Open Space
We are friends, neighbors, & families who care about preserving open space in the city of Boise. We care about our city’s neighborhoods, parks, trails, rivers, wildlife, and desire to see such habitat preserved for current and future generations.
We support the parks protection initiative to save open space in Boise which the city might otherwise rezone from open space to allow development. If any such development is approved, it will destroy open space, ruin plant & wildlife, create fire hazards, and once again neglect the needs of Boise’s environment.
We stand for sensible growth that balances the needs of a growing city with the needs of its citizens. We believe there can be a balance between growth and keeping the character of Boise’s many neighborhoods.
Development upon publicly-owned open space should require a public vote.
We believe locally elected officials should listen to their citizens to require reasonable governance in matters such as rezoning and development. We believe neighbors should vote when their voices and concerns are not heard. We support neighbors, associations, and individuals who stand up for preserving habitat in the city we love.
OUR GOALS
The City of Boise is looking to rezone open space in Boise in order to develop such open space, We aim for the following:
To preserve open space in Boise.
To prevent large developers from bullying citizens.
To support all neighborhoods around our city that benefit from open space.
To resist local governments and elected officials that neglect the needs of their citizens.
We at Boise Parks Association are opposed to have development upon open space in Boise for the following reasons.
1. Fire Hazards
Open Space parcels and are generally considered the highest risk for fire. Division of such properties for piecemeal development can increase the risk of fire. There may not be a fire station that can meet the Boise Master Fire Siting Plan to meet the adopted level of service standard response for fire.
2. Lack Of Water
May of these parcels do not currently have sewer service available and may already experience a lack of water and depletion of the aquifer. This adds additional strain to resources that are already needed for current and future building.
3. A-1 and A-2 Open Space is in Jeopardy
Rezoning A-1 and A-2 Open space sets a precedent that other parcels with this zoning, including the Boise Foothills, which could be open to development.
4. Nature and Wildlife
Development of Open Space will destroy bird habitat for local, migratory and birds of prey including Goldfinch, Pipit, Robin, Magpie, Chickadee, Hummingbird, Creeper, Quail, Finch, Waxwing, Hawk, Junco, Woodpecker, Dove, Flicker, Wren, Owl, Sparrow, Killdeer, Mallard, Flycatcher, Crossbill, Nuthatch, Blackbird, Phoebe, Towhee, Vulture, Tanager, and Warbler among many, many others. Other animals such as cotton tail, jackrabbits, bull snakes, coyotes, mice, owls, hawks, and ground squirrels will also have their natural habitat destroyed.