Boise City commission approves neighborhood cafe at 1504 W. Lemp with material, lighting and paving conditions

The Boise City Historic Preservation Commission approved a design review for a proposed neighborhood cafe at 1504 West Lemp Street, allowing the Turpins to move forward provided they change the fireplace material, switch vertical siding to horizontal lap siding, replace uplighting with shielded or down-directed fixtures, and include some permeable paving on site.

The commission’s decision follows a staff recommendation of denial based on the department’s assessment that the contemporary storefront, clerestory windows and materials “do not meet the guidelines” and are incongruous with the district. As staff put it in its report, “Therefore, staff recommends denial.”

The project, presented by applicants Brandon and Christina Turpin and architect Rob Bueson of Humble Architects, proposes a small commercial building on the northwest corner of Fifteenth and Lemp, immediately north of Washington Elementary School. The applicants and their architect told the commission they designed the cafe to support walkability and neighborhood gathering while differentiating new work from old architecture, and said they had met with neighbors and Planning & Zoning staff during the design process. “We’re excited to discuss our cafe and market project,” Brandon Turpin said during his presentation.

Neighborhood association representative Sandra Herman told the commission she had been “struck by how well the project's massing and form matched the existing homes on the block,” and several nearby residents who testified at the hearing said they supported the project while urging careful attention to traffic, parking and construction impacts. A handful of neighbors said large windows and at‑grade entrances are already present on nearby properties and on school buildings, and that the proposed cafe’s outdoor space could be an asset to neighborhood walkability.

During deliberation commissioners acknowledged the project’s scale and massing as generally compatible with the North End but raised concerns about specific materials and details. Commissioners repeatedly questioned the proposed board‑formed concrete fireplace and chimney and the use of continuous vertical siding. Commissioner Owens, who moved approval, said the project could proceed if the fireplace material were replaced with one “we see more often in the district” and if vertical siding were converted to horizontal lap siding. The motion—moved by Commissioner Owens and seconded by Commissioner Otter—required staff review to finalize acceptable materials, and additional conditions calling for shielded or down‑directed exterior lighting and some permeable paving on site.

Commissioners also noted that off‑street parking is not provided; staff reported the applicant previously received a variance and that off‑street parking is not required for this proposal, so parking was not a factor for the commission’s decision. The commission voted 5‑0 to approve the project with the conditions.

The commission’s rules noted at the start of the hearing that any decision may be appealed to the City Council if an appeal is filed within 10 days by someone who provided written or oral testimony at the meeting. The applicants will return to staff for conformity review on the conditioned items and may proceed with permits once staff signs off on the agreed materials and lighting.