1998 Legislation
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HOUSE BILL NO. 693 – Hwy dist, subdivision plats

HOUSE BILL NO. 693

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Daily Data Tracking History



H0693...................................................by LOCAL GOVERNMENT
HIGHWAY DISTRICTS - SUBDIVISION PLATS - Amends existing law to provide for
submission of subdivision plats to a highway district for review and
recommendations, to provide the jurisdiction of the highway district with
respect to subdivision plats, to provide that the city or county with
appropriate jurisdiction to accept or approve the subdivision plat shall
have final authority concerning approval of the plat and to provide that
the highway district shall endorse the plat if the plat is approved by the
city or county, to provide for submission of planned development, special
or conditional use projects to the highway district for review and
recommendations, to provide the jurisdiction of the highway district with
respect to the project and to provide that the city or county shall have
final authority concerning approval of the project.

02/13    House intro - 1st rdg - to printing
02/16    Rpt prt - to Loc Gov

Bill Text


H0693


                                                                        
 ||||              LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF IDAHO             ||||
Fifty-fourth Legislature                 Second Regular Session - 1998
                                                                        

                             IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                                    HOUSE BILL NO. 693

                              BY LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE

 1                                        AN ACT
 2    RELATING TO HIGHWAY DISTRICTS; AMENDING SECTION 40-1310, IDAHO CODE,  TO  PRO-
 3        VIDE  FOR  SUBMISSION  OF  SUBDIVISION  PLATS  TO THE HIGHWAY DISTRICT FOR
 4        REVIEW AND RECOMMENDATIONS, TO PROVIDE THE  JURISDICTION  OF  THE  HIGHWAY
 5        DISTRICT  WITH  RESPECT  TO SUBDIVISION PLATS, TO PROVIDE THAT THE CITY OR
 6        COUNTY WITH APPROPRIATE JURISDICTION TO ACCEPT AND APPROVE THE SUBDIVISION
 7        PLAT SHALL HAVE FINAL AUTHORITY CONCERNING APPROVAL OF  THE  PLAT  AND  TO
 8        PROVIDE  THAT  THE  HIGHWAY DISTRICT SHALL ENDORSE THE PLAT IF THE PLAT IS
 9        APPROVED BY THE CITY OR COUNTY,  TO  PROVIDE  FOR  SUBMISSION  OF  PLANNED
10        DEVELOPMENT,  SPECIAL  OR CONDITIONAL USE PROJECTS TO THE HIGHWAY DISTRICT
11        FOR REVIEW AND RECOMMENDATIONS, TO PROVIDE THE JURISDICTION OF THE HIGHWAY
12        DISTRICT WITH RESPECT TO THE PROJECT, AND TO  PROVIDE  THAT  THE  CITY  OR
13        COUNTY  SHALL  HAVE  FINAL  AUTHORITY  CONCERNING APPROVAL OF THE PROJECT;
14        AMENDING SECTION 40-1415, IDAHO CODE, TO PROVIDE FOR SUBMISSION OF PLANNED
15        DEVELOPMENT, SPECIAL OR CONDITIONAL USE PROJECTS TO A  COUNTYWIDE  HIGHWAY
16        DISTRICT  FOR  REVIEW  AND RECOMMENDATIONS, TO PROVIDE THE JURISDICTION OF
17        THE HIGHWAY DISTRICT WITH RESPECT TO THE PROJECT AND TO PROVIDE  THAT  THE
18        CITY OR COUNTY SHALL HAVE FINAL AUTHORITY CONCERNING APPROVAL OF THE PROJ-
19        ECT, TO PROVIDE FOR REVIEW AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF SUBDIVISION PLATS BY THE
20        HIGHWAY DISTRICT, TO PROVIDE THE JURISDICTION OF THE HIGHWAY DISTRICT WITH
21        RESPECT  TO  SUBDIVISION  PLATS,  TO  PROVIDE THAT THE CITY OR COUNTY WITH
22        APPROPRIATE JURISDICTION TO APPROVE THE SUBDIVISION PLAT SHALL HAVE  FINAL
23        AUTHORITY  CONCERNING  APPROVAL  OF  THE PLAT, TO PROVIDE THAT THE HIGHWAY
24        DISTRICT SHALL ENDORSE THE PLAT IF THE PLAT IS APPROVED  BY  THE  CITY  OR
25        COUNTY  AND  TO  MAKE TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS; AND AMENDING SECTION 50-1312,
26        IDAHO CODE, TO PROVIDE THAT THE HIGHWAY DISTRICT SHALL ENDORSE A  SUBDIVI-
27        SION  PLAT  IF THE PLAT IS APPROVED BY THE CITY OR COUNTY WITH APPROPRIATE
28        JURISDICTION.

