Planning and Zoning
Downloadable reports, legal documents, meeting minutes, and public records
About Document Flags: Flags such as Open Meeting Violation, Constitutional Issue, and Legal Issue are indicators of potential concerns only. They are generated during document review to highlight areas that may warrant further examination. These flags are not legal conclusions, findings of fact, or determinations of wrongdoing.
DOCX
Planning & Zoning — Minutes — 2024-01-02
Jerome County Board of Commissioners meeting minutes from January 2, 2024, covering routine administrative matters including claims approval, departmental reports, and planning for hiring an HR manager. The meeting included presentations from 4-H members who attended a national competition, reports from Extension Office and GIS departments, and discussions about Fair Board appointments and water resource management.
Decisions Made
- Approved claims for January 1-3, 2024 payroll cycle
- Approved Mark Reyes to attend GIS Conference in San Diego
- Appointed Steven Ricketts to Jerome County Fair Board (Crouch and Watkins voting aye, Howell abstaining)
- Determined HR employee would be exempt/salaried, report weekly to Commissioners, and serve all County departments
- Assigned Commissioner Crouch to perform quarterly jail inspection
- Scheduled Department Heads Luncheon for January 8, 2024
- Put Mid-Snake Water Commission budget ballot on January 8 agenda
- Signed letter to Fair Board written by Mike Seib
Guests, Speakers & Presentations
- Steve Hines - Extension Office report and 4-H activities
- Bailey Hinton, Eliza Dugan, Bryar James (4-H members) - National skillathon competition report
- Lydia Jackson (4-H coach) - Team competition details
- Mark Reyes - GIS mapping report and conference request
- Larry Hall - Jerome 20/20 economic development quarterly update
- Desea Lance and Cody Westover - IT department updates
- Andrea Wiesenmeyer - Fair Board position discussion
- Brandy Sielaff and David Moore (Business First Solutions) - HR manager hiring consultation
- Roger Morley - Mid-Snake Water Commission budget presentation
- Mike Seib - Legal counsel
Upcoming Dates & Activities
- January 8, 2024 - Department Heads Luncheon
- January 8, 2024 - Mid-Snake Water Commission budget ballot on agenda
- January - Quarterly jail inspection due
- Second quarter 2024 - Estimated completion of Summit Springs Townhomes
- February - Expected interviews and hiring for HR position
- Next year - Idaho Department of Environmental Quality will test Jerome County wells for nitrates and phosphates
Key Points
- Commissioner reports on Valley Recreation District waterways funding and airport expansion
- Employee leave requests and time records
- Quarterly jail inspection assignment
- Department heads luncheon planning
- Claims approval for multiple funds
- Extension Office activities and 4-H national competition report
- GIS mapping projects and conference approval
- Jerome 20/20 economic development update
- IT department updates
- Fair Board member appointment
- HR manager hiring process
- Water resource commission budget and aquifer concerns
- Legal counsel matters
DOCX
Planning & Zoning — Minutes — 2026-01-05 Concern Exec Session Open Meeting Violation
This document contains minutes from a Jerome County Board of Commissioners meeting held January 5, 2026, covering routine county business including airport improvements, fairground repairs, juvenile probation reports, fair board appointments, and significant tax cancelations totaling nearly $80,000 for Scoular and Darigold companies.
Executive Session Decisions
- The commissioners held an executive session per Idaho Code 74-206(1)(b) for personnel matters from 1:16 pm to 1:27 pm with Cy Lootens and Jesse Vallez present, but no specific decisions from this session were disclosed in the minutes.
Open Meeting Law Concerns
- The executive session for personnel matters provides no details about what was discussed or decided, making it impossible to verify if the session was properly justified under Idaho Code 74-206(1)(b).
Decisions Made
- Approved $1,350 expenditure for new snow blower at Jerome Airport
- Suggested prosecutor's office send letters to delinquent airport bill payers
- Approved $9,656.60 bid from Farmore Standley for fairground irrigation line replacement
- Approved $10,000 for fairground light pole replacement due to wind damage
- Approved up to $1,000 for juvenile probation van repairs and $995 for vehicle tires
- Appointed Chris Dugan and Jeri Ahrens to four-year fair board terms, Chris Dunn to remainder of three-year term
- Did not reappoint Marianne Schiewe to fair board
- Approved Scoular tax cancelations totaling $34,118.21 for three parcels
- Approved Darigold tax cancelation of $45,890.07 for one parcel
- Approved claims as presented by staff
- Approved minutes from 12/22 and 12/23 meetings
Constitutional & Social Concerns
- Large tax cancelations totaling nearly $80,000 for major corporations (Scoular and Darigold) due to assessment errors and exemption issues may raise questions about tax equity and assessment practices.
