Idaho Smart Growth

About

News

2012 Grow Smart Nominations-OPEN!: Show Your Love for What Makes Your Community a Great Place ...
Read more
New Safe Routes to Schools (SR2S) mini-grants for FY12:: DUE MARCH 31, 2012 The SR2S program provides technical ...
Read more
Idaho Smart Growth 2011 Accomplishments: Idaho Smart Growth Highlights in 2011 Assisting Idaho ...
Read more

Objectives:

1. Increase public understanding of growth management issues, develop effective public discourse, and promote grassroots citizen participation in decision making regarding growth in our state.

2. Create incentives to allow communities to grow in a way that makes sense:

Identify smart transportation design options that will encourage safe and compact pedestrian, bicycle & transit-oriented development
Ensure that development is fiscally responsible and utilizes existing or planned infrastructure
Ensure that housing is located to provide easy and equitable access to employment, schools and services
Advocate for affordable housing as an essential component of sustainable communities
Encourage mixed use development
Support sustainable economic development

3. Make it easier for farmers, forest owners and ranchers to stay on the land:

Protect rural community vitality and agricultural and ranch land
Promote land use policies that preserve the ecological integrity of natural areas and public lands
Ensure that the built and natural environment are integrated in a sustainable and equitable manner that supports neighborhood livability and preserves natural resources
Shift patterns of urban expansion from low density suburban sprawl to more compact neighborhoods with a mix of uses
Encourage communities to utilize and support locally grown agricultural products and agriculturally oriented activities

Idaho Smart Growth works to empower communities to affect local decisions regarding land use and agriculture by creating more tools and incentives to protect farms, ranches, and open space in Idaho.

In 2008, Idaho Smart Growth helped write and edit the Ada County Open Space Task Force Report which resulted in the designation of $500,000 towards open space protection. Idaho Smart Growth, the Land Trust of the Treasure Valley, and Idaho Conservation League partnered to ask communities about their priorities for open space in our Heart of Our Valley project.

Idaho Smart Growth partners with Idaho communities to create new tools to protect open space and farms and ranches. In 2008, we helped pass Idaho’s first county-wide open space property tax levy in Blaine County » View Blaine County Open Spaces Win

Between 2002 and 2007, the Idaho lost almost 300,000 acres of farmland. According to the American Farmland Trust, “[l]ow-density development has more than five million acres of the state's best ranchland in peril. These ranchlands represent natural resources that could completely disappear by 2020, greatly impacting the ecological, economic and cultural fabric of local communities.” These lands contribute more than $5 billion a year to Idaho’s economy.

To respond to this threat, groups including sportsmen, wildlife, environmental, and industry organizations, several land trusts, and individual property owners formed the Working Lands Coalition. The Coalition seeks to preserve working farms, ranches, and forests for the economic, habitat, and other quality of life values they provide to our state.

For more information about this program, contact Rachel Winer at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). To learn more about the Coalition, the challenges facing those who own and work the land, and the many public values these working lands provide all Idahoans visit the website: http://www.IdahoWorkingLands.com. To stay informed and get more involved please sign up to receive our monthly e-newsletter , or email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) with a request to join the email list.

Treasure Valley Community College – Caldwell – Smart Growth and Green Building
Treasure Valley Community College (TVCC) Caldwell campus is developed and designed to be the inaugural project for the City of Caldwell's Framework Master Plan. The anticipated LEED Gold facility consists of 39,000 square feet of classrooms, testing center, video classroom center, lecture hall, administrative offices, student activities offices, faculty offices, chemistry and biology labs, bookstore, and a retail coffee/deli shop. The mission of TVCC is a comprehensive community college providing quality educational opportunities and cultural enhancement in a financially responsible manner. The city of Caldwell and TVCC reach out to the community by responding to their needs for lifelong learning, continuing and community education. The TVCC project develops and supports activities and facilities for the civic, cultural, social, and recreational interest of the students and the community. The building's main entrance faces the Indian Creek pathway and 6th Avenue, the pedestrian heart of downtown Caldwell. A bus stop is located on the same block and an additional bus route is being added. there are bike racks and the train station is less than two blocks north for future access to regional rapid transit. The use of masonry, window openings, asymmetrical façade, and contrasting building materials all create a unique sense of place. The TVCC student activities and building add a liveliness and dynamic spark for downtown mixed use ambiance. TVCC is the inaugural project for the Downtown Caldwell Catalyst Project. It integrates with the Downtown Caldwell Masterplan. The city of Caldwell facilitated the entitlement process by implementing its "Red Carpet" Planning and Zoning development services and its City Center policy. This project will help downtown businesses increase their foot traffic flow and instill an academic and youthful spirit into downtown.