29    Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Idaho:

30        SECTION 1.  That Section 40-1310, Idaho Code, be, and the same  is  hereby
31    amended to read as follows:

32        40-1310.  POWERS  AND  DUTIES  OF  HIGHWAY DISTRICT COMMISSIONERS. (1) The
33    commissioners of a highway  district  have,  except  as  provided  in  section
34    40-1323,  Idaho  Code, exclusive general supervision and jurisdiction over all
35    highways within their highway system, with full power to construct,  maintain,
36    repair  and improve all highways within their highway system, whether directly
37    or by their own agents and employees or by contract. Except as otherwise  pro-
38    vided  in this chapter in respect to the highways within their highway system,
39    a highway district shall have all of the powers and duties that would  by  law
40    be  vested in the commissioners of the county and in the district directors of
41    highways if the highway district had not been  organized.  Where  any  highway
42    within the limits of the highway district has been designated as a state high-
43    way, then the board shall have exclusive supervision, jurisdiction and control


                                          2

 1    over  the designation, location, maintenance, repair and reconstruction of it.
 2    The highway district shall have power to manage and conduct the  business  and
 3    affairs  of the district; establish and post speed and other regulatory signs;
 4    make and execute all necessary  contracts;  have  an  office  and  employ  and
 5    appoint agents, attorneys, officers and employees as may be required, and pre-
 6    scribe their duties and fix their compensation. Highway district commissioners
 7    and  their agents and employees have the right to enter upon any lands to make
 8    a survey, and may locate the necessary works on the line of  any  highways  on
 9    any land which may be deemed best for the location.
10        (2)  The  highway  district shall also have the right to acquire either by
11    purchase, or other legal means, all lands and other property necessary for the
12    construction, use, maintenance, repair and improvement of  highways  in  their
13    system.  The  highway district may change the width or location, or straighten
14    lines of any highway in their system, and if in the constructing, laying  out,
15    widening,  changing,  or straightening of any highways, it shall become neces-
16    sary to take private property, the district director  of  highways,  with  the
17    consent and on order of the highway district commissioners, shall cause a sur-
18    vey  of the proposed highway to be made, together with an accurate description
19    of the lands required. He shall endeavor to agree with each owner of property,
20    resident of the county in which the district is situated, for the purchase  of
21    a right-of-way over the lands included within the description. If the director
22    is able to agree with the owner of the lands, the highway district commission-
23    ers  may purchase the land and pay for it out of the funds of the highway dis-
24    trict, and the lands purchased shall then be conveyed to the highway  district
25    for the use and purpose of highways.
26        (3)  Whenever  the  director of highways shall be unable to agree with any
27    person for the purchase of land, or that person shall be unknown or a nonresi-
28    dent of the county in which the highway district is situated, or a  minor,  or
29    an insane or incompetent person, the director shall have the right, subject to
30    the  order  of the highway district commissioners, to begin action in the name
31    of the highway district in the district court of the county in which the  dis-
32    trict  is situated, to condemn the land necessary for the right-of-way for the
33    highway, under the provisions of chapter 7, title 7, Idaho Code. An  order  of
34    the  highway  district  commissioners  entered  upon its minutes that the land
35    sought to be condemned is necessary for a public highway and public use  shall
36    be prima facie evidence of the fact.
37        (4)  The  highway  district  has the power to contract for and pay out any
38    special rewards and bounties as may appear expedient  or  useful  in  securing
39    proper  highway  construction and maintenance, and to accept, on behalf of the
40    district, aid or contributions in the construction or maintenance of any high-
41    way; to construct or repair, with the consent of the corporate authorities  of
42    any  city within the district, any highway within a city, upon the division of
43    the cost as may be agreed upon; or to join with the state or any body  politic
44    or  political subdivision, or with any person in the construction or repair of
45    any highway and to contract for an equitable division of  the  cost;  and  all
46    counties,  cities,  highway  districts  and other bodies politic and political
47    subdivisions are authorized to  contract  with  any  highway  district  acting
48    through its highway district commissioners in exercise of the powers granted.
49        (5)  The  highway  district has the power to receive highway petitions and
50    lay out, alter, create and abandon  and  vacate  public  highways  and  public
51    rights-of-way  within  their respective districts under the provisions of sec-
52    tions 40-202, 40-203 and 40-203A, Idaho Code. Provided however, when a  public
53    highway,  public street and/or public right-of-way is part of a platted subdi-
54    vision which lies within an established county/city impact area or within  one
55    (1) mile of a city if a county/city impact area has not been established, con-


