Nampa council approves variances to keep roundabout and widening projects on track; authorizes right-of-way negotiations

The Nampa City Council on Monday approved a package of zoning variances and then authorized staff to negotiate right-of-way acquistions needed to build two linked transportation projects on North Side Boulevard.

Crystal Craig, director of transportation for the City of Nampa and the applicant for the variance, told the council the work covers two adjacent projects: a roundabout at North Side Boulevard and Carter Road and a widening of North Side Boulevard north to Birch Lane. Craig said the roundabout work is being built with a freight grant through the Idaho Transportation Department (she stated a total project cost of about $5.7 million with a $5.2 million ITD freight grant) and the widening is being completed with an Economic Development Administration grant (she said the widening project is roughly $6.1 million with an EDA grant just under $3 million). Craig told the council the variances would allow relocation of existing chain-link fencing to the property line and smaller landscape buffers, avoiding the demolition or relocation of nearby buildings that otherwise could jeopardize the grants.

Christy Watkins, principal planner, reviewed the five variance criteria and conditions of approval. She said the comprehensive plan designates the corridor for industrial uses, that engineering and multiple agencies had reviewed the request with no objections, and that newly installed fencing otherwise would have to meet current design-reviewed standards rather than chain link with slats.

Brian Warick, assistant engineering manager for Amalgamated Sugar, spoke in support and said the company ‘‘concur[s] with [staff’s] conclusions’’ and prefers to maintain ‘‘chain link as the standard that was set years ago.’’ After closing the public hearing, the council voted unanimously to approve the variances. The council then voted to authorize staff to negotiate right-of-way acquisition to construct the roundabout and widening; the motion referenced an estimated negotiated amount shown on the screen of $1,089,614.76 and said the funding is approved in the FY26 budget.

Council members and staff said the project is intended to preserve freight capacity and pedestrian improvements on a narrow, built-out corridor. Craig warned that if the city cannot grant the variances or reach agreement on fence type with property owners, ‘‘the projects will likely stall and die’’ and the city could face grant repayment obligations.

The council’s motions were accompanied by the staff conditions of approval; engineering will oversee right-of-way documents and construction specifications. No council member voted against the actions.