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minutes meeting date 2026-05-05 · fetched 2026-09-17 · 5697 characters · official file · plain text
May 19, 2026 This special meeting of the Jerome City Council was called to order by Mayor Barber at 10:02 a.m. The meeting was also held by teleconference, conducted via Zoom, and was made available to all members of the public in a format that allowed all participants to hear the meeting, including all deliberations by members of the Council and other speakers addressing the council, whether in person or via virtual connection, and to comment if so desired, all of which was noted in the agenda, email, and notices at council chambers and on the city’s website. Present: Mayor Christopher Barber, Councilman Jason Peterson, Councilman Bryan Craig, Councilman Dale Ross, and Councilwoman Jeri Ahrens. Also present were Planning and Zoning Commissioners Shonna Fraser and Jeff Schroeder, and staff members: Acting Clerk Katie Elliott, City Attorney Ted Larsen, City Administrator Mike Williams Planning and Zoning Manager Ida Clark, Public Works Director Jon Caton, City Engineer Tyson Carpenter, and Wastewater Director Brad Henry. FUTURE LAND USE MAP DISCUSSION: Ms. Clark spoke of the Future Land Use Maps (FLUM) and felt there was a need to review them with the Planning and Zoning Commission. She stated that the Area of City Impact was renegotiated in December 2025 and that most of surrounding land is agricultural. She stated that the maps direct the Council with rezoning decisions and annexations. Ms. Clark spoke of the layers within the maps: the land, uses, zoning of the property, and a future land use map. She stated the map is not a binding document but that it can help direct potential land uses. She spoke of areas on the FLUM where zoning could be changed for future uses and that it does not always mean the zoning listed is correct. Ms. Clark requested the meeting to ensure that everyone understood how the FLUM will guide the city’s growth, and to ensure that the map reflects the city’s current development pattern. Additionally, Ms. Clark stated the FLUM should support city services, infrastructure and community goals. In May 2023, the city adopted a new Comprehensive Plan which included a FLUM, and Ms. Clark stated that many changes have taken place since that time i.e. annexations and a comprehensive plan amendment. She stated that regular review of the FLUM will ensure that it matches city growth. Ms. Clark spoke of goals within the Comprehensive Plan including walkability, diversified businesses and housing, growth that considers current agriculture uses and new development that supports the agricultural industry, and plans for upgrades to infrastructure and connectivity. She stated that zoning or comprehensive plan amendment recommendations are made by the Planning and Zoning Commission with final decisions made by the City Council. Ms. Clark provided maps for everyone to review, and she stated that the maps reflect the following zones: agricultural transition (preserving ag land and ensuring infrastructure is in place), commercial, industrial, public, and residential. Discussion ensued regarding: residential areas near industrial; industrial areas downtown (i.e. Commercial Creamery); rezoning the existing parcel of a less than desirable location; changes in ownership of businesses and how that affects zoning; non-conforming uses when zones are changed; industrial uses on smaller parcels; the Area of City Impact (AIC) at Cross Roads (they use City services) and potential annexation if parcels were contiguous to existing city properties; the ACI reduced to meet the two-mile boundary requirement; and, Cross Roads in the ACI because of the city services extended there. Ms. Clark requested that everyone review the maps and indicate what changes they would like to see. Discussions continued regarding rezoning; specific properties subject to annexation; properties within city boundaries; questioning the maintenance of certain properties should they be annexed; different categories of industrial and commercial zoning based on uses; challenges facing those in the county and smooth transitions into the city; the preferences of the county; control over county properties, legal issues, and the usefulness of the ACI map; county zoning; following water and sewer utilities; financial decisions having impact on approvals; the city’s role in deciding on the feasibility of a potential annexation; approving subdivisions; the issue of lift station maintenance within subdivisions; development agreements with developers; considering the existing infrastructure for future development; growth and expansion of downtown; looking at growth from a broad perspective; the potential for city growth south of the interstate; subdivisions southeast of city boundaries; the cost of infrastructure in terms of expanding city services; annexing where water and sewer services can be provided without the need of a lift station; the legislation pertaining to accessory dwelling units and starter home subdivisions; supply and demand of homes; and, special use permits based on zoning and uses. Ms. Clark spoke of the feedback provided by the Council and the Commission (avoid lift stations when possible, preserve agricultural transition areas and ensure growth where utilities already exist, and keep downtown commercial and continue with walkability). ADJOURNMENT: There being nothing further to discuss, Mayor Barber adjourned this May 19, 2026 special meeting of the Jerome City Council at 11:11 a.m. By: Christopher Barber, Mayor Attest: Bernadette Coderniz, City Clerk
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