Boise City Council approves plat-note vacation for Big Sky lot, holds ordinance on second reading and defers CAR-24-11 to Jan. 7, 2025

The Boise City Council approved a request to vacate a plat note that established a 25-foot side-yard setback for a property in the Big Sky Subdivision, allowing the owner to place a proposed accessory shop 20 feet from the northern property line.

The action came after planning staff summarized the request for the council and recommended approval. Planning staff said the plat note was recorded with Big Sky Subdivision No. 2 in 1971 and covers the property at 4243 North Columbine Street, a 0.93-acre lot in the R1ABCDOSH0 residential large-lot district with the Big Sky neighborhood overlay. The applicant told the council they agreed to the staff conditions and no members of the public testified on the item.

The council’s move to vacate the plat note allows the accessory structure to be placed at a 20-foot side setback consistent with the Big Sky overlay; staff noted the owner must obtain a zoning compliance review for an accessory structure larger than 1,000 square feet before construction. A council member moved approval of SOS 24-9; the motion passed on a voice/roll call vote with all members voting in favor.

Separately, councilors asked to pause consideration of ORD-34-24 after members said they had outstanding questions following a recent work session. A council member requested unanimous consent that ORD-34-24 "hold its place on the second reading calendar until January 14, 2025;" the mayor said, "Without objection," and the council agreed to delay further action while staff and stakeholders, including Treefort and Bridal representatives, continue discussions. Council members discussed the possibility of returning the ordinance on an expedited second and third reading but said additional follow-up at the Jan. 7 hearing may be required to enable that timing.

The council also voted to defer CAR 24-11 to a date certain, Jan. 7, 2025, citing site-posting requirements. A council member moved the deferral; the motion carried unanimously. Following the vote a councilor asked the clerk to confirm the year, and the mover clarified the intended date was Jan. 7, 2025.

Other routine business included approval of the minutes for the Dec. 3, 2024 work session and regular meeting and approval of the consent agenda, both carried by unanimous vote.

Votes at a glance

- Approval of minutes (Dec. 3, 2024): motion passed; roll-call recorded as all in favor. - Consent agenda: motion passed; roll-call recorded as all in favor. - ORD-34-24: unanimous consent to hold its place on the second-reading calendar until Jan. 14, 2025; council directed staff to continue stakeholder discussions and prepare to return the ordinance. - SOS 24-9 (vacation of plat note; 4243 North Columbine Street): motion to approve carried unanimously. Planning staff recommended approval; applicant agreed to conditions. The accessory structure will require a zoning compliance review if over 1,000 sq. ft. - CAR 24-11: motion to defer to Jan. 7, 2025 for site-posting requirements; carried unanimously.

Council procedure and context

Planning staff presented the SOS 24-9 item and recommended the plat-note vacation apply only to the subject property so the owner could retain an irrigation line and landscaping. Staff reiterated that a zoning compliance review is required for accessory structures exceeding 1,000 square feet.

Council members raised timing questions about ORD-34-24 after reviewing it at a recent work session. Staff said they had been in contact with affected stakeholders and would work with the city attorney’s office to determine whether the ordinance could be returned for expedited readings, but noted additional action at the Jan. 7 hearing may be necessary to change the reading schedule.

Meeting close

The council adjourned after taking the listed actions. A councilor asked the clerk to confirm the deferred hearing date for CAR 24-11; the mover clarified the intended year as 2025.