City Government
“State of Boise” Asserts Baseless Authority Over Idaho Parking Garage
February 13, 2013 
Boise’s Design Review committee is probably getting just a tad too big for its britches over denying approval of a State of Idaho parking facility near the capitol and it could backfire if the conservative legislature is asked to approve things like local option taxing authority.
There is no legal requirement for the state to subjugate itself to the city. In fact, the state routinely follows its own building code and ignores city requirements–sometimes including local fire codes. As a courtesy, the state seeks approval for planning and zoning variances and land uses in an effort to “fit in” to a community.
We suspect there will be some back room conversations among “higher authorities” when it comes to approving the parking structure. No need to piss off the folks who hold the approval authority of city desires–like local option taxing.
In denying the state’s application, the committee went against city staff, which recommended approval, as long as the state met six conditions. Those conditions included elimination of stalls designated for compact cars, the placement of trees around the outside of the parking garage and outdoor parking lot, and the inclusion of at least 64 bicycle spaces and 13 spaces accessible to disabled drivers or passengers. Too bad Boise Design Review members didn’t have the same view when they allowed the BoDo garage to be built.
Even the staff recommendations are mere suggestions and have no force and effect in law.
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Comments & Discussion
Comments are closed for this post.
Feb 13, 2013, 5:39 pm
This reminds me of the cold war. Anytime the Russians were serious about doing anything with the evil west they held “secret meetings”.
Design review is a good idea but the people running the show can run amok.
Feb 13, 2013, 6:47 pm
Design Review Committees are generally silly, unless the committee has technical expertise and understands what it means to stay within their legal purpose (and then does it!). Personally, I find that the people most attracted to serve on those committees are busy-body types who have a grudge or two and really have no clue or concern about the proper exercise of power. They are going to change the world!
Feb 13, 2013, 9:31 pm
Just say NO to local option taxes.
Feb 14, 2013, 8:33 am
Why do you hate democracy so much Rod?
The rallying cry back in 1776 was “no taxation without representation” and NOT “no taxation at all.”
Feb 14, 2013, 12:22 pm
Funny how the City of Boise and the Urban Renewal District act when someone wants in on “their business”.
This garage will not put revenue in the City pockets – so they oppose. We need to get rid of Renewal Districts.
If the City of Boise is worried about UGLY UGLY UGLY buildings then take a trip to the Train Depot and look downtown at the Alpine Building – now that is ugly.
Feb 15, 2013, 8:11 pm
boisecynic, I support income tax and oppose sales taxes and other regressive types of taxes, such as property taxes. None of which has anything to do with supporting or opposing democracy.
Feb 15, 2013, 8:13 pm
Local option tax would most likely be a sales tax. I oppose that.