Senate Assistant Majority Leader Chuck Winder — who ran for mayor of Boise in 2003 — is seeking to exempt the state from complying with the city’s planning and zoning process for projects on the state-owned Capitol Mall.
The Senate State Affairs Committee introduced Winder’s bill on Friday. Winder said his bill was prompted by the city’s rejection of the design of a new 580-space parking garage behind the Capitol at 6th and Washington streets.
In January, the city’s Design Review Committee approved the garage’s height, but said the design and materials are inconsistent with the character of the surrounding historical area.
Early this month, the Planning and Zoning Commission affirmed the decision. The state has appealed to the City Council.
Winder said he hopes the appeal will succeed and that the “nuclear option” can be avoided. But if the city and state can’t agree, he said his bill would allow the project to go ahead. Bonds have been issued, Winder said, and extended delay would be expensive.
Sen. Jeff Siddoway, R-Terreton, suggested sending the bill to the full Senate with a recommendation for passage. But Chairman Curt McKenzie, R-Nampa, said he wanted to hold a hearing on the bill because there was opposition.
Remind me again how this is the party of local control?
Long lists of research show that adding more auto-oriented infrastructure such as extra highway lanes, more parking garages etc only serves to worsen the problem. The new facilities bring in higher volumes of traffic, and in no time flat, the same overcrowding that existed before exists again, only millions of dollars are gone and a new scar on the city now exist. The strategy is to REDUCE access via automobile, which will dissuade excess auto trips to the area of concern, bolster carpooling, change public opposition to a much needed public transit system upgrade and improve the general quality and character of the downtown area.
I believe that when Mr. Chuck Winder starts talking about “nuclear” we must all tremble. After all his genius in managing other important statewide issues is legendary, and as well off the mark as this one. Surly the State of Idaho must understand that in a city 150 years old, with a very rich history, it can see what it would like for its image to remain. Get real and direct the Architect to see what the City thinks it would like to have. These things mean a lot to this citizen. I am sure others at the legislature don’t want to branded with the imprimture of Mr Winder on this issue.
Wow. Chuck “Ultrasound” Winder couldn’t get his fingers into Idaho women’s private parts, so he’s trying to put them into the local business of Boise.
Is it just a coincidence that Chuck Winder is in real estate? Statesman, please investigate whether there is any conflict of interest. Does Mr. Winder have a financial interest in the garage, or have a buddy with one?
So ALL of IDAHO is again P&Z? Missing any words?
If a Square is a Rectangle but a Rectangle is not always a Square, is Chuck Winder Circular?