Council denies request to downzone nine historic Resague Street properties; staff had recommended denial
October 14, 2025 | Boise City, Boise, Ada County, Idaho
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Boise City Council denied a voluntary application from nine property owners to rezone several parcels on West Resague Street from R‑2 with historic design overlay to R‑1C with historic design overlay.
Applicants — owners of nine historic homes built between about 1909 and 1912 — argued that the R‑2 boundary adopted in 1966 bifurcated the historic Highland Park plat, leaving the nine houses outside the R‑1C area to the north. They said the current map is a technical error and that changed circumstances (including the creation or expansion of historic overlay districts and changes to the modern zoning code) justify correcting the boundary to protect the historic homes and preserve neighborhood character. Applicants said many of the homes have been restored at substantial cost and that preserving transition standards will help protect those investments.
City planning staff recommended denial. Staff found no technical mapping error or change in condition compelling enough to support the downzone, noted the R‑2 district has been in place since adoption of the development code and that R‑2 was intentionally used as a transition zone between State Street commercial areas and the residential neighborhood to the north. Staff also noted some existing homes near the proposed area would become nonconforming to proposed R‑1C front yard setbacks and that the code already provides historic overlay protections and transition standards for redevelopment.
The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended denial. Dozens of nearby residents and nine property owners testified in favor of the rezone at the council hearing, describing restoration work, community ties and neighborhood character. The North End Neighborhood Association told council it supported the application.
Council members discussed the competing goals of protecting historic neighborhoods and enabling higher density near State Street. Several council members said the request was unusual and noted the challenge of drawing map lines consistently across the city; others said the city has already adopted protections and that broad changes would require citywide policy work. After deliberation, the council voted to deny the rezone. The recorded roll call showed unanimous support for denial.
Applicants — owners of nine historic homes built between about 1909 and 1912 — argued that the R‑2 boundary adopted in 1966 bifurcated the historic Highland Park plat, leaving the nine houses outside the R‑1C area to the north. They said the current map is a technical error and that changed circumstances (including the creation or expansion of historic overlay districts and changes to the modern zoning code) justify correcting the boundary to protect the historic homes and preserve neighborhood character. Applicants said many of the homes have been restored at substantial cost and that preserving transition standards will help protect those investments.
City planning staff recommended denial. Staff found no technical mapping error or change in condition compelling enough to support the downzone, noted the R‑2 district has been in place since adoption of the development code and that R‑2 was intentionally used as a transition zone between State Street commercial areas and the residential neighborhood to the north. Staff also noted some existing homes near the proposed area would become nonconforming to proposed R‑1C front yard setbacks and that the code already provides historic overlay protections and transition standards for redevelopment.
The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended denial. Dozens of nearby residents and nine property owners testified in favor of the rezone at the council hearing, describing restoration work, community ties and neighborhood character. The North End Neighborhood Association told council it supported the application.
Council members discussed the competing goals of protecting historic neighborhoods and enabling higher density near State Street. Several council members said the request was unusual and noted the challenge of drawing map lines consistently across the city; others said the city has already adopted protections and that broad changes would require citywide policy work. After deliberation, the council voted to deny the rezone. The recorded roll call showed unanimous support for denial.
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