Comments on: Cities Seek More Authority Without Oversight

By: boisecynic

boisecynic — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 15:39:57 +0000

Cyclops;

My point is that private enterprise is hamstrung by the history of West Downtown and the new regulations enacted since the area was originally developed. These are facts and cannot be changed and are not subject to interpretation. Private enterprise IS NOT going to redevelop west downtown alone.

The downtown mid-rises to which you refer are in a different zoning area that does not have the restrictive parking policies which are applicable to the Fariview/Main corridor. Fairview/Main developers face the same parking restrictions as suburban developers. Yet the lots are too small to allow compliance with those restrictions. Something has got to give.

So the question is, do we continue to ignore the Fairview/Main corridor or do we work together to make it better? It doesn’t have to mean one of two things. Rezoning, or creating a URD which can buy up and reassemble the cut up lots. The sensible solution is a mix of both.

Remember, the storm water mitigation rules come to us from the feds. City of Boise cannot undo that. Our only power, as locals, the only reasonable local power we have is an Urban Renewal District.

By: Cyclops

Cyclops — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 22:54:36 +0000

You are so right Cynic. The restrictions on development are indeed expensive and impossible. That is precisely what needs to change! Take a walk around downtown and look at all those buildings. You know, the ones with names on them! Jefferson, Alaska, Banner Bank, etc. etc. Those were all built by private enterprise. We need to get local planners and bureaucratic entities out of the way so that a new generation of businessmen and women can come along and put their names on the next generation of buildings! It is a really simple equation. If there is a need for something, ANYTHING, someone will fill that need from the private sector. That is the way it was for hundreds of years. How is the NEW way of doing things been working for us so far??

By: boisecynic

boisecynic — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 20:36:56 +0000

Clancy;

Idaho Freedom Foundation is hardly an unbiased source. And IFF didn’t even do their own research, they relied on the biased Cato Institute to write a “report” for the IFF. And that report cites no research or any facts whatsoever.

Cyclops;

I’m not sure what you meant but you seem to ask why private enterprise, i.e., the free market doesn’t step in to redevelop.

There is no free market when it comes to West Downtown. As I’ve previously written, West Downtown properties were carved up before current planning and zoning laws were implemented. Most of the lots in west downtown are too small to do anything with of a commercial nature. New laws require parking and storm water retention basins and setbacks etc etc.

How do you suppose any private business is going to handle all these expensive and yes, impossible restrictions?

See guys, these are facts. I didn’t rely on a report about a report. Boise Planning and Zoning is freely available online. It’s beyond the scope of my reply to address zoning for individual properties, but it’s there.

By: dog

dog — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 03:12:58 +0000

Zippo needs to relax. C’mon man, why on earth would you read news published by the Moonies? Respect yourself and your intelligence.

By: Zippo

Zippo — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 01:28:56 +0000

No! In the middle of the road is how one gets into a nasty wreck. I know it was from the WT, but did you read it… at least the math anyway. Last time we had this size debt load we’d just conquered the entire world. This time we have some yoyo trying to tell me that a Wal-Mart job counts as a job. And he tells me inflation is under control when food prices are going nuts. He’s trying to tell me the rich guy with jobs is bad, and our salvation rests with stripping his money away and giving it to some loser who might be something someday… maybe. Have you all looked at your taxes? I mean all of them. Sales, income, property, fuel, all the extras on the phone and utilities, fees for things you already paid for with some other tax, on and on and on.

The city is working it’s way into a position to spend without reason… and why not with leadership examples like the yoyo, and the four who came before him

By: Clancy

Clancy — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 21:35:45 +0000

$52,000,000 -Interesting dollar figure what URD’s siphon away each year in Idaho.
http://www.idahofreedom.net/blog/report-finds-urban-renewal-siphons-52-m-taxpayers-little-benefit

By: Zippo

Zippo — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 01:42:04 +0000

Dumb dumb dumb!

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/feb/14/debt-now-equals-total-us-economy/

EDITOR NOTE–Zip, do you read anything even CLOSE to middle of the road besides the GUARDIAN? 🙂

By: dog

dog — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 22:14:53 +0000

Who said Republicans didn’t support Socialisim?

EDITOR NOTE– Dog, there is a bipartisan effort to see who can give away the most to the Chinese Communists south of Boise. Insanity reigns.

By: Clancy

Clancy — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 20:20:40 +0000

Seems to me that Team Dave should of gone for the whole gusto- a Transportation Authority. Then the trolley, airport expansion and intermodal center could all be done without a vote of the people or affected property owners.

By: Cyclops

Cyclops — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 06:03:43 +0000

Even though your argument makes perfect sense, you have neglected one part of the equation. Why would private enterprise step up and supply the need when, “you know, if we wait a little and threaten to pull out, these jerks will build it for us”!!!!

EDITOR NOTE– You are so right. I noticed a CBS news story that Rockford, Illinois has a new Chinese factory that makes solar panels…just like Pocatello. They will soon corner that market and no doubt it is only because of tax credits and the mania of which city can give away the most.