[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6506841,"mediaKeyId","5545861-58d5eb6e11d45eb854435abcdfc05c41","parentId",5545861,"title","Commission recommends approval of four final plats, including Houston Heights and Westbrook Estates divisions","audioSeconds",930,"startMs",3076000,"endMs",4006000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5545861-58d5eb6e11d45eb854435abcdfc05c41&start=3076&end=4006","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5545861-58d5eb6e11d45eb854435abcdfc05c41/thumbnail_3076000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6506841/Idaho-Falls/Bonneville-County/Idaho/Commission-recommends-approval-of-four-final-plats-including-Houston-Heights-and-Westbrook-Estates-divisions","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6506841-2325beb0d7401fd9ed1fe0c157b95346/orig.mp4?Expires=1771066812&Signature=hV7jMioPpPli7cuM3V3Kl5uXYq90uvBQycmyXI49tjj9Tb~J3788Am50tCBbJej1W8G~axzNzPB1CQJ1eSIAD52A1TopmudcJ5USApLTEVSURroIo2jpQOYgnRvUac9DO9TUpYQfm3zMkZp9HKkcCZUIp99ixyac2h~K5OletjP2bJPKBXgsJ0lMZ2JK4-BbETJvqWTzoUZfLszFITNPqWBdGH6EvpInYlRP-MellGjNSfALRpQ7myAo7BF0o8HVc38HBt5Yw-u0JfZuJaEmzMWJU0CE-1U8KNZycsKjnHEMd8lkSvwIPI6FTJCXb3NhqxAI7ISbVbdeMKF8M~jOYQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Idaho Falls City","date","2025-08-05T00:00:00Z","article","At its Aug. 5 meeting the Idaho Falls Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval to the mayor and city council for four final plats, all by unanimous votes:

- Houston Heights Division 1: Applicant Charlotte Cook requested a final plat to split a twin‑home parcel into two separate lots on Houston Street (east of Saturn Avenue). Staff reported the site is zoned R2; because the homes are attached dwellings they are exempt from the standard minimum single‑lot size. Staff recommended approval; the commission recommended approval to council.

- Westbrook Estates Division 1: Applicant Scott Dressen (Harper Levin Engineering) presented Division 1 for an R1 single‑unit attached development. Staff reported Division 1 covers about 14.806 acres with multiple lots, including several larger lots reserved for a clubhouse, stormwater retention and canal/irrigation facilities. Staff found the final plat consistent with the previously approved preliminary plat and the comprehensive plan and recommended approval; the commission recommended approval to council.

- Westbrook Estates Division 2: The companion Division 2 final plat (also presented by Scott Dressen) was described as similar to Division 1 and comprises approximately 12.69 acres with roughly 54 single‑unit attached lots (27 duplex units) plus retention and canal lots. Staff recommended approval and the commission forwarded the recommendation to council.

- Idaho Track Safety Division 1: Applicant Jim (or Jim Furman) of Ewer Auction Engineering presented a single‑lot final plat of just under 10 acres for a vehicle/shop site with access from North Holmes Avenue. Staff noted the property was annexed in 2022 and is adjacent to industrial uses; access will come from North Holmes. Staff recommended approval and the commission voted unanimously to recommend the final plat to council.

Why it matters: Final plat approval is the formal step that allows subdivisions and site plans to move forward to building permits and construction. The plats include a mix of housing products (single‑unit attached/twin homes) and one nonresidential lot; staff reports noted the plats generally conform to the comprehensive plan and to preliminary approvals.

Next steps: Each recommendation is forwarded to the city council as the final decision body for acceptance of the plats and recording. Applicants must proceed with required infrastructure improvements and building permits pursuant to subdivision and building standards.

Votes at a glance (each recommended to mayor and city council):
- Houston Heights Division 1 — Motion to recommend approval: passed unanimously.
- Westbrook Estates Division 1 — Motion to recommend approval: passed unanimously.
- Westbrook Estates Division 2 — Motion to recommend approval: passed unanimously.
- Idaho Track Safety Division 1 — Motion to recommend approval: passed unanimously.

