Commission recommends annexation and I & M zoning for Woodruff-area property

The Idaho Falls Planning and Zoning Commission on March 3 recommended that the mayor and city council annex a parcel north of Yellowstone Highway and apply initial Industrial & Manufacturing (I & M) zoning.

At a public hearing the applicant’s representative described the property as adjacent to an Anderson Business Park with city utilities and a recently constructed fire station, saying the land would fit the area’s industrial-and-manufacturing character. City staff (Bridal Stevens) told the commission the surrounding parcels are designated County I and M 3 and that staff recommended forwarding approval to the mayor and council.

Commissioners asked whether the site had previously been a wrecked-car lot. James Boone, representing Land My Enterprise, said the property “was a storage lot that ended in excess of 30 years ago” and that it “has had phase 1 environmental. All that has been cleared.”

With no public comments, Commissioner (speaker 3) moved that the commission recommend annexation and initial I & M zoning; the motion was seconded and passed on a roll-call vote. The commission and staff noted that annexation would allow the city to extend services and to apply city development standards to future uses. The commission’s recommendation is advisory; the mayor and city council will consider the final annexation and zoning ordinance.