Votes at a glance: Kuna council approves multiple plats, Jasper Solar ACI removal and time extension

KUNA, Idaho — The Kuna City Council approved several routine land-use and administrative items Tuesday, including preliminary plats for two residential subdivisions, a comprehensive plan map amendment removing state-owned parcels from the city’s area of city impact for the Jasper Solar project, a time extension for Grand Prado Number 4, and final paperwork related to the Gemstone Technology Park decision.

Votes at a glance:

- Case 25-01-S (preliminary plat): Approved. Charlie Tipton, the applicant, requested preliminary plat approval for approximately 7.95 acres already zoned R-4 to be subdivided into 17 residential lots and three common lots at 360 South Strobel (applicant’s presentation and plans were accepted by staff). Council approved the preliminary plat by voice vote.

- Case 25-01-CPM (Jasper Solar comprehensive plan map amendment): Approved. Desiree-led Jasper Solar requested the removal of seven parcels totaling roughly 876 acres from Kuna’s area of city impact so the project could proceed under Ada County permitting (project proponents said the planned project is a 150 MW solar array plus 150 MW/4-hour battery on leased Department of Corrections land; the developer said the parcels currently generate no property tax revenue for Kuna). Council approved the map amendment; staff noted the action removes those parcels from the city’s ACI but does not approve the project itself, which will require county permitting.

- Case 25-06-TE (Grand Prado No. 4 time-extension): Approved. Staff reported the applicant requested a second time extension for final plat recording because of coordination delays with the city, Ada County Highway District (ACHD) and Idaho Power. Construction drawings are approved and construction is substantially underway; council approved the time extension.

- Case 24-01-CPM / Rezone (Gemstone Technology Park) — Decision and reason statement: Approved. Council approved the written decision and associated memoranda of understanding that were required as a condition of approval; the motion carried with recorded votes.

- Resolution R41-2025 (authorization for mayor to sign MOU for voluntary police contribution related to Gemstone): Approved.

What the council heard: City planner Marina Lundy presented the plat and extension items. For Jasper Solar, Caitlin Clancy and project consultants described a solar-plus-storage project sited mostly on Idaho Department of Corrections land approximately seven miles east of Kuna. The applicant said the project is projected to create roughly 150–200 construction jobs for about a year and three full-time site technician positions during operations; the developer also described a vegetation-management and drainage plan that will be required by Ada County.

Staff notes and procedural points: Planning and zoning director Doug Hansen reminded the council that the ACI map amendment is a comprehensive-plan action only and does not permit the project itself. He also clarified that since recent code changes the city requires geotechnical evaluations with preliminary plats and that the city now handles certain time-extension requests differently (extensions may be two years under the new code). City Attorney Mark Bybee advised the council that late submissions to the record cannot become the basis for a decision after the public hearing has closed.

All items listed above were approved by the council at the May 20 meeting; recorded roll calls and motions are noted below.