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Volume 6 • Issue 1
In this issue:
Christmas Celebrations Page 4
Eagle's New Police Chief, Page 9
Calling All Local Artists Pages 17
PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID EAGLE, IDAHO PERMIT NO. 60
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POSTAL PATRON LOCAL
JANUARY 2015
www.theindnews.com
Conceptual Plan for Tri-City Meats Property Released Signs of Life for Chevron Property Suggests Race for the Corner’s Future
By Philip A. Janquart A conceptual plan for a temporary parking lot at the southwest corner of Eagle Road and Old State Street has been completed. The Eagle Urban Renewal Agency (EURA) approved the plan 3-2 after an executive session held Dec. 2. The plan, if realized, means the Tri- City Meats building, and two adjacent houses, and possibly the old Chevron station, will finally be leveled to make way for a temporary parking lot. The Chevron station, in particular, has been at the center of much controversy over the years, the building perceived by most as an eyesore that just won’t go away. The lease was signed between the EURA and Randy Hetrick of Tri-City Meats LLC. No lease was signed, however, between Rick and Sandy Smith, owners of the Chevron property. They refused to sign the lease at a public meeting of the EURA, according to EURA Chairman Mark Butler. “They said they have no interest in leasing the property to the EURA, after we worked with them for a year,” he said. “That’s when we decided to move forward with trying to purchase the property.” EURA Commissioner Stan Ridgeway said at least one development company, J Bar K, has shown interest in the Chevron property and has even made inquiries about access points with the City and the Ada County Highway District (ACHD). According to Ridgeway, orders for appraisals usually lead to a claim for eminent domain. The EURA, however, would not exercise that option if the property would suddenly be developed.
The infamous Chevron station.
“The only way the city can utilize eminent domain is if the property is blighted,” Ridgeway said. “If someone goes in there and opens a donut shop, you can’t just claim the land through eminent domain because you don’t like the business.” The property appraisal should be completed by the end of January. It would appear, therefore, that if the Smiths can sell or lease the land for development before a purchase offer from the EURA is made, the EURA would not need to acquire it through eminent domain. Butler stressed that although eminent domain could be used for acquisition purposes, it is not currently the group’s goal. “Eminent domain is not on the table for the board at this time,” he said. “The board has consistently said it wants to see the property cleaned up. If that means the board has to buy the property, it will buy the property. If the
owners sell the property, then there are no worries.” He added that, “I would suggest caution in anyone's assumption that now, after 19 years of neglect by the owners of the old Chevron property, that since the EURA has pulled the trigger to work toward acquiring the property for cleanup, temporary downtown public parking and open space amenity, that the owners are going to all of a sudden upgrade the property." The question remains, however, what the ACHD plans to do with the Eagle Road/State Street intersection. Part of the foreseeable difficulty with developing the Chevron property would be trying to determine just how much of it will be left once the ACHD completes any improvements, which are yet to be determined. So, what now The EURA is waiting for the completed appraisal of the Chevron property before it makes a purchase offer. According to Councilwoman and EURA Commissioner Mary McFarland, if the owners don’t accept the offer, the EURA’s next step could be taken through the eminent domain process, through the courts. According to Ridgeway, the EURA has retained a legal firm that specializes in eminent domain. “As long as you can show public use, the EURA would get the property immediately,” McFarland told The Independent News. “If they sued, the recourse would be more money, but not the property back.” Continued to page 2
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ANIMAL CARE Kringle's Korner, (S), pg 6 Spoiled Dog Resort & Grooming, pg 19 Spoiled Dog Play Care, pg 19 AUTOMOTIVE CARE & TIRES Big O Tires, pg 2 BEAUTY & BARBER Opulence Salon & Spa, pg 17 Todd Stewart, pg 3 BUILDING SUPPLIES Evan’s Building Center/ ACE Hardware, (E), Insert
CHAMBER OF COMMERC E Star Chamber of Commerce, pg 17 DENTAL CARE Star Dental, (S), pg 10, Insert DEPARTMENT STORE Kings, pg 11 DINING & ENTERTAINMENT El Mariachi Loco, pg 3 EDUCATION Little Miracles Preschool, pg 15 Stepping Stones Children’s Center, pg 7 FINANCIAL INSTITUTION Idaho Independent Bank, (S), pg 4
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FRAMING Frame Works, pg 14 HEARING Eagle Hearing, pg 15 HEALTH & WELLNESS Down to Earth Health Foods, pg 9 Silk Touch Medspa, (E), pg 18 Star Medical, pg 19 HOME IMPROVEMENT Budget Blinds, pg 8 CF Construction, pg 20 Well Built Exteriors, pg 8 LANDSCAPING, IRRIGATION Eagle Tree & Shrub, (E), pg 8 ORTHODONTICS Star Dental, (S), pg 10, Insert PAIN RELIEF Pain Care Clinic of Idaho, pg 5
SENIOR SERVICES Edgewood at Spring Creek Assisted Living, pg 10 The Cottages, (E), pg 13 SPORTS Peterson Orthodontics, Insert VISION CARE Artisan Optics, pg 2 Eagle Vision One, (E), pg 12 WEIGHT LOSS Weight Loss Solutions, pg 3 BUSINESS DIRECTORY, pg 15 Ada Emissions Carew Rentals Flowering Fist Tai Chi Handyman Can Ron Bishop, Realtor Star Tire Steve’s Auto Care