Clarus Town Center: 66 townhomes get zoning nod in Boise
KM Engineering and High Rhodes Investment Group advance a 6.8-acre mixed-use plan near East Wolf Street and Old Hickory Way.
By Samantha Reed ·
66 townhomes will soon be on the drawing board for a corner of Southeast Boise, following a unanimous vote by the city's Planning and Zoning Commission on Monday night. The approval moves the Clarus Town Center project one step closer to construction near East Wolf Street and Old Hickory Way.
The plan covers approximately 6.8 acres of land in the Harris Ranch neighborhood. Besides the residential units, the site includes two lots reserved for future mixed-use buildings. A central open space, measuring less than an acre, is designated to become Village Park. Pathways are planned to link the development to East Warm Springs Avenue and an existing multiuse pathway south of Parkcenter Boulevard.
KM Engineering and High Rhodes Investment Group are leading the effort in partnership with the Harris family. The Harris family has deep ties to the area, with their land and legacy integral to the neighborhood's development. The project has been in planning since 2018. KM Engineering stated the goal is to create a community-focused town center that combines various housing types with commercial space.
During the public hearing, a commissioner inquired about the pricing of the new homes. She asked, "Are they intended to be just at market rate? Are they going to be more affordable to people who might not be able to afford a market-rate house? Can you address that?" The developer replied, "I don't believe that they'll be adjusted." No further details were given on whether any units would be priced below market rates.
Residents also raised questions about the physical scale of the buildings. One community member asked if the structures along Wolf Tree and Old Hickory Way would be three stories or taller, citing concerns about how the height would fit the surrounding area. The developer told the room that the townhomes could reach three stories. They noted that the team had coordinated with the fire department on related design details.
The commission approved the project with specific conditions. They recommended additional pedestrian safety measures, including a raised crosswalk and flashing beacon at Parkcenter Boulevard. A marked crosswalk is also proposed for Wolf Tree Avenue. The Ada County Highway District has not yet approved the raised crosswalk at Parkcenter Boulevard, but commissioners can still issue recommendations as the project moves through the city's review process.
The proposal now goes to the Boise City Council for final review at a future date.
