[{"_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",6518010,"mediaKeyId","5399666-8881c73874bd5f239ba3e948cb7d9ae4","parentId",5399666,"title","Council takes no action on Gemstone Technology Park reconsideration alleging conflict of interest","audioSeconds",1917,"startMs",2333000,"endMs",4250000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5399666-8881c73874bd5f239ba3e948cb7d9ae4&start=2333&end=4250","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5399666-8881c73874bd5f239ba3e948cb7d9ae4/thumbnail_2333000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6518010/Kuna-City/Ada-County/Idaho/Council-takes-no-action-on-Gemstone-Technology-Park-reconsideration-alleging-conflict-of-interest","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6518010-4381e5e25da719886177f277fbd72130/orig.mp4?Expires=1771137057&Signature=MBZGqfLeIh7FFeRet9NjAlzXUBzlkgBYACBHBaLGLuIxa0Y808ii-ZIYojInmQyr~FTZPJQTIxR7LSSUyUOqKZMXbtkwR5W9JJn5Kfy85psMPi57GF1G9cFU3bRfQeXPrJzBlZ-H~MHB~1faQPkbuiCsV9eFm5DVpswEFXfjJs9dcIBxjMnB2ElBo1LIxBSDICjMMMI~7MstxK6ngE6zXOIkiMOdAkHNid4T6ZANJ-WxIHvkLR~z3Y0pzOOx7OIgi9ptLNZ6W04bQn9TmYayV~J3DQx4ipq2UxZgGEYdB5R-EJ~~rN9NuS2rGafyBk4F8w8x21q6XIlhLysUSp~BIg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Kuna","date","2025-07-16T00:00:09Z","article","A request for reconsideration of the Gemstone Technology Park rezone (case numbers 2401CPM and 2401CC) alleging a statutory conflict of interest by Councilor Greg McPherson was heard by the Kuna City Council. The petitioner asserted that McPherson should have recused himself because his employer, landowner Lane Thornton, owns property adjacent to the proposed industrial park and that employment created an economic interest requiring nonparticipation. Counsel for the applicant disputed the claim and urged the council to deny the reconsideration.

Douglas Waterman, representing Lane Thornton, told the council the Idaho conflict-of-interest statute requires recusal when an official or the official’s employer has an economic interest in the proceeding; he argued the length of shared boundary and Thornton’s agricultural operations produce a disqualifying economic interest and asked the council to grant reconsideration and set a rehearing.

Applicant counsel Heath Clark said the claim was a tactical maneuver and that Thornton had opposed the application at earlier stages. Clark argued Thornton had not produced evidence of a direct economic entitlement created by the approval and that any future benefit would be speculative and contingent on separate approvals; he urged the council to deny the petition and affirmed Councilor McPherson had voted against the applicant’s commercial interests in the past.

Council deliberations and decision

City staff and council discussed three procedural options: (1) take no action (which causes the request to be deemed denied after the 60-day statutory period), (2) move to deny the petition and adopt a written decision before the statutory deadline, or (3) grant the petition and schedule a rehearing (with scope of rehearing to be determined — planning commission stage, council public hearing, or council deliberations).

After extended discussion, councilors expressed differing views on whether McPherson’s employment required recusal. Councilor McPherson said he had sought private legal advice and believed he did not have a conflict. Some councilors said they trusted his integrity; others said they would have recused themselves in his place to avoid the procedural headache. The council ultimately chose to take no action; staff noted that, absent further action, the request will be deemed denied by operation of law at the end of the 60-day review period (with a decision deadline in early August as calculated by the city attorney).

What the council’s choice means

By taking no action, the council did not schedule a rehearing nor issue a written denial at the meeting. If a party wishes to pursue judicial review of the underlying land‑use decision, that remains a statutory option after the city’s reconsideration period lapses. The council’s procedural choice left open the possibility that a court, if a legal challenge is filed, could review the adequacy of the city’s procedures and any alleged conflict.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Meeting 07/15/2025","oneSentenceSummary","A petition asking the Kuna City Council to reconsider its approval of the Gemstone Technology Park rezone on conflict-of-interest grounds was presented; the council debated the claim and, after discussion, took no action, leaving the petition to be deemed denied by operation of law if not addressed before the statutory deadline.","taxTitle","Kuna City, Ada County, Idaho","taxId",48735,"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},6518016,"Council approves Star Acres annexation for industrial zoning on Barker Road",263,2047000,2310000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5399666-8881c73874bd5f239ba3e948cb7d9ae4&start=2047&end=2310","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5399666-8881c73874bd5f239ba3e948cb7d9ae4/thumbnail_2047000.jpg","/articles/6518016/Kuna-City/Ada-County/Idaho/Council-approves-Star-Acres-annexation-for-industrial-zoning-on-Barker-Road","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6518016-8c17fc8a1d6a0f9739a97e164a380b8a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771137057&Signature=SRaSRcgm-L3m4lkTTZha2PPz5vsh-NOyvFD6MALkp7ReN8XYkniel1eGsY~TnkevRqAoIasOwWCO0dEf01w~QNOwzyicnhoP~7S7r--pFfMk60k38LquEpFvKajz0WpY29gJteMQSv1ew6ENTa1vgNjaAj946YtxuNPZQGHAkgvCeaR3CXYx7NCYH9TIbmjktcf1WHGVSg~aVRhuGZJfpkPw-Vsy7xpzUgK~TXrus0AE2oL4~-pW6AVTjAvDIOaReOL4GmbkizpLNLJsaLUQjWrOoZcV2lAB5BToKUWLuo3r2~FychlwrQkQuhbdaWwPfSpZQU4~sCNXzP-Si70Fjg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Kuna City Council approved the annexation of approximately 37.5 acres at 5434 West Barker Road, requested by Star Acres Properties. Jessica Hall, economic and community development, told the council the parcel was consistent with the city’s future land-use map and was the third parcel the applicant has sought to annex for a larger industrial site.

