One of Boise’s most contentious fights in recent years over a housing development in the northwest corner of the city made its way before the Idaho Supreme Court Wednesday.
In 2019, Boise City Council approved the Prominence subdivision, a 253-unit mix of apartments, townhomes and single-family houses just off of Hill Road. That decision overruled rejections from the city’s planning and zoning commission after multiple, hours-long hearings on the issue.
The Northwest Neighborhood Association has fought against the project since 2017. It claims the development will degrade the area’s rural character, harm wildlife and pose a fire safety risk – much of which was rejected by a district court judge last year, according to Boise Dev.
Brian Ertz, a lawyer for the group, said Wednesday that the city council also illegally considered new information in approving the project without a proper hearing.
“The council just didn’t want to have to take the extra time,” Ertz said.
Deputy Boise Attorney James Smith for the city disagrees.
“Any fact-finding that occurred by the planning and zoning commission does not bind the council. Planning and zoning sends that up by way of a recommendation,” Smith said.
The argument about fire safety could also soon be moot. City officials recently announced construction could begin this year on a new fire station on State Street and Bogart Lane, shortening response times to the area.
Idaho Supreme Court justices will issue a decision at a later date.
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