The Ada County Highway District commissioners and city councilmembers of Garden City recently came to an agreement regarding the permitting of the Highway District's salt shed.
The structure in question sits on ACHD's property at the Adams Maintenance Yard, protecting a large inventory of salt used to treat Ada County roads in the winter months. The Highway District and Garden City have disagreed on the lifespan of the structure as it stands.
Both public agencies were prepared to ultimately leave the decision to a judge, but were hopeful of reaching a compromise outside of the court system. Work towards that compromise was led by ACHD Commission President Mary May and Vice President Alexis Pickering along with Garden City Mayor John Evans and Council President James Page. After several meetings, the elected officials were able to craft a plan together that allows both agencies, and their constituents, to gain confidence in the future of the salt shed and the Adams Maintenance facility. President May and Mayor Evans presented the proposed conditions to their respective elected bodies leading to an agreement between ACHD and Garden City.
The topic was discussed at a Garden City City Council meeting last month, where the councilmembers approved ACHD's permit extension request with the understanding that the District will make best efforts to meet certain conditions.
ACHD presented a timeline to the Council that outlines site phasing for the District's relocation of maintenance operations from Adams Street in Garden City to Apple Street off Federal Way in Boise. According to the phasing plan, removal of the salt shed from the property in Garden City is projected to occur in the 2026-2027 budget years following the design and build out of the new location in Boise.
The second condition outlines that ACHD will continue to demonstrate compliance with DEQ requirements concerning the 100-year floodplain that the salt shed resides in. The District will now also be required to seek an annual floodplain permit through Garden City.
While ACHD's maintenance yard remains in Garden City, ACHD will work to beautify the property. ACHD will make its best efforts to install a sidewalk and plant trees along the maintenance yard property on Adams Street. Along those same lines, ACHD will also remove all fencing from the operations facility once the operation's relocation to Boise is complete.
"This resolution is a win for not only the two agencies involved, but for all of Ada County," said ACHD Commission President Mary May. "I appreciate Mayor Evans and his help in leading these conversations, ultimately allowing ACHD and Garden City to come to a mutually beneficial agreement for all Ada County taxpayers."
With the new conditions in place, both agencies agree to cease any further legal action on the matter.
"I appreciate efforts made by both ACHD commissioners and our city councilmembers to come to an agreement on this issue," said Mayor Evans, "While both agencies have our own priorities, we all serve the constituents of Ada County. Finding a compromise that works for both agencies and ceasing further legal action is what is best for those constituents."
