Idaho Falls planning commission recommends against rezoning Woodrow Circle parcels to R3A

The Idaho Falls Planning and Zoning Commission on Aug. 5 voted to recommend denial of a rezone application that would change portions of Lot 4 and 5 of the Hudson Addition (Woodrow Circle area) from Highway Commercial to R3A residential mixed use.

The vote followed about an hour of public comment and commission discussion about traffic, infrastructure and the property’s zoning history. Commissioner Khrushchev Cantu moved that the commission not approve the applicant’s request; the motion passed 3–1 (Cantu, Ogden, Meade voted aye; Commissioner Eiler voted nay). The commission’s recommendation will be transmitted to the mayor and city council, who have final authority.

Why it matters: Residents, business owners and the commission raised concerns that changing the parcel to denser residential use could worsen existing congestion on Woodruff and Lincoln roads and place added pressure on arterial intersections that city staff and regional planners have already flagged for improvement.

Developer pitch and site history Danny, representing the applicant, said the proposal would return the parcels to R3A to allow for-sale townhomes aimed at a market priced about $275,000 to $325,000. He told the commission the site already has utility and roadway work in place on Woodrow Circle…