Ada County approves variance to allow 120-foot light poles, 50-foot scoreboard at Expo Idaho soccer site

Ada County commissioners on Oct. 8 approved a variance and a modification to a 2023 master site plan to allow the construction of two lighted soccer fields and related facilities at the Expo Idaho parcel at 5610 N. Glenwood Street.

The approval lets the applicant, the Land Group (AC Boise lease area), install field lighting about 120 feet tall, a two-sided scoreboard approximately 53 feet above grade (about 50 feet tall) with a sign face substantially larger than county code allows, and 8-foot fencing within required setbacks. Ada County planning staff recommended approval, saying the proposal otherwise complies with county code and that building permits will be required for structures including the scoreboard.

The variance was sought because the sports-field layout and use were previously approved under a 2023 conditional-use/master-site approval, but the lighting, scoreboard and fencing dimensions exceed specific limits in Ada County code. Ada County planning staff described the applicable standards and explained why the three required variance findings could be met: the relief does not create a special privilege in the base district, the preapproved field layout creates an undue hardship without the…