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Council approves Baratza subdivision after developer commits to upfront transportation improvements
Summary
Council approved the Baratza annexation and preliminary plat after the applicant (Lennar) pledged infrastructure upgrades including right‑of‑way dedication, canal relocation, Grand Lake Way completion and accelerated intersection improvements; developer offered substantial private funding to expedite a roundabout and other intersection work.
Meridian’s City Council approved the Baratza subdivision (file H2024‑0016) on Dec. 17 after the applicant revised the plan to address planning‑and‑zoning concerns and committed to major transportation and infrastructure work prior to occupancy of homes.
The applicant (Lennar) and its consultants presented a revised plan that increases R‑8 areas, reduces R‑15 concentration, provides NextGen housing options and commits to multiple infrastructure actions in phase 1: dedicate right‑of‑way along Black Cat and McMillan, pipe and relocate the Lemp/irrigation lateral as needed for roadway widening, complete the Grand Lake Way collector through the site, provide frontage improvements and construct a required turn lane on McMillan into the project. Transportation consultant Sonya (Kittelson) told council ACHD will begin a signal at Black Cat/McMillan in January, but the applicant proposed to accelerate the ultimate multi‑lane roundabout by funding construction in advance; consultant discussion referenced a minimum $1.5 million contribution to move the roundabout up a year or two, and the ownership team later discussed Lennar estimating private funding in the multimillion‑dollar range (discussed figures included an estimated $6 million figure in applicant testimony).
Settlers Irrigation District testified it is satisfied with the applicant’s canal relocation design and emphasized that relocation is essential for road widening. Neighbors raised concerns about short‑cutting through local streets, pedestrian safety and school capacity; the applicant responded with phasing and connectivity design changes, pedestrian pathways and commitments to enhanced buffers and sidewalks.
Council thanked the applicant for infrastructure commitments, noted school capacity plans (West Ada’s new Star Elementary and other capacity actions), and then voted to approve H2024‑0016 with conditions in the staff report and with applicant testimony included. Roll call was recorded as aye on the motion; council members praised the applicant’s contributions to accelerate corridor improvements as a decisive factor in support.
