Pocatello planning commission backs annexation of about 33 acres to enable intersection improvements

A majority of the Pocatello City Planning and Zoning Commission voted unanimously March 13 to recommend annexation and zoning of about 33 acres along Craft Road and Gay Road, a step city staff says is necessary to deliver a federal road‑safety grant.

City engineering staff and the long‑range planner told the commission the annexation would allow the city to complete a RAISE‑funded project that includes a traffic signal and realignment of Foothill Boulevard. "We were secured $7.7 million to work with a signal and improvements and realigning Foothill Boulevard," said Mel Coyle of the city engineering department, summarizing the grant award and the project scope.

The proposal would annex about 33 acres comprising 20 private parcels and two public parcels; three parcels are designated residential on the future land use map and the remainder mixed use. Jim Anglescy, the city's long‑range planner, said the request complies with Idaho State Code section 50‑22 as a category B annexation, and that notice requirements and annexation plan distribution met statutory timelines. "Any land that's annexed into the city, existing uses and structures will be grandfathered," Anglescy said when asked about existing businesses and livestock uses on parcels within the proposed area.

Public testimony at the hearing included property owners who said safety and utility access motivated their support. "Our vehicles have been in multiple wrecks at that intersection," said Brandon Heepworth, a nearby property owner, urging annexation to catalyze improvements. A neighbor, Julia Sanders, called the intersection "problematic at best, dangerous at worst" and said she supported annexation if it led to improvements.

Several property owners raised concerns about how annexation would affect existing nonconforming uses, wells and septic systems, and whether hookups or fees would be required. Mel Coyle said hookup to city sewer or water is not required at annexation; if a septic system fails after annexation the property would be required to tie into the city sewer and pay applicable capacity fees, and wells may continue for irrigation but certain cross‑connection protections would be required.

Commissioner Whitney Fenwick moved to recommend approval, and Roger Fry seconded. The roll call vote recorded unanimous yes votes (Fenwick, Fry, Bartu, Chanda, Guyer, Phillips), and the motion carried.

What happens next: the commission forwarded its recommendation to the city council with findings that the application meets Pocatello City Code section 17.02.110. Staff said the federal grant and the design‑build procurement rules mean the construction phase is expected to be executed and completed within roughly three years once design is finalized and agreements are in place.

Provenance: Topic introduced SEG 067; staff presentations and grant details SEG 105–171 and SEG 172–244; public testimony SEG 313–369, SEG 374–432, SEG 437–507; motion and vote SEG 789–809.