Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Use topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council approves rezoning and PUD amendment to add 29 units at Breezy Commons
Summary
The Pocatello City Council approved a rezoning and planned-unit-development amendment allowing 29 new multifamily units and 35 resident-only storage units at Breezy Commons after staff found the project compliant with municipal code; a public commenter opposed the density and location.
The Pocatello City Council on a recorded vote approved a map amendment and a planned unit development amendment that will allow Gate City Builders LLC to add 29 multifamily units to the Breezy Commons town-home development and construct 35 small storage units restricted to Breezy Commons residents.
Matthew Lewis, the city’s senior planner, told the council the 2.12-acre parcel at 3780 Philen Road has a future-land-use designation of mixed use and that staff concluded the map amendment and PUD amendment comply with municipal code (citing the staff finding that the application met code section 1702.170E and the PUD standards). Lewis also noted that notice requirements were met and no written comments had been received by staff before the hearing.
The applicant’s representative, Merryill Quail of Sunrise Engineering, said the owner revised plans to exchange some storage units for 29 additional residential units to better meet demand and to provide clustering, amenities and internal parking for the expanded development. Quail described the storage units as an amenity that will be limited to Breezy Commons residents.
During public comment, Nikki Taesm of Pocatello urged the council to reject the rezoning and PUD amendment, arguing the site’s proximity to existing light-industrial uses and Century High School could create traffic and safety problems and that the density would compress family living and neighborhood amenities. "It's just fitting everybody into a little box," Taesm said, adding concerns about utility costs and neighborhood quality of life.
Councilmember Mangum moved to approve the map amendment; Councilwoman Swanson seconded. The council then approved the map amendment by roll call vote. Later the council approved the PUD amendment to allow the 29 multifamily units and the 35 storage units. Swanson explained her yes vote by citing a December 2025 housing recommendations report that found Pocatello lags in larger multifamily housing and said projects like Breezy Commons help address housing scarcity and rental-cost pressures.
What’s next: The council approved the zoning and PUD amendment subject to the conditions listed in the staff report; the applicant will proceed with detailed permits and final development steps required by city planning and building codes.