TVCC Rendering

The Jefferson – Boise – Residential
The Jefferson is one of downtown Boise's newest residential buildings, with 40 condominiums on six floors and secure underground parking and storage. It is located within walking distance of the shopping, dining and cultural activities that make downtown Boise one of the West's most livable cities. The exceptional design and construction quality, with a range of floor plans that fit the active urban lifestyle, are created with an environmentally responsible approach to the project. A variety of transportation choices are available due to the three block walking distance to downtown Boise and St. Luke's Hospital and location adjacent to Valley Ride bus routes. This location is also located a short distance by bicycle to the greenbelt and bike path system as well as the foothills trails. Bicycle parking is included in the parking garage. The mix of residential, parking and storage in the Jefferson and the varied land uses surrounding the building, provide a good balance for the tenants.The Jefferson's 43 housing units with seven different models range in size from 640 s.f. to 1,900 s.f. to create a range of housing opportunities and choices. The site of the Jefferson was selected based on its location within and adjacent to a full spectrum of amenities within the "walkable" neighborhood surrounding the building. This project was made possible through collaborative efforts between the ownership team, Boise City Planning and Development Services, and Capital City Development Corporation to create a zone that would allow a mixed use residential project adjacent to the downtown core. The distinctive design is integrated into the urban fabric and into the neighborhood to create a strong sense of place. The Jefferson includes a wide range of housing price, responding to the need for workforce hosuing in dowtown Boise. In order to preserve the natural beauty of the city, the project was constructed on a vacant parcel of ground that had been converted to a gravel surface parking lot, immediately adjacent to the downtown core and existing open spaces. The density, and mix of uses supports the goal to strengthen and direct development towards the existing community. The density and aesthetics fit perfectly with the surrounding urban core. The project capitalizes on the existing utilities adjacent the site to achieve compact building patterns and efficient infrastructure design and use.

The Jefferson

Downtown Revitalization – Donnelly – Small Community
The city of Donnelly has, over the past two years, embarked on a strategic effort to revitalize their downtown by improving pedestrian safety and access, creating public green space, completing beautification projects, and building community involvement. The process to revitalize downtown was designed for participation. Seven public meetings were held with average attendance near 20, a good size for a community of 138. In 2009 and 2010, the city of Donnelly has contracted with Sage Community Resources to create a monthly city newsletter in an effort to keep the residents better informed about city projects and to encourage broader participation. The process led to a partnership with Valley County Pathways to further the vision of a county-wide system of accessible bike and pedestrian trails, including along the railway, now abandoned, that founded Donnelly. Funding and public access has been secured by Valley County Pathways for stream restoration work, creating an outdoor environmental education classroom, and building a public walking path along Boulder Creek adjacent to the Donnelly Elementary School and within two blocks of downtown. The efforts have also led to:

• Land acquisition, building relocation and renovation, and opening of the Donnelly Community Library (free to residents) in downtown.
• Community Garden on vacant brownfield lot on Main Street. Eight garden beds have been "adopted" by local businesses, families and community groups. Food raised will be distributed locally by the Donnelly Food Bank.
• Funding secured to reintroduce Donnelly's Old-time July 4 Celebration.
• Clean up and restoration work of Big Timber Pocket Park on Main Street. A large timber round in this small park displays the community's historical link to the logging industry.
• A grant awarded by USDA Rural Development to support the Chamber of Commerce six-month "Shop Local" campaign to raise awareness of products and services provided by Donnelly businesses.
• Hiring of a part-time contracted Planning and Zoning administrator has provided better development services and has helped to expedite Interior views development decisions within the city.

Donnelly Master Plan

Framework Master Plan – Caldwell – Public Planning & Policy
With the celebrated re-opening of Indian Creek and the renewed enthusiasm in the development of the downtown core area, the city of Caldwell wanted a cohesive framework master plan for responsible and planned development of a twelve city block are of the downtown core. In September 2007, Oppenheimer Development Corporation, along with CSHQA, was selected to develop the Downtown Catalyst
Project, as anchors for the plan. The framework master plan provides clear and concise information to the community, agencies and developers to achieve the city of Caldwell's development goals and
objectives, and highlight opportunities available in developing a sustainable, cohesive, and well organized downtown core area. The focus of the Master Plan is the revitalization and enhancement of the desirable elements of downtown urban living, working, and playing. The Plan is committed to the redevelopment and preservation of downtown Caldwell and use of the existing infrastructure. Fundamental to the framework are pedestrian friendly and safe streetscape policies and designs with sidewalk extensions, shorter crossings, and contained parking. Mixed use zoning is another fundamental component. The Master Plan is the culmination of years of encouraging community and stakeholder collaboration. Starting in 2002 with the daylighting of Indian Creek as it flows through the city center to the catalyzing Treasure Valley Community College project, the City has engaged stakeholders at the federal, state, city, and local level. The focus of the Indian Creek Restoration Project has been to instill a sense of place in the downtown. The Plan defines the creation of themed districts within the historic city grid context and the natural meanderings of Indian Creek. The city of Caldwell promotes a design philosophy that stands for principles of economic, environmental, social, and cultural stability. This includes the goals of eliminating negative environmental impact and connecting people to their natural surroundings. Developing downtown in a sustainable and environmentally responsible manner allows people to live in healthy communities and farmland to remain close to the communities they serve.

Caldwell Master Plan

The Charles Hummel Award
Charles Hummel - Recognizing outstanding leadership in education, implementation and encouragement of smart growth.
As an architect, Charles Hummel shaped the face of Boise by designing projects such as the U.S. Courthouse and Federal Building, Boise State University Library and Student Union Building, and consulting on Downtown Boise's mixed-use street renewal and the Grove Plaza. Charles was instrumental in renovating St. John's Cathedral and in saving the Egyptian Theater, the old Ada County Courthouse, and the O'Farrell Cabin. Charles attended Boise Junior College and holds architecture degrees from Catholic University and Columbia University. He has served on many arts and civic organization boards and shared his expertise in planning, historic preservation, and architecture. He has given back to our community through leadership on both Boise city and Ada County's Planning and Zoning Commissions, St. Alphonsus Hospital Board of Directors, Downtown Boise Rotary Club, the Boise Art Museum, and the Boise Philharmonic. Charles served as the first board president of Idaho Smart Growth, a post he held for eight years. He is a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects in recognition of his civic work. Charles is routinely called upon to help interpret our past and plan our future, such as by assisting Arthur Hart in the compilation of "Historic Boise" (1979); advising on traffic, Foothills Open Space, and the centennial of Julia Davis Park; and contributing to Idaho Public Television and the Idaho Capitol Commission for the reopening celebrations part of 2010 of the Idaho Statehouse early in 2010. Charles recently co-authored “Quinessential Boise; an Architectural Journey” with Tim Woodward.
Charles married Calista Ward of Boise in 1951 and they live happily in the house he designed in 1956. They are blessed with four children and three grandchildren.

