Small Town News

Approval granted for controversial Area of Impact

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The New Meadows City Council unanimously approved an Area of Impact surrounding the city that goes one-half mile in all directions.

Monday evening's move follows months of discussion and debate on the Area of Impact, in which several proposals were considered, most of which were met by heavy opposition from property owners in the affected areas.

The previous Area of Impact in New Meadows was 1/8th of a mile in all directions.

Having passed through New Meadows Planning and Zoning, and now with the approval of the council, the proposal will go to the county commissioners for final approval.

Creating an Area of Impact, provides the city with the opportunity to enforce their own ordinances and processes on any development that occurs in areas bordering the city.

"This just gives us a seat at the table," said councilmember DeOle Priddy. "Anything that occurs within that half mile is going to affect the city."

New Meadows P & Z initially recommended a one-mile-in-all-directions Area of Impact earlier this year, but outcry from affected residents caused the city council to reject that proposal and go back to the drawing board. Many property owners felt that the Area of Impact encroached on agricultural land and other acreage that is unlikely to be developed any time soon. Some wondered why any expansion of the Area of Impact was necessary at a time when building and development is all but nonexistent.

Next, a proposal was considered that would have expanded the Area of Impact disproportionably towards Areas where the city believed growth was most likely, notably to the east along Highway 55 to Substation Road and to the north along Highway 95.

This proposal also was met with skepticism from landowners within the area and concerns were raised that such a proposal wasn't as fair as a uniform Area of Impact extension.

City Council members acknowledged that any Area of Impact extension is likely to be opposed by those that live in the affected area. Nevertheless, they felt the half-mile extension to be a reasonable compromise from the original one-mile boundary, while treating all property that borders the city in an equal fashion.

"We're trying not to step on toes, but we have a responsibility," Priddy said. "This is the right thing to do at this time."



Copyright 2009 The Adams County Record, Council, Idaho. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from SmallTownPapers, Inc.

© 2009 The Adams County Record Council, Idaho. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.

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