Council approves two variances — larger RS‑6 lot and industrial frontage landscape waiver

The Nampa City Council approved two land‑use variances at its June 3 meeting, allowing an oversized RS‑6 lot to be built as a single‑family home and permitting an industrial property to replace the standard 15‑foot landscape buffer with xeriscaping.

At 1520 East Washington, the council granted a variance to construct a home on a 12,993‑square‑foot parcel where RS‑6 zoning limits buildable lots to 12,000 square feet. The applicant, George Glines, said the intent was to build a single‑family home; Rodney (planning staff) noted a similar approval next door the previous year and recommended conditions that address legal access and fire‑rating measures for an existing garage that sits close to the adjacent property line. The council approved the variance with conditions requiring verified legal access, certification that the existing garage is suitable for covered parking or alternately that the owner remove portions if necessary, and any building‑code protections needed for walls or soffits within required separation distances.

On Industrial Road, the council approved a variance requested by Pacific Supply (represented by Brett Miller) to avoid installing the standard 15‑foot vegetated buffer in front of an existing industrial building. Staff and the applicant said the corridor is long‑established industrial use with poor soil (rock) and utility poles close to the curb; the applicant proposed a 4‑foot sidewalk, moved-back fence and a xeriscape buffer of native, low‑water plants and rock. Christie (planning staff) said agencies raised no objections and recommended conditions; council approved the variance and required a landscaping plan and sidewalk construction to city specifications.

Both motions passed by roll call with council voting in favor.