Pocatello planning commission backs Aspen Place PUD, Aspen Grove preliminary plat on South 5th Avenue

The Pocatello Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval on Jan. 8 of the Aspen Place planned unit development and the Aspen Grove preliminary plat, clearing the way for a multifamily subdivision on roughly 5.56 acres along South 5th Avenue.

The two, related items were presented by representatives of Sunrise Engineering on behalf of Gate City Builders and by city planning staff. The proposal would subdivide four parcels into nine lots, construct eight multifamily structures on individual lots, and reserve the ninth lot as a common lot for stormwater retention, parking and recreation. Matthew Lewis, the city’s senior planner, told commissioners the municipal code requires a minimum of 20 percent of the net land area be set aside for open space — about 48,436 square feet for this site — and that the applicant is proposing roughly 88,000 square feet of open space including landscape areas and the private recreation area associated with the common lot.

Lewis said sewer and water will be served from South 5th Avenue and that, under municipal code section 17.02.140, the overall density does not exceed the maximum allowed in the underlying Residential Commercial Professional (RCP) zoning district. Staff noted the minimum parking required by code for the development is 192 spaces; the applicant’s plan proposes 259 spaces. Staff recommended several development standards, including an eight-foot planter strip between curb and sidewalk, a 10-foot landscape setback on the east side of the sidewalk, and street tree spacing and caliper standards.

TJ Togia of Sunrise Engineering, the project engineer, described the layout as buildings on the perimeter with parking in the interior and confirmed the development team had been coordinating with the planning department and public works. "We’ve been working with the planning department to meet the municipal code, and we’re just seeking approval," Togia said.

During staff remarks and the public hearing, Pocatello Public Works Engineer Merrill Coyle explained a Public Works memo recommending that an approach (driveway) be moved so it lines up with Garden Street to the west to avoid weaving traffic. Coyle and Lewis told the commission the memo and its engineering requirements were intended to be included among the conditions for the plat and the PUD because the driveway alignment affects the plat and engineering standards.

Commissioners asked whether the relocation or swap of building locations referenced in staff materials was reflected in the preliminary documents; the applicant said engineering layouts were still being finalized and agreed to the condition. The commission added the Public Works memo (including the driveway alignment and related engineering conditions) to the list of conditions for both the PUD and the preliminary plat.

Both the Aspen Place PUD and the Aspen Grove preliminary plat were recommended for approval. The commission recorded the decisions and authorized the chair to sign the findings of fact and recommendations. Conditions include adherence to the Public Works memo, the landscaping and tree standards noted in the staff report, and standard platting and engineering requirements.

Votes at a glance: the commission recommended approval of the Aspen Place planned unit development (motion carried) and recommended approval of the Aspen Grove preliminary plat (motion carried). Specific vote tallies were recorded by the commission clerk in the meeting minutes.