2005 Highlights 2006 Initiatives
2004 Highlights 2005 Initiatives
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Smart Growth News Around Idaho 
Eastern Idaho - Region 5-6
Urban Renewal in Driggs
Driggs has created an urban renewal district to spur downtown investment. A design review committee has been established as well. Our friends at Valley Advocates for Responsible Development (VARD) have hosted and co-hosted several well attended educational events and sponsored a cost of community services study to promote smart growth. As in Salmon and other growing rural areas, rapid suburban-type development outside cities is an ongoing challenge.
ISG Plays Lead Role in Rexburg Community Review
ISG Co-Executive Director Jon Barrett served as the leader of the Land Use Team during the Idaho Community Review recently conducted in Rexburg. As you may know, Rexburg has been experiencing rapid growth since Rexburg College became a four year university and changed its name to BYU-Idaho in 2000. In 2003, ISG participated in Community Review in Emmett. The Idaho Community Review program is jointly administered by several agencies and organizations. For information about the program, go to the Association of Idaho Cities website: www.idahocities.org.
ISG staff also gave smart growth-related presentations to various groups and/or met with concerned citizens in Coeur d'Alene , Ammon , Idaho Falls,and Driggs over the last few months.
Wood River Valley - Region 4
Blaine County Extends Moratorium
In July of 2005, Blaine County Commissioners extended a moratorium on rezone requests, subdivisions, planned unit developments and other planning and zoning actions for up to a year while the county completes studies on 1) Community (affordable) Housing, 2) Cost of Services, 3) Regional Planning, 4) Water Supply/Quality and Wastewater Treatment, 5) Cluster Developments/Conservation/Open Space and 6) related Comprehensive Plan Revisions.
This action was taken in response to an unprecedented growth in housing units and density outside of city planning areas to give the Commission time to review existing the Comprehensive Plan and county ordinances and determine any changes needed to protect the future planning options and adequately address the impacts of new developments proposals. Our colleagues Citizens for Smart Growth urge community members to participate in the planning effort.
Sandpoint/Kootenai County- Region 1
Open Space Planning
Kootenai County and the Cities of Post Falls, Rathdrum, and Hayden continue to pursue cooperative efforts to plan for growth and the protection of open space on the Rathdrum Prairie. An interim Area of City Impact agreement that temporarily slows down growth on Prairie has been adopted. Because growth follows the extension of sewer service, a sewer study is now underway to help determine where the ultimate city boundaries should be and the most appropriate methods for sewer treatment and disposal of wastewater.
Innovative Development in Sandpoint
Sandpoint has approved an innovative residential project called Cottonwood Glen which features a variety of lot sizes and reduced front setbacks with garages set back further than the homes. Bonner County is considering adopting a new comprehensive plan which encourages growth where it can be efficiently serviced and discouraging it elsewhere in areas like prime agricultural lands and floodplains.
McCall - Region 3
McCall Chosen for EPA’s Smart Growth Technical Assistance Program
Just recently, the Environmental Protection Agency announced that McCall was chosen to receive support from the agency’s new “Smart Growth Implementation Assistance” program. The program provides private-sector experts to help communities find the best tools and resources to plan for growth in ways that sustain environmental and economic progress and create a high quality of life.
In its application, McCall requested help with public involvement and planning related to development along the “ East-West Loop Road ” opening this summer. Other cities receiving assistance under the program include Taos , New Mexico ; Cheyenne , Wyoming ; Aquidneck Island , Rhode Island ; and College Park , Maryland .
Treasure Valley - Region 3
Kuna Community Review
In early March ISG Co-Executive Director Jon Barrett participated as a visiting expert in a “Community Review” held in Kuna. The Idaho Community Review program is sponsored by state and federal agencies. Jon was on the “community design and infrastructure” team. A report with observations and recommendations will be provided to Kuna in a couple months. Kuna residents turned out in droves to participate in this effort. And why shouldn’t they? Kuna’s population has almost doubled in the last five years with a current estimated population of about 10,600 (COMPASS). Here are the current population estimates for other nearby cities: Nampa – 72,200, Meridian – 56,100, Caldwell – 35,100, and Eagle – 18,400. For information about the program, go to the Association of Idaho Cities website: www.idahocities.org.
InFill Study Underway in Boise/Meridian
ISG CO-Executive Director Elaine Clegg is facilitating a diverse group of developers, city staff, and neighborhood leaders in a study to determine how infill projects have affected Boise and Meridian neighborhoods. This project is a partnership between ISG and the Idaho Chapter of the Urban Land Institute, ULI Idaho with help from Boise State University. The focus will be on surveying residents and developers about built infill projects that were controversial at the time of approval. The study is ongoing, with a report of findings slated to be available in the spring.
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