Council rejects Elite Industrial annexation and comp‑plan change after airport and traffic concerns

The City Council denied a request from MWSS Nampa LLC and its consultant Hatch Design Architecture to amend the comprehensive plan (industrial→commercial on 2.6 acres), annex property and rezone parcels to IL (light industrial) and BC (community business) on July 6.

Steve Thiessen of Hatch Design presented a concept for a 31‑lot industrial subdivision plus a 2.6‑acre commercial lot intended to bring an existing RV/boat storage use into conformity. Staff associate planner Candace Fry laid out an extensive staff and airport review. The airport’s analysis recommended removing or restricting a set of land uses (including day cares, churches and other uses the airport flagged) and required design revisions — for example, landscaping choices that do not attract birds, lighting controls that prevent confusion with airport lighting, deed notices recording the 1975 aviation easement and stormwater measures to avoid standing water near Mason Creek.

Neighbors and residents urged caution, citing safety and traffic concerns along Victory Road and Picard Lane, and asked for a full traffic impact study. Patty Evans and others asked that deed notices, binding development‑agreement protections and explicit limits on uses be required before any annexation or occupancy is allowed.

Council discussion focused on whether restricting uses recommended by airport staff would be sufficient to address risks near the municipal airport. A motion to approve the proposals with airport‑recommended use restrictions (and lighting conditions) failed on roll call. A subsequent motion to deny the annexation and zoning request carried on roll call.

What happens next: With denial recorded, the applicant may revise the proposal, negotiate additional conditions with airport staff, and resubmit. Any future annexation, preliminary plat or development agreement would require further review and hearings.