Nampa planning commission recommends adoption of consolidated Downtown Implementation Plan

Nampa Planning and Zoning Commission recommended adoption of a Downtown Implementation Plan and corresponding changes to the Nampa 2040 Comprehensive Plan at its July 15 meeting, with the commission voting unanimously to forward the recommendation to City Council.

The Downtown Implementation Plan consolidates multiple previously adopted downtown plans, updates the downtown streetscape reference and removes the Central Nampa Revitalization Blueprint from the comprehensive plan, staff said. “This has been a process that we've been undertaking for the last year,” said Doug Critchfield, Principal Planner, who led the presentation. “We hired a consultant ... to refine the recommendations” and produce implementation steps prioritized by feasibility and investment impact.

Staff said the plan focuses on the commercial area inside the Downtown Historic (DH) zoning district and consolidates guidance on housing, economic development, signage, transportation and streetscape elements so developers and staff have a single reference. “One of the things that we were running into was that public works wanted to put in new infrastructure downtown. We had buildings that were aging ... we needed a plan for all of those things to start to work together,” Critchfield said. Senior planner Brianna Sun said the document breaks recommendations into actionable items that list responsible parties, estimated costs and timing; the plan’s appendix lists roles for downtown organizations and city departments so users can find who to contact for permits and approvals.

Staff highlighted findings supporting the amendment: the proposal is consistent with Idaho Code 67-6508 (which requires development of comprehensive plans), updates chapter 15 of the Nampa 2040 Comprehensive Plan to incorporate the new plan, and provides current information for future downtown planning. “Staff concludes that the adoption of the downtown implementation plan and the proposed changes ... provide current and accurate information that can be utilized for future planning in Downtown Nampa,” Sun said.

Commissioner Garner moved to recommend approval; Commissioner Dapper seconded. The motion carried on a voice vote with all present commissioners saying “Aye.” The commission closed the public hearing before deliberation after staff said no public comments had been received.

Next steps identified by staff include work already underway: a form-based code to implement predictable design standards, a feasibility study funded by the Nampa Development Corporation (NDC) for a development site downtown, and outreach events tied to the comprehensive plan update. Staff said the plan is intended to be a flexible, living document with an appendix that can be updated as downtown conditions change.

The commission’s action was a recommendation to city council; final adoption of the plan and the comprehensive plan text amendment requires council approval. No ordinance or ordinance number was cited at the meeting.