William Edwards, representing Star Acres Properties, said the property sits at the corner of Barker and Curtis Road and that the requested M-1 (light industrial/manufacturing) zone complies with the future land-use designation. Edwards said the annexation is a preliminary step and the applicant will return for plat and design review as development plans proceed.

Service and Urban Renewal questions

Council members asked whether the parcel would be included in the city’s urban renewal district and whether the property would be eligible to connect to existing city sewer and water infrastructure. Hall replied the property had not been added into the urban renewal district but that annexation into the city would make the site eligible to connect to existing sewer and water; she said being outside the URD does not block that opportunity, though it means incremental financing from URD tax increments would not apply.

Council action

A motion to approve case number 2407AN passed unanimously. The applicant and staff said future submittals (preliminary plat and design review) will follow as the property’s industrial development plans firm up.","The council approved annexation of roughly 37.5 acres for Star Acres with an M-1 light industrial zoning designation (case 2407AN). The property is not part of the urban renewal district but may connect to existing sewer and water.",{"_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},6518020,"Kuna Council tables Blossom Meadows annexation after asking for fire, school letters",1828,178000,2006000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5399666-8881c73874bd5f239ba3e948cb7d9ae4&start=178&end=2006","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5399666-8881c73874bd5f239ba3e948cb7d9ae4/thumbnail_178000.jpg","/articles/6518020/Kuna-City/Ada-County/Idaho/Kuna-Council-tables-Blossom-Meadows-annexation-after-asking-for-fire-school-letters","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6518020-8be6d93dc60f2a8686fde78d262c9e0c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771137057&Signature=jprWjT2HFuC1bmwnndtx3DZ8cCNFiK~FlSTO82CPWGEtNQAeCGgmba0wDYYpwEyGnu~FuxhaANeplAlcn6WdrulBwkQ1~J57lgLvB6vPFz-8g3tXhhxCboYIesQGf~Lakc6HzpQXPcKiRRVZ03B~lIi9mnM0E7-~34UUkDiYfZhxWz09iRPjliQBZUJcuOsJiyDTzB0miRZkY6i0IOJ2ncT2mcdArzWzhklBft6c5zO0uwPj7p8oqgwnVV9hG6qlaUF2F4kbyNLdL1A9cD0LtQFrhkRCZJBJ2MFbmQr~XgZsBm0qq5dRj9sbP-oNtbsJhHxgUClLqk29rttwBvYNqA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Blossom Meadows, a proposed annexation and preliminary plat for about 30.92 acres near Locust Grove and Meadowview Road, was tabled by the Kuna City Council after council members asked for written confirmation from the fire district and an updated statement from the Kuna School District.

The developer, represented by Jaden Schneider of Bronzeville, told the council the project proposes 100 single-family lots (with 19 common lots) under an R-6 zone after reducing an earlier concept of 177 lots. Schneider said the average lot size across the development is about 7,500 square feet and that the plan includes multiple interior open-space areas. “The provided open space the qualified provided open space is 3.96 acres, which is about 12.8,” Schneider said during his presentation, comparing it to the roughly 2.32 acres required by city code.

Planning staff member Troy Buchanan summarized the staff review and said planning and zoning recommended approval subject to the conditions listed in the staff report. Buchanan noted the applicant supplied pedestrian pass-throughs requested by the commission and that the materials were included in the findings.

Why the council paused action

Several council members said they wanted written verification from two public-safety and school authorities before they were comfortable voting. Council members and members of the public pressed for a letter or formal comment from the fire district about secondary access for the subdivision. Schneider said he had phone and email exchanges with the fire responders and that the fire official told him “generally, this does not have any concerns for them,” but he conceded he did not have a written letter to include in the packet.

Council members also asked for an updated letter from the Kuna School District. Schneider and Buchanan said the district provided a letter of support earlier; Schneider described the district’s voluntary capital mitigation fee program and said the mitigation charge for single-family lots on this site would be $3,286 per lot. “Because the developer has partnered with us, we can serve the students generated from this development,” Schneider said, referencing the school district letter in the packet. Several council members said the packet letter dated 2024 should be refreshed to reflect current capacity planning.

