[{"_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",6461558,"mediaKeyId","5824017-01dc3c1d4fff80cd081caea196934528","parentId",5824017,"title","Meridian council approves no-build covenant to aid storage developer, city staff says risks limited","audioSeconds",493,"startMs",677000,"endMs",1170000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5824017-01dc3c1d4fff80cd081caea196934528&start=677&end=1170","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5824017-01dc3c1d4fff80cd081caea196934528/thumbnail_677000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6461558/Meridian/Ada-County/Idaho/Meridian-council-approves-no-build-covenant-to-aid-storage-developer-city-staff-says-risks-limited","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6461558-04dffd2ecc44937fb2e5f1d2554d5bdc/orig.mp4?Expires=1775341943&Signature=Zg4jytYvXmeON3gO2QqPok4g0U-cYGgfcENYeN5xXQUSiXF4-UhX5UQmxVsr2sovHT4NdSilbIhdl1zYTYOEiF0mfkb7LwPfhb986dFrDCnRiVRwX9Z6aIr6mB5Dx227UotQAf2~txMLBv1IkHjvS-6381qneCJi3JImemmJl0unC7UpOSYy3gG~OJvlndkQ4McpSVsSaUv8Q7lrWSwlEmmXND9Vv-NjioYBjwpFHWW74SrzYISO0IWxrni2eiluutuHppCMyNfAdYpeZfrIh~sopDr3GYonEuKi4qt6Oq-vvHFu293jLwdjm3KyUgxTqd3wiH8cw4hX0LLdWWnHXA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Meridian","date","2025-09-24T12:17:16.467Z","article","The Meridian City Council on Sept. 23 approved a no-build covenant between the City of Meridian and PS Mountain West LLC covering a 25-foot-wide, roughly 1,200-foot-long access strip that provides the city access to a 40‑acre parcel north of the wastewater treatment plant.

City public-works staff presented the covenant as a way to allow a nearby storage-facility developer to build contiguous buildings without meeting costly fire‑protection requirements tied to a zero setback on its property line. “The design that they want to use creates a 0 setback on their northern property line, which is our southern boundary of our road. Because of that, the fire code requirements are higher … It's much more expensive to build those added fire protections in the buildings,” Public Works staff member Warren Stewart said.

Stewart told council the department reviewed the request and did not identify operational impediments: utilities could still be placed in the strip and the city would retain access. He noted a potential long-term effect: the covenant would become an encumbrance on part of the 40‑acre parcel, which could make that narrow strip less desirable for future sale or redevelopment.

Councilmembers pressed staff on risks and scope. Councilman Capra asked whether the covenant would affect wastewater operations; Stewart replied it would not, while noting the encumbrance could reduce future sale value. Councilwoman Roberts confirmed the access strip serves only city property.

Council members and staff said the request originated with the developer and that staff recommended approval as a neighborly accommodation. Councilman McKeever moved approval of the agreement and to authorize the mayor to sign; a second was made and the council voted in favor. The motion carried and the mayor was authorized to sign the covenant.

The covenant does not require the city to vacate or abandon the access strip, and staff said the city retains the ability to use the strip for access and utilities. Stewart also cautioned that, while staff saw no immediate operational impacts, the covenant would be an encumbrance on the property and could affect its attractiveness if the city later sought to sell that portion of the parcel.

Next steps: council authorized the mayor to sign the agreement; Stewart and department staff will finalize the covenant paperwork and proceed with execution.

(Meeting item began during the council’s work session and concluded with a formal motion and vote.)","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Meridian City Council - 9/23/25","oneSentenceSummary","The Meridian City Council on Sept. 23 approved a no-build covenant between the City and PS Mountain West LLC covering a 25‑foot‑wide access strip north of the wastewater treatment plant.","taxTitle","Meridian, Ada County, Idaho","taxId",2628,"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},6461544,"Votes at a glance: Meridian council approves two ordinances and a developer covenant",178,3270000,3448000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5824017-01dc3c1d4fff80cd081caea196934528&start=3270&end=3448","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5824017-01dc3c1d4fff80cd081caea196934528/thumbnail_3270000.jpg","/articles/6461544/Meridian/Ada-County/Idaho/Votes-at-a-glance-Meridian-council-approves-two-ordinances-and-a-developer-covenant","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6461544-1aba41ff9c613fb53b30e8c3010941b1/orig.mp4?Expires=1775341943&Signature=AtVT6UKq1O32W0wRKoYcl32hPyQBzYjPmJDmbrXMpkTQrMyLR5TRw6DazE0VaFRqyYTUkx5voQl6rSHyo4a7lpqTTIFTeLO-5KjfnUDgmJLNebjZ8R0pD7Sx3QFpF2Qm9qAKpGqgR4CxuoMb6xBX1PQgzfz-SNYwYWsoAQC2fKBTH1AWX1Ik1wug153UIFUFL9a4E~a1wYNS97JaVNrVnnpFUt3EuWGQe7VxIZWZnV1-Cl2DUkEbh8yOwUDz7tprPFW7weUbEERCgUUruxIghFQiNyCJ0~2kdyz-C4rCTomaLQIhN7XPzD2nn2imks7Rctf8bXVCtQuqpamxf1MwKA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Meridian City Council took three recorded actions during its Sept. 23 work session:

