Star City Council approves conditional use permit for new Pollard Elementary amid traffic concerns

The Star City Council on Tuesday approved a conditional use permit for a new elementary school on Pollard Lane, moving the project forward despite sustained public concern about traffic and emergency access.

The council’s 3-1 vote followed a public hearing in which neighbors, the school district and design consultants debated pick-up/drop-off routing, a proposed northern access, use of a manual gate to manage flows and the need for ACHD review and potential roadway improvements. Councilman Nielsen cast the lone dissenting vote.

Council members and staff said the city and the applicant had been working with Ada County Highway District on traffic mitigation; ACHD has moved Pollard improvements up in its five-year plan and was asked to review signal and turning-lane needs. Staff recommended and the council included permit conditions requiring the applicant to work with ACHD on traffic mitigation and to provide landscape buffering and a north-pathway connection to adjacent neighborhoods.

David Reinhart, speaking for the applicant, said the district aims to open the school in fall 2026 if permits and the school board’s approval proceed as planned. He told the council the design includes extensive stacking — places for parents to queue for drop-off — and that the district is coordinating with ACHD and the board to finalize traffic measures.

Residents who spoke at the hearing described existing gridlock around Star Middle School and warned that adding an elementary could lengthen the times they are unable to leave their homes. Ron Weiniger, a nearby resident, said, “My biggest concern is really the traffic issues that are created,” and asked the council to delay approval until traffic fixes are in place. Maxine McCombs urged a signal at the intersection, saying the existing conditions create “a rat race” at pick-up times.

Design consultants presented a revised site plan that adds a secondary north access lane, preserves a green pedestrian axis and proposes a manual ‘‘pipe gate’’ that can be unlocked by the fire department or school staff to open a secondary exit when needed. Landscape architect Sean Connor said the secondary access would create roughly 700 linear feet of drop-off space coming from the north and allow alternate exit routes with controlled access.

Mayor Chadwick and other council members said they recognize the safety concerns but argued the city and school district must balance the community’s pressing need for classroom capacity with traffic mitigation steps that require ACHD action. Councilman Hershey, who made the motion to approve with conditions, said staff’s recommended conditions were intended to ensure the school’s site and traffic plans are coordinated with ACHD before construction activity proceeds.

The council recorded the motion to approve the conditional use permit, moved by Councilman Hershey and seconded by Councilman Wheelock. Roll call: Hershey — aye; Wheelock — aye; Salmonson — aye; Nielsen — nay. The permit passed 3-1. The council’s recorded conditions include requirements for landscape buffers, a north-pathway connection to River Creek, and coordination with ACHD on any off-site traffic improvements; staff recommended a condition that construction permits not be used until ACHD has reviewed and made recommendations for Pollard Lane and Floating Feather Road.

The school district said funding for the building comes from state legislation (House Bill 521) and that the funds do not expire. The district emphasized it was working to limit student bus rides to Eagle and other districts by bringing capacity closer to the growing Star community.

With the council approval the district plans to take the CUP to its board of trustees for final authorization and to submit the site and building plans for city permitting.