Nampa City Council considers variances for Green Star Foods downtown development

The City Council of Nampa, Idaho, convened on April 21, 2025, for a regular meeting that addressed several key agenda items, primarily focusing on a variance request related to a downtown business zoning project.

The meeting began with a discussion regarding a landscape buffer adjustment for a 0.52-acre parcel located at 95 Second Street, representing Green Star Foods. The applicant, Jeff Lykes, sought a reduction in the width of the landscaping buffer along Northside Boulevard. This request was part of a broader variance application that included multiple components necessary for the development of the site.

Chad Jones from ALC Architecture presented on behalf of the applicant, explaining the need for the variance due to previous approvals that had expired without construction. He noted that the property faced unique challenges, including encumbrances that hindered compliance with setback requirements for landscaping, parking, and vehicle maneuvering.

Principal Planner Kristi Watkins elaborated on the specifics of the variance request, which included three main components: a reduction of the 15-foot landscape buffer along Northside Boulevard, adjustments to the vehicle maneuvering area within the street side yard setback, and a variance for the required 10-foot emergency escape lane adjacent to the drive-thru. Watkins emphasized that the property is zoned for downtown business use and is surrounded by various commercial establishments.

The council learned that the original variance was approved in 2014 but had since lapsed. The property’s layout and the legal obligations stemming from a court ruling in 2007 complicated the site’s design, making it difficult to meet standard regulations while ensuring adequate access for delivery trucks and customer traffic.

Watkins outlined the five criteria for granting the variance, highlighting that strict adherence to regulations would impose undue hardship on the applicant due to the unique characteristics of the property. She noted that no public or agency objections had been received regarding the request, and city engineering had reviewed the layout without identifying any traffic concerns.

The council engaged in a thorough discussion of the implications of the variance, considering both the operational needs of the proposed business and the surrounding community's interests. Following the presentations and deliberations, the council moved towards a decision on the variance request, which is expected to facilitate the development of the site while addressing the necessary regulatory adjustments.

In conclusion, the meeting underscored the complexities involved in urban development within Nampa, particularly in balancing business needs with regulatory compliance and community standards. The council's forthcoming decision will be pivotal in determining the future of the downtown business project at 95 Second Street.