[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6510553,"mediaKeyId","5374301-a42740b99c388b6252431ea5b803c429","parentId",5374301,"title","Commission approves Walnut Place preliminary plat, delays subdivision of Alameda firehouse pending historic review","audioSeconds",1650,"startMs",2902000,"endMs",4552000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5374301-a42740b99c388b6252431ea5b803c429&start=2902&end=4552","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5374301-a42740b99c388b6252431ea5b803c429/thumbnail_2902000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6510553/Pocatello-City/Bannock-County/Idaho/Commission-approves-Walnut-Place-preliminary-plat-delays-subdivision-of-Alameda-firehouse-pending-historic-review","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6510553-6a95268e8302c21de420038fabaf1d81/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448579&Signature=Wq0W8VhDvuYDieLbZ9qPDBsyCu8YI3JZvc9tdmMxhZ2IwTei6LuxzFhKiM1QGYnSmtnUT6QOtkmYIdbcwp5ybHCUeRf3ZFVl~iEaOoGomBXYRQlK2QMCLyW4mhVz1oA-CSPQ3cNTxYC9dl0hmASzn-FDsng~Z-2SiI0ulhJBlwkPm~krCI9kwqRBaPStTko7kU7GJYz~509JrEE1TcQPsxViCkJ0tBi8xTjnn7BCacs6pDJmxdmIv5DRZifncICc1cZ7abioq1wRCGp7AyjYlPU~ccW8NXkvc3iy9hZPQGbzVyoi0iA1I5~4TzeZTLzdHYXe0-VAoI45EStnPNPe3g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Pocatello","date","2025-07-11T17:23:10.553Z","article","The Pocatello Planning and Zoning Commission on July 9 approved a preliminary plat the city submitted for a 1.55-acre property at 409 Washington — known locally for the former Alameda fire station and several city-leased social-service uses — but added a condition intended to preserve options for the historic structure.

Staff (Grama, planning development services director, and Becky Babb, planning manager; Merrill Quayle, development engineer) presented the city-owned proposal to subdivide the unplatted civic parcel into eight lots, with four lots identified in the staff packet as potential sites for duplexes or small homes. Grama told commissioners the application is a division of land only; \"what this application is just an application of division of land,\" and decisions about demolition, rehabilitation or future use of individual buildings would be made later by City Council.

Grama acknowledged that the city engaged an architectural historian to assess the historic significance of the former Alameda fire station and that the city had received an environmental site assessment noting asbestos and lead-based paint in the structure. He told the commission the building \"would need to be completely gutted out\" and that remediation would be costly. Grama said the city had been offered federal funding to develop low- or moderate-income units on the site but that those funds would not pay for building rehabilitation; the grant option would require any units produced with IHFA funding to meet low/moderate-income restrictions for 30 years and likely involve a housing authority as property manager for that term.

Several dozen residents and neighborhood representatives urged the commission to deny or delay the preliminary plat, saying the fire station is Alameda's last remaining civic-era building and asking that the city preserve the structure and explore neighborhood-based solutions. Roger Fry, representing NeighborWorks Pocatello and the Alameda Neighborhood Association, said the group had offered to take a lease-to-own arrangement for the fire station and urged a preservation-focused approach. Commenters raised concerns about stormwater retention on the parcel, limited on-street parking (including use of street parking by Bright Tomorrows and other adjacent facilities), and the precedent of using infill rules to justify subdividing an existing, occupied site.

In response to public concern, the applicant (city staff) offered a recommended change that the commission adopted as a condition: Lots 1 through 4 (the portion that contains the historic building) will be combined into a single lot and will not be further subdivided until the city's historic assessment is complete and City Council has had an opportunity to weigh in. The commission recorded the motion to approve the preliminary plat with that condition; the chair was authorized to sign findings of fact and decision.

Commissioners and staff noted two practical limits: (1) if the city later disposes of the property through sale, state law requires an open auction process, meaning the city cannot directly convey the property to a private nonprofit without following public-disposition rules; and (2) the environmental findings mean substantial remediation would be required for reuse of the fire station, a costly proposition for which the city currently lacks funding.