Charles Hummel

Alpine Village – McCall – Mixed Use Award

Three blocks from Payette Lake, Alpine Village offers a new residential experience in downtown McCall. Condominiums are situated around a large plaza with shops, restaurants, offices and a community gathering place. The plaza walkway connects 3rd Street to the rails-to-trails bike path and from there to downtown and Payette Lake. Tree-lined lighted sidewalks integrate with the community along 3rd Street where a public transportation stop connects McCall to other communities in the valley. This mixed-use project illustrates how resort communities can bring housing onto 'Main Street,' providing a walkable higher density housing choice while adding to the vibrancy of the community.

The architecture is sensitive to the mountain location and historic western designs and uses building materials common to McCall. Each building's massing and scale steps away from pedestrian spaces to allow for spacious exterior "rooms" for public interaction. Future phases also step back to allow the sun to enter the plaza. Residential parking is covered underground while retail spaces retain convenient surface parking adjacent to, yet outside and screened from, the pedestrian experience.

Alpine Village implements McCall's Downtown Master Plan, which calls for a central business district that is pedestrian oriented, physically attractive, safe and easy to navigate, and retains a mix of goods and services which serve the resident and tourist populations.

Beardmore – Priest River– Redevelopment Award

Beardmore

An exemplary redevelopment located in Priest River, Beardmore incorporates historic preservation, downtown revitalization, and sustainable green building practices in an existing town center. This landmark restoration has sparked a revitalization of Priest River's historic downtown. One of ten buildings in the downtown core listed on the National Historic Register, the Beardmore Blockis a key component of the City's past and future. The once decaying shell was given new life and is fully suited for retail at street level with offices above. Restored storefronts, human scale lighting, hanging planters and overhead canopies encourage pedestrian activity. Several existing trees were saved and designated parking for carpools, vanpools and fuel efficient vehicles created. A bike rack, shower and changing room further promotes alternative transportation.

Revitalizing the Beardmore as a "green" building makes it a standout redevelopment. Balancing preservation with sustainable practices, the Beardmore is one of only five buildings in the country listed on the Historic Register with LEED Gold certification. The Beardmore challenges the belief that ‘green’ historic preservation and revitalization is cost prohibitive. While initial investments may be slightly more, they result in substantially lower operation costs and longer building life. The Beardmore illustrates that communities can adapt to new demands and preserve their historic treasures while providing sustainable economic revitalization.

Hotel McCall – McCall – Small Community

Hotel McCall Courtyard Located in downtown McCall, this 3.4 acre site was redeveloped with retail, restaurants, professional offices, residential units, and a historic hotel adjacent to a city park to create a sense of community. The project retained historic buildings including the hotel and train depot and formed a strong pedestrian realm with courtyards and outdoor eating. Green building practices such as green roofs are incorporated. An extensive public process guided the integration of building, sidewalk, and landscape improvements into this downtown lake front redevelopment plan.

McCall's Urban Renewal Agency began planning and designing the redevelopment of Legacy Park in 2007. The Hotel McCall and the Urban Renewal design teams worked together through community and stakeholder collaboration to create a cohesive downtown that links public and private properties. The Hotel McCall exceeded all the city standards for sidewalk widths and design. Landscaping on the northeast edge beautifies the highway corridor and plant species were selected to minimize obstruction of the lake view.

The rehabilitation of existing buildings and redevelopment of the site strengthen and direct development toward the downtown core. A portion of the site is often used for public events and provides McCall’s residents and visitors a central place to gather and celebrate. Throughout the summer months, the McCall Farmer's Market is held on the property twice a week. Hotel McCall is an excellent example of a smart growth mixed use development located in the heart of downtown.

Meadow Ranch – Coeur d’Alene – Smart Growth & Green Building

Behind a retail center on a former industrial infill site, Meadow Ranch is one of 5 LEED for Neighborhood Development (ND) pilot projects accepted in Idaho. LEED ND integrates smart growth principles, urbanism, and green building setting a new standard for neighborhoods. By filling in a site previously zoned industrial, Meadow Ranch protects farmland and environmentally critical areas. Community collaboration including neighborhood meetings resulted in amending the City's standards so smart growth principles could be implemented.

A restored dairy barn from the1940's sets the tone and character with a new farmer's market and transitions the nearby commercial to the new homes. A location ½ mile from walking trails, bike paths, bus routes and over a dozen community resources allows residents of Meadow Ranch to walk, bike or take public transportation to reach shops, schools, medical facilities, churches and more.

Building design is compact, diverse and cost-effective at 19 units per acre with a variety of housing. Size and price are modest, ranging from 800 to 1800 square feet, all priced under $375,000. Registered under the LEED for Homes, housing has environmentally responsible finishes, and performs well with energy and water efficient fixtures and equipment such as heat pumps and 95% efficient water heaters. Lights, appliances, and windows are ENERGY STAR and use a fresh air ventilation system for indoor air quality. Nearly 30% of the site is preserved for open space. Other neighborhood amenities include, walking paths, apple orchards, a greenhouse and a Community Center targeting LEED ND Gold Certification.

Meadow Ranch provides an example of new smart growth neighborhood infill that fits well into the surrounding community and provides new housing close to existing services.

