Pocatello council approves vacation of Saunter Lane right-of-way amid neighborhood opposition

The Pocatello City Council approved a staff-recommended vacation of approximately 0.5 acres of public right-of-way in The Crossings subdivision (Saunter Lane south of Wayfare Street), following a public hearing in which numerous nearby residents opposed the request.

Becky Babb, planning manager for the city, explained the application from Karchner Homes (applicant name as entered in the city file) sought vacating the cul-de-sac right-of-way. Babb reviewed the statutory criteria the council must apply under Idaho law and the city’s 2016 council-adopted standards: whether the vacation is expedient for the public good; whether the city would suffer damages; how vacated property would revert; whether granting the vacation would impair lot owners’ or utilities’ rights; and whether the vacation is in the best interest of adjoining owners. Staff recommended approval with conditions and noted public-works requirements are attached in the staff report.

Merrill Quayle, public works engineer, told council the right-of-way was dedicated to the public under the original plat and that, under state statute, typically half of vacated right-of-way reverts to adjacent property owners. Quayle said because Karchner Homes owns both sides of the right-of-way, the property would likely revert to that owner, subject to utility easements for water, power and gas to preserve necessary service connections.

Around a dozen residents spoke in opposition. Norma Jordan, an adjacent property owner who lives on Saunter Lane, said the proposal would harm privacy, increase traffic and reduce safety. Other neighbors raised concerns that developer promises during the original platting (including references to a 55+ development and planned access) had influenced earlier purchases and that the proposed change would increase density near single-family lots and lower property values. Several commenters said they had not received adequate notice or sufficient lead time to review the developer’s plans beyond the 300-foot statutory notification.

Becky Babb and Merrill Quayle responded that notice complied with the statutory 300-foot requirement and that the vacation application is legally limited to the right-of-way itself; subsequent development proposals would be considered under applicable zoning rules. Babb reminded the council that CC&Rs (covenants, conditions and restrictions) are private contractual documents the city does not enforce.

Council member Bates moved approval of the vacation with the staff-recommended conditions; the motion was seconded and carried on a roll-call vote. The motion included conditions listed in the staff report and the public works memorandum, including retention of utility easements and any required infrastructure improvements.

Ending: The council’s approval allows the city to record the vacation consistent with state statute and the staff memorandum; any future development of the vacated area would be subject to applicable zoning, permitting and recorded CC&Rs.