Guests, Speakers & Presentations
- Marty Luhr - discussed Intermountain Gas airport proposal and snow blower purchase
- Mark Reyes - provided GIS monthly report
- Chris Dugan - interviewed for fair board position
- Amanda Worthington - discussed fairground capital improvements and fair board matters
- Mario Umana - provided juvenile probation monthly report
- Marianne Schiewe - present for fair board discussions
- Mark Swenson - presented tax cancelation requests
- Cy Lootens - present for executive session and tax matters
- Jesse Vallez - present for executive session
- Tevian Kober - present for tax cancelation discussions
Key Points
- Commissioner reports and activities
- Intermountain Gas proposal for airport natural gas service
- Airport snow blower purchase
- Airport billing and delinquent payments
- GIS department monthly report
- Fair board member interview
- Fairground capital improvements and repairs
- Juvenile probation monthly report and vehicle repairs
- Fair board member appointments
- Tax cancelations for Scoular and Darigold
- Claims approval
- Minutes approval from previous meetings
PDF
Planning & Zoning — Minutes — 2025-01-13
Minutes from the Jerome County Planning and Zoning Commission meeting held January 13, 2025, covering two special use permit hearings - one for Ann-Pell Rongen's horticultural services business and one for Jeff Davis/Western Ag Enterprises' agricultural manufacturing facility. Both applications were approved with conditions after public testimony and commission discussion.
Decisions Made
- Motion to accept November 25th, 2024 Minutes as amended - carried unanimously
- Motion to amend meeting agenda and move Legislative Matters to 6:07 PM - carried unanimously
- Motion to APPROVE Ann-Pell Rongen's Special Use Permit for Horticultural Services with conditions including road maintenance agreement - carried unanimously
- Motion to APPROVE Western Ag Enterprises' Special Use Permit for Manufacturing with conditions including indoor storage of tarps/liners and roll-off container for scrap removal - carried with 4 ayes and 1 no (Commissioner Dean opposed)
- Motion to adjourn - carried unanimously
- Decision to schedule future hearing start times at 6:10 pm
Guests, Speakers & Presentations
- Ann-Pell Rongen - presented application for Special Use Permit for horticultural services
- Evan Jerke - confirmed access easement and accepted maintenance agreement condition
- Jeff Davis with Western Ag Enterprises - presented application for Special Use Permit for agricultural manufacturing
- Teri Stokes - real estate agent, spoke in support of Western Ag application
- Jason Stokes - Regional Manager for Western Ag, spoke in support of application
- Jamie Gaver - owner and developer of subdivision to the west, spoke in support of Western Ag application
Upcoming Dates & Activities
- Meeting with the City of Jerome regarding City Areas of Impact - mentioned as taking place soon
- Predevelopment meeting before Western Ag construction may begin - future date not specified
Key Points
- APA Commission volunteer positions and member search
- Planning and Zoning Commissioner volunteer search
- Legislative matters regarding APA ordinance process
- Subdivision development time limits
- Special Use Permit expiration time limits
- Future hearing start times
- Special Use Permit for horticultural services
- Special Use Permit for agricultural manufacturing facility
- Zoning compliance and building permits
- Water system requirements
- Privacy fencing requirements
- Access road maintenance agreements
DOCX
Planning & Zoning — Minutes — 2026-01-26 Concern Energy/Data Center
This document contains minutes from a Jerome County Planning and Zoning Commission meeting held January 26, 2026. The meeting covered three main items: a zoning map amendment for recreational development, proposed amendments to the Comprehensive Plan regarding agricultural land protection and energy projects, and amendments to zoning ordinances for energy facilities and conditional use permits.