Sweetwater – Hailey – Residential Award

This residential project in Hailey has an impressive range of housing options with 13 building types from 650 square feet flats to 2000 square feet townhouses. It integrates well with the surrounding community and provides much needed affordable housing for residents in a growing recreational and second home market. Sweetwater is part of the LEED ND Pilot Program with pending certification which targets credits for 'smart location,' 'linkage,' 'neighborhood pattern,' and 'design.' Sweetwater illustrates how a well-planned, dense neighborhood can fit into the fabric of a rural community.

The project provides 100% on-site storm water treatment and infiltration to recharge ground water, has energy efficient street lighting and all site lighting meets a strict night sky ordinance that exceeds LEED requirements. Over 1000 newly planted trees and most of the parking (of 1100 stalls) is tucked under buildings greatly reduce the heat island affect while enhancing the pleasant neighborhood character.

A neighborhood of this size and density has never been constructed in Hailey. Unlike other developments which make density look unlivable by standing apart from the rest of the community, Sweetwater builds on the existing street grid and tightly connects to the adjacent neighborhoods. Buildings frame streets uninterrupted by parking. Porches, parks and courtyards provide ample space for residents to socialize, and the development is contained in many smaller buildings to mimic the scale and pattern of old Hailey. This compact design also allows nearly three acres of shared open space. Sweetwater provides some of the densest housing in the Wood River Valley and is a new model for Idaho's communities.

Traditional Neighborhood Overlay – Victor –Planning Policy Award Victor TND

Victor crafted and passed a Traditional Neighborhood Design (TND) overlay for a one mile square grid surrounding the city center that creates a one-half mile radius mixed use residential development area and provides a comfortable ten minute walk to the city center. The ordinance prescribes a mix of single-family, multi-family, and neighborhood oriented light commercial with design guidelines and an emphasis on comfortable pedestrian and bicyclist access to the downtown center.

Victor's relatively undeveloped central one mile grid has less than one structure per acre. Over the past fifteen years, the development pattern has been typical of that across the country with developers opting to develop low cost agricultural lands at the city's edge for suburban subdivision sites.

The real estate collapse of the past two years has forced an examination of conventional development sustainability. The TND Overlay is an answer to the high costs of suburban sprawl. Victor has an exemplary approach to revitalizing its downtown core and creating a vibrant center for this community which offers an opportunity for an organic smart growth approach to town-center residential and commercial development. This measure is the first step in a two step process to bring the city under a complete smart growth or form based code. With two projects already submitted and approved under the new ordinance, there is every indication this will be successful.

Sherry McKibben - The President's Award-Recognizing outstanding leadership in education, implementation and encouragement of smart growth.

Sherry is a University of Idaho Associate Professor of Architecture and Director of the University's Urban Research and Design Center (IURDC) in Boise. She teaches urban and community design principles on real community projects, ranging from a regional study to a design project for the Basque Block. This approach provides her students with real life experience while our communities get valuable services.

When not teaching smart growth principals, Sherry is implementing them as a principal architect and urban designer with McKibben+Cooper Architects. The firm's work includes the1700 acre mixed use Harris Ranch master plan; Downtown Caldwell's Revitalization Strategy Plan including "day-lighting" Indian Creek; and Ada County's Parks Administration Building, a LEED certified green building with the first modern 'green roof' in Idaho. McKibben+Cooper emphasizes smart growth principles in their work, improving projects and educating clients along the way. Their projects integrate smart growth with green design concepts including solar access, "green streets," green roofs, energy and water conservation, and sustainable materials. Seven clients have won Grow Smart Awards.

A graduate of the University of Oregon, Sherry has a Masters degree from Yale University and is LEED accredited. She volunteers her professional expertise in many ways as an active member of Urban Land Institute Idaho, the American Institute of Architects and US Green Building Council of Idaho. She founded the U of I Integrated Design Lab to educate building professionals and promote energy efficiency and is a devoted public speaker. Sherry does more than promote smart growth principles, she lives them! She and her husband live and work in a historic home in downtown Boise and walk/bike whenever possible.

Blaine County 2025 – Citizen Advocacy Award

Blaine County 2025 is the result of a public outreach and comprehensive planning initiative to help residence of the county determine how and where to grow over the next 20 years. It took nearly 2 years to complete and resulted in passage of 14 new ordinances that encourage cluster development, provide protection of wetlands, wildlife and hillsides, and preserve agricultural lands. But what really stands out is the high level of public involvement and the many compromises it tries to meet.

The results of the County’s efforts to gather residents’ input, is a plan that truly reflects the heart of its communities. Blaine County 2025 was nominated by three citizen groups for this award because through their involvement they felt that much ownership and by-in to the plan itself. In recent years Blaine County has experienced record-breaking residential and commercial growth resulting in scarce affordable housing, traffic congestion, and a threat to agricultural and ranching lands and livelihoods.

The plan reflects the communities’ desire to protect their spectacular scenery, abundant wildlife and their working farms and ranches. It does this by implementing many smart growth measures. It focuses growth in and near existing towns and infrastructure, down-zones remote and rural agricultural lands, creates a new, voluntary Transfer of Development Rights program, establishes an affordable housing ordinance, creates a Mountain Overlay District for wildlife protection. Such bold measures would have been difficult to take without strong support from the community.

Harris Ranch – Mixed Use Award

Harris Ranch lies in the Barber Valley in the eastern most portion of the City of Boise. This valley, although a logical place for Boise to grow, is also the last undeveloped ground between the foothills and the Boise River. This project achieves the necessary balance in this important location between what was and what will become through developing a true mixed-use community.

