Burley planning commission advances DEQ‑approved water plan, continues work on Comprehensive Plan

The Burley Planning & Zoning Commission on Jan. 20, 2026 reviewed an updated Water Master Plan that city staff said has been approved by the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality and discussed next steps for the city’s Comprehensive Master Plan.

City Engineer Bryan Reiter told the commission the updated Water Master Plan has been submitted to and approved by the DEQ and that staff expect to be ready to present the plan for city approval and a public hearing, possibly in February. Spencer McArthur, who opened and guided discussion on agenda planning, said staff will prepare materials for the public hearing schedule and return with a formal notice once dates are set.

Commissioner Tyson Nelson raised several specific items he would like the city to review and revise in the Comprehensive Master Plan, and commissioners expressed general appreciation for the work that went into the draft. McArthur asked for additional feedback before taking the comp plan to public hearing; Commissioner Brittany Mitchell pointed to a paragraph on page 42 that staff agreed to revise and bring back for review.

The commission authorized staff to proceed with the water-plan public‑hearing steps while continuing to refine the Comprehensive Master Plan. The meeting record shows the comp plan was not yet ready for hearing at the Jan. 20 meeting and staff estimated a likely public hearing window depending on edits and review timelines.

The commission adjourned at 8:07 a.m.; staff will return to the commission with revised comp-plan language and a proposed public‑hearing notice for the Water Master Plan.