Becky Babb

The City Council meeting agenda included several action items requiring Council direction or updates. Key topics covered were updates from the Animal Shelter Advisory Board and the Pocatello Development Authority (PDA). Discussions were scheduled regarding the future use of the City-owned property at 429 Washington Avenue (Old Alameda Firehouse), the status of the Portneuf River Vision projects, and proposed text amendments to Title 17: Zoning Regulations. Furthermore, staff planned to discuss the statutory process for establishing a Local Improvement District (LID). There was also time set aside for Council Advisory Board updates.

Key discussions during the meeting included the approval of previous meeting minutes from January 7 and a special work session from January 28, 2026. The Commission discussed applying for Preservation Idaho's HPMB Grant for work on the Brady Chapel, specifically aiming to update the roof and gutter system, and voted to approve a letter of support to the city, updating a requirement reference from "SHPO requirements" to "National Parks Standards". The preservation of the historic Alameda Firehouse was considered, with the Commission deciding to pursue its nomination for the National Historic Registry and identify immediate steps for rehabilitation, including remediation of mold, asbestos, and repair of the ramp system, roof, and water system. Further discussions covered community engagement and outreach opportunities, including offering historic research services to local non-profits for fundraising, and the status of historical plaques, noting the need for installation and concrete work estimates, as well as Right-of-Way application compliance.

This document is an executive summary presenting proposed text amendments to Title 17: Zoning Regulations for the City of Pocatello. The amendments aim to clarify use classifications for residential facilities, correct errors and inconsistencies in the district use table, refine parking and loading standards (including administrative adjustments and downtown area waivers), and enhance regulations for home occupations to ensure clarity and applicability. These changes are intended to align with the Pocatello Comprehensive Plan 2040, supporting orderly growth and development within the city by promoting mixed land uses, diverse housing options, and walkable neighborhoods.

The agenda for the meeting included several public hearings requiring Commission action. Key items included a public hearing for the Preliminary Plat: Restlawn Cemetery, involving the platting of 40 small lots and 721 larger lots across approximately 14 acres. Another hearing addressed a Map Amendment Rezone (MA26-001) to change property from Residential Medium Density Single-family (RMS) to Light Industrial (LI), which staff found consistent with the Future Land Use Map designation of Industrial (I). A third public hearing concerned a Planned Unit Development (PUD26-001) request to create 64 lots for townhome development with clustered development and open space dedication. Two agenda items, PUD Crestview Cove and Preliminary Plat Crestside Cove, were pulled from the schedule pending confirmation of future meeting dates. The meeting also included the standard roll call, disclosures, and the potential approval of the February 18, 2026, minutes.

The Clarification Meeting convened to allow the Mayor and Council members to discuss items listed on the subsequent Regular City Council Meeting agenda of February 5, 2026. The primary focus involved staff clarifying agenda item information for the Council members. The Regular City Council Meeting addressed numerous items, including the approval of material claims, confirmation of several mayoral appointments to committees such as the CDBG Advisory Committee and Pocatello Development Authority, and the approval of meeting minutes from prior special and regular sessions in January 2026. Key decisions included denying a request for annexation of 21.92 acres along North Facer Mountain View Drive, and approving final plats for Corner Cove Townhomes, Greenfield Meadows Division, and Eagle's Landing Division 2, as well as a short plat for Elevation 5000 Division 2 and Cahoon Landing. Furthermore, the Council accepted a donation of surveillance equipment from Our Rescue for human trafficking investigations, declared a 2012 Caterpillar Paver as surplus for trade-in, approved piggybacking a bid for refuse containers, and authorized a Cooperative Agreement with Bannock County for building and mechanical inspections due to a Building Official vacancy. Separately, a Special Meeting was held to convene into Executive Session to discuss pending litigation matters.