Through design, density, a good jobs and housing balance, diversity in housing, and a well-connected transportation system that encourages walking, biking, and transit while offering efficiency for the driver, and schools, Harris Ranch achieves the balance necessary to create a new, vibrant community just 5 miles from downtown while respecting the wildlife and desire for open space.

Harris Ranch overall provides 65% open space, including 750+ acres in the foothills in conservation easements. At the same time it will provide new housing for several thousand new residents at housing densities ranging from 3 units/acre at the edges to 12 in the urban core centered around a new ‘main street’ along Warm Spring Avenue with a vibrant mix of commercial, retail and housing. The overall residential to commercial ratio will be approximately .

The Specific Plan Ordinance ensures this balance through careful zoning, and residential to commercial percentages required in each phase. As Boise’s first Specific Plan ordinance, Harris Ranch chartered new waters for development in Boise. From its public charrette process to its implementation Harris Ranch proved that public involvement can make a project better and gain community support. Originally challenged by many neighborhood groups the new Specific Plan was strongly supported by those same groups at its adoption.

Once complete, Harris Ranch promises to become one of Boise’s best planned communities, achieving smart growth in every aspect of the development from preservation to transportation, providing a mix of uses, appropriate land use, and a vibrancy that can sustain itself over time.

City of Greenleaf Comprehensive Plan – Planning and Policy Award

“Greenleaf is a living example of how good governance arises from an environment where the citizens are aware daily of what sustains them: the land, family, and community with neighbors.” This statement is reflected in a comprehensive plan with a community vision to preserve active agriculture lands, designate open spaces to preserve wildlife habitat areas, preserve existing neighborhoods and provide for pedestrian and bicycle transportation.

This small rural community of less than 1,000 found itself facing projected growth of more than 140%, and pressure from commercial development approaching from Caldwell to its east. In response to this Greenleaf placed a temporary moratorium on new development while they developed a new Comprehensive Plan and implementing ordinances to guide that growth for the health and welfare of its citizens.

The plan calls for Greenleaf to “plan for growth while retaining its rural identity.” It strives to do this through various mechanisms such as creating a buffer of light industrial and retail as it creates higher density and mix use development in its central business district. Smart Growth strategies are implemented in every aspect of the plan from the use of New Urbanism principles that place pedestrians on an equal basis with the automobile, preserving regional transportation corridors, coordinating service and utility planning with residential development to development of land use patterns that can protect open space, agricultural lands and existing neighborhoods.

Greenleaf provides an example to other communities in Idaho for how to ‘Grow Smart.'

CitySide Lofts – Attached Residential Infill Award

Located in downtown Boise Idaho, CitySide Lofts is a dense urban-style multifamily project on a downtown brownfield site. It exemplifies smart growth by bringing 77 new owner-occupied condo units to downtown Boise within walking distance of jobs and all other downtown services and achieves a very high level of density at 88 units per acre. Yet even with this density the project manages to not appear massive by using sensitive architectural design. Parking is underground and access via an alley, thus being invisible to the passerby.

This project represents a unique collaboration between the City’s redevelopment agency and The Hosac Company by joining CCDC’s commitment to create owner-occupied residential in the downtown market with the Developer’s experience in the neighborhood. Cityside Lofts is a pioneering effort as the first large-scale residential development in downtown Boise in decades, the first to follow CCDC’s Downtown Housing Initiative, and the first to use a new Boise City code allowing a new type of framing over a concrete foundation which enables the developer to add another floor while containing cost and keeping the price more affordable and competitive in the downtown market where development costs are higher than outlying areas.

Location is what primarily makes this project such an excellent smart growth project by reducing the demand for additional infrastructure, by providing housing near jobs and other services thus encouraging walking and reducing traffic, by reducing greenfield development outside the urban core and revitalizing a brownfield, housing diversity through with a range of prices. These are all smart growth principals, leading to a healthier and more vibrant community for all.

Latah Street Infill Project – Single Family Residential Infill Award

Amid all the controversy around substandard lot development in this neighborhood and around the City, Developer Jay Story managed to gain the support of the Vista Neighborhood for these four homes built on substandard lots. He did this through design and location. As neighborhood revitalization project these homes replaced 2 run down lots and an auto shop in the midst of one of Boise’s older neighborhoods that is transitioning from a former suburb to an inner urban neighborhood.

The homes incorporate smart growth at every turn, including increasing density on a collector that is a transit route, design that was sensitive to the existing homes and uses, and building one of the first residential projects to utilize green building techniques and receiving certification through the national Green Building Council. Landscaping is drought resistant and designed for low water use, environmentally preferred products were used in construction, and incorporated energy and water efficiency.

In addition to their “greeness” these homes incorporate new urban design with large front porches and alley loaded garages, helping to strengthen the neighborhood by providing interaction between neighbors. As an infill project these homes utilize existing infrastructure placing no new demand on local taxes, and reduce automobile travel by bringing families closer to the urban core. The Latah Street Infill project provides a wonderful example for future development to follow.

Linen District – Commercial Infill Award

The Linen District located on the edge of downtown Boise provides the heart of a new urban neighborhood in area that was in decline. This project is an excellent example of re-use and revitalization. Developer, David Hale chose to use existing structures rather than demolish them, thus retaining the historic character of the district, while bringing them back to life. The Linen Building is the center piece of the District, built originally as a school, it later became a laundry facility, and now has been renovated to hold events such as weddings, concerts and seminars.

