Fields Focus Area Land Use Update
Fields Focus Area Land Use Update
An evaluation study is underway to review future land uses within northwest Meridian. This planning area is within a portion of the Fields District (see map below), and is referred to as the Fields Focus Area. The Fields Focus Area is generally located ½ mile south of Chinden, east of Can-Ada, west of Star, and north of McMillan roads. Safety concerns, development pressures, and the future delivery of civic services have provided grounds for reviewing future land uses in the study area. The purpose of this study is to identify appropriate future land uses that are compatible with an existing Intermountain Gas facility.
Fields District Land Use Focus Area | PDF
Current Status:
On August 15, 2017, the Meridian City Council approved a change to the City of Meridian Future Land Use Map to reflect the Intermountain Gas (LNG) storage plant. The future land use designation on this property is now Industrial.
To review the application and additional information, see the project folder on the City's Searchable Document website here: Searchable Documents
For questions, please see contact information at the bottom of this page.
Update, 6/27/2017:
The City of Meridian Planning & Zoning Comission will hold a public hearing at Meridian City hall, 33 E. Broadway Ave, Meridian, Idaho on July 6th at 6:00 PM for the purpose of reviewing and considering a Comprehensive Plan Map Amendment (CPAM). This application is to change the City's Future Land use Map from low density residential to industrial on approximately 60 acres of land. The purpose of this is to map update is to reflect the existing Intermountain Gas (LNG) storage plant.
To review the application and additional information, see the project folder on the City's Searchable Document website here: Searchable Documents
For questions, please see contact information at the bottom of this page.
Update, 5/12/2017:
The results of the survey held as part of the second public involvement meeting resulted in a diverse mix of opinions. Due to the lack of consensus, concern by stakeholders with regard to impacts by the concurrent Growing Together study, and requests for changes not aligned with the purpose of this study (see above), a third public involvement meeting will not be held. City staff will move forward with a land use Map change to the Intermountain Gas facility only.
The proposed change to the Map will correct the misleading residential land use designation on the Intermountain Gas site now though, and raise awareness of the facility for those referencing the City’s Future Land Use Map. Additional land use analysis will be required in the future to better address impacts of the gas facility on adjacent future development. After the Growing Together study is concluded (date unknown), the City of Meridian will be better able to look at comprehensive Map changes in this area through additional public involvement. In this way the gas facility can be better addressed, land uses within the Fields District can be considered more comprehensively, and the City will be able to better consider land use change requests that may be unrelated.
All participants that have previously provided the City with valid and legible contact information will receive both a postcard and email when the public hearings occur (estimated summer 2017) for the Intermountain Gas Map amendment application. If you have not previously received a postcard or email from the City, and would like to be notified, please email Brian McClure at bmcclure@meridiancity.org.
Survey Comments
Survey Comments | PDF
Survey Summary (Map) | PDF
Public Involvement Meeting No.2 (Online Survey):
As a follow-up to the February 27th meeting, the City held an online public involvement meeting during the month of April. On April 3rd and through April 30th, the survey was active and available for reviewing and commenting on four proposed Future Land Use concepts.
Survey
The purpose of this survey was to identify a preferred future land use concept that accounts for the Intermountain Gas facility. The objective of this planning exercise is to:
- Protect future residents from existing dangers and nuisances; and
- support redevelopment opportunities of adjacent properties.
None of these scenarios will initiate an annexation, change existing zoning, or create any illegal or non-conforming uses. The proposed concepts are for changes to the City's Future Land Use Map, which is a long-range plan with no horizon year. This is not an agricultural preservation project, and staff does not expect changed land uses to be impacted by Growing Together (see Other Related Projects below). Depending on the input received from this survey, a third public involvement meeting may or may not be held before City staff proceeds with a formal public hearing process. The formal public hearing process, before the Meridian Planning and Zoning Commission and then Meridian City Council, will be to modify the City’s Future Land Use Map. Regardless of the direction, all survey participants and previous meeting attendees that have provided valid contact information will be notified in advance of the Planning & Zoning hearing.
Future Land Use Exhibits
The Future Land Use Concepts shown on the survey are linked below for reference only. If you've previously viewed, please review again for the correct files (which now match the survey graphics as intended).
Future Land Use (Adopted) | PDF
Land Use Concept A | PDF
Land Use Concept B | PDF
Land Use Concept C | PDF
Land Use Concept D | PDF
Future Land Use Cutsheets
The following cut sheets provide descriptions of the City’s various future land uses. Only those land uses with proposed changes in the concepts above, are linked below.
