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Planning commission approves reuse of Boise Armory as religious institution, adds traffic-calming condition
Summary
The Boise Planning and Zoning Commission approved a conditional use permit to convert the National Guard armory at 801 E. Reserve St. into a religious institution and associated offices and small public cafe. The decision passed 4–3 after public testimony urged preservation as a mixed-use neighborhood activity center or a park.
The Planning and Zoning Commission approved a conditional use permit on a 4–3 vote to allow River House to reuse the historic armory building at 801 East Reserve Street as a religious institution with offices and a small public cafe.
Staff presentation and proposal: Planner Doug Wrightson summarized the application as a reuse of the existing two‑story armory on a 4.78‑acre site in the MX‑1 (mixed‑use neighborhood) zone. The project re‑stripes and adds parking, provides a landscaped amenity between the building and Reserve Street, and retains the building’s exterior while making safety, roof and window repairs. Wrightson said the project proposed 244 parking spaces and that a subsequent design review would review facade details required by an existing development agreement (CAR‑129).
Applicant’s case: Elizabeth Keckritz, attorney for the applicant (Givens Pursley), said River House intends to operate a religious institution with office space for about 20–25 staff and a small coffee counter open to the…
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