                                          3

 1    sent of the city council of the affected city, when the city has a functioning
 2    street  department with jurisdiction over the city streets, shall be necessary
 3    prior to the granting of acceptance or vacation of said public street or  pub-
 4    lic right-of-way by the highway district board of commissioners.
 5        (6)  The  highway district is empowered to take conveyance or other assur-
 6    ances, in the name of the highway district, for all property  acquired  by  it
 7    under the provisions of this chapter for the purposes of this title. The high-
 8    way  district  may institute and maintain any and all actions and proceedings,
 9    suits at law and in equity, necessary or proper in order to    carry  out  the
10    provisions  of  this chapter, or to enforce, maintain, protect or preserve any
11    and all rights, privileges and immunities provided in  this  chapter.  In  all
12    courts,  actions,  suits  or proceedings, the highway district may sue, appear
13    and defend, in person or by attorneys, and in the name  of  the  highway  dis-
14    trict.
15        (7)  The  highway  district is empowered to hold, use, acquire, sell, man-
16    age, occupy and possess property. The  highway  district  may  create  highway
17    divisions,  which  must  be  carefully  and  distinctly defined and described.
18    Highway divisions may be altered, changed, created or modified by the  highway
19    district commissioners, as the need requires.
20        (8)  The  highway district board of commissioners shall have the exclusive
21    general supervisory authority over all public  highways,  public  streets  and
22    public  rights-of-way  under  their jurisdiction, with full power to establish
23    design standards, establish use standards, establish regulations in accordance
24    with the provisions of title 49, Idaho Code, and control access to said public
25    highways, public streets and public rights-of-way.
26         (9)  All  subdivision plats required to be submitted to the city  or
27    the  county  for  acceptance  and approval under the provisions of chapter 13,
28    title 50, Idaho Code, shall be submitted to the highway  district  for  review
29    and  recommendations.   The  jurisdiction  of the highway district shall be to
30    determine whether the subdivision plat complies with the  duly  enacted  stan-
31    dards  and  policies of the highway district adopted pursuant to the authority
32    and within the subject matter of subsection (8) of this section.   The  recom-
33    mendations  of  the  highway district shall be submitted to the city or county
34    with the appropriate jurisdiction to accept and approve the plat. The city  or
35    county  with  appropriate  jurisdiction  shall have final authority concerning
36    approval of the plat.  If the plat is approved by  the  city  or  county  with
37    appropriate  jurisdiction,  the  highway  district  shall endorse the plat, in
38    accordance with the provisions of section 50-1312, Idaho Code.
39        (10) Prior to the approval of any planned development, special  or  condi-
40    tional  use  projects  subject  to review by the highway district, the city or
41    county having jurisdiction thereof shall submit the  project  to  the  highway
42    district for review and recommendations.  The jurisdiction of the highway dis-
43    trict shall be to determine whether the project complies with the duly enacted
44    standards and policies of the highway district adopted pursuant to the author-
45    ity and within the subject matter of subsection (8) of this section.  The city
46    or  county  with  the appropriate jurisdiction shall have final authority con-
47    cerning approval of the planned development, special or conditional use  proj-
48    ect. 

