City of Meridian unveils new comprehensive plan

Growth is on the heart and minds of our community. For many that is because of increased traffic, impacts on our schools, and increased density with multi-family development. Along with these concerns, we have also seen benefits of growth such as more family wage jobs, additional retail and entertainment opportunities, and needed road improvements such as the planned widening of Linder Road, Ten Mile Road, and Chinden Boulevard.

Planning for growth is a major role of the City. Last month the Meridian City Council was successful in adopting a new Comprehensive Plan after more than 18 months of collaboration with the community. The Comprehensive Plan is our guiding document for how we should grow as a community. While there is always room for improvement, I think everyone agrees the adopted plan puts us on the path forward for how we should grow and develop. This path was shaped by many of you, as you responded to surveys, talked to staff at community events, or commented during the public process.

What many people do not know is that this is the first step in the process as we continue to evolve as a City. When City Council adopted the Comprehensive Plan, it was noted that more work needs to be done. Specifically, our Unified Development Code needs updating to address the future standard for open space, develop specific area plans, and more. I served as a member of the Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee, and I saw the community process and how those involved helped to shape this document.

As Mayor, I want the community to know that I am committed to implementing the Comprehensive Plan as adopted and move forward with the identified next steps as soon as possible. While it may not solve our traffic challenges or address concerns with the size of our classrooms immediately, it will help us grow in the way and manner that the community has requested, responsibly.