A proposal would remove five single-family homes in Boise’s East End, and build a series of 18 townhomes.
Townhomes on the Ave, LLC applied to build the project at the corner of Avenue H and Logan St., near the Boise Armory and new Bike Skills Park.
To build the “Armory Avenue” project, developers will need a slew of approvals from the City of Boise. A planned unit development permit, design review, a setback variance, and a floodplain application will all need city approval. The rezoning application will allow for a higher density on the parcels.
Homes to give way
Though not mentioned in the application letter, five existing homes on the property would need to make way for the project. The homes appeared to be occupied as of Monday morning. According to property records, the houses date to the 1920s and 1930s.
The plan calls for the 18 townhomes, with 11 of them situated along either Avenue H or Logan St. The remaining seven townhomes would sit internal to the property. A new internal driveway would provide access to the houses, with integrated garages. The 18 individual units would be spread across eight buildings. All but two of the townhomes are proposed to be three stories in height.
The site plan calls for a gathering area at the corner of Ave. H and Logan.
“The public spaces will have raised planters, trees, and seating to create a space for neighbors to meet, which will help strengthen the feeling of community within this area of the East End neighborhood,” Ben Semple with Rodney Evans + Partners PLLC wrote in an application letter.
Zoning in Boise
The City of Boise has 23 different types of land zoning. Each dictates what can be built on a parcel – as well as attributes like parking, density and building height.
For example, there are six subtypes of residential zoning, from R-1A (single family residential on a large lot) to R-3 (multi-family residential). The city also has a variety of “other” types, including U for the area around Boise State University and HS for hospitals.
In addition, there are specific plans like those for the Barber Valley, neighborhood plans and conservation districts.
If a landowner wants to build a project not allowed by the current zoning, they must go through an approval process with the City of Boise – which includes public hearings.
The City of Boise requires 36 parking spaces for the project, and developers propose 36. The plan also calls for 20 bike slots.
Crews will cut down some of the trees on the property, and plant 40 new trees. Landscapers will retain one large blue spruce tree.
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