Developers apply to build six subdivisions in South Meridian with more than 1,600 homes
Last year, housing developer Toll Brothers wanted to build a 370-home subdivision in South Meridian. The city would have needed to extend sewer and water, as well as add things like streetlights and sidewalks.
City Council members weren’t interested in spending the money to make it possible. The request was denied.
Now, Hubble Homes is proposing a bigger subdivision on that same property. Hubble wants to build a 530-home subdivision on 112 acres at 4185 S. Linder Road, between Amity and Victory roads. As with Toll Brothers, Hubble’s first steps will be to ask Meridian to annex and rezone the land.
The past year has seen a number of subdivisions in that area move through Meridian’s planning process. Including Hubble’s, six subdivisions with 1,627 homes have been proposed in southern Meridian.
Patrick Connor, Hubble Homes’ director of planning and design, is hopeful the applications will be approved this time.
“This application is very preliminary right now,” Connor said. “We’re just starting talks with the city, trying to understand their needs and needs of the nearby community.”
Currently known as Tessera, the subdivision would offer a mix of competitively priced single-family home and town house styles on a variety of lot sizes, include Hubble’s not-yet-released line of luxury homes, the Reflection Series. Reflection homes will have larger lots, larger gathering areas, high ceilings, luxury finishes, covered patios and upgraded standard features. Hubble would add pedestrian access, greenways that connect residents with parkland, a central clubhouse with a community pool and children’s play structures.
“Green space and usable parks scattered around the community are critical community amenities that play a role in our community design,” Connor said by email. “...We’re working with a national urban design firm to formulate concepts for this project to maximize livability and integration.”
The property is owned by prominent Idaho ranch owners Larry and Marianne Williams. Boise has a park named for Marianne Williams on land that her husband, who founded lumber maker and forest landowner Idaho Timber LLC, donated 16 years ago in her honor.
“With a lot of the new projects coming in, there is an organized effort to extend utility infrastructure and coordinate transportation improvements together,” Connor said. “We’re working with the other planned neighboring subdivisions that are also in the preliminary stage to see how we can best work together.”
Meridian Planning Division Manager Caleb Hood said he is not aware of any new infrastructure plans for this area. But that doesn’t mean the City Council won’t decide to approve them and set those plans in motion, according to Stephany Galbreaith, Meridian communications manager.
“It’s completely up to council,” Galbreaith said. “At this point, we couldn’t say (if the applications will be approved).”
The other five subdivisions are:
Edgehill. CBH Homes is working to build the Edgehill Subdivision with 116 homes on 38 acres at 3604 S. Linder Road, just south of the proposed Hubble Homes subdivision.
Jackson Ridge. Owned by Brent Jackson, the Jackson Ridge subdivision would be one mile northwest of Tessera at 2365 W. Victory Road. The developers had a pre-application meeting with the Meridian Planning Department to discuss annexation and rezoning in March. The developers originally proposed an 80-acre subdivision with about 325 homes but now say those plans will change. Jay Walker of Boise development company Kimley-Horn said they plan to file an official application next week.
Briar Ridge. In June, Corey Barton of CBH Homes requested a rezoning to build an 80-acre subdivision located between Amity and Lake Hazel roads, west of Meridian Road.. The Briar Ridge Subdivision would have 227 homes, including 123 single-family houses and 104 town houses. The City Council will hold a hearing on its rezoning will be held on Sept. 14.
“The time is right to develop the Briar Ridge property,” its application letter said. “Properties in the vicinity are already approved for development or awaiting approval. Briar Ridge is planned as a traditional neighborhood residential development, with a mix of housing types, substantial open space, and exceptional landscaping.”
Lavender Heights. Gregory Johnson, of The Westpark Co. and Riverwood Homes, requested a final plat permit for Lavender Heights Subdivision at 2160 Lake Hazel Road on July 28. The proposed Lavender Heights would have 63 homes on 16 acres.
Brundage Estates. In 2016, Allen and Dianne Centers proposed the Brundage Estates subdivision with 366 homes across 136.6 acres on the east side of South Linder Road between Victory and Amity roads. The City Council approved a preliminary plat. The Centers applied for 24-month extensions to these approvals in 2018 and 2020. Both were approved.
Sally Krutzig covers Treasure Valley growth and development. Have a story suggestion or a question? Email Krutzig at skrutzig@idahostatesman.com.
This story was originally published September 1, 2021 at 4:00 AM.
