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HomeMy WebLinkAboutP&Z Minutes 11.20.25(208) 359-3020 35 North 1st East Rexburg, ID 83440 Rexburg.org | Engage.Rexburg.org Planning and Zoning Minutes - November 20, 2025 P&Z Commissioners: City Staff: Randall Kempton (Vice Chair) 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 Chairperson Smith opened the meeting at 6:30 PM. Planning & Zoning Meeting: 1. Welcome 2. Pledge of Allegiance 3. ROLL CALL of Planning and Zoning Commissioners: Present: Sally Smith (Chairperson), Aaron Richards, Bruce Casper, McKay Francis, Brian Thackeray, Vern Muir, Tammy Geddes Absent: Randall Kempton (Vice Chair), Jim Lawrence, Dan Hanna 4. Approval of the P&Z Minutes for November 6, 2025 (Action) MOTION: Motion to approve the Planning & Zoning minutes for November 6, 2025 (Action) Action: Approve, Moved by Bruce Casper, Seconded by Vern Muir. Commissioner Discussion on the Motion: None VOTE: Motion carried. (Summary: Yes = 7, No = 0, Abstain = 0). Yes: Sally Smith (Chairperson), Aaron Richards, Bruce Casper, McKay Francis, Brian Thackeray, Vern Muir, Tammy Geddes No: none Abstain: none PUBLIC HEARINGS 5. Public Hearing – (25-01072) Builders Firstsource Lumberyard – CUP – Located at approximately 1076 S 12th W, the application is to allow a lumberyard in a CBC zone. – Mark Berthold (Action) Conflict of Interest/Ex parte Conversation: Chairperson Smith asked the (208) 359-3020 35 North 1st East Rexburg, ID 83440 Rexburg.org | Engage.Rexburg.org Commissioners to disclose any conflicts of interest or conversations held outside of this meeting relative to this particular subject. Chairperson Smith recused herself due to a conflict of interest. Commissioner Richards took over conducting this portion of the meeting. Commissioner Richards introduced the Conditional Use Permit. Presentation: Planner Baldwin announced representatives from Builder’s FirstSource were in attendance to answer questions. He showed the site location of the application on the map and listed some of the surrounding businesses and stated this was located within the Community Business Center (CBC) zone. He explained that retail is allowed by right in this zone, but the storage yard requires a CUP. Planner Baldwin stated that staff believe this is in a good location and asks the Planning & Zoning Commission to consider recommending that the City Council approve the application. Clarification was provided that the building and retail operations are allowed under current zoning, while the outdoor storage yard requires the CUP. The yard will need screening, such as slats in the fence, to block materials from view along the right-of-way. The parcel under consideration is currently fenced but will require additional screening. Questions were raised about similar properties, such as Rexburg Motorsports to the west, which also has fenced storage but no CUP. Discussion suggested the CUP requirement may relate to the type of product stored. Screening is intended to minimize visual impact and potential nuisance. The applicant, Donovan Meng, described the proposed traffic patterns and showed them on the overhead map. The plan routes truck traffic off 12th West onto a private road behind the property, allowing trucks to enter, unload parallel to the building, and exit back onto 12th West. This design aims to reduce congestion on12th West and avoid bottlenecks similar to those on Main Street. Truck traffic is expected to be low volume, primarily early mornings and some afternoons, with operating hours from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (extended to 5:30 p.m. in summer). Seasonal variations will further limit traffic impact, and retail traffic will be separated from truck traffic for customer safety. Retail customers will not typically enter the storage yard, and overall traffic impact is anticipated to be similar or less than previous Iron Horse operations, which involved larger vehicles and longer hours. Zoning for the surrounding area was reviewed: properties across 12th West and near Good to Go are zoned Community Business Center (CBC), with some Low Density Residential (LDR3) to the southwest and public facilities to the north near the school. (208) 359-3020 35 North 1st East Rexburg, ID 83440 Rexburg.org | Engage.Rexburg.org Planner Baldwin clarified that cutting lumber to length does not change the zoning to industrial; only manufacturing activities would require an industrial designation. Mr Meng explained that Builders FirstSource will not engage in manufacturing at this site, aside from minimal cutting of floor joists. Truss manufacturing will continue