A new Starbucks could be near Boise Airport. Parking spaces present hurdle

A new Starbucks could be coming near the Boise Airport.

But the timing of the application has created complications.

The application for the Starbucks was submitted to the city of Boise on Nov. 30, 2023 — one day before the city’s updated zoning code, which emphasizes more dense development, less parking and more public transit, went into effect. The application is being reviewed under the legacy code. (City staff are calling the new code the Modern Zoning Code as opposed to the Legacy Zoning Code, as city staff call the old code).

The Planning and Zoning Commission approved a conditional use permit for the Starbucks in March but approved a condition on the project limiting the amount of parking to 19 spots. The engineering company that submitted the application wants more.

Under the legacy zoning code, the maximum amount of allowed parking was 1.75 times the minimum required parking spots. The minimum number of parking spaces is calculated as one spot for every three internal seats. In Starbucks‘ case, the minimum would be 11 parking spots and the maximum would be 19.

KM Engineering LLP, which submitted the application, wanted more than the proposed 19 parking spots at the proposed drive-thru location at the corner of Vista Avenue and Airport Way.

“Let’s say the Starbucks goes in. If you wanted to get a coffee, and park and drink your coffee, there could be concerns with those parking spaces being filled by others that are not even utilizing Starbucks for the coffee,” said Connor Lindstrom, with KM Engineering, during a Boise Planning and Zoning Commission meeting in March.

Although KM Engineering said that the number of inside seats wasn’t finalized, city staff said that the 19 parking spaces could become a minimum — as in, Starbucks could add seats inside until it hits 19 as the lowest amount of parking spots instead of the most. Outdoor seating does not count toward the number of parking spots.

A minimum of 19 parking spaces would require 57 indoor seats — nearly double the current number (33).

Parking is one of the many things people around the country and in Boise are rethinking regarding the setup of cities. Several places, including the City of Trees, are trying to build a less car-centric future.

“This is a bit of a crystal ball question, because we are straddling two codes here,” Councilmember Luci Willits told the applicant at a recent council meeting. “If Starbucks was to resubmit with updated numbers, do you believe that you would get increased parking?”

Staff said the modern zoning code in general is moving away from “vehicular orientation” and would likely lower the minimum — and maximum — number of parking spaces allowed.

And some Planning and Zoning commissioners didn’t think more parking spots and less landscaping presented a good view for those entering Boise or were appropriate in meeting the city’s climate goals.

Ultimately, the Boise City Council denied the appeal, 4-2.

Willits, who voted to approve the appeal, said people were going to drive to the airport and the city should trust businesses to know what they need.

“This is a really unique part of town,” Willits said. “We have a record number of people flying in and out of our airport. We all want to do right by the environment but I don’t think 10 less parking spaces is going to save the environment here.”

However, a couple of council members pointed out that the Planning and Zoning Commission did nothing wrong and that the city is changing.

“We are actively moving in a direction of less parking,” Councilmember Meredith Stead said.