Boise council sets appeal date for Interfaith shelter. It’ll last longer than you think
After weeks of waiting, the Boise City Council has set an official date for Interfaith Sanctuary’s appeal for its application for a homeless shelter to be located on State Street, pending approval from the council.
The appeal hearings are scheduled to last 25 hours spread over five days from April 18 to April 25.
The proposed shelter, located at 4306 W. State St., has sharply divided housing advocates who argue that Boise does not have enough shelter space and neighborhood associations who say it would lead to a deterioration of nearby residential areas.
The Boise Planning and Zoning Commission hearing on the shelter required four meetings lasting 15 hours in December and January, with hours of public testimony and discussion among commissioners. Ultimately, commissioners voted 5-1 on Jan. 3 to reject Interfaith’s application on the grounds that it would harm the surrounding area and lacked a needed security plan.
Interfaith’s attorneys submitted a 120-page appeal to the City Council on Feb. 4, making the argument that the commission ignored testimony from the the Boise police and fire departments. They also wrote that the commission placed new requirements, such as the security plan, not listed in Boise city code
The dates and times for each hearing, according to city staff, are as follows:
- Monday, April 18 - 4-9 p.m.
- Tuesday, April 19 – 10 a.m.-4 p.m. (45-minute lunch break included)
- Wednesday, April 20 – 4-9 p.m.
- Thursday, April 21 – 4-9 p.m.
- Monday, April 25 – 4-9 p.m.
Only those who provided written or oral testimony to the Planning and Zoning Commission will be allowed to testify in front of the City Council. More details on how to sign up for testimony will be provided at a later date, according to the city.
City Planning spokesperson Lindsay Moser said the council does have the option of using less time if needed.
Any decision by the council is expected to be appealed in District Court.
This story was originally published February 14, 2022 at 4:41 PM.
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