at their existing truss plant. The proposed site will be used for retail and lumber sales, with future plans for enclosed storage buildings. Commissioner Richards opened the public input portion of the hearing at 6:44 pm. In Favor: Vondell Erickson, the current location manager, stated that the move is much needed due to challenges at the existing site, including limited space and safety concerns with trucks backing up on Main Street near railroad tracks. He noted that the new location would provide better access and alleviate issues for overnight truck drivers who currently have no truck stop options in Rexburg. Donovan Meng, the Market manager, emphasized that the company has sought relocation for several years. He explained that the current facility is undersized and poses safety risks for employees and the public. The proposed site offers more space and should not create additional impact compared to the previous Iron Horse facility. Jared Klingonsmith, a local contractor and long-time customer, expressed support based on operational challenges at the current yard. He described frequent congestion and difficulty maneuvering vehicles and trailers due to space limitations. He stated that the new location would greatly improve efficiency for contractors and reduce frustration. Neutral: Sally Smith owns property next to iron horse. She expressed interest in understanding the plan and raised a question about truck traffic impacts on University Boulevard, noting it is already busy. She asked whether most semi-trucks would access the site from Highway 20, which would minimize additional traffic into town. She also observed that while the proposed use is similar to John Deere and Rexburg Motorsports, it may involve more trips. She acknowledged the use of a private road would reduce traffic on University Boulevard and 12th West and agreed the relocation is needed. Additionally, she encouraged the applicant to ensure the vacated Main Street property is redeveloped into something beneficial for the community. Mr. Meng responded that the property will be sold and they hope it becomes a positive addition to the area. Opposed: none Written Correspondence: none Rebuttal: none Commissioner Richards closed the public input portion of the hearing at 6:52 pm. Commissioner Discussion: The Commission discussed whether requiring a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) was necessary given that the proposed use aligns with existing zoning and similar businesses in the area. Planner Baldwin noted that the outdoor storage (208) 359-3020 35 North 1st East Rexburg, ID 83440 Rexburg.org | Engage.Rexburg.org yard differs somewhat from other nearby uses, which may justify the CUP as an added layer of protection. He further clarified that CUPs are attached to the parcel rather than the owner, and while the permit would remain with the land, a change in use could alter the requirement. Commission members expressed support for the proposal, citing improvements such as relocating semi-truck traffic away from Main Street and reducing congestion. Members agreed the move places existing traffic in a more suitable location and noted that the road width near the location was designed to accommodate truck traffic. Concerns about safety near the high school were addressed, as the site plan alleviates potential conflicts. MOTION: Motion to recommend City Council approve the Conditional Use Permit application for 1076 S 12th W, allowing a lumberyard in a Community Business Center (CBC) zone, as recommended by city staff and meeting all outlined requirements. Action: Approve, Moved by McKay Francis, Seconded by Bruce Casper. Commissioner Discussion on the Motion: Commissioner Geddes asked about fire protection. Planner Baldwin and Mr. Meng both confirmed fire hydrants were nearby. VOTE: Motion carried. (Summary: Yes = 6, No = 0, Abstain = 0). Yes: Aaron Richards, Bruce Casper, McKay Francis, Brian Thackeray, Vern Muir, Tammy Geddes No: none Abstain: none Chairperson Smith resumed conducting the meeting. 