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Idaho Falls commission approves preliminary plat for Creekside Townhomes, approves findings
Summary
The Planning and Zoning Commission voted unanimously to approve the preliminary plat for the Creekside Townhomes subdivision and the associated findings-of-fact and reasons. The proposal covers property east of North Boulevard and south of Recycle Road and includes plans for new local roads and private streets.
The Idaho Falls Planning and Zoning Commission on May 6 recommended approval of the preliminary plat for Creekside Townhomes, a residential subdivision located east of North Boulevard and south of Recycle Road, voting unanimously to approve the plat and the commission's written findings and reasons.
The preliminary plat covers property described by the applicant as east of 3000 North and east of North Boulevard, south of Recycle Road, and the developer said the site is approximately 31.56 acres and would be subdivided into 49 lots, 48 of which the applicant described as buildable. Applicant Travis Payne said the development would be rezoned so that the area now split between LC and HC zoning would become uniformly LC if the related rezoning is approved.
The commission's staff presentation said the proposal is consistent with the comprehensive plan and subdivision ordinance and noted the site sits in the controlled development airport overlay, which staff said does not impose specific land-use restrictions in this case. Staff said the primary access would be from Recycle Road and that an extension of North Boulevard (to be named Jack Jacobs Road in staff materials) is intended as part of future phases. Staff recommended approval with standard technical conditions.
Commissioners asked about street access and emergency access. The applicant and staff said North Boulevard is not yet constructed but that a city right-of-way exists from earlier uses and that future development would dedicate right-of-way and construct the roadway to city standards. Staff also told commissioners that the development as proposed would require a secondary access after 30 dwelling units to meet fire and life-safety standards, and that cross-access easements are planned to connect future phases to North Boulevard.
Commissioner Cantu moved to approve the preliminary plat for Creekside Townhomes; the motion was seconded by Commissioner Scott. The commission conducted a roll-call vote: Commissioners Cantu, Scott, Eiler, Ogden, Meehan and Stor voted aye. Motion passed. The commission then voted, by the same roll call, to approve the statement of relevant criteria and findings supporting the preliminary-plat approval.
The record shows the applicant held a neighborhood meeting in December and that nearby residents had expressed concerns about preserving the alignment and natural character of Willow Creek. The applicant said Idaho Department of Water Resources requests required maintaining the creek alignment, which the applicant said addressed neighbors' concerns.
Next steps: the commission's recommendation and the approved findings will be forwarded to the mayor and city council as required for final actions associated with subdivision approvals and any associated rezones.
Commissioners and staff noted several technical corrections that must be addressed in final engineering and plat documents before the mayor and city council takes final action.
