Hundreds more houses set to come to Kuna’s dwindling farmland. What the City Council did
Northeast Kuna can expect to get 561 homes larger, after the City Council approved an application for single-family houses and a new elementary school.
The development is a continuation of the existing Patagonia Subdivision on the northwest coroner of Locust Grove and Hubbard roads. The 561 homes would be part of three subdivision areas called Patagonia East, on the property’s northwest corner; Patagonia Ridge, on the property’s northeast corner; and Patagonia Lakes, on the southeast corner.
The project is expected to be developed by Greg Johnson and Taylor Merrill, of Westpark Cos., of Meridian. It is on 173.8 acres, the application said. The Kuna School District elementary school would be on 10 acres donated by the developer.
The property is farmland with a couple of shops and a residence, the application said.
Development on farmland is not unusual for Kuna, a city that was once mostly made of farms and a small downtown.
The city was home to just under 2,000 people in 1990. In 2021 it was home to 27,570, according to the Community Planning Association of Southwest Idaho. In three years, Compass estimates Kuna’s population will be 34,269. By 2035, it will be 44,328.
The subdivision would include a variety of home types, the application said, including smaller homes with garages in the alley.
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“This design provides a charming streetscape and a home product that is popular with a variety of home buyers,” said Bonnie Layton, the developer’s representative, in the application. “From young professionals to active seniors, those looking for low maintenance home ownership appreciate this type of plan.”
During the public hearing at Kuna City Council on Tuesday, Nov. 1, council members and the public were concerned with traffic congestion in the area, particularly with a school in the plans. The city required that Westpark work with the Ada County Highway District on traffic mitigation improvements.
Robbie Reno, principal of Swan Falls High School in Kuna, praised the development and said Westpark worked closely with the school district on plans for the school site.
“Ten acres is the perfect site for an elementary school,” Reno said during the hearing. “The Kuna School District will need six elementary schools within the next 10 years. Currently we have two designated sites, and three pending so this fits right in line with our capital plan.”
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The elementary school would be built if Kuna voters elected to pass a bond, Reno said. It would be located at the southeast corner of Locust Grove and Hubbard roads.