49        SECTION  2.  That  Section 40-1415, Idaho Code, be, and the same is hereby
50    amended to read as follows:

51        40-1415.  RESPONSIBILITIES  OF  SINGLE    COUNTY-WIDE     
52    COUNTYWIDE    HIGHWAY DISTRICTS WITHIN CITIES -- FINAL DECISION ON URBAN
53    RENEWAL PROJECTS -- SETTLEMENT OF  QUESTIONS.  (1)    County-wide  


                                          4

 1      Countywide    highway districts organized under the provisions of
 2    this chapter, within the limits of any  city  shall  be  responsible  for  the
 3    design, construction, reconstruction and maintenance of city rights-of-way and
 4    accompanying curbs, gutters, culverts, sidewalks, paved medians, bulkheads and
 5    retaining  walls. Within city rights-of-way, design, construction, reconstruc-
 6    tion and maintenance shall include:
 7        (a)  Traffic and safety engineering for both motorist and pedestrian traf-
 8        fic;
 9        (b)  Procurement and installation of highway lighting where it is  primar-
10        ily  of  benefit to the motorist. Energy costs and maintenance of lighting
11        shall subsequently be a function of the city;
12        (c)  Procurement, installation, operation and maintenance of traffic  con-
13        trol devices where they are needed for traffic control; and
14        (d)  Drainage  where  it is necessary for motorist safety or necessary for
15        right-of-way maintenance.
16        (2)  Acquisition and acceptance of rights-of-way shall be the responsibil-
17    ity of the  county-wide   countywide  highway district.
18        (3)  In matters of urban renewal projects, the city  involved  shall  make
19    the  final  decision  concerning  approval of the project based on the overall
20    plan of the city. Prior to approval of an  urban  renewal  project,  the  city
21    shall  submit  the plan to the highway district for review and recommendations
22    in accordance with subsection (1) of this section. The highway district  shall
23    submit  its written recommendations with respect to the proposed urban renewal
24    plan to the city within thirty (30) days after receipt of the plan for review.
25    Upon receipt of the recommendations of the highway district, or if  no  recom-
26    mendations  are  received  within  thirty (30) days, then the city may proceed
27    without recommendations with the hearing on the proposed urban  renewal  proj-
28    ect,  and  the  highway district shall be responsible, as between the city and
29    the highway district, for funding the district's responsibilities as  provided
30    by  subsection (1) of this section. Agreements entered into by a city pursuant
31    to an urban renewal project prior to dissolution of the  city  highway  system
32    and  organization  of the successor highway district shall be binding upon the
33     county-wide   countywide  highway district.
34        (4)  The highway district shall be responsible for planning  and  location
35    of  rights-of-way.  In planning for and determining location of rights-of-way,
36    the highway district shall submit to the appropriate planning agency the  pro-
37    posed  location  of  the  rights-of-way. In locating rights-of-way the highway
38    district shall take into consideration the comprehensive general plan  of  the
39    appropriate  county  or  city planning agency. In planning for the location of
40    rights-of-way, the highway district shall comply with all  appropriate  provi-
41    sions of chapter 65, title 67, Idaho Code.
42        (5)    Prior  to  the approval of any planned development, special or
43    conditional use projects subject to review by the highway district,  the  city
44    or  county having jurisdiction thereof shall submit the project to the highway
45    district for review and recommendations.  The jurisdiction of the highway dis-
46    trict shall be to determine whether the project complies with the duly enacted
47    standards and policies of the highway district adopted pursuant to the author-
48    ity and within the subject matter of subsection (1) of this section  and  sec-
49    tion  40-1310(8),  Idaho Code.  The city or county with the appropriate juris-
50    diction shall have final authority concerning approval of the planned develop-
51    ment, special or conditional use project.
52        (6)   The city shall retain jurisdiction and responsibility for out-
53    standing local improvement district bonds or warrants sold or  issued  by  the
54    city  prior  to dissolution of the city highway system and organization of the
55    successor highway district.