Clarifying details and site notes
- Houston Heights Division 1: Zone R2; purpose is to allow sale of two units built as attached twin homes; staff reported density at ~12.7 units per acre compared with a 17 units/acre maximum for R2.
- Westbrook Estates Div. 1: Staff cited 14.806 acres with multiple lot types including retention, irrigation pump station and a clubhouse lot; some lots will be rear‑accessed and are labeled for single‑unit attached units.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Idaho Falls City - Planning Commission","oneSentenceSummary","The Idaho Falls Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously recommended approval of four final plats at its Aug. 5 meeting: Houston Heights Division 1 (final plat to split a twin home lot), Westbrook Estates Division 1 and Division 2 (single unit attached development), and Idaho Track Safety Division 1 (industrial/vehicle facility).","taxTitle","Idaho Falls, Bonneville County, Idaho","taxId",4472,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6506846,"Commission approves conditional use permit for Falls Valley Elementary electronic message sign",356,64000,420000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5545861-58d5eb6e11d45eb854435abcdfc05c41&start=64&end=420","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5545861-58d5eb6e11d45eb854435abcdfc05c41/thumbnail_64000.jpg","/articles/6506846/Idaho-Falls/Bonneville-County/Idaho/Commission-approves-conditional-use-permit-for-Falls-Valley-Elementary-electronic-message-sign","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6506846-d75febd465f02d4147ec45e460b76821/orig.mp4?Expires=1771066811&Signature=MKhIh~NgHptwiJmCIAEavU4sXLkiujSCnXQv74DjLv-Vq1mDIdsjH9BTO0pUCPUK2fHTLAkcV9E2Zv2nUgH-HjKCe-i0yy0dp4j5~ziHNVrXMZ4YkYXsWIdsmTeyboYHF5y1yPGWx~ol3Go32c6Ev6ZvpLigiLhhbgyVGrNpZtYmkRJFG8pFDhqdwBusEVCudRzwaD1UV9m8C2euIyF8dSWd2E1uI5dXWMF1jNTJeGPuLCrV~THE1MNTi1DfZNB8jSKz9Tsb2khx4EmWF2KiSX-rFvzVCkbzaNWNmLCUBbePJYQBZhCHZQ4QN3SWhmgvYMhyE0Fyh47q-x0Y5Frm8A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Idaho Falls Planning and Zoning Commission on Aug. 5 voted unanimously to approve a conditional use permit allowing an electronic message center (EMC) sign on the north end of Falls Valley Elementary School.

The approved sign is designed to be a wall‑mounted LED display. Applicant Bailey Whitehead described the sign as an LED display 36 inches by 72 inches, with an additional static top portion 18 inches tall by 72 inches wide. Whitehead told the commission the sign would be used to communicate to parents during morning drop‑off and afternoon pick‑up.

Staff review and conditions
City staff (Chrisette) told the commission the application was reviewed under the city sign code (section 7-43-k) and that EMCs for schools can be allowed by conditional use permit when the commission determines the sign will not negatively affect the surrounding residential area. Staff reported the closest property is roughly 490 feet from the proposed sign location and said the applicant’s proposed sign met the code’s setback and size limitations. Staff recommended approval of the CUP without additional conditions, noting the sign would meet the sign ordinance’s minimum standards.

Brightness and technical details
Commissioners asked about sign brightness (nits) and automatic dimming. Staff noted the sign vendor’s product includes a self‑adjusting photocell so the display dims at night and brightens during daytime; staff said the product would operate within the city’s sign code. One commissioner checked the staff report and noted the maximum specified brightness in that report of about 8,000 nits and said the proposed sign runs around 6,000 nits during the day—within the regulation cited in the staff report.

Public hearing and motions
No members of the public offered comments. Commissioner Rehan moved to approve the conditional use permit for the electronic message center sign at Falls Valley Elementary; the commission voted unanimously in favor. The commission also approved a required statement of relevant criteria and standards consistent with the staff report and corrected a signature line prior to finalizing the reason statement.

Clarifying details
- Sign dimensions: LED portion 36\" x 72\"; additional static top portion 18\" x 72\" (applicant Bailey Whitehead).
- Nearest property distance: ~490 feet (applicant/staff statement).
- Brightness: staff report referenced a maximum of ~8,000 nits; staff indicated the proposed sign operates around ~6,000 nits during daytime and includes an automatic dimmer.

Ending: The commission’s approval is a conditional use permit; the applicant must meet any required permit conditions and install the sign consistent with the city sign code and the reason statement that commission approved.","The Idaho Falls Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously approved a conditional use permit for an electronic message center (EMC) sign to be mounted on Falls Valley Elementary School, with staff finding the proposal consistent with the city sign code.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6506851,"Idaho Falls planning commission recommends against rezoning Woodrow Circle parcels to R3A",532,540000,1072000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5545861-58d5eb6e11d45eb854435abcdfc05c41&start=540&end=1072","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5545861-58d5eb6e11d45eb854435abcdfc05c41/thumbnail_540000.jpg","/articles/6506851/Idaho-Falls/Bonneville-County/Idaho/Idaho-Falls-planning-commission-recommends-against-rezoning-Woodrow-Circle-parcels-to-R3A","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6506851-315501b7bbde48449d4aadaac5098cb7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771066811&Signature=HKRpkVzVMzQ9ETiGoEqdLRninMCTwrwqUpGrIt2ZA2Nxb-0dM1BRpdv6D8caB5egyZf8i0vUVcxBOKcs9Y7-G96Yg~C5ypuRoX4QLM7dXAwjO2DSRRBGcqTIhIz3v1R9XV4tYN1X5gfoBLyw-PVT96mupSRPkox0iSdYfP~84rRMt5fxHYkrVMYqY35atdzJMF09lMmwN1-7aAf7nTaZeR-OjQ3h9bjcP8oLwTgbAoUVmo19kZmwNfQfoJ-zvWzfBq6RmGKUO1Pyj5S5ny3gZhAPxlEz9h4BTS8U5dgDwF4230MFtgxss~L3vquHJcfy1BFSJQJgF6VgLx2wyE~a-A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Idaho Falls Planning and Zoning Commission on Aug. 5 voted to recommend denial of a rezone application that would change portions of Lot 4 and 5 of the Hudson Addition (Woodrow Circle area) from Highway Commercial to R3A residential mixed use.

