Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Use topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council approves final plat for 5.2‑acre Fairborn site, neighbors press traffic and buffering commitments
Summary
Council approved the combined preliminary and final plat for a 5.2‑acre commercial lot at Chinden and Black Cat that includes space for a 25,623 sq ft grocery anchor. Neighbors and the HOA raised traffic, school‑route safety and landscaping concerns; the applicant committed to added buffering, employee parking and coordination with ACHD/ITD.
Meridian City Council approved the Fairborn Subdivision combined preliminary and final plat (H2025‑0036) on Oct. 21, 2025, creating a 5.2‑acre buildable lot at the northwest corner of North Black Cat Road and West Chinden Boulevard and enabling future site plan submittals for three commercial building pads, including a proposed 25,623‑square‑foot grocery store.
Planning staff said final design must comply with Urban Design Code standards and noted that ITD submitted a letter asking the developer to contribute a proportionate share toward a westbound right‑turn lane at Chinden and Black Cat, as required under the original Fairborn development approvals. Staff also noted required landscape buffering along the residential west boundary and that the commission recommended approval with no changes.
The applicant, Ben Semple of Rodney Evans & Partners, told council the pad layout and conceptual elevations aim to place most building and parking away from the neighboring residences and that he will add plantings and consider employee‑only parking on the western edge to reduce late‑night car activity next to backyards. He said formal traffic and turn‑lane analysis will be completed as part of the later use and permitting process with ACHD and ITD.
Several residents, including the Fairborn HOA president, testified about high existing Sunday church traffic, limited sight lines, school bus pedestrian routes across Waiverton Drive and the need for a robust buffer (taller fencing and mature trees) to protect privacy and limit light trespass from parking. A child from the neighborhood described concern about crossing Waiverton and said nearby driving felt unsafe.
Council emphasized that the public hearing before them was a narrow plat decision (creating a legal lot) and not an approval of a particular grocery tenant or detailed site plan; those use‑level traffic studies and agency reviews will occur later. The council motioned, considered staff, applicant and public testimony, and the motion to approve passed by roll call.
