380-Acre Development Planned in Southwest Boise

Margaret Carmel reports on the initial public hearings for the Murio Farms development, which would be located on a 380-acre parcel in Southwest Boise.

"The property, which was a dairy operated by the Murgoitio family for generations, is located near the New York Canal between Maple Grove and Cole Roads," according to Carmel.

"If the application is successful, it could include 3,560 housing units, 246,000 square feet of commercial space, an elementary school, and a network of paths and open space by 2040. The density of the lots will vary from block to block, ranging from traditional single-family homes on large lots to mixed-use blocks with apartments on top of commercial spaces."

A team of developers is planning to create a specific plan for the site. According to Carmel, "This unique style of zoning allows a developer to create a planned community with customizable zoning requirements that is approved all at once, although it is built in phases. It requires the developer to submit a high level of detail upfront, including a transportation plan, landscape concepts, dimensional standards, prototypes for specific blocks, and a detailed map of pathways and roads."

The article digs into the traffic study—already under review by the Ada County Highway District—connected to the development proposal, as well as questions about infrastructure, like adding fire department capacity and new parks.