Low Density Residential | PDF
Medium Density Residential | PDF
Mixed Use Non-Residential | PDF
Industrial | PDF
For a complete list of Future Land Use Cutsheets, see http://www.meridiancity.org/landcutsheets/.
Public Involvement Meeting No.1:
A Public Involvement Meeting was held on February 27th, from 6:00 to 7:30 PM, at Willow Creek Elementary School. At the end of this meeting, most stakeholders present indicated a preference for reviewing any additional land use concepts online. For more information on this meeting, see the bottom of this page to contact a City planner.
Public Involvement Meeting Postcard | PDF
Public Involvement Meeting No1. Presentation | PDF
Land Use Example Change, Poster with Aerial
The following are example changes within the Fields Focus Area, that were discussed at the first public involvement meeting. These PDF's are poster sizes.
Land Use Example 01 | PDF
Land Use Example 02 | PDF
Land Use Example 03 | PDF
Land Use Example 04 | PDF
Provide Comment
If you would like to submit comments and did not provide them at the meeting, please fill out and submit the following PDF.
Comment Sheet | PDF
Project Links and Resources:
Vicinity Map - Future Land Uses | PDF
Vicinity Map - Zoning | PDF
Other Related Projects
A related project known as “Growing Together”, is looking a the larger geographical area located between the Meridian and Nampa Area of City Impacts. That project may also develop land use alternatives for portions of the Fields District, but is more focused on Economic Development and will likely have minimal or no impact on broader land use changes made within the Fields Focus Area. For more information on Growing Together, contact Caleb Hood in the Community Development Department at 208-884-5533, or email to chood@meridiancity.org.
Background Information
History:
The Fields District has been a part of the Meridian Area of Impact since 2006. The land use designations used today were effectively placeholders, pending additional research and planning. In 2009 a white paper titled the Fields Innovation District was created, which explored opportunities for a business enterprise corridor with focus on agriculture and biotech. This corridor would capitalize on the future State Highway 16 extension, connecting State Street and Chinden to Interstate 84.
Since the 2009 white paper there have been several additional studies in this area that further explored both agricultural preservation and economic development opportunities. These studies included the 2014 Meridian Rising and 2014 Fields District Report.
Fields Innovation District White Paper, 2009 | PDF
Cultivating Growth, 2009 | PDF
Fields District Report, 2014 | PDF
Meridian Economic Development Strategy, 2014 | PDF
Future Land Use Information:
Land Use is a key component of the City of Meridian Comprehensive Plan, as is mapping future land uses so that development occurs in the direction and manner most desired by Meridian’s citizens and elected officials. The Future Land Use Map (FLUM) identifies the vision for a mix of land uses to implement the City’s many diverse goals and objectives, and works in conjunction with the text of the Comprehensive Plan, City code and the various policies of the City. However, the FLUM is not a zoning map and differs in that the FLUM describes the character and type of use that is desired in the future and not necessarily what is currently in place. The FLUM depicts a built-out Meridian that is very diverse in residential densities, commercial and industrial land uses as well as civic/public opportunities.
Land uses as set forth in the Comprehensive Plan emphasize the importance of thoughtful and responsible land use planning, cooperation and collaboration among the various jurisdictions and agencies in the area, and preservation and enhancements of the high quality of life that currently exists in Meridian.
For more information on future land uses, or the future land use map, see Chapter 3 of the City of Meridian Comprehensive Plan. The Comprehensive Plan, Future Land use Map, Future Land Use Cutsheets, and other related resources are available at: www.meridiancity.org/compplan.
Future Land Use Links and Resources
Comprehensive Plan Webpage | Weblink
City of Meridian Comprehensive Plan | PDF
City of Meridian Future Land Use Map | PDF
Future Land Use Map Changes (Handout) | PDF
Future Land Use Map Cutsheets | Weblink
Contact Information:
For more information, contact Caleb Hood or Brian McClure the City of Meridian Planning Division at 208-884-5533, or use one of the emails below. The Planning Divisions mailing address is 33 E Broadway Ave, Suite 102, Meridian, Idaho 83642.
Caleb Hood, Planning Division Manager
chood@meridiancity.org
Brian McClure, Associate Planner
bmcclure@meridiancity.org
