I missed an important link when I put together the previous post. I think this deserves another post, not just an edit of yesterday’s post.
Please read: https://www.cityofboise.org/media/10870/neighborhoodplanframework-v2.pdf
This is not a tl;dr (too long, didn’t read) situation. Please read the linked 14 page document. Also, please form your own opinions before reading my summary. Several things that I left as speculation in the previous post are answered here.
This document defines a neighborhood plan, purpose and content. It gives a clear picture of the plan development process (pages 9-13), with roles and responsibilities. It is a one year process, with four phases and eight specific steps / check points. The document also includes (page 8) some activities we should be engaged in now to before starting.
Page seven has a graphic showing which neighborhoods have a greater need for a neighborhood plan. South Cole is close to the “high need” end of the spectrum. The assessment is based on an undisclosed algorithm that incorporates sixteen indicators listed on pages five and six.
I know that a lot of neighborhood residents like their big lots. Page three states “All neighborhood plans must comply with Blueprint Boise”. Blueprint Boise calls for high-density residential development on the remaining residential-buildable vacant land. (Our north east corner must remain non-residential due to the airport.) (I emphasize new developments, no one is going to force-subdivide your existing big lot.)
In the end we may find that the city is going to do what the city is going to do with respect to densities. There are still many advantages to having a plan. We can emphasize the need for better and safer traffic flow, more sidewalks, more city parks, more and better activity centers, green belt style off-street walking and bike paths possibly along New York canal. It will be a big win have such things in a city approved document. It will give us leverage to insist they are developed ahead of, or at least in parallel with the houses.
Another good reason is on page three: “Neighborhood Associations can use the Plan as a project list to the prioritize project applications for Neighborhood Investment Program funding, ACT Mini-Grants, and other funding opportunities”
And even if we do not change the high-density Blueprint Boise plan, we will get a chance to talk to the engineer /planners why the city made the decision to put high density housing so far from the city core in an area lacking the usual city amenities.