The approval advances subdivision of the city parcel to final-plat and Council review steps; Council will consider how to proceed with building rehabilitation or disposal once the historic assessment and fiscal analysis are complete.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Pocatello Planning and Zoning Commission 07 09 25","oneSentenceSummary","The commission approved a preliminary plat to subdivide 1.55 city-owned acres at 409 Washington into eight lots (four planned for duplexes) but added a condition combining Lots 1'04 into one parcel until the Alameda fire station's historic status is assessed and City Council considers next steps amid strong neighborhood opposition.","taxTitle","Pocatello City, Bannock County, Idaho","taxId",5619,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6510558,"Commission backs rezoning of 83-acre Northgate Ridge area to RCP despite public concern; two commissioners dissent",792,1459000,2251000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5374301-a42740b99c388b6252431ea5b803c429&start=1459&end=2251","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5374301-a42740b99c388b6252431ea5b803c429/thumbnail_1459000.jpg","/articles/6510558/Pocatello-City/Bannock-County/Idaho/Commission-backs-rezoning-of-83-acre-Northgate-Ridge-area-to-RCP-despite-public-concern-two-commissioners-dissent","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6510558-234dbd3365756656d971bde673d6c091/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448579&Signature=hxg1y1LEM7teUG2cEBWC-3WEfnDrLqWeCbQngGx~LdMSuN3BVK6bwhu-X0XBRiWcqJdp1lylgpihfl9-439n5HFi7oGuPl4bFMNDf~0gfoKkr8cnCTjJNclJwo4n-YFRWaKwlZfwrAU7oh-uO9wJzScc2tKmFBrogv~p7DYS2K2vNVfDiz-ihBZvLeE1-MatBY9jai8lGV7IvacZ5sce~6A1muyVhRU68djF7pAwHO1jQcCDMdExM4ZY-MNbe~4MDQT6HqE2N8k5k6egNNEPfazrhBaC5wRMXJtI6HEkZNHb7rp5oacw~2fR783ec7gVowMV4rjFwd0qPadDlnc~4w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Planning and Zoning Commission voted July 9 to recommend a future land use map amendment and rezoning of approximately 83 acres east of Olympus Drive and Northgate Parkway from Commercial General (CG) to Residential Commercial Professional (RCP) and from a commercial future land use designation to mixed-use.

Chris Adams of Creek Hollow Associates, representing owner Buck Swaney and SmartTown LLC, told the commission the RCP zone better fits the developer's intended mix of single-family, townhomes, professional offices and neighborhood commercial. Planning Director Bridal McClain (staff) said much of the area immediately west of Olympus Drive is already zoned RCP and that the proposed map amendment would extend a mixed-use designation consistent with the comprehensive plan and the city's vision for a walkable neighborhood.

A resident, Heather Dislequin (635 Gary Street), was the principal public commenter and asked for more analysis on long-term economic impacts, traffic, fire and emergency-service impacts, and how the area's status as an urban renewal/TIF district affects fiscal capacity. Dislequin told commissioners: \"This application undermines ... real economic development opportunities and ignores the issues which frequently accompany higher density development,\" and specifically asked for traffic and service studies.

City staff responded that required traffic and development impact studies are performed at the development stage (preliminary plat and engineering review) rather than during a high-level rezoning; staff said those studies would be required when a preliminary plat is submitted and that zoning approval does not relieve a project of later technical requirements.

Commissioner Gomez moved to recommend approval and Commissioner Valadolid seconded. The motion passed with two recorded \"no\" votes. The recommendation now goes to City Council for final action; staff and the applicant said a revised preliminary plat will follow to address layout and density details.","The commission recommended changing the future land use designation and rezoning about 83 acres in the Northgate area from Commercial General to Residential Commercial Professional (RCP). Several residents warned the change could reduce future purely commercial zoning and asked for more impact analysis; the motion passed with two 'no' votes.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6510563,"Commission recommends annexation and preliminary plat for Trail Creek Estates Divisions 5'007",751,618000,1369000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5374301-a42740b99c388b6252431ea5b803c429&start=618&end=1369","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5374301-a42740b99c388b6252431ea5b803c429/thumbnail_618000.jpg","/articles/6510563/Pocatello-City/Bannock-County/Idaho/Commission-recommends-annexation-and-preliminary-plat-for-Trail-Creek-Estates-Divisions-5007","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6510563-6eb1b0f4f081d520e181599ef7408972/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448579&Signature=ZBXIhfls4g0u0iEgYZtB-u30xkbWlxSSTOqzp9mSTCfe455YeMufTuQNBcXqqev61fHE3kCWrF3BgrnjFEe0GadMIhnyAoUIA-6~eJ89sy33ygz7Jzy5E0U9srNN3mHL5USqh1GlNPwUGcthFm3FXGGjda-li7hrgrcuk15jGNdnSvTPA7EzqFFcJgLxjsXyf-l0rHRqepOYKwHRrRGRRZD-rFaA4NB850fYMWMI6Q0IJzDBNMFU2QlMYnUlOh2xcWburqsDT4dOgTPYwjm5QCdVQ~CWlnIaLGn-9-sHYaX0~BfHC3Yd8qfB11VkgC19KJLTAyTva0wYf7DOtsECsg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Pocatello Planning and Zoning Commission on July 9 recommended approval of two related applications from McCormick Ranch LLC: (1) an annexation and zoning request to bring roughly 12.4 acres (parcel RPR3853028016) into the city's corporate boundary with a proposed zoning of Residential Low Density, and (2) a preliminary plat to subdivide the same property into 34 residential lots across three divisions (Divisions 5'007).

Brady Smith, representing the applicant, told the commission the annexation and zoning are intended to continue phases of the existing Trail Creek neighborhood and facilitate the next three development phases over the coming years. Smith said the project will connect into existing utilities in Champlain and that the applicant accepts the conditions listed in staff reports.

