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Idaho Enterprise

City Council Votes “No” on Hess Lumber Special Use Permit after Public Hearing

On April 13, the City Council held a Public hearing on a special use permit requested by Hess Lumber.  The permit would have allowed for the property purchased by Hess Lumber on 162 N 100 W to serve as an employee parking lot, storage area for surplus material, and occasional delivery truck route.  The permit was recently discussed by the City Planning and Zoning Commission, and recommended for approval by a 3-1 vote, with a dissenting vote based on community opposition.  The City Council denied the permit on a similar 3-1 vote.

Between the PZ public hearing and the City Council hearing, two major factors arosethat affected the situation.  Of the two, the most significant factor was the closing on the property Hess Lumber has purchased south of town.  This property has been announced as the relocation site for the Hess lumber pallet operation, which is at the heart of the issues related to the special use permit.  Doug and Eric Crowther, who were on hand for the meeting, both reiterated that the move of the pallet operation should be possible within the next 4-6 months, as soon as some basic site work is completed on the south of town property.

The second factor, which occupied a large portion of the hearing, was the expanded public input on the potential drawbacks to granting the permit.  On hand to voice opposition to the move were a number of citizens with residences within 300 feet of the permit site.  Kim Jenkins, who was on hand at the PZ stage of the hearing to present his opposition, provided a written statement to the council, in which he stated “I didn’t want to attend in person, because I didn’t want to lose my temper…but they [Hess Lumber] are already doing everything they have listed in their request.”  Jenkins asked that the council commit to imposing fines on any actions that violate the current agreement.

Annette Elcock expressed concerns similar to those she presented to the PZ Commission; namely, that the access to the parking area for additional vehicles might present an increased danger for pedestrians, especially children going to and from the pool during the summer months.  

A number of other citizens also raised concerns about potential increased traffic, as well as the fact that the council had in the past suggested that it would be reticent to approve variances for the Hess Lumber operations after approving the last expansion.  

Council members conducted a thoughtful hearing, in which the concerns of the residents and the commercial interests of the store were weighed against one another, and the existing ordinance which the variance would be granted against.  After public input and internal discussion, the council determined that the variance was too great a deviation from the relevant ordinance, and the public interest concerns constituted a decisive counterpoint.  The decision was also in some part made easier as a result of Hess Lumber’s statement that if it were not granted they would probably begin seeking to sell the property in anticipation of the move south of town. 

The final vote on the special use permit was 3-1 against.