6. Public Hearing – (25-01168) – Signature Student Housing Skybridge – CUP – Located at approximately 1st S 1st W, the application is to allow a skybridge in a CCT zone. – Bart Stevens (Action) 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: Planner Baldwin presented the proposal involving redevelopment of several properties near Hemming Village, including student housing, within the City Center Transect (CCT) (208) 359-3020 35 North 1st East Rexburg, ID 83440 Rexburg.org | Engage.Rexburg.org zone. The Conditional Use Permit (CUP) under consideration is specifically for a skybridge that will cross West 1st South. Planner Baldwin explained that the city recently adopted skybridge regulations after consulting with Public Works, Fire, and Legal departments. These standards are now part of the code. The Commission clarified that, unlike zone changes, CUP reviews consider the proposed project and its final design. Renderings and a 3D model of the project were available for review. The project will be one of the first developments under the new form-based zoning and is intended for single BYU Idaho student housing. Location references included nearby landmarks such as Porter Park, Hemming Village, and the former accounting office building. The applicant, Bart Stevens, thanked staff for their work on developing the skybridge ordinance, explaining that the project originated from a need to safely connect two student housing buildings and reduce pedestrian traffic on the street. The bridge will serve approximately 324 residents and is designed to improve safety and convenience. He noted that the ordinance was intentionally drafted to be general and not tied to a specific project, with individual proposals reviewed under a Conditional Use Permit (CUP). Mr. Stevens addressed prior concerns about clearance for trucks and semis, confirming that the skybridge will connect the third floors of two student housing buildings and provide 18 feet of clearance above the street, exceeding the minimum requirement of 16 feet 6 inches. The bridge will span 103 feet without structural supports in the public right- of-way. It will be fully enclosed, heated, and sprinkler-protected for safety and weather protection. No signage or advertising will be placed on the bridge. Amenities will primarily be located in the women’s building, including fitness facilities, music and study areas, lounges, and a bishop’s office, while the men’s building will focus on housing. The bridge will allow residents to move between buildings without going outside. Access will be controlled for safety, consistent with ordinance requirements, and the university has provided a letter of support for the project. Mr. Stevens explained that recent policy changes now allow men’s and women’s housing buildings to connect if a shared amenity space exists, making this project possible. He stated that the easement for the bridge is tied to the life of the building under the CUP and will expire if the structure is removed or falls into disrepair, ensuring no permanent abandonment of public right-of-way. Site planning has accounted for utilities and curb cuts to avoid future road disruption. Chairperson Smith opened the public input portion of the hearing at 7:13 pm. Favor: none (208) 359-3020 35 North 1st East Rexburg, ID 83440 Rexburg.org | Engage.Rexburg.org Neutral: Greg Newkirk stated that most of his questions were answered during the presentation. While he still has some curiosity about project details, he noted these do not need to be addressed in this meeting. He expressed full support for the design, particularly because the CUP is tied to the building rather than the land, and commended the thoroughness of the planning. He reported having no concerns about the proposal. Opposed: none Written Correspondence: none Rebuttal: none Chairperson Smith closed the public input portion of the hearing at 7:15 pm. Commissioner Discussion: Commissioners discussed the proposed skybridge CUP, noting that they had previously reviewed the new ordinance and its requirements. Members expressed appreciation for staff’s efforts in researching similar regulations in other cities and ensuring the ordinance was legally sound and adaptable for future projects. Commissioners agreed the project would improve pedestrian safety by reducing street crossings and could inspire creative solutions in other urban areas. Commissioner Thackeray acknowledged mixed feelings about changes to the area but supported the proposal, stating it was well thought out. Commissioner Geddes highlighted the benefit of safely accommodating 324 students moving between buildings. MOTION: Motion to recommend City Council approve the Signature Student Housing Skybridge CUP because the application meets all staff requirements and aligns with the new ordinance. Action: Approve, Moved by Aaron Richard, Seconded by McKay Francis. Commissioner Discussion on the Motion: none VOTE: Motion carried/lost. (Summary: Yes = 7, No = 0, Abstain = 0). Yes: Sally Smith (Chairperson), Aaron Richards, Bruce Casper, McKay Francis, Brian Thackeray, Vern Muir, Tammy Geddes No: none Abstain: none Heads Up: ▫ December 4th: ▫ Rezone 7. Adjourned at 7:20 PM. Minutes completed using AI assistance.