Planning commission recommends approval of Bend subdivision at 5727 West Hill Road

The Boise City Planning and Zoning Commission on a unanimous roll-call vote recommended approval of SUB25-6, the Bend subdivision, a preliminary and final plat to create 53 buildable lots and nine common lots on 8.13 acres at 5727 West Hill Road.

The recommendation follows staff findings that the proposed plat complies with the conditions of an earlier plan unit development approval (PUD21-00057) granted in 2022 and with applicable subdivision findings under the city code. Planning staff advised the commission that the PUD remains active because site infrastructure was installed under the prior approval.

Planning staff member David Moser said the project matches the approved PUD design and that the Ada County Highway District (ACHD) reviewed the project and noted sufficient traffic capacity on adjacent roads. "The planning team finds that the preliminary and final plan application complies with all the required findings as per code, and as such, recommends approval of the subdivision," Moser said.

Kent Adamson, the project applicant with River Ridge Engineering, told the commission most of the site work is complete. "We've constructed this entire project almost. I mean, it's got down to pavement at this point, so it's pretty much there," Adamson said.

Travis Perry of Core Building Company said the developer's preliminary pricing analysis anticipates new-home starting prices near $575,000. "We anticipate being able to bring homes to the market at about $575,000 would be our starting lowest price," Perry said.

A nearby resident testifying during public comment, David Zimpleman of 5626 West Hill Road, said his chief concern was the project density and safety on Hill Road. "My biggest concern ... is the density. This is already a road that's just full of traffic," Zimpleman said, adding concerns about bicyclists and a blind curve near the site.

In response, the applicant and staff noted the PUD and prior ACHD review inform the project's density and access design. Adamson said there are two accesses to the site—a main access and a fire access—and that the developer will install detached sidewalks along Hill Road and a multi-use pathway adjacent to the irrigation lateral as part of the project.

Commissioner Miguel Torres moved to recommend approval of SUB25-6 "with all the terms and conditions in the staff report;" Commissioner Ceja seconded. The clerk called the roll: Schaeffer—Yes; Moore—Yes; DeHaan—Yes; Torres—Yes. The motion carried.

The commission's recommendation will move to the City Council as the next review step for the subdivision.