Boise planners recommend MX1 rezone, approve subdivision and variance for 1907 West Jefferson project

The Boise City Planning and Zoning Commission on Monday recommended the City Council rezone about 1.96 acres at 1907 West Jefferson Street to MX1, recommended approval of a preliminary plat to create 21 residential lots, one commercial lot and two common lots, and approved a variance to reduce the MX1 rear setback to allow consolidated vehicle access from an internal common lot.

The planning team told the commission the rezone, preliminary plat and variance (CAR-25-17 / CBA-25-34 / SUB-25-50 and CVA-25-34) would permit a mixed‑use subdivision of 21 townhome units, one neighborhood‑scale commercial space and two common lots while meeting the MX1 zone’s streetscape and landscaping standards. Planner Jesse said the proposed townhomes would be two to three stories, “the proposed rezone is appropriate” given proximity to activity centers, bus routes and bike facilities, and that the planning team “recommends approval.”

Commissioners heard from the applicant, Ben Semple of Rodney Evans and Partners, who said the team agreed with the staff report and agency comments and described project details including consolidated alley access, a small commercial “bodega” concept at the northeast corner, internal guest parking and a secured bicycle storage building on the common lot. Semple said the project would retain most existing street trees, add roughly 70 new trees of 13 species on site, and provide about 23% of the site as landscaped open area (0.25 acre on site, 0.43 acre including right‑of‑way landscaping).

Neighbors and other speakers urged denial or changes,…