WHAT’S THE PROBLEM?
Lincoln Property Company and Will Gustafson want to develop 22.3 acres of The River Club golf course. Their initial plan calls for a mixed-use development with over 700 residential units and several commercial units. Their early plans call for 4-story apartment buildings in place of what is now #10 and #11 fairways.
River Club members and Plantation residents feel that the design does not respect the existing residences and would negatively affect the feel of community that the golf club has had for over 100 years.
If the application is not approved, it is very possible the entire golf course would be developed at the rate of 6 homes per acre or sold to an even more aggressive developer.
WHY CAN’T THE OWNER DO WHAT HE WANTS?
We respect property rights, but the community also has a right to enjoy Plantation in substantially its current state. The 110-acre course provides recreation, hosts cultural events, creates habitat for wildlife and gives a high-flowing Boise River a place to go, saving downriver properties from flooding. It also provides the setting for some 250 homes that surround the golf course. It is unacceptable to drastically change the Plantation community and the River Club.
WHAT ABOUT TRAFFIC?
State Street is going to change. The State Street Transit and Traffic Operations Plan was completed in 2011. The plan was coordinated with Idaho Transportation Department, Valley Regional Transit, Ada County, City of Boise, City of Garden City, City of Eagle, and the Capital City Development Corporation. It recognizes the critical nature of State Street and the need to increase the capacity to handle greater traffic volume. This is certainly coming true. Development along State Street is encouraged by the various cities that make State Street the major thoroughfare that it is.
IF THE DEVELOPMENT HAPPENS, WHAT ASSURANCE DO WE HAVE THE GOLF COURSE WILL REMAIN?
With the approval of the development the golf course will be owned solely by Will Gustafson. Most that have met Will admire his ability to get along with folks. He says he is committed to keeping The River Club intact for the long haul. The remaining nearly 100 acres of the golf course will most likely remain zoned R-2. The River Club is a financially sound property operating as a club. It’s anybody’s guess.
IF THE DEVELOPMENT DOESN’T HAPPEN, WHAT THEN?
Hopefully the resulting development will be toned down from what has been presented by Lincoln Property Company. But if no development is approved the property could be sold, completely developed, or both.
WHAT WILL THE GOLF COURSE LOOK LIKE?
A very bright light has been the hiring of Brian Curley of Schmidt-Curley Golf Design as the architect for the redesign of the golf course. Mr. Curley has designed well over 150 golf courses in over 25 countries. He is an acclaimed golf course design architect garnering many awards including “Architect of the Year” by Golf Magazine in 2011. He will bring a well designed and challenging course to The River Club.
WHEN AND WHERE WILL PUBLIC HEARINGS BE HELD?
The city has received the application for a Specific Area Plan for that would rezone the northerly 22.68 acres of the River Club golf course from R-2 to a proposed Specific Area Plan District. The application materials are located at the link: SAPFY2023-0001.
It is anticipated that there will be public meetings as follows:
Work session in front of the Planning and Zoning Commission: February 15, 2023
City Council work session: March 13, 2023
Planning and Zoning Commission hearing: March 15, 2023
City Council hearing: March 27, 2023
The Planning and Zoning Commission meetings begin at 6:30 pm and the City Council meetings begin at 6:00 pm.
The work sessions and hearings will be held at Garden City Hall, 6015 Glenwood Street, in Garden City. There is also the ability to participate via Zoom at https://zoom.us/j/8188588340. However, if there are any technical difficulties, the meeting/hearing will continue.
These dates are subject to change. If the hearing dates change, notice will be sent via email to individuals who have notified the city they want to be an interested party.
Please note:
- The intent of the work sessions is for informational purposes only. There will not be public testimony or deliberations during these meetings.
- Oral comments to staff will not be documented for the record. Oral comments may be provided during the public testimony portion of the hearing. If you wish to provide oral testimony at the hearings, there will be a sign-up sheet available at the hearing. All written comments to be included in the record must be in writing and received by the city more than seven days prior to the hearing.
- The city requests that all written comments are sent via email to planning@gardencityidaho.org or mailed to Attn: Development Services Department, 6015 Glenwood, Garden City, ID 83714.
- We request that you do not contact decision makers (Planning and Zoning Commissioners or City Council) directly. They cannot engage on this matter outside of the public hearing.
- Due to staffing capacity constraints, we respectfully request that you do not stop by city hall to discuss this matter with staff. At this time, staff has not fully reviewed the application. As additional materials such as agency reviews are received, they will be added to the link. A staff report will be available seven days in advance of the hearings. The staff report will review the application for compliance with code.