Nampa P&Z cites density in opposing senior housing plan

Brad Carlson//April 15, 2011//

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The Nampa Planning & Zoning Commission on April 12 voted 3-2 against a proposed senior housing development with 23 single-story attached units in seven structures. Pride LLC wants to build the project on 8.6 acres at 16439 11th Ave. N.

Many residents of the nearby Greens at Ridgecrest neighborhood spoke against the plan, said Sylvia Mackrill, Nampa Planning Department administrative operations manager. The Nampa City Council will consider the application in mid-May.

Commission members expressed concern the project’s density is too high, Assistant Planning Director Robert Hobbs said. As now planned, the project would include one- and two-bedroom units of 600 to 800 square feet in single-story structures.

An April 14 letter from the Planning & Zoning Department to project representative Becky McKay of Engineering Solutions, who is representing Pride LLC principal Russell Hunemiller, said the commission was concerned with the project’s density, small unit sizes, lack of garage space, and neighbor opposition.

Hobbs said the applicant could show the City Council the same plan, propose alternatives or withdraw the application.

Pride LLC proposes to change a 2005 development agreement between the city and another developer, replacing the professional office provision with senior housing. Pride also proposes to rezone the property to high-density residential.