Should the Foothills above Hillside Junior High become a housing development?

A developer has requested to change the status of the Eyrie Subdivision's "unbuildable" lot currently set aside as "Open Space." If approved this would allow road access for a new Foothills subdivision. The public hearing is scheduled during the Planning & Zoning commission meeting on Monday, September 16th at City Hall at 6 pm.  The deadline for submitting letters is Sept 6th. You may also testify at the September 16th meeting if you wish to comment in person. See details at the end of this survey.

Details: The proposed subdivision would include developing an Open Space lot within Eyrie Canyon subdivision designated by the City of Boise as ‘unbuildable’ during Eyrie Canyon’s approval in 2009.  As part of the subdivision approval, Planning & Zoning Commission determined this lot was to remain "Open Space".  The Open Space parcel also contains a trail that was required as a condition of approval. No alternative has been proposed.

• Both parcels are very steep and exceed the City’s thresh hold for development of 25% slope. Nearly the entirety of both parcels is steeper than 25%.

• Because of the steep terrain, significant cut and fill would occur and the topography would be visibly altered. Some areas would require over 80’ of fill dirt taken from the tops of the foothills to create streets and building pads.  The developer proposes to take 50 feet of hilltop from the prominent ridge, which can be seen from Hill Road intersection dog bone, Hillside Jr High, Quail Hollow Golf Course, much of the Collister and Sunset neighborhoods and throughout of the Treasure Valley.  The City’s Blueprint Boise plan and Hillside Development Ordinance discourages development of prominent ridge lines.

• This area has already experienced threatening fires with limited access out of the area. There is only one road in and out of the proposed subdivision. There is no secondary access if the main access is cut off due to fire.

The Central Foothills Neighborhood Association is encouraging the City of Boise and Land Trust of the Treasure Valley to purchase this property to complete the Hillside to Hollow Reserve.  This acquisition would guarantee Foothills trail access, wildlife and native plant habitat, and preserve the natural foothills's beauty in this area for generations to come.   

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* 1. How do you feel this issue should be addressed?

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* 2. Which neighborhood do you currently live in?

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* 3. How important is Foothills access and preservation to you? (slide to answer)

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* 4. If Foothills' access and preservation is important to you, please explain why.

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* 5. If you would like to be notified regarding future Foothills' issues, please add your contact information: 

The City of Boise's Planning & Zoning Commission hearing on this issue is scheduled for Monday, September 16th at City Hall. The deadline for submitting letters to the P&Z Commission is Sept 6th.
Send letters to: City Planning and Development Services
Attn: Cody Riddle
Email: criddle@cityofboise.org
Snail mail: City Hall
PO Box 500
Boise, Id. 83701-0500
Reference: CFH19-00055 and SUB 19-00034. 2317 W Winter Camp Drive

Thank you for completing this survey.

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