Administrative Review with Major Design Review: Type 2 + 3 Applications

60-Unit Apartment Complex in R-3 (Residential Urban)

apartment building with trees in front and blue skies

Some projects may be classified as Type 2 Administrative Review because the use is allowed, but they require interdepartmental review and Type 3 Major Design Review, which includes a public hearing.

EXAMPLE: A developer purchases a vacant corner lot in an R-3 (Residential Urban) zone to build a 60-unit apartment complex.

WHY TYPE 2 + 3: Multifamily housing is an allowed use in the R-3 zone, so the use is reviewed and approved administratively. However, new multi-family buildings are subject to Citywide Design Guidelines and require Major Design Review.

Type 2 Process for Allowed Use

Timeline of proposed process starting with Concept Review Meeting (25%), then an Interdepartmental Review is done (50%), a application is submitted (100%), a staff report is done, and then a decision is made.

Type 3 Process for Major Design Review

Timeline starting with Concept Review Meeting (25%), then a neighborhood meeting, then mid-process review meeting with staff, then interdepartmental review (50%), then an application is submitted, then a staff report is conducted, and lastly decision: design review commission.

Public Involvement

Allowed Use

Project visible on Community Development Tracker
Neighborhood Association is copied on approval letter to applicant
Appeal of decision goes to hearing examiner

Major Design Review

Neighborhood meeting
Transmittal (agencies, neighborhood association) and mailed notice when application is submitted
Public hearing
Appeal of this decision would go to Boise City Council

More examples of applications that follow this process:

Commercial and mixed use buildings over 5,000 square feet

Old Process

Timeline starting with pre-application meeting (0-100%), then a neighborhood meeting, an application is submitted, then agencies and partners review, then a staff report is compiled and lastly a public hearing and decision: Planning and Zoning Commission

Send a Message to Planning

Thank you for your interest in the Planning division. Please fill out the form below and a representative will be in touch with you. If you are inquiring about a specific project, please include the record number or project address.