AX22-3 Stone Ridge PUD & Aspen Point PUD Annexation

The Driggs City Council, on September 6, 2022, requested that staff proceed with the process for annexation of Aspen Point Townhomes and Stone Ridge Townhomes into the City of Driggs. This type of annexation is pursued by the City based on general recommendations of the Driggs Comprehensive Plan to ensure that development on the City fringes that utilizes or impacts City services and facilities (roads, trails & pathways, parks, civic spaces, hazard mitigation, land use planning and enforcement, etc.) contributes equitably toward the costs of such municipal expenses.

The formal process for annexation contains the following steps, which have been initiated by the City Council (see Legal Notice in documents link below):

1)      Public Hearing at Driggs Planning and Zoning Commission – 6pm, Wednesday November 9, 2022. The Planning & Zoning Commission recommendations are contained in the City Council Public Hearing Notice linked below.

2)      Public Hearing at Driggs City Council – 6pm, Tuesday December 6, 2022

Questions may be sent to me at Dself@DriggsIdaho.org .

RELATED DOCUMENTS AND INFORMATION

• Planning & Zoning Commission Public Hearing Notice
• P&Z Commission Staff Report | Exhibit A: Public Comment received by 5pm, 11/2/2022
• City Council December 6 Public Hearing Notice

Why is the Annexation Proposed?

This type of annexation is pursued by the City based on general recommendations of the Driggs Comprehensive Plan to ensure that development on the City fringes that utilizes or impacts City services and facilities (roads, trails & pathways, parks, civic spaces, hazard mitigation, land use planning and enforcement, etc.) contributes equitably toward the costs of such municipal expenses. The Valley Centre neighborhood has been similarly annexed. Annexation also allows the City to improve its facilities and services in and around the neighborhood and enjoy greater civic participation (e.g., increased municipal voters, office holders and board volunteers).

How Can the City Initiate Annexation of Aspen Point and Stone Ridge PUDs?

Idaho Statute section 50-222 states that “valid consent to annex is implied for the area of all lands connected to a water or wastewater collection system operated by the city if the connection was requested in writing by the owner, or the owner’s authorized agent, or completed before July 1, 2008.” Aspen Point Townhomes PUD and Stone Ridge Townhomes PUD requested and were granted water and sewer service connections in 1997.

Proposed Annexation Boundary

The proposed annexation (see proposed annexation map in above legal notices) contains the entire platted areas of both the Aspen Point Townhomes PUD and Stone Ridge Townhomes PUD, with the Aspen Point Townhomes PUD being contiguous to the current Driggs city limits along Cemetery Rd. By state statute, adjacent public roads (Ski Hill Rd) become the territory and responsibility of the annexing city and are incorporated into the annexation area.

Proposed City of Driggs Zoning

The City proposes to create special zoning districts, incorporating the development standards on each of the recorded plats: PUD-APT Zoning District (Aspen Point Townhomes) and PUD-SRT Zoning District (Stone Ridge Townhomes). The zoning standards recommended by the Planning and Zoning Commission are contained in the City Council public hearing notice linked above.

What is the Effect on Utility Fees, Property Tax and Lodging Tax?

Utility Rates:  The current water and sewer usage rates for out-of-city customers are 1.5 times the in-city rates.  

Property Tax:  The city’s property tax would be collected starting the year following annexation, with an expected levy of around 0.001.  

Lodging Tax:  For those owners who rent their units out as short-term rentals (terms of 30 days or less), a 6% lodging tax will be collected by the City. Additional information regarding short-term rentals can be found on the City’s website at:

https://driggsidaho.org/departments/city-clerk/short-term-rental

What Additional Services or Improvements are Proposed to Benefit the Annexed Properties

The Planning and Zoning Commission's recommendation included the following items for the City Council to consider:

• Complete improvement of the Cemetery Rd connection to the Teton Creek Trail; • Pursue the addition of a stop for the Grand Targhee Shuttle, serving the annexed area; • Improve snow removal on Ski Hill Rd; • Require Aspen Meadows Rd to be paved as Lots 3 and 11 of Stone Ridge are built out; • Facilitate consideration of the dedication of Aspen Meadows Rd within the annexation area; • Pursue planning and development of additional pathways to ensure safe pedestrian and bicycle connection to downtown, neighborhood parks, etc.