                                          5

 1        ( 6  7 )  All subdivision plats required to be  sub-
 2    mitted for acceptance and approval to the city and the county under the provi-
 3    sions  of  chapter 13, title 50, Idaho Code, shall be submitted to the highway
 4    district for  consideration for acceptance and approval as to  continuity
 5    of  highway  pattern,  widths,  drainage provisions, right-of-way construction
 6    standards, traffic flow, the traffic volume demand occasioned by the  proposed
 7    subdivision  either  within or without the boundaries of the proposed subdivi-
 8    sion, and other matters pertaining to the function  of  the  highway  district
 9       review and recommendations. The jurisdiction of the highway dis-
10    trict shall be to determine whether the subdivision  plat  complies  with  the
11    duly  enacted  standards and policies of the highway district adopted pursuant
12    to the authority and within the subject matter of subsection (1) of this  sec-
13    tion   and  section 40-1310(8), Idaho Code. The recommendations of the highway
14    district shall be submitted to the city or county with  appropriate  jurisdic-
15    tion  to  accept  and  approve  the  plat. The city or county with appropriate
16    jurisdiction shall have final authority concerning approval of  the  plat.  If
17    the  plat is approved by the city or county with appropriate jurisdiction, the
18    highway district shall endorse the plat, in accordance with the provisions  of
19    section 50-1312, Idaho Code .
20        (  7    8 )  Within the limits of any city, the city
21    may expend city funds for the placement, care and removal  of  trees,  shrubs,
22    grass,   and  other  plants,  which  are  located  within  the  rights  -
23    of - way of any highway of the  county-wide  
24    countywide  highway district.
25        ( 8  9 )  A city, after advising the board of  high-
26    way  district commissioners of its intent, shall be responsible for the place-
27    ment, care and removal of any parking meters within the limits  of  any  city,
28    and  for  the  enforcement of ordinances regulating the use of parking meters,
29    which are located within the rights-of-way of any highway of the  county-
30    wide   countywide  highway district. The city shall be  enti-
31    tled to all of the revenues received from parking meters.

32        SECTION  3.  That  Section 50-1312, Idaho Code, be, and the same is hereby
33    amended to read as follows:

34        50-1312.  EFFECT OF ACKNOWLEDGING AND RECORDING PLAT.  The  acknowledgment
35    and  recording of such plat is equivalent to a deed in fee simple of such por-
36    tion of the premises platted as is on such plat set apart for  public  streets
37    or  other  public  use, or as is thereon dedicated to charitable, religious or
38    educational purposes; provided, however, that in a county where a highway dis-
39    trict exists and is in operation no such plat shall be accepted for  recording
40    by the county recorder unless the acceptance of said plat by the commissioners
41    of the highway district is endorsed thereon in writing.  The highway dis-
42    trict  shall  endorse  the  plat if the plat is approved by the city or county
43    with appropriate jurisdiction, as provided in sections  40-1310  and  40-1415,
44    Idaho Code. 

Statement of Purpose / Fiscal Impact


    





                            STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
    
                                  RS 07859
    
    There are over 201 cities, 44 counties and 64 highway 
    districts in Idaho. Any landowner who requests a land use 
    permit or permission to subdivide land must obtain permission 
    from the appropriate general purpose government (either a city 
    or a county, and sometimes both if the land is located in an 
    area of city impact). The landowner's request also may be 
    reviewed by a highway district, which is a special purpose 
    government with statutory authority granted by the 
    legislature.
    
    Jurisdictional questions can arise. For example, a 
    highway district may improperly impose a land use decision 
    that properly falls within the jurisdiction of cities and 
    counties. This legislation will clarify the jurisdiction of 
    general purpose governments to make land use decisions.
    
    This legislation will clarify the jurisdictional 
    authority of highway districts so as to avoid unnecessary 
    lawsuits, help ensure cooperation among governments and 
    expedite the local government land use process.
    
                                FISCAL NOTE
    
    There is no fiscal impact to the general fund. This 
    legislation imposes no additional obligations upon the State 
    of Idaho or upon any units of local government and may save 
    money by avoiding unnecessary lawsuits.
    
    CONTACT: JoAnn C Butler
            607 N 8th Street
            Boise, ID 83702 208-388-1000
    
    STATEMENT OF PURPOSE/FISCAL NOTE
    
    H 693