Kuna planners approve Jimmy John’s design review; applicant to add shade trees

The Kuna Planning and Zoning Commission approved design review for a proposed Jimmy John’s restaurant (case 25-07-DR) on approximately 0.56 acres in the Ashton Acres subdivision at its May 2025 meeting. The 876-square-foot restaurant will sit near Meridian Road and Profile Road and will have 15 parking spaces, including one ADA space, as shown in the application packet.

Marina Lundy, planner in Kuna’s Development Services Department, summarized staff review and said the project must meet Kuna City code, Idaho statutes and the Kuna Comprehensive Plan. Lundy also noted the applicant must provide an updated trash-enclosure plan that meets J and M sanitation standards prior to receiving the condition in the staff report.

Commissioners focused discussion on landscaping and heat‑island concerns. Staff recommended adding more shade trees to reduce heat-island effects but had not made that a required condition in its draft report. Commissioners asked whether the applicant would accept a condition to enhance the landscaping plan; the applicant agreed to work with staff.

A motion to approve case 25-07-DR passed; the motion included an added condition that the applicant work with city staff to “enhance the landscape plan to maximize the number of shade trees, with an expected number of approximately 2 to 4” in locations to be determined with staff. Commissioners and staff also discussed that lighting should comply with Kuna’s dark‑sky standards and that final landscaping locations and species would be coordinated between the applicant and staff.

The approval requires the applicant to meet the remaining technical conditions listed in the staff report before moving forward.