Franklin County commissioners open public hearing on subdivision ordinance amendments

FRANKLIN COUNTY, Idaho — Franklin County Commissioners on April 17 opened a public hearing on a package of amendments to the county Development Code and Subdivision Ordinance intended to clarify definitions, align lot-count thresholds with Idaho law and adjust administrative review procedures.

Randy Henrie, of Franklin County Planning and Zoning, presented the draft changes and said they are intended "to clean up the code and not make it any harder and [to] make it flow a lot better." The Planning and Zoning Board approved the amendments and recommended them to the commissioners.

The draft would: lower the threshold for a Minor Land Division from five lots to four or fewer and change the definition of a subdivision from seven lots to five lots to match the Idaho State Code; add definitions for "off-site improvements" and "site improvements"; and increase the number of submission copies in the appendix from one to five. The package also proposes reinstating the option to process Preliminary and Final plats together when an application includes no new roads or improvements, and requires developers to prepare lists of adjoining landowners for mailed notices by Planning and Zoning.

Henrie read a revised Aquifer Recharge and Protection provision into the record, saying the ordinance would require that, "where land within a proposed development . . . has water rights of an irrigation company within Franklin County, and the water is reasonably available, the applicant shall demonstrate how the existing irrigation water rights and/or shares will be utilized to meet the irrigation demands and be regulated and administered for the subdivision and/or shares remain on the property to ensure recharge of the aquifer and to prevent depletion of the aquifer by culinary well consumption." The proposed text also removes a sentence that referenced the Franklin County Groundwater Evaluation Study; Henrie said the study is outdated and that the county did not authorize or pay for it.

Under the draft, a Minor Land Division application would be reviewed by the Planning and Zoning Administrator and the Franklin County Road and Bridge Department, and by the Idaho Transportation Department where access is on a state road. The draft narrows County Engineer sign-off so the engineer would be required to sign only when a subdivision includes road upgrades or new road construction; the Planning and Zoning Administrator's sign-off on plats would be removed in Section 10-5-11, which Henrie noted the state does not require.

Commissioner Chair Robert Swainston invited public testimony; attendee Shauna Geddes said she was in favor but declined to testify. No written comments were submitted and no neutral or opposing testimony was offered.

Commissioner Zach Stewart moved to open the public hearing; Commissioner Zan Bowles seconded and the motion passed unanimously. After the presentation and the public-comment period, Commissioner Bowles moved to close the hearing; Commissioner Stewart seconded and the motion carried unanimously. Commissioners said they will take the Planning and Zoning recommendations home for study and make a decision at a future meeting.

Votes at a glance - Motion to open public hearing: moved by Commissioner Zach Stewart; seconded by Commissioner Zan Bowles; outcome: approved (unanimous). - Motion to close public hearing: moved by Commissioner Zan Bowles; seconded by Commissioner Zach Stewart; outcome: approved (unanimous). - Motion to adjourn: moved by Commissioner Zach Stewart; seconded by Commissioner Zan Bowles; outcome: approved (unanimous) at 6:09 p.m.

What happens next: The commissioners will review the Planning and Zoning Board's recommended ordinance edits and consider adoption or further revision at a subsequent Commission meeting.