Many of the buildings in the area had stood empty or were underutilized for several years. The Linen District is part of an urban renewal district planned by Boise’s urban renewal agency, but the success owner Hale has been able to achieve far surpasses the expectations of the agency. What was once an auto-oriented area in decline has now become a center for new urban life, day and night. Located around Grove Street, a slower local street, the District has increased pedestrian and bicycle activity in the area. The area is served by transit, bike routes, sidewalks, and is walking distance from nearby residential neighborhoods and the heart of downtown.

This first phase is commercial including a diverse collection of new uses. In addition to the Linen building this project includes five revitalized buildings housing a variety of businesses and new meeting places - Second Chance Building Re-Use Center, the Modern Hotel, Big City Café´, Donnie Mac’s restaurant, the Visual Arts Collective, Drape Couture, Eyes of the World and more. New urban residential is planned as part of the second phase of this project which will make this a true new urban, smart growth, mixed use area.

Canyon County Growth Management Rural Partnership – Other

The communities of Wilder, Parma, Middleton, Melba and Greenleaf take a unique approach to creating better, smarter growth with this Partnership. Challenged by the rapid growth Canyon County is experiencing, these rural communities find themselves overwhelmed, lacking adequate resources to address the growth in a manner which will preserve the quality of life they currently enjoy.

While these Cities recognize the benefits growth can bring to their communities through jobs and an increased tax base, they also have the foresight to know that without good comprehensive planning, growth also threatens the communities they know and love with lose of their rural character, increased tax burdens, strained infrastructure, and piecemeal development. This partnership which has been developed with assistance from Sage Community Resources shows that these five Cities recognize the need for regional cooperation. Through this partnership they will be able to combine resources which will enable them to adequately develop good, regional, comprehensive planning.

It is exciting to see these five communities take control of their future in this way and recognize that they can plan for growth in a way that will benefit their communities and preserve what is special about them. The creation of this partnership reflects a commitment to smart growth principles. Through their leadership we look forward to results that can lead the way for other, rural communities in Idaho.

La Casita – Other

As the first “GOLD” rated LEED home in Idaho this project provides a new bar for future development and shows that it can be done with a great end product. With water saving features both inside and outside the house which reduce the overall water use by over 59%, it provides one of the solutions to the growing concern for water in this arid landscape.

La Casita incorporates permanent erosion control, healthy insect and pest control alternatives, environmentally preferred and locally purchased materials and products, and many other unique features. This home is 10-30% more efficient than Energy Star homes and 50% more efficient than one simply built to code.

By developing this model home Fireside Homes provides consumers with a greater awareness of and more importantly an environmentally responsible option. In addition homes built to GOLD LEED standards will provide communities with infrastructure savings in water and other utilites as these resources become increasingly scarce and difficult to develop while also protecting our environment and quality of life.

Meridian Ten Mile Special Area Plan – Policy and Planning Award

Smart growth for interstate interchanges? When most people think of smart growth, they do not think of freeways, yet the City of Meridian did just that in this Special Area Plan. Freeway interchanges can be challenge for Cities, as Meridian well knows with two of the most congested interchanges in the State. Meridian decided there had to be a better way to do this and set about creating a unique plan for their third interchange at Ten Mile.

This plan has smart growth elements in its land use, transportation, and design. The plan utilizes the proximity to both the interstate and the rail corridor to develop a dense, mixed use area that can take advantage of both while also becoming a vibrant community center of its own. There is a transit center planned at its northern terminus which will provide transit both to work for residents and for others to travel into the area for work, shopping, or enjoyment.

With a mix of residential, commercial and retail, it provides the opportunity for its residents to not commute and yet will not become a ghost town after 5:00, but instead will be a vibrant urban neighborhood with human scale retail and complete streets that invite pedestrians and cyclist. In addition to complete streets a series of connected pathways will make it even easier for residents and visitors to get around without a car.

This new area will provide higher densities than currently exist in Meridian, helping the City reduce its development of green space and allowing more opportunity to preserve agricultural lands and open space. In short this is a well-planned community that is unique because the City had the vision to design it around a major interchange. Meridian provides other communities with a new vision for how to develop vibrant, smart growth community centers around an interchange.

Bown Crossing – President’s Award

One of Boise’s newest neighborhoods, Bown Crossing is a great success story as a mixed use development and fine example of smart growth principles. Near completion its retail and commercial center has become a vibrant new meeting place for Bown residents as well as nearby neighborhoods in southeast Boise.

Construction of Bown Way completes an important part of the long range transportation plan for southeast Boise by providing a critical transportation connection between Boise Avenue and Park Center Blvd. In addition to its own commercial and retail center, Bown residents are within walking distance of Riverside Elementary School and the Boise River Greenbelt providing transportation alternatives. Its close proximity to two major transportation corridors makes it well situated to take advantage of existing and future transit. These ‘smart growth’ transportation principles of connectivity and transportation choices are just one of the ways Bown Crossing illustrates smart growth.

Close to downtown and existing residential and commercial this development helps Boise continue to grow within its existing city limits rather than develop new ‘greenfields’ on the urban fringe. Bown offers diverse housing from larger single-family homes to attached Brownstone townhomes in the Rookery. Both important land use element of smart growth principles.

Bown Crossing, on its way to becoming one of Idaho’s successful mixed use planned developments, provides a guide for future development.

Garden City Comprehensive Plan – Planning Policy

The Garden City Comprehensive plan serves as a model for comprehensive planning. A broad cross section of Garden City residents and business interests participated in developing the plan. Their support was unanimous for a bold new vision for Garden City that uses the city’s location in the heart of the Treasure Valley , adjacent to the Boise River , and situated along two major transportation corridors to its advantage. The steering committee was adamant that this plan not collect dust, but be implemented to guide future actions of the city. The Eleven goals of the plan advocate for smart growth, and include 135 action steps. The Council will review it’s implementation status every 6 months.

