Boise council upholds planning commission approval for River House’s plan to restore Reserve Street Armory

Boise City Council on Tuesday denied an appeal of CUP 25-11 and upheld the Planning and Zoning Commission’s approval of a conditional use permit that would allow River House to adapt the historic Reserve Street Armory into a two-story religious facility with a publicly accessible cafe and outdoor green space.

The council’s decision affirms the commission’s finding that the application met the criteria required by Boise’s development code and that no procedural or legal error had been demonstrated in the appeal record.

The armory at 801 East Reserve Street has sat largely vacant for decades, and River House’s proposal calls for a rehabilitation of the listed historic structure, restoration of the exterior, sidewalk and streetscape improvements, a grassy public-facing amenity with seating, and interior renovations that would include worship space, classrooms and a lobby coffee service open to the public.

Associate planner Doug Exton told the council the planning team found the proposal met the five required findings for a conditional use permit and that the commission’s deliberations, including added conditions, were adequately documented. “The planning team recommends council deny the appeal,” Exton said during his presentation.

Appellant Javier Muriel told the council he filed the appeal to…