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Council forms ad hoc committee to guide Garden City transportation master plan through USDOT Thriving Communities program
Summary
Council adopted Resolution 12-12-25 to establish an ad hoc steering committee to help develop a unified Garden City Master Streets/transportation plan under the USDOT Thriving Communities program; staff said the goal is plan adoption by November.
Garden City — The City Council voted Monday to establish an ad hoc committee to assist development of a Garden City transportation master plan under the U.S. Department of Transportation Thriving Communities program.
City staff explained the Thriving Communities program is a capacity-building USDOT initiative intended to help smaller jurisdictions marshal planning resources and partner with regional agencies. The proposed master plan aims to unify local and regional documents so that Garden City has a single vision for how numbered streets, the Greenbelt and connections to state and county facilities (including Chinden/State Highway transitions) will function as redevelopment occurs.
"The idea behind that program is that it's capacity building for jurisdictions that might have a bit harder time with capacity, maybe funding or staffing," staff said. The steering committee suggested in the resolution would include the core group involved to date — USDOT Thriving Communities representatives, Garden City Development Services, COMPASS, Ada County Highway District (ACHD), and Valley Regional transit/BRT — and would coordinate with partner agencies such as the City of Boise, Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) and Ada County.
Why it matters: Staff said a unified transportation plan could reduce the "ping-pong" effect where redevelopment applicants are bounced between agencies and could clarify expectations for roadway, pedestrian and bicycle improvements. Staff also said the program may improve Garden City's prospects for grant funding for sidewalks and bike infrastructure, though public dollars are not guaranteed.
Timeline and adoption: Staff told the council the target is to bring a draft plan for council review and adoption by November, which would close out the city's participation in the USDOT program portion described in the packet. Council members asked about how adoption would affect partner agencies; staff said the intent is collaboration and that adoption by partner agencies (ACHD, ITD, Boise) is hoped for but not required for Garden City to adopt its plan.
Vote: The council adopted Resolution 12-12-25 by roll call vote.
Details: The ad hoc committee will include steering-level partners and a broader partner tier for agency coordination, plus outreach to internal departments, public safety, businesses and the public as part of plan development.