Decisions Made
- Brett Thompson and Oscar Carranza nominated to continue as Chairman and Vice Chairman for 2026-2027
- Commission chose to keep residency requirement at five years
- Staff will formally present change to reduce commission members from twelve to nine at next meeting
- Motion passed unanimously to approve zoning map amendment from A2-Rural Residential to REC-1 Recreation Zone
- Motion passed 5-0 to deny proposed amendments to Chapter 10 of Jerome County Comprehensive Plan
- Motion passed unanimously to deny proposed amendments to add Jerome County Zoning Ordinance Chapter 11-Energy Facilities
- Motion passed unanimously to approve amendments to repeal Chapter 7-Special Use and replace with Chapter 7-Conditional Use
Energy, Data Centers & Ordinances
- Board of County Commissioners adopted emergency ordinance 2025-01 temporarily prohibiting development of renewable energy plants and BESS over concerns about county's ability to support such facilities
- Proposed amendments would limit large-scale energy facilities to heavy industrial zones via Conditional Use Permits
- Discussion of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) safety, locations near substations, and their role in grid stability
- Public testimony from Idaho Power, NextEra Energy Resources, Copia Power, and ENGIE North America regarding energy project restrictions
- Commission denied both energy-related ordinance amendments citing concerns about overly restrictive language and potential impacts on private property rights
Constitutional & Social Concerns
- Discussion of Agricultural Protection Act impact on property rights and land use for twenty years with no incentive for property owners
- Concerns raised about overly restrictive language potentially affecting private property owners' rights
- Discussion of 'inherit conflict with' and 'irreversible loss' language in proposed agricultural protection amendments
Guests, Speakers & Presentations
- David Thibault with EHM Engineers Inc. presenting zoning amendment application for Danso LLC
- Leon Letson on behalf of Idaho Power commenting on energy project language
- Elisabeth Koeckeritz, attorney specializing in land use law and planning, speaking about agricultural land classifications
- Aaron Menenberg, Idaho Policy Manager for Renewable Northwest, discussing projected energy needs
- Ufuoma Ojumah, development manager with NextEra Energy Resources, recommending BESS be allowed in all zones except rural residential
- Jeffery Collins on behalf of NextEra Energy speaking about BESS market shifts and safety
- Emily Skill on behalf of Copia Power recommending adding agriculture zoning language
- Megan Cranford on behalf of ENGIE North America opposing restrictions on energy projects
Upcoming Dates & Activities
- Next Commission meeting where staff will formally present membership change proposal
Key Points
- Officer elections for 2026-2027
- Commission bylaws discussion regarding residency requirements and member count
- Mid-Snake River Commission report on water issues
- Zoning map amendment from A2 Rural Residential to REC-1 Recreation Zone
- Comprehensive Plan amendments for agricultural land protection and energy projects
- Zoning ordinance amendments for energy facilities
- Special Use to Conditional Use permit process changes
PDF
Planning & Zoning — Minutes — 2023-01-30
Jerome County Planning & Zoning Commission meeting minutes from January 30, 2023, covering two main agenda items: approval of a preliminary plat for Silver Sky Estates Subdivision (31 lots on 38.39 acres) and approval of a special use permit for a recreational vehicle site. Both applications were unanimously approved with conditions.
Decisions Made
- Approved November 21, 2022 minutes as written
- Recommended approval of Silver Sky Estates Subdivision preliminary plat with conditions: follow street naming suggestions, meet all agency requirements, ensure easements to headgates are recorded after coordinating with affected landowners
- Approved special use permit for recreational vehicle site with staff conditions and timeframe restriction of March 1-November 15 each year for no longer than three years
- Waived JCZO Chapter 6-7-T standard requirement for RV site
- Adjourned meeting
Guests, Speakers & Presentations
- Matt Ahrens of EHM Engineers Inc. - presented Silver Sky Estates Subdivision preliminary plat
- Jim Archer (549 S 100 E) - commented on irrigation easement concerns
- Randy Steadham (544 S 100 E) - expressed traffic speed and visibility concerns
- Curtis Turner (74 E Victoria St) - raised water delivery and road connection concerns
- David Thibault of EHM Engineers - provided additional technical clarification
- Mark Turner (550 Nicholas Rd) - asked about traffic study accessibility
- Gerald Martens - applicant for recreational vehicle site special use permit
Upcoming Dates & Activities
- First part of April - Recreation Zone Committee public meetings to begin
- 1.5 years - Jerome Impact Area will need to be addressed
- March 1-November 15 of each year for no longer than three years - approved timeframe for RV site occupation
Key Points
- November 2022 minutes approval
- Mid-Snake River Water Resource Commission report
- Recreation Zone Committee update
- Conference room audiovisual equipment upgrade
- Comprehensive Plan status
- Legislative Action List
- Silver Sky Estates Subdivision preliminary plat review
- Traffic study discussion
- Irrigation easement concerns
- Special use permit for recreational vehicle site
- JCZO Chapter 6 requirements
- Timeframe restrictions for RV occupation
PDF
Planning & Zoning — Minutes — 2025-02-24 Concern
Jerome County Planning & Zoning Commission meeting minutes from February 24, 2025, covering two main applications: Brian Malone's request for a Special Use Permit for a salvage yard and on-premise sign (denied), and Van Beek Dairy's request for livestock confinement operation expansion (approved with conditions).
