Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Udc Amendment topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council adopts most UDC text amendments but defers accessory‑dwelling and drive‑through changes; lowers flex‑space office minimums
Summary
The council approved a broad package of Unified Development Code updates, including new fence and private‑street rules and limits on appurtenances, and specifically amended flex‑space rules to lower the minimum office/showroom requirement; accessory‑dwelling unit (ADU) and drive‑through changes were deferred for further refinement.
Meridian — The Meridian City Council voted Aug. 12 to adopt most of a wide-ranging update to the city’s Unified Development Code but postponed final action on two high‑profile topics: accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and new rules for restaurant drive‑throughs.
At the meeting staff presented a bundled UDC text amendment (file ZOA2025‑0001) that included updated definitions, a rewritten fence code, clarified addressing rules, new private‑street standards and changes intended to make flex buildings (small industrial/warehouse with office/showroom) easier to use.
After public comment and staff discussion, the council amended the flex‑space minimums and approved the package with those changes while excluding ADU and drive‑through sections for later consideration. The specific flex‑space change: the council set the minimum office/showroom requirement for flex buildings at 10% in the Mixed Employment (ME) zone and 15% in the General Commercial (CG) zone. Supporters said the lower minimum will make small industrial and “flex” buildings economically viable for local users and help attract businesses that create paychecks without needing large corporate office footprints.
City planning staff and local developers said the stricter, previous thresholds were preventing common small‑business and light‑industrial tenants from leasing in Meridian. Will Gooda of Adler Industrial told the council that, in his firm’s portfolio, most prospective flex tenants require less than the previously proposed office percentage and that a too‑high minimum would push tenants to neighboring cities. Broker and market analyst Tyler Martin provided a market survey showing many small industrial users generate substantial employment while occupying small suites, arguing that excessive office requirements reduce the number of rentable, job‑creating units.
Council members agreed to move forward with most text changes — including a rewritten fence code, clarified sidewalk and public‑space definitions, and an explicit process for when private streets may be allowed — but asked staff to refine the ADU owner‑occupancy language and the numeric and operational standards for drive‑throughs before bringing those sections back. The ADU discussion included whether to require the property owner to live on the lot at least six months a year to preserve neighborhood character; council members expressed mixed views and asked staff to return with enforcement options and alternatives.
The council also approved a second set of minor technical amendments to addressing, multiunit numbering, and street‑naming procedures. The public hearing was closed and council voted in favor of the package (as amended) by roll call.
Ending — Staff will publish the ordinance with the council’s amendments and return the ADU and drive‑through sections for separate public hearings after additional stakeholder outreach and drafting.
