This development may bring more than 2,000 homes to Kuna
Kuna could soon get a giant development of golf-course homes.
Falcon Crest Golf Course could have more than 2,000 homes added under a proposal made by M3 Companies, a developer, on behalf of the owners of the 17-year-old golf course and its adjoining land. The development would cover 1,025 acres immediately north of Kuna Road and east of File Mile Road.
The development, dubbed the Falcon Crest Subdivision, would include lots for single families, homes targeted at people ages 55 or older, and golf villages. It would include almost 19 acres for commercial use. The proposal also includes a public city park and public pathways, as well as private parks and a private swimming pool.
Drivers would access the subdivision at multiple points on Kuna Road and South Cloverdale Road. The proposal relies on a central road within the development for residents to navigate quickly rather than creating much more access to main roads.
The proposed land and golf course are owned by Terry Cook and Hansgeorge Borbonus, who also own Cloverdale Nursery at 2528 N Cloverdale Road in Kuna. Construction and management would be executed by M3 Companies, a housing developer based in Idaho and Arizona.
M3 has built several other developments in the Treasure Valley, including Red Hawk Ridge, another golf community in Nampa and Hillsdale Park in Meridian. It was a partner in the failed Spring Valley Ranch development north of Eagle until the other partner, the Dallas Police and Fire Pension System, bought out M3’s interest in 2016.
“They want an active recreation-type housing development,” said Troy Behunin, senior planner with the City of Kuna Planning Department. “I’m not sure if there’s anything (in the area) that rivals a golf course community on this scale.”
Falcon Crest’s application does not say how many housing units would be built, but an analysis by the Ada County Highway District estimates more than 2,300, including about 1,700 detached houses aimed at 55-and-up residents and 600 for families. With two persons per household, the development would boost the 19,700-population city by more than 20 percent.
Mike Rapp, Falcon Crest’s general manager, said plans to build this community have been in the works since Falcon Crest was conceived. The recession in 2008 was a factor in its delay.
“This has always been a part of the deal,” Rapp said. “(A golf course community) means you have a built-in customer base.”
Falcon Crest and M3 will make their proposal to the Kuna Planning and Zoning Commission on Tuesday, Nov. 27. The proposal had been scheduled to be heard Oct. 9 but was tabled at the city staff’s request until Oct. 23, and then tabled again.
The development would require annexation by Kuna, meaning the proposal will need to pass the Kuna City Council. The annexed land would be rezoned from rural residential to medium- and high-density residential.
Development would begin immediately after approval, according to documents submitted to the city.
A report by ACHD said the development would generate nearly 18,000 vehicle trips per day, more than half of which would be on Cloverdale Road north of Kuna Road. Both roads would be expanded. Road construction would begin in 2023, with most of the Cloverdale expansion taking place between 2031 and 2035. Roundabouts would be added on Cloverdale Road’s intersections with Kuna, Columbia and Amity roads.
Construction of the first plat would consist of nine phases, starting with the age-restricted living and commercial developments, and the phases completed within five to 10 years. The entire development could take 20 years, depending on market conditions.
The golf course itself would get a new clubhouse. Houses in the golf villages would be built between the golf courses themselves, meaning for those residents, a round of golf is just outside the front door.
The development was first reported by the Kuna Melba News.
Brandon Rasmussen: 208-377-6486, @brandonrasmus1
This story was originally published October 22, 2018 at 6:31 PM.