Officials motion to deny proposal for housing project
BOISE, Idaho (CBS2) — The Planning and Zoning Committee held a public hearing on Monday, with public testimony for and against Collegiate Development Group's proposed housing project stretching until 1:30 a.m. Tuesday. The proposed housing project on Boise Avenue was rejected 2-1. The members voted to deny based on ACHD traffic concerns.
This was after 36 tenants currently in Ridenbaugh Place's affordable housing complex urged the city to "save their homes."
The residents protested after discovering the large scale student-oriented housing group would be building luxury apartments where the residents currently live.
They would tear down the existing affordable housing to make way for this 526 bedroom project. The new apartments would act as Boise State student housing.
"This is important to us," said Tammy McMillen, a resident. "Where are we gonna go, there are a lot of units here and only probably one family is going to get a home. And, we’re always talking about the homeless in Ada County. They’re just going to add to that list."
This is coming at a time of a nationwide housing affordability crisis. Idaho holds the record for the highest rent increase in the entire country in 2019.
It is likely that the decision will be appealed to city council. The city council holds the final decision.
