Commission approves redesigned house at 1616 N. 25th St. after applicant reduces height and garage size

The Boise City Historic Preservation Commission voted to approve an updated design for a new residence at 1616 North 25th Street after the applicant made design changes recommended at a prior hearing.

Staff told the commission the applicant reduced overall height by 4 feet, reworked massing and kept the accessory parking structure under 1,000 square feet and 22 feet tall so it qualifies for the reduced setback. The staff changed its recommendation from denial to approval because the revised height, massing and contextual features better match the historic block.

Architect Lars Hansen, representing the applicant, said the redesign moves toward a "story-and-a-half" aesthetic, reduced the house from 31 feet, 5 inches to 27 feet, 6 inches and cut the garage from three bays to two. He also explained the site has an unusual lot-deep discrepancy resulting from an alley widening that reduced lot depth by about 10 feet; the applicant said that change affects the practical lot-coverage calculation.

Neighborhood representatives thanked the applicant for revisions but asked the commission to push the design closer to the 35% lot-coverage maximum. Commissioner Malloy and Commissioner Moore said they believed the applicant met the standards after the changes, though both acknowledged concerns about lot coverage. Malloy moved to approve DRH25-00351 with staff recommendations; Moore seconded, and a roll-call vote carried the motion unanimously.

The commission's approval adopts staff findings that the project now complies with residential historic-district design guidelines and the Secretary of the Interior standards; commissioners noted the neighborhood should continue to monitor lot-coverage impacts on drainage and neighborhood character.