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Kuna council approves rezone of 75.9-acre Meridian Road site for commercial/sports-complex concept
Summary
After public comment and hours of questions about traffic, ownership and long-term costs, the Kuna City Council voted to approve a rezone of three parcels totaling about 75.86 acres at 700 North Meridian Road to C-2 commercial. Applicants and city staff said any future development would require additional land-use approvals and agreements.
Kuna City Council voted to approve case 2501ZC, a request to rezone three parcels at 700 North Meridian Road (about 75.86 acres) from agriculture to C-2 commercial.
City planner Marina Lundy introduced the application and said the concept plan in the packet is purely conceptual and that the applicant would need to return for subsequent land-use approvals. Economic and development staffer Jessica Hall told the council the rezone conforms with the city’s recently adopted future land use map and that no partnership agreements are in place with the applicant at this stage.
The item drew questions from council and residents about ownership, traffic, lighting and whether the city would retain ongoing responsibility for maintenance or financial exposure. Attorney Mark Bybee told the council the property at the center of the three parcels is city-owned, meaning the city must expressly approve any future plat or subdivision affecting that parcel.
Public commenters raised safety and access concerns. Tina Townley, who lives on Meadowview Road, said, “My concern is the dangers of them going to that side of Kuna Road,” noting most Kuna children live on the near side of Meridian Road. Rebecca Simmons, a nearby resident, asked the council to consider the existing “Kuna curve” and how left turns onto Kuna Road would be handled if the site hosts tournaments.
Applicant representative David McMenemy (True Grit Youth Sports) said the organizing group plans a nonprofit structure and intends to keep field-rental fees modest. He said the operation would be “self sustaining as a nonprofit” and that the developer would “entertain an agreement with the city where you guys provide the land on a long-term lease in exchange for usage rights.” City staff and the applicant also said the group is pursuing sponsorships and other funding and that rezoning would help the applicant show prospective funders a ready, zoned site.
Council members debated whether approving a rezone before a formal development agreement or funding commitments constituted “putting the cart before the horse.” City attorney Mark Bybee and Planning Director Doug Hansen explained the practical effect: rezoning does not obligate the city to approve a later plat or development on the city-owned parcel, but because this rezone application combined three parcels in a single application, denial for reasons tied to the city parcel could legally be applied across the jointly-proposed rezone.
After deliberation the council approved the rezone application by voice vote; the motion carried with one opposition. Staff noted that agency transmittals were sent to relevant agencies and that developer-provided site plans are conceptual and subject to change. If the rezone is to be acted on by the developer, the applicant must return for subdivision, design review and any required agreements.
The council directed staff that any later agreement or plat that would affect the city-owned parcel must return for council approval. The applicant and staff were told to expect future review steps — including traffic and utility studies and any development agreements — before construction could proceed.
