Council president outlines priorities: revisit modern zoning code, South Boise planning, parks and health-safety gaps

Council President Nash presented a package of council priorities focusing on land-use implementation, neighborhood planning, public-safety gaps and capital projects.

Nash asked staff to publicly commit to a timeline for revisiting the Modern Zoning Code, a pledge carried over from the code's original adoption. Council members discussed staffing, including the potential role of additional urban designers, and emphasized gathering user feedback from applicants, neighborhood associations and developers to guide any changes.

The council discussed South Boise in the context of annexation and area-of-impact planning, including coordination around the airport and protection of land for potential future runways. Nash said the council is interested in exploring annexation of the Gregorio site for future park development if funding (including impact fees) can be aligned; he warned that acquiring park land and fully developing a park are separate, long-term efforts and noted that $5 million from impact-related fees would not fully finance a large park.

Council members also asked staff to examine gaps in the city's process for renovation and demolition of older single-family homes that may contain hazardous materials such as asbestos and lead, and to consider updates to permit processes and enforcement tools to address public-safety concerns.

City staff and council also discussed urban renewal as a tool, noting a recent meeting with the Capital City Development Corporation (CCDC) that clarified when urban renewal is appropriate. The council asked for detailed financial analyses when renewal is proposed.

Other priorities presented included: - A proposed economic relief fund to help small businesses directly impacted by city construction or road projects, to mitigate repeated closures and lost revenue. - A street-lighting inventory and multiyear funding plan to address areas with low lighting and safety concerns; council members suggested working with the Boise Police Department on outreach and prioritization. - Water-supply monitoring in West and Southwest Boise, including better access to well-monitoring data and proactive responses to emerging shortages. - Library facility planning tied to a contractor-led strategic plan and the library board’s recommendations, with capital planning to follow. - Arts, history and culture planning in advance of the nation’s semiquincentennial, and capacity for public-art preservation. - Evaluation of the special-event permitting process and fee structures to ensure the city remains competitive and supportive of established event organizers. - Continued emphasis on parks, pools and pathways projects including Spalding Ranch activation, Alta Harris park phase 1, and multiyear pathway funding proposals.

Council members asked Planning and Development Services staff for an update; the council president noted PDS is scheduled to provide a briefing in the coming weeks addressing staffing and timeline questions.

The priorities presentation concluded with a motion to enter executive session under Idaho law to consult legal counsel regarding pending or imminent litigation.