Matthew Lewis, senior planner for the city, reviewed statutory notice and compliance items and told the commission the annexation satisfies Idaho Code section 50-22,225 and municipal standards; staff recommended approval of both annexation and preliminary plat with the conditions outlined in the public works memorandum and staff report.

On the preliminary plat, staff described the division breakdown: Division 1 would create 14 lots from about 5.3 acres; Division 2 would create 12 lots from about 4.5 acres; Division 3 would create the remaining lots from about 3.39 acres. Minimum lot size for the proposal is 7,500 square feet and staff required that the steep hillside adjacent to Trail Creek Road be included on the final plat as non-buildable open space to be dedicated to the homeowners association.

No written public comments were recorded in the staff packet and no public testimony was provided at the hearings. Commissioners moved and seconded the annexation recommendation and the preliminary plat approval; both motions passed and the chair was authorized to sign findings of fact and decisions. Conditions in staff reports (public works, Polyquartz memorandum, and other standard plat conditions) remain attached to the approvals.

Next steps: the approved recommendations and the final plat materials will proceed under standard city procedures for final plat, required public works approvals and building permit review.","The commission voted to recommend annexation of roughly 12.4 acres into Pocatello city limits with a zoning designation of residential low density and to approve the related preliminary plat to create 34 residential lots; the applications were presented by Brady Smith and recommended by staff subject to conditions in the staff report.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6510567,"Planning commission backs narrow exemption to sensitive-lands density rules east of Portneuf River",150,276000,426000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5374301-a42740b99c388b6252431ea5b803c429&start=276&end=426","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5374301-a42740b99c388b6252431ea5b803c429/thumbnail_276000.jpg","/articles/6510567/Pocatello-City/Bannock-County/Idaho/Planning-commission-backs-narrow-exemption-to-sensitive-lands-density-rules-east-of-Portneuf-River","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6510567-bbb07a78e71cbf9a2930232b466a45c3/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448579&Signature=SEDgkG4xN1O-OZpUwZ~LrrEhYVppvmB5TA5Vv7hKfB9FvaDZxa7c~5u1soqOgIVfAJ8aoG0gkv3AQRsB6FQLh9BXLNWNiDHA5Dsf9miWFcCwW9l4SRI6PAmUkiFAr9Ev42B79uojsfhQba04QS~6o0XMAUglUVqyDuCYf-jO8NrV5JU8q0SX5nsOOC-UJ3gH9dp5MQyt4AkURbsyKm-LXpmVHecjkU0vxMScPos9InhKlnyTLJaA2NIR-4L~nwH9y6WMk0mBWG8WHd3lztJuh0Oki1FqA350mRJJL-pNuZYBuxSHHFp6nLwFk48YdE6YV-5I3X4stMHzZSkfrGkkhA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Pocatello Planning and Zoning Commission on July 9 recommended approval of a City-initiated amendment to Title 17 that would create an exemption to density and clustering standards inside parts of the Sensitive Lands Overlay east of the Portneuf River and below elevation 4,700.

The amendment was presented by Jim Anglesey, a long-range planner with Planning and Development Services. Anglesey said the change would \"add[] an exemption to the density and clustering standards within the designated wildlife habitat protection area East of the Portneuf River and below elevation 4700,\" and that much of the area is steep and effectively unbuildable under current overlay rules.

Staff told the commission the proposed text change is intended to align zoning regulations with Comprehensive Plan 2040, which the staff summary said \"strikes a balance between economic development, housing development and wildlife and resource protection.\" Matthew Lewis, senior planner, and other staff materials were cited in the record as finding the amendment consistent with Pocatello City Code section 17.2.170 and the comprehensive plan.

Commission discussion focused on the specific elevation line (4,700 feet) and where the foothills give way to valley floor buildable land. Anglesey explained that 4,700 \"is about where the foothills start ramping up in height\" on the East Side and that the city believes it is appropriate to allow regular development standards on the valley floor below that elevation.

No members of the public provided testimony on this item. Commissioner Gomez moved to recommend approval and the motion was seconded; the commission recorded the motion as approved and authorized the chair to sign the findings of fact.

The recommendation now goes to the City Council for final action. If Council adopts the amendment, parcels inside the affected overlay that lie below elevation 4,700 would not be subject to the overlay's density and clustering limits, though other overlay standards would remain in effect.","The Pocatello Planning and Zoning Commission voted to recommend a text amendment to Title 17 that would exempt portions of the designated wildlife habitat protection area below elevation 4,700 from the overlay's density and clustering requirements, forwarding the recommendation to City Council.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commission approves Walnut Place preliminary plat, delays subdivision of Alameda firehouse pending historic review

Commission backs rezoning of 83-acre Northgate Ridge area to RCP despite public concern; two commissioners dissent

Commission recommends annexation and preliminary plat for Trail Creek Estates Divisions 5'007

Planning commission backs narrow exemption to sensitive-lands density rules east of Portneuf River