The plan has all the components required by the Idaho Land Use Planning Act, but follows a different format. It pays particular attention to implementation by clearly prioritizing action steps and identifying who needs to be involved in completing each step. The action plan for implementation has been designed to be visually friendly and useable. Action steps are identified with icons representing the resources required for implementation with a priority listing. Objectives in the plan consistent with smart growth principles:

Redevelopment of the Expo Idaho Center site
Transform Chinden Blvd. and Glenwood into boulevards
Create a Transit Oriented Development district in the zoning code
Provide incentives for wider and detached sidewalks
Encourage greater variety of housing types
Prohibit strip commercial development
Increase street connectivity

Valley Advocates for Responsible Development – Teton County – Citizen Advocacy

Valley Advocates for Responsible Development (VARD) is a local, citizen-based non-profit that advocates for smart, responsible development that promotes vibrant communities, preserves the landscapes they love and is cost-effective to taxpayers. Founded in 2001 by citizens concerned over the water quality impacts of a proposed development in a wetland, it is dedicated to responsible development and sustainable use of the natural resources (water, land, wildlife and air) in Teton Valley , Idaho .

We recognize VARD for its leadership in updating the City of Driggs Comprehensive Plan . VARD helped guide a charrette (planning workshop) process and sponsored several public meetings. The actions of its five staff members and many volunteers lead to a much better final product. VARD also played a vital role in securing a Smart Growth Implementation and Technical Assistance Grant for the whole Teton Valley . A charrette was conducted by a team of nationally prominent smart growth practitioners in the fall of 2006 to review the growth management strategies in Victor and Driggs and the county. Recommendations from that process will be reviewed for implementation.

Winding Creek – Eagle – Mixed Use

This project was built around the idea that good development is dependent upon smart growth principles and that mixed use projects make for a seamless, old fashioned and neighborly living experience. Winding Creek is an excellent blend of retail and professional spaces with a variety of residential options. Its location takes advantage of existing infrastructure rather than extending it on the fringe and promotes pedestrian and bicycle activity. It infuses office and retail space into downtown Eagle and offers attractive in-town residential options, bucking the urban sprawl trend.

Winding Creek takes advantage of the natural and man-made challenges of the land, using the frontage on State Street (Eagle’s Main Street ) for retail/commercial space while using the waterway as an amenity. Housing is reminiscent of an older city block with narrow lots and new urban design. Single family dwellings are built close together, with garages facing alleys and front yards merging into common open spaces. It incorporates pocket parks, a shared garden, toddler play area and a putting green. A separate adjacent multi-family development adds to the mix of housing types within walking distance. Winding Creek is a desirable addition to the mix of developments in Eagle and will add to the city’s ability to support bus transit in the future.

Waterfront District – Garden City – Infill

An excellent example of smart infill, this project aims to transform the former site of a Garden City meatpacking plant. The mixed use development of single-family, townhouse, and condominium residential choices, for buyers in a range of incomes, creates vitality and population density to support existing infrastructure.

The Waterfront District is a large enough community to invite and support additional redevelopment of surrounding land and infrastructure. Just 5 minutes from downtown Boise , the project will bring its residents closer to the urban core, shortening commutes, reducing pollution, and encouraging use of mass transit.

The Waterfront District anticipates and takes advantage of other nearby redevelopment projects. It protects 2 acres of green space along the Boise River and provides new public access to the Greenbelt near a planned bike and foot bridge to the Esther Simplot Park that is under development. Other amenities include a community clubhouse, pool, private beach, and access to a planned whitewater park on the river.

Mountainside Village – Victor – Single Family Residential

Mountainside Village is a mixed residential development (primarily different types of single family) in Victor, Idaho. The parcel was annexed as part of the approval process. It includes 10 different housing types, and 40% of project site is set aside as protected open space. The development features a linear pathway system connecting residential with adjacent commercial and community uses.

An organic Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farm currently on the site will remain. All homes within the development must be built to meet LEED-H standards. Bio-swales are also incorporated to manage the storm water on site. The project will fund the Mountainside Institute to promote the arts,culture, and smart growth principles through educational programs. The funding for the Institute comes from a 1% premium on lot sales.

The Veltex Building – Boise – Commercial

This building is a prime example of smart growth. Built on an underutilized former gas station site in downtown Boise , the building supports the urban fabric of the city. The Veltex Building has retail opportunities at the pedestrian level, with commercial space and residential living above it. Veltex creates a great retail, working and living environment for its occupants and promotes urban density.

The Veltex Building acknowledges and respects its context with a corner plaza that honors the former gas station with its name and renovated neon sign. The brick and stone finishes echo the historic surroundings. The building was awarded an Orchid Award from Preservation Idaho for Preservation-Sensitive New Construction and has received praise for helping to strengthen Historic Old Boise.

The Veltex building includes many of the smart growth attributes listed on our smart growth commercial scorecard. Among them are ‘green’ elements; a Geothermal Heat Exchange System, low E glazing, canopies for shading devices, recycled carpets and renewal floor coverings.

Green Building Program, City of Moscow – Planning Policy

The City of Moscow made a commitment to protecting the environment, improving quality of life, and promoting sustainability. The city adopted a program to actively facilitate green building by offering local contractors and owner/builders the option of certifying their residential projects as “Green” to help the city fulfill this commitment to sustainability. Project certification is assessed using the National Association of Home Builders Green Building Checklist or optionally The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System for Homes.

