Planning commission approves preliminary plat for Jason Avenue townhouses

The Pocatello Planning and Zoning Commission voted June 11 to approve a preliminary plat to subdivide property at 3534 Jason Avenue into a 13‑lot townhome development called Jason Avenue Townhouses.

The commission’s approval, moved by Commission Member Benjamin Gomez and seconded by Commissioner Geyer, found the application met the standards in Pocatello Municipal Code chapter 16.20.050 and authorized the chair to sign the findings of fact and decision. Commissioners recorded unanimous “yes” votes during the roll call on the motion. The approval incorporated nine development conditions listed in the city public works memorandum.

Matthew Lewis, the city planner presenting the staff report, said the application proposes 12 townhome lots plus one common lot and that water and sewer are available on Jason Avenue. Lewis stated the proposal complies with Pocatello Municipal Code section 16.20.050 and noted notice was posted on the property and published in the Idaho State Journal on May 27, 2025. He told the commission the existing house on the parcel has been removed.

Applicant Brady Smith, who identified himself as representing Roy Flores, described the proposal as “a pretty straightforward project,” saying it is a replat of Lot 10, Block 4 of the South Park Subdivision. He confirmed the team had reviewed the staff memorandum and would address the nine conditions listed there.

Neighbors who spoke at the public hearing opposed the proposal, citing traffic, density, road condition and stormwater concerns. Lehi G. Bennett, a longtime resident at 3559 Jason Avenue, said the area has changed from a low‑density neighborhood and warned higher density could increase fire risk and traffic; he told the commission, “It’s kinda like they want to make that the slum part of Pocatello.” Teresa Greenup Adcox of 3517 Jason Avenue said two nearby intersections (Wildlife Way with Swisher and Wildlife Way with Barton Road) are “very, very dangerous” and urged the commission to consider traffic safety. Lorinda Bennett, raised on Jason Avenue and now living on Stockman, questioned the proposed retention features and said drainage and loss of yard space were concerns.

In rebuttal, Brady Smith said the project meets the applicable ordinance and standards and that specific street‑level safety or code enforcement issues raised by neighbors were outside the project’s scope. He said the project would include dedicated access points and that stormwater would likely be handled with underground chambers rather than open ponds, explaining, “This is a preliminary plat and we haven't... begun the hard grading. There’ll be a full set of plans, a final plat, everything. It’ll all be taken care of and will have to meet city standards or it won't be approved through engineering.”

Staff and the applicant told the commission no traffic study was required for the proposal under the code thresholds cited in the staff report. The staff report also noted one written comment from a property owner at 3425 Jason Avenue was provided to commissioners.

Commission discussion referenced the infill provisions that allow reduced lot sizes in the RMS district if criteria are met; staff noted the district's minimum lot area and that the smallest proposed lot is about 2,406 square feet, which the staff said complies with the reduced‑lot‑size criteria.

The commission’s motion approved the preliminary plat with the nine development conditions in the public works memorandum and authorized the chair to sign the findings of fact and decision. Agenda item 4 was subsequently pulled and the meeting was adjourned.

Ending — The approval is for a preliminary plat only; final plat approval and engineering reviews (including stormwater and grading) remain required before building permits are issued.