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Planning commission backs narrow exemption to sensitive-lands density rules east of Portneuf River
Summary
The Pocatello Planning and Zoning Commission voted to recommend a text amendment to Title 17 that would exempt portions of the designated wildlife habitat protection area below elevation 4,700 from the overlay's density and clustering requirements, forwarding the recommendation to City Council.
The Pocatello Planning and Zoning Commission on July 9 recommended approval of a City-initiated amendment to Title 17 that would create an exemption to density and clustering standards inside parts of the Sensitive Lands Overlay east of the Portneuf River and below elevation 4,700.
The amendment was presented by Jim Anglesey, a long-range planner with Planning and Development Services. Anglesey said the change would "add[] an exemption to the density and clustering standards within the designated wildlife habitat protection area East of the Portneuf River and below elevation 4700," and that much of the area is steep and effectively unbuildable under current overlay rules.
Staff told the commission the proposed text change is intended to align zoning regulations with Comprehensive Plan 2040, which the staff summary said "strikes a balance between economic development, housing development and wildlife and resource protection." Matthew Lewis, senior planner, and other staff materials were cited in the record as finding the amendment consistent with Pocatello City Code section 17.2.170 and the comprehensive plan.
Commission discussion focused on the specific elevation line (4,700 feet) and where the foothills give way to valley floor buildable land. Anglesey explained that 4,700 "is about where the foothills start ramping up in height" on the East Side and that the city believes it is appropriate to allow regular development standards on the valley floor below that elevation.
No members of the public provided testimony on this item. Commissioner Gomez moved to recommend approval and the motion was seconded; the commission recorded the motion as approved and authorized the chair to sign the findings of fact.
The recommendation now goes to the City Council for final action. If Council adopts the amendment, parcels inside the affected overlay that lie below elevation 4,700 would not be subject to the overlay's density and clustering limits, though other overlay standards would remain in effect.
