high density zones. Administrator Parkinson responded that it is hard to have a daycare in a small apartment, unless the complex sets aside a facility for the daycare. He explained that this does not prevent someone from babysitting the neighbors kids. Vice Chairperson Kempton opened the public input portion of the hearing at 6:50 pm. (208) 359-3020 35 North 1st East Rexburg, ID 83440 Rexburg.org | Engage.Rexburg.org Favor: none Neutral: none Opposed: none Written Correspondence: none Rebuttal: none Vice Chairperson Kempton closed the public input portion of the hearing at 6:50 pm. Commissioner Discussion: Commissioner Casper confirmed that the Commission was approving the final drafts of changes. Administrator Parkinson and Attorney Rammell corrected him, stating that the Commission is recommending the changes be approved by City Council. Commissioner Lawrence noted that while the materials were extensive, his review indicated everything appeared consistent with prior discussions from the work meetings and he had no concerns. Commissioner Thackeray expressed his confidence that any objections raised in the work meetings had been addressed and felt the changes were ready to go into effect. Commissioner Kempton and Commissioner Smith echoed the previous comments. The Commission discussed the process to update the code and confirmed that there would be additional code changes in the future. MOTION: Motion to recommend City Council approve the changes to the Development Code based on the fact that through the work meetings and discussions that concerns have been addressed and it makes the language more clear and concise and addresses past issues. Action: Approve, Moved by Jim Lawrence Seconded by Brian Thackeray. Commissioner Discussion on the Motion: none VOTE: Motion carried. (Summary: Yes = , No = 0, Abstain = 0). Yes: Randall Kempton (Vice Chair), Sally Smith (Chairperson), Jim Lawrence, Bruce Casper, Brian Thackeray, Vern Muir, Dan Hanna, Tammy Geddes No: none Abstain: none Heads Up: ▫ September 4th, 2025: none Administrator Parkinson shared that there are a few plats in the works and the Form Based Code would be the next code changes brought before the Planning and Zoning Commission. (208) 359-3020 35 North 1st East Rexburg, ID 83440 Rexburg.org | Engage.Rexburg.org Commissioner Kempton brought up his concerns with the documentation software not loading. Administrator Parkinson responded that he’ll speak to IT and see if there is a reason why the wifi is slower in the Council Chambers and in the evenings. 8. Adjourned at 6:58 PM. Transcribed with Microsoft Copilot AI assistance.