Decisions Made
- Motion to accept January 13th, 2025 minutes - carried unanimously
- Motion to DENY Brian Malone's request for Special Use Permit for Salvage Yard and On-Premise Sign - carried unanimously
- Motion to recommend APPROVAL of Van Beek Dairy expansion to add 1600 animal units and 160 acres with various conditions and variances - carried unanimously
- Motion to adjourn - carried unanimously
Constitutional & Social Concerns
- Public opposition to dairy expansion based on water quality concerns
- Property value impact concerns from salvage yard operation
- Environmental health issues related to nitrate levels in groundwater
- Community concerns about livestock waste management
Guests, Speakers & Presentations
- Brian Malone - presented salvage yard application
- Kris Bos - presented Van Beek Dairy expansion application
- Kim Yingst - spoke in opposition to salvage yard
- Josie Holtzen - spoke in opposition to salvage yard
- Travis Wilson - spoke in opposition to salvage yard
- Mark Holtzen - spoke in opposition to salvage yard
- Lora Ohlensehlen - spoke in favor of dairy expansion
- Dave Luke - spoke in favor of dairy expansion
- Mark Holtzen - spoke in opposition to dairy expansion
- Josie Holtzen - spoke in opposition to dairy expansion
- Mike Harrison - spoke in opposition to dairy expansion
- Shane Harrison - spoke in opposition to dairy expansion
- Marty Collinson - spoke in opposition to dairy expansion
- Leeta Thomason - spoke in opposition to dairy expansion
- Deborah White - spoke in opposition to dairy expansion
- Matt Thompson - provided rebuttal for dairy application
Upcoming Dates & Activities
- Area of City Impact Ordinance amendments must be completed by end of this year
- ISDA requires new NMP (Nutrient Management Plan) once dairy facility is expanded
Key Points
- Minutes approval
- Mid-Snake River Water Resource Commission report
- Legislative matters including Agricultural Protection Area (APA) Ordinance
- Area of City Impact Ordinance amendments
- Brian Malone Special Use Permit application for salvage yard
- Van Beek Dairy livestock confinement operation expansion
- Zoning ordinance requirements
- Traffic and road conditions
- Environmental concerns including water quality and groundwater
- Property setback variances
- Livestock confinement regulations
- Public testimony and opposition comments
DOCX
Planning & Zoning — Minutes — 2024-01-01 Duplicate
This document represents the official minutes for a Jerome County Board of Commissioners meeting scheduled for Monday, January 1, 2024. The document indicates that no meeting was actually held on this date due to the observance of New Year's Day as a holiday. This is a brief administrative record documenting the cancellation or non-occurrence of the scheduled meeting.
Duplicate Check
This appears to be a standard template document used to formally record when scheduled meetings do not occur due to holidays or other reasons. The format and brief content suggest this is likely a recurring template used for documenting meeting cancellations.
DOCX
Planning & Zoning — Minutes — 2023-01-02 Duplicate
This document is a notice that the Jerome County Board of Commissioners did not hold their regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, January 2, 2023, due to observance of the federal holiday following New Year's Day. The document serves as an official record of the meeting cancellation.
Duplicate Check
This appears to be a standard holiday cancellation notice template, as it contains minimal content with only the basic required elements to document that no meeting occurred due to a federal holiday observance.