- No‑build covenant with PS Mountain West LLC (Agenda item 20): Council approved an agreement allowing a no‑build condition in a 25‑foot‑wide access strip adjacent to city‑owned land north of the wastewater treatment plant. Staff said the covenant preserves city access and utilities while letting the developer avoid costly fire‑protection requirements associated with a zero setback. Council authorized the mayor to sign the agreement.

- Ordinance 25‑2098 (addressing and definitions): The council read the ordinance title and voted to waive full reading and second/third readings. The ordinance amends City Code section 8.2.3 to add and revise definitions (including definitions for accessory dwellings, primary dwelling and multi‑dwelling), amends addressing rules for multi‑dwelling and multi‑tenant commercial developments, and updates corner‑lot addressing rules. Council moved and seconded the waiver and then adopted the ordinance; the clerk called the roll and the motion carried.

- Ordinance 25‑2099 (multiple UDC amendments): Council read the ordinance title and moved to waive full reading and second/third readings. The ordinance makes a number of Unified Development Code changes, including new fence measurement subsections, amendments to definitions, dimensional standards for R‑2, updating fence provisions, sidewalk and parkway standards, private street requirements, and multiple specific‑use standard updates (flex space, home occupations, multifamily, vertically integrated residential projects), and adjustments to neighborhood meeting and conditional‑use timing provisions. Council voted to adopt the ordinance after the waiver motion; the clerk called the roll and the motion carried.

Vote details: For the two ordinances, Councilman Taylor made the motions to waive full reading and the second/third readings; each motion was seconded and the council adopted both ordinances by roll call. For the covenant, a motion to approve and authorize the mayor to sign was made and seconded; council approved by voice vote (“ayes have it”). The public record on the work session shows the motions carried; the official minutes and ordinance documents will contain the formal roll‑call tallies and the signed ordinances.

All three actions concluded the council’s work session business for the evening.

(For full text of ordinances and the covenant see the City Clerk’s ordinance files and the meeting packet.)","During the Sept. 23 work session the Meridian City Council approved a developer covenant for a proposed access road and unanimously approved two ordinances: 25‑2098 (addressing definitions and addressing rules) and 25‑2099 (multiple Unified Development Code amendments).",{"_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},6461548,"Meridian staff report progress on comprehensive plan implementation; no amendments proposed",999,2355000,3354000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5824017-01dc3c1d4fff80cd081caea196934528&start=2355&end=3354","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5824017-01dc3c1d4fff80cd081caea196934528/thumbnail_2355000.jpg","/articles/6461548/Meridian/Ada-County/Idaho/Meridian-staff-report-progress-on-comprehensive-plan-implementation-no-amendments-proposed","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6461548-7fc7f4129239bc28a75f50efe3b3fc76/orig.mp4?Expires=1775341943&Signature=EOJfvT~7WZuN0eQx4qTlaYi~ygWM3uziLxrwCJn4wbYHaFzj-GriTD61XJUZOtmih3kg83h3HWERxczCsBothXU36q~fCNgVqm6XeR~OacxVQ9w2swLU0rJpCpaqXf6cCUXhyvbSdQa9UpYjTycVgp0dMQbSRi2QZuThbsaHIO5Az~XcpINB6NYH4JqcX2dBJD8JDllkXxCTxCgd7kgGL9B8DWrVPWrsEAYYK15tepU8L8hvX0CeaDLl5JarRYhMXiB-5-hQC4tZgmQbGDqqcRoOfV4QKJQ1ZK56~0c7gO5UX25KlYVxEAurYy-uiZgaBy5HWYqxo44YPV33JbKMKQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Carl Anderson, the city’s long‑range associate planner, presented a status update on Meridian’s comprehensive plan at the Sept. 23 work session, reporting on implementation of the plan’s action items and recommending council review and feedback.

Anderson told council the plan — adopted in 2019 and amended five times since — contains several hundred action items and that staff compiled responses from department heads and liaisons to gauge progress. “Staff is not proposing an amendment tonight,” Anderson said; the presentation was framed as a status report and a prompt for further council discussion about priorities and timelines.

Key takeaways from the staff summary included:

- The plan remains a “living document,” but many action items (staff estimated roughly 380 items) are ongoing and some are past their original timelines.
- Staff recommended periodic reengagement to reprioritize items that were designated medium or high five years ago and to consider consolidation of overlapping or ongoing action items.
- Certain topics, including downtown design standards and historic‑preservation integration, may warrant focused follow‑up and workshops.