Green Building is a whole systems approach to the design, construction, and operation of buildings to reduce energy use and pollutants from the early stages of development through the final finishes. The program will benefit builders, homeowners and the community by reducing resource consumption and improving livability. This proactive approach to fulfilling the city’s mission is a model for other cities in the state.

The President’s Award - Banner Bank Building

Recognizing outstanding leadership in building design, environmental stewardship and energy efficiency.

The Banner Bank Building , in the heart of downtown Boise , is constructed with over 40 percent recycled content materials and has been recognized with a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum rating from the U.S. Green Building Council. This highest rating distinction sets the Banner Bank Building among an elite group of office buildings all over the world.

The Banner Bank Building has become a benchmark for sustainable design, construction and operation. Using an integrated design approach and the LEED Rating System as a central organizational tool yielded impressive returns. Reduced operating costs contribute $1.47 million in asset value and 32.4% return on investment at a cost of $128 per square foot. The huge operational savings enable the owner to charge rents comparable to 20-30 year old buildings and still make a healthy profit – making both owner and tenant happy.

The building integrates a host of sustainable design strategies. A transit friendly location, ‘smart’ lighting control, underfloor air vents and geothermal heat all contribute to a 60% reduction in energy use over typical construction. A revolutionary storm water and gray water recycling system uses 60-80% less water than usual. All indoor finish materials have low or no volatile organic compounds, and alternatives to automobile commuting are promoted with indoor bicycle storage and individual shower rooms. The environmentally friendly design provides greater comfort to occupants and enhanced value to the building owner proving that high-performance buildings are good business.

Donate

Idaho Smart Growth

About

News

read more »

Archives

2012 Grow Smart Nominations-OPEN!

New Safe Routes to Schools (SR2S) mini-grants for FY12:

Idaho Smart Growth 2011 Accomplishments

Idaho Smart Growth on the Radio!

Idaho Smart Growth Citizen’s Guide

Idaho Smart Growth Publishes New “Citizen’s Guide”!

Kate Eldridge

Brock Martinson

Grow Smart Award Winners 2011

Partners for Idaho’s Future

Objectives:

Protecting Working Lands and Open Space

Draft Best Practices on Safe Routes to Schools released!

Grow Smart Awards 2011

Grow Smart Awards Tickets On Sale Now!

Announcing the 2011 Grow Smart Award Winners!

Celebrate Nampa’s First Bike Boulevard- September 24!

Idaho Smart Growth September 2011 Updates

11th Annual New Partners for Smart Growth Conference: Building Safe, Healthy and Livable Communitie

11th Annual New Partners for Smart Growth Conference: Building Safe, Healthy and Livable Communitie

Floodplain Management Training: July 26-27 in Post Falls

Tips for the TIP: Or, How to spend transportation dollars

USGBC- Idaho Job Opportunity!

Safe Routes to Schools Assistance Deadline: Extended to June 15

Grow Smart Nominations NEW DEADLINE: JUNE 8, 2011

FREE Technical Assistance for Idaho Communities

Less than 1 Week to apply for Free Technical Assistance on Safe Routes to Schools!

New Report: Idaho’s Cassia, Madison Counties Deadly for Pedestrians

Just a few weeks left for Grow Smart Award Nominations!

Idaho Pedestrian & Bicycle Alliance is Hiring!

Idaho Smart Growth hiring an intern!

Idaho Smart Growth Now Accepting Nominations for the 7th Annual Grow Smart Awards

Three Regional Workshops on Healthy Communities and Community Design

Sandy Carter

Co-housing “Get It Built” Workshop

Sherry McKibben

Michelle Groenevelt

Laurie Barrera

Idaho Smart Growth Welcomes New Board Members!

Three Regional Workshops on Healthy Communities and Community Design March 2011

Co-housing “Get It Built” Workshop

New information available about healthy communities and complete streets!

10th Annual New Partners for Smart Growth Conference

10th Annual New Partners for Smart Growth Conference

10th Annual New Partners for Smart Growth Conference:

Grow Smart Award Winners 2010

Community Partner: HDR

Community Partner: Givens Pursley LLP

Community Partner: EPA

Community Partner: Forsgren Associates

Celebrate in Caldwell! Tour award winning projects, enjoy some wine by Indian Creek, and support lo

Donate to Idaho Smart Growth- and you might win a weekend in McCall!

Idaho Smart Growth Announces 2010 Grow Smart Award Winners

Idaho Smart Growth Board to Honor Charles Hummel

Sign up today for the Idaho planners conference!

Bike Talk: Presented by Boise Bicycle Project

Kootenai Environmental Alliance is Hiring!

Idaho Smart Growth 10th Anniversary and Grow Smart Awards

Idaho Smart Growth 10th Anniversary Tickets available!

Idaho Pedestrian and Bicycle Alliance hiring their first Executive Director!

Idaho Smart Growth August Update

New Boise City Comprehensive Plan Available for Review

City of Moscow Job Opportunity!

Treasure Valley Food Coalition Releases New Report on Local Foods

How YOU Can Win a $50 Gift Certificate to Bittercreek

Meuleman Mollerup and Idaho Smart Growth Invite the Public to a Free Community Event: Robert H. M

Safe Routes to Schools Workshops

“Life in the West: People, Land, Water and Wildlife in a Changing Economy”

Idaho Smart Growth’s 10th Anniversary Gala

Get Ready to Party- Saturday, November 6!

Idaho Smart Growth Releases a New Report on Quality Infill

Your Chance to Help Plan for Boise’s Future

Idaho Smart Growth is looking for a qualified consultant

9th Annual New Partners for Smart Growth