Other technical details discussed

- Traffic: Schneider said an engineering traffic study estimates the site would add about 50 vehicles in the AM peak hour to Meadowview Road; roughly 10 of those would be eastbound toward adjacent residences. ACHD has reviewed the traffic study and noted regional improvements (widening Deer Flat Road and a roundabout at Locust Grove and Deer Flat) in its capital plan.
- Access: The primary access would extend North Strobel Road through the property and connect to Ashton Estates to the west; the developer proposes an emergency secondary access in the southwest corner. Schneider said ACHD staff and the fire department indicated the layout is acceptable given the proposed secondary emergency access for developments over 30 lots.
- Open space: Schneider emphasized the project provides more qualifying open space than the code minimum.

Council action and next step

On a motion to table, the council voted unanimously to table the applications (case numbers 2409AN and 25-06S) until a council meeting in August 2025 and asked staff to solicit and include a written response from the fire district and an updated letter from the Kuna School District in the meeting packet.

The developer and staff said they will return with the requested letters and any other follow-up information the council requests.","The council paused consideration of the Blossom Meadows annexation and preliminary plat (case nos. 2409AN and 25-06S) and asked staff to obtain written comments from the fire district and an updated letter from the Kuna School District before resuming the matter in August 2025.",{"_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},6518005,"Kuna council approves tentative budget; sets property-tax increase at 2% for next year",1650,4400000,6050000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5399666-8881c73874bd5f239ba3e948cb7d9ae4&start=4400&end=6050","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5399666-8881c73874bd5f239ba3e948cb7d9ae4/thumbnail_4400000.jpg","/articles/6518005/Kuna-City/Ada-County/Idaho/Kuna-council-approves-tentative-budget-sets-property-tax-increase-at-2-for-next-year","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6518005-58863af939c703b7cf58f30e9347ebfc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771137057&Signature=ggVRq6ksyaTPHLcUuQKpRfrYizhb0PWOpCHk68cYg9~TdizT-Nul5XB61g27B9kca~O3OvXPns9BPD8Qx5as1slrOfKkREOh9QOMAkineoVCJ6FEgPzqB4CuXNCQt2AdXv7kWqoV~tB3GqBbyVGBsoUZ6rgtWADSc5uoBHBCt1Yxl8jpc3HaO97P2NzHYADPQ8oartIzfWqwZgZWIiNZ8jDZM07DMEBDkMWZsTnnydvGZ6u1Kouv-vOlq~309VycK2w44e2RvZYn1TjzdfyHX6yVhej3eN8j7rs~BsGCP4D~Lvl81JwYeshgnMlzCiuSwMHEKsgE95~2KJ6C4JsDlw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Kuna City Council approved a tentative budget to be published for the statutory budget hearing in the second meeting of August, adopting an amendment to limit the planned property-tax levy increase to 2 percent (rather than the 3 percent discussed at the budget workshop).

City Treasurer Jared (last name not specified in packet) presented the tentative budget and highlighted a modest top-line change of about 0.57 percent from the workshop figures after ‘‘true-ups’’ to payroll and capital timing. He said four positions were confirmed since the workshop: a sewer operator, a sewer technician, an accounting specialist and an economic development administrator. Jared also explained a timing change for the Council Chambers project in the capital projects fund, moving a larger share of project expenditures into fiscal 2026; the draft moved the budgeted amount from $1.2 million to about $2.2 million in the fiscal 2026 column to reflect construction timing.

Other budget details discussed

- Fleet: The tentative budget removes a previously considered $300,000 dump-truck purchase after staff decided repairing the existing vehicle was more cost-effective.
- Police: Jared said the police budget was revised from an earlier workshop figure and now sits near $5 million; staff noted police services make up about 97 percent of a specified property-tax percentage metric in the packet (a marginal improvement from an earlier estimate).
- KeyBank EDU obligation: Jared told the council the remaining KeyBank EDU obligation to the city (for late-comer assessments) is roughly 750 EDUs and, at current growth rates, is expected to be extinguished in about one to two years.

Council action and next steps

Councilor Bruce moved to approve the tentative budget as amended to assume only a 2 percent property-tax increase for the next fiscal year; the motion passed by voice vote. Council set a public hearing on the budget for the second meeting in August. Staff said additional changes based on the budget hearing could be made before final adoption and that staff will advertise the tentative budget and the date for the public hearing.","Council approved the tentative fiscal budget and directed staff to publish it for the August budget hearing, amending the tentative levy increase to 2% rather than 3%. The tentative budget includes adjustments to capital timing for the council chambers and personnel additions.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council takes no action on Gemstone Technology Park reconsideration alleging conflict of interest

Council approves Star Acres annexation for industrial zoning on Barker Road

Kuna Council tables Blossom Meadows annexation after asking for fire, school letters

Kuna council approves tentative budget; sets property-tax increase at 2% for next year