Boise launches 12‑month area‑planning effort for South Airport, East Columbia and a 'Third Bench' expansion

Maureen Brewer, city planning director, outlined a 12‑month area‑plan process covering three priority areas: South of the Airport (focused on airport expansion and industrial uses), East Columbia (housing near jobs, constrained by secondary access for evacuation), and a conceptual 'Third Bench' (potential mix of housing, trails and conserved open space). Brewer framed the planning around four principles: creating housing variety, minimizing resource use, expanding mobility options, and ensuring growth pays for itself.

Staff goals and coordination: Brewer said the South Airport plan will require close coordination with Ada County Highway District (ACHD) and the Capital City Development Corporation (CCDC) to pursue Orchard realignment and Lake Hazel extension on ACHD's five‑year work plan. For East Columbia, staff identified the lack of a secondary access road as the principal constraint to residential development and noted previous plans did not include Micron's expansion nor the new zoning code, so both must be considered.

Third Bench considerations: The Third Bench area is conceptual and not currently in the comprehensive plan; expanding into it would require detailed analysis of hillside overlays, infrastructure feasibility, water supply, costs, and conservation opportunities. Brewer said area planning could identify balanced outcomes including land conservation, trails and targeted housing close to transit and jobs.

Council questions and staff follow‑up: Council members emphasized sequencing, asked for housing‑capacity analyses (including potential infill capacity within the city), flagged water and service constraints, and stressed that developments must 'pencil' financially without shifting burdens to existing ratepayers. Staff said an interim housing capacity deliverable is forthcoming and that public engagement and developer outreach will be part of the area‑plan process.

Next steps: Staff will scope interim deliverables, return with a schedule and public‑engagement plan, and coordinate with landowners, ACHD and other agencies. Brewer estimated 12 months for the core plan and noted the city will return with interim check‑ins during that period.