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Council approves Eastport Industrial preliminary plat despite neighborhood concerns about drainage and site cleanup
Summary
Council approved a seven-lot preliminary plat for the Eastport Industrial subdivision on roughly 78 acres; neighbors in Blue Valley raised repeated concerns about an incomplete berm, rocks and debris falling onto residential property, drainage failures during heavy storms and construction-site management; staff and the applicant said engineered stormwater basins and on-site retention will be constructed and that landscaping and tree screening are required before occupancy.
Boise City Council approved the Eastport Industrial preliminary plat (SUB25-52) on June 16, authorizing subdivision of approximately 78 acres into seven industrial lots that will support roughly 1.0–1.2 million square feet of warehouse space across multiple buildings. The proposal carries forward a previously approved design-review plan (DRH22-000074) and includes required landscape buffering, public road extensions and stormwater controls.
Planning staff (David Moer) described the project as a preliminary plat that implements the site design approved in 2022. The staff presentation noted the site is in the airport influence area and includes overlays for wildland-urban interface and floodplain protection. "The subdivision includes the construction of new public roads, private service drives, service parking, parking lots, and landscaping," staff said, and reminded council the planning and zoning commission recommended approval.
Resident testimony at the hearing centered on the neighborhood’s experience with ongoing construction-staging impacts and the condition of the north landscape buffer (the berm). Multiple neighbors from Blue Valley described the berm as incomplete, said construction crews had tossed rocks and debris that reached resident yards, and reported lights, noise and perceived harassment of residents by crews. Resident Cara Kaine said the project was "heartbreaking" for neighbors and requested "fairness, transparency and consideration for the 300 families who call Blue Valley home." She and other residents urged the city to ensure the berm, tree screening and other mitigation are completed on schedule.
The applicant and their representative (Jeff Bower) said the design review approval includes a double row of mixed class two and three trees on the north landscape buffer, and that the berm and landscaping are required per the design-review conditions. Bower said mass grading and foundation work had progressed and that foundations and pads for some buildings were already in place; he added landscaping is typically installed after paving and final construction because irrigation and utility work must be finished first. Bower said stormwater basins and infiltration systems have been engineered for the full 78-acre site and will be constructed as parcels move through final plat and permitting.
Council members acknowledged the neighborhood’s distress and asked staff to follow up. Staff noted a design-review condition requires the north landscape buffer and fencing to be completed prior to building occupancy, and public works said stormwater must be retained on site to meet drainage manual standards. Several council members urged the applicant to speed tree planting and work with the neighborhood association on communication. The council voted to approve the preliminary plat; conditions and the prior design-review requirements remain in force and will attach to final plats and permits.