The vote followed about an hour of public comment and commission discussion about traffic, infrastructure and the property’s zoning history. Commissioner Khrushchev Cantu moved that the commission not approve the applicant’s request; the motion passed 3–1 (Cantu, Ogden, Meade voted aye; Commissioner Eiler voted nay). The commission’s recommendation will be transmitted to the mayor and city council, who have final authority.

Why it matters: Residents, business owners and the commission raised concerns that changing the parcel to denser residential use could worsen existing congestion on Woodruff and Lincoln roads and place added pressure on arterial intersections that city staff and regional planners have already flagged for improvement.

Developer pitch and site history
Danny, representing the applicant, said the proposal would return the parcels to R3A to allow for-sale townhomes aimed at a market priced about $275,000 to $325,000. He told the commission the site already has utility and roadway work in place on Woodrow Circle and said the intent is roughly 20–24 townhome units depending on a future site plan.

Staff background and timing
City staff told the commission the properties were annexed in 2021 with an R3A designation, rezoned to Highway Commercial (HC) in September 2024, and now subject to the applicant’s request to revert to R3A. Staff said the request is consistent with the comprehensive plan’s “mixed use centers and corridors” designation and recommended forwarding the rezone request to council for final action. The neighborhood meeting for the application took place June 11, 2025.

Public comments and traffic concerns
More than half a dozen nearby property owners and business operators spoke during the public hearing. Robert Guntley, who owns property immediately south of the site, urged the commission to visit the area and observe evening congestion: “There is so much traffic … the congestion is just unbelievable,” he said. Several other speakers who run or lease nearby businesses — including Eric Walker, David Farnsworth of Farnsworth Auto Repair and Jason Eaton (a towing business operator) — described regular backups on Woodruff and Lincoln Road during morning and evening peaks and said additional residential units would worsen access problems for existing businesses.

An owner of the subject property, David Knight, countered that a residential rezone would likely generate equal or less traffic than some commercial alternatives and said returning the property to R3A would align it with the comprehensive plan and surrounding zoning. “If anything, this rezoning is going to reduce traffic,” Knight said, adding that the applicant’s proposal targets for-sale townhomes rather than a large storage facility previously discussed for the site.

Commission discussion and tests applied
Commissioners focused questions on how new development would be served by existing roads, whether impact fees would fund future improvements, and the timing of regional projects. Staff clarified that impact fees are assessed at building permit and go into capital improvement funds for roads, fire and other infrastructure rather than being earmarked specifically to the adjacent road segment. Staff also said the Bonneville Metropolitan Planning Organization (BMPO) has a Woodruff corridor project in its Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) currently slated for 2028, subject to funding and final design.

Commissioners noted code thresholds that affect required access: according to staff, a single access must be supplemented with a second point when a residential development reaches thresholds tied to the building code (30 units if not sprinklered; 200 units if sprinklered). Commissioners said the present site’s size and the current application do not automatically trigger additional access, but that cumulative development in the area could.

Outcome and next steps
The commission’s motion was a recommendation to the city council. The council will hold its own public hearing and vote; the commission’s vote is advisory. A denial recommendation does not prohibit the applicant from pursuing the matter before council, nor from submitting a revised application in the future.

Clarifying details and context
- The applicant described a plan for about 20–24 for-sale townhome units (exact unit count depends on future site plans).
- Neighborhood meeting: June 11, 2025.
- BMPO-listed corridor improvements for Woodruff appear in the TIP with a target year of 2028 (subject to funding and design).
- Impact fees are assessed at building permit and feed capital improvement funds for roads, fire and other departments; they are not necessarily dedicated to a single local segment.

Ending: The city council will receive the commission’s recommendation at a later public meeting; the council schedule and public hearing date were not specified at the Aug. 5 commission meeting.","After extensive public comment focused on traffic and access, the Idaho Falls Planning and Zoning Commission voted 3–1 to recommend that the City Council deny a request to rezone portions of Lot 4 and 5 of Hudson Addition from Highway Commercial (HC) to R3A (residential mixed use).","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commission recommends approval of four final plats, including Houston Heights and Westbrook Estates divisions

Commission approves conditional use permit for Falls Valley Elementary electronic message sign

Idaho Falls planning commission recommends against rezoning Woodrow Circle parcels to R3A