Meridian staff recommends data‑first approach to construction dust and noise; council favors adding mitigation language to development findings

City staff recommended a measured, data‑driven approach to address recent construction dust and noise complaints and proposed clarifications to design review and building‑height rules.

Public works staff presented four options after meeting with internal departments, the Building Contractors Association (BCA), and the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). Staff’s recommended Option 1 would: create a single online reporting page for construction complaints, distribute a best management practices packet at preconstruction meetings, require submission (but not immediate enforcement) of SWIPs for most projects, and improve interagency enforcement coordination. Staff emphasized that Meridian currently handles about 10–15 dust complaints per year citywide and that roughly 250 active construction projects…