Councilmembers asked about next steps and timing for feedback. Anderson and other staff said they would accept individual council input and that items needing deeper discussion would come back for workshops or department follow‑up. No formal amendments or votes were taken during the Sept. 23 session.

Next steps: staff will share the compiled status report with council and remain available to provide department‑level details or to return for workshops on specific items the council identifies for reprioritization or further work.","City planning staff presented a status report on the 2019 comprehensive plan, noting about 380 action items (many ongoing), five amendments since adoption and that some items may need reprioritization or a minor update; staff requested council feedback but did not propose amendments.",{"_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},6461553,"Meridian council backs exploring overlay, design standards to shape ‘Destination Downtown’",3652,1114000,4766000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5824017-01dc3c1d4fff80cd081caea196934528&start=1114&end=4766","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5824017-01dc3c1d4fff80cd081caea196934528/thumbnail_1114000.jpg","/articles/6461553/Meridian/Ada-County/Idaho/Meridian-council-backs-exploring-overlay-design-standards-to-shape-Destination-Downtown","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6461553-37b4d0ce35687e237bde937ce4d9682f/orig.mp4?Expires=1775341943&Signature=KNx4g-8l3NNbaicMSsKM5Z2wKM2E0PmiHuvHi50Cx-jRKteqMulZ8RTmER58o-a7wff0STEgGpiWozKnjVjCt5tR1YBqWfuZcnoTSMnk4iUWiCFL4o6kl9tKk8zz9~N~-7rmukD2JlM~bNAFQQkrhJW70Doti7vasVjWDPGNrzvsJwVpgf-p60bsLkDGVZXWGIgzy7en0DQv1DlkeTMZojEYlwj3HQSq0SHb60wBqSTu4jhSze3yzD8mOc3S~M1Z~clhhY~gsxKwbNGisMYj~gR5siUg7nauDz6Y76gSUe0hr5xewTzvu7WsC240MZsGLKwl0gPV2SJIAYh6WqoYWA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Meridian City Council members on Sept. 23 signaled support for further work toward an overlay district and design standards to implement the Destination Downtown vision, directing staff and consultant partners to produce a scope and timeline for next steps.

The council discussion — a follow-up to prior workshops on downtown design — focused on three core implementation elements: establishing an overlay geographic boundary, drafting design standards or guidance, and producing an architectural standards manual (ASM) for the downtown area. MDC consultants and city staff framed the overlay as the mechanism that would allow the city to apply consistent standards across downtown rather than relying solely on underlying zoning.

“We had a very good dialogue and ... came to, I think, at least the framework at this point of how can this move forward,” consultant Chris Danley said, summarizing the staff-consultant memorandum. City staff estimated the technical work to develop standards and code amendments would take roughly a year. “If I'm ballparking something, probably a year ish, I would think,” a staff member said.

Staff and consultants described options — standards that are prescriptive and measurable, guidelines that are advisory, or a hybrid with relief processes and a design-review body to hear exceptions. Aaron Qualsey, an online consultant, said the draft standards aimed to increase predictability for developers while including “relief valves” where projects cannot meet a strict requirement. “Predictability is, really important,” Qualsey said.

Councilmembers raised trade-offs. Councilman Kavanagh asked whether stricter standards would curb downtown redevelopment or “trade away the ability for the free market to kind of drive development.” Consultants and staff replied that standards can be paired with incentives and that an overlay would aim for consistency rather than being unduly onerous. Several councilmembers suggested a design-review committee and recommended involving historic-preservation stakeholders.

Staff also floated a possible threshold for existing buildings: requiring compliance when a structural expansion exceeds a defined measure (consultants suggested as an example bringing a building into compliance when proposed cubic volume increases by 50 percent). That type of threshold would be part of the standards package to be refined during public outreach and planning‑commission review.

The council did not adopt code changes at the Sept. 23 meeting. Instead, members asked staff and the consultant team to draft a scope, timeline and outreach plan for the overlay and standards and to report back; several members emphasized doing additional stakeholder engagement and maintaining flexibility in whether elements are mandatory standards or advisory guidelines.

Next steps: staff will prepare and distribute a scope/timeline and proposed process for council review; subsequent steps would include planning‑commission review, public engagement, and formal public hearings if council moves to adopt an overlay and code amendments.","Council members signaled support for developing an overlay district and design standards for the Destination Downtown area, directing staff and consultants to return with a scope, timeline and implementation options. Staff estimated roughly a year to develop standards and noted thresholds and relief processes are still to be decided.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Meridian council approves no-build covenant to aid storage developer, city staff says risks limited

Votes at a glance: Meridian council approves two ordinances and a developer covenant

Meridian staff report progress on comprehensive plan implementation; no amendments proposed

Meridian council backs exploring overlay, design standards to shape ‘Destination Downtown’