Boise Residents Revolt Over Planned CVS

There are nearly 10,000 CVS outlets, but none are in Boise, Idaho. Given the rapid pace of growth in a city where home prices have risen 30 percent in two years, it’s not a surprise that the company has a plan to enter the market.

But that plan, which would destroy 23 units of low-income housing, has run into serious community opposition that is less about CVS and more about the future of Boise.

The conflict began over parking, Joe Eaton reports, which has become something of a theme in the state’s largest city.

“Before breaking ground, the developer applied for a city waiver to put in 48 parking spaces, which is beyond the number allowed based on the size of the building. Neighbors rallied against the proposal, which they argued would have increased traffic, harmed the walkability and charm of the neighborhood, and removed badly needed affordable housing. The developer’s application was met by more than 500 public comments in the first two weeks.”

The enormous public response is indicative of a lively debate about development in a town trying to accommodate rapid growth.

“A city’s values, versus its laws, is at the heart of the CVS battle in Boise, where efforts to encourage denser, more walkable development have been picking up steam. In 2011, the city adopted Blueprint Boise, a 20-year plan to manage growth with the objective of making Boise “the most livable city in the country.” The plan is heavy on smart-growth policies including promoting mixed-use development, open spaces, and a walkable and bike-friendly urban core. But it’s just a policy, not a binding regulation.”

Eaton adds that what’s going on in Boise also reveals something essential about the city.

“But if the CVS dustup demonstrates the downsides of economic growth, it also shows off one of Boise’s key advantages when it comes to fending off unwanted development. The city’s modest size, Windsor said, means that neighborhood associations tend to stick up for each other, even if a proposal wouldn’t affect their area directly. The CVS resistance drew big crowds from multiple groups, and she has little doubt that their drive-thru proposal would have sailed through the Planning and Zoning Commission if so many people hadn’t shown up to oppose it. That, she said, made all the difference.”