Commissioners accept eligibility study for South Fifth Corridor urban renewal area

Bannock County commissioners voted Tuesday to accept an eligibility study and authorize the next step toward creating an urban renewal area along the South Fifth Corridor.

A city/authority staff member presented an eligibility report showing that parts of the corridor meet state statute criteria for urban renewal, citing defective or inadequate street layout, obsolete platting, irregular lot layouts and topography. The presenter said the area lacks sidewalks, sewer and water infrastructure and that improvements could encourage development.

The county portion of the proposed district lies inside the city's area of impact but outside city limits; the presenter noted some large agricultural parcels may claim an agricultural exemption and that property owners will be polled. The district boundary as shown in the study runs roughly from the river east to the foothills and north toward the interchange area near Barton Road; the presenter said the initial boundary is intentionally larger and can be reduced later but cannot be expanded as the process advances.

Commissioners discussed annexation as a parallel tool. Commissioner Ken and others said annexation would help align services (fire, police, utilities) and that annexation often occurs at the time of development; city staff said urban renewal improvements could promote development and thereby encourage annexations. The Pocatello Development Authority will work with the city and county on feasibility and potential tax-increment financing for public infrastructure.

The board voted to adopt Resolution 2025-45 accepting the eligibility study and authorizing staff to proceed to a feasibility study and later public hearing steps.

No vote counts beyond unanimous "aye" were recorded on the transcript; motions and next steps were handled during the regular agenda.