Planning project · Planning application
Detached garage with apartment above and new retaining wall proposed at single-family home
The plan adds one accessory dwelling unit atop a new detached garage on a 0.28-acre lot and replaces a retaining wall. It revives a project whose earlier approvals expired, and it needs hillside review and a Hearing Examiner decision.
From the filing
The application's description as it appears in City of Boise's record. See the official record
Garage w/ADU and replace retaining wall
Project name on file: 214 W CIRCLE WAY DR
Timeline
Oct. 13, 2026
11 documents added
Sept. 4, 2026
IDR Review Complete: IDR Waived
Sept. 4, 2026
Neighborhood Meeting Review: Completed
Aug. 18, 2026
Concept Review Complete: CR Complete - Type 3
Aug. 14, 2026
Concept Review Complete: Engineering Preview Complete
Based on submitted documents and limited overview of the property, a determination has been made that this project will be a Category II Hillside project due to slope, erosion-prone soils, unstable soils, earth movement, and other geologic and hydrologic hazards. In addition to the already submitted documents (please submit them with subsequent applications), additional documents may be required during the CFH Review process.Additional documents that you can expect to provide will be a site-specific geotechnical report with the possibility of a global slope stability analysis (please see the Agency Comment for Hillside Retaining Wall Permitting within this PLN); structural calculations for any retaining wall system that is greater than four feet in height from top of foundation to top of wall, that has more than one wall when the interior horizontal distance between the walls is less than 10 feet and the total height of all walls exceeds four feet, that has a surcharge, that has a backslope greater than three feet horizontal to one foot vertical, or that has structural components (these requirements will be assessed again at the time of occupancy); and civil plans. Please refer to the Hillside Development Requirements for Technical Reports for grading & drainage plan and geotechnical report requirements.A subgrade inspection by a geotechnical firm will be required at the time of construction once the subgrade is exposed and prior to placement of foundation materials or forms/rebar. A report of the inspection will need to be submitted to and accepted by PW Hillside (HillsideDrainage@cityofboise.org) before scheduling your inspection with the Building Department and receiving final occupancy.NOTE: The hazards of developing and building on a property, especially in the Boise foothills, are well known. It is the responsibility of the applicant/owner’s design, geological, and engineering professionals, not the City, to identify, address, and mitigate any hazards to the site. Satisfying these Conditions of Approval is for limited [City purpose] only and should not be relied on for design, geological or engineering purposes. Developer will comply with all requirements of Boise City Hillside Development Code Sections or submit evidence satisfactory to the Boise City Engineer that the proposed development is exempt from the requirements therein stated due to location, topography and/or the absence of adverse conditions associated with slope stability, ground water, erosion and sedimentation.If you would like to discuss this determination, please contact us at HillsideDrainage@cityofboise.org. Please include your application number and address in the subject line.
Aug. 13, 2026
Concept Review Complete: Engineering Preview
This application was previously approved under PLN24-00618 and expired. Planning has decided to apply the previous conditions of approval to this new application. However, we would like to request a new Hillside Engineering Review.
July 30, 2026
Application Submittal: Online
July 30, 2026
Application filed
Documents
Site plans
- Download Previously submitted site plan
Survey-style site plan sheet from an architecture firm, showing spot elevations, survey points and utility notations; it appears to be an earlier version of the plan.
July 30, 2026 · 1 page · 1.9 MB · PDS-Other Small Docs
Plans
- Download Previously submitted grading plan
A grading and drainage plan sheet showing catch basins, grate details, rock walls, spot elevations and notes on drainage installation, previously submitted with the application.
July 30, 2026 · 1 page · 1.5 MB · PDS-Other Small Docs
- Download Previously submitted landscape plant schedule
Plant schedule listing deciduous and evergreen trees, shrubs and perennials with quantities, sizes, mature dimensions and sun exposure, marked as previously submitted.
July 30, 2026 · 1 page · 15.3 MB · PDS-Other Small Docs
- Download Previously submitted landscaping plan
Plant schedule listing trees, shrubs and perennials with quantities, sizes, mature dimensions and sun exposure; the filename indicates it was submitted earlier.
July 30, 2026 · 1 page · 15.3 MB · PDS-Other Small Docs
Project narrative
- Download Concept review summary report
Staff summary of a pre-application concept review for a detached garage with ADU and retaining wall replacement, listing required applications and hillside review requirements.
Aug. 18, 2026 · 3 pages · 463 KB · PDS-Concept Review Summary Report
- Download Letter of explanation for reapplication after permit expiration
Applicant explains the expired permit's residence alterations (carport removal, detached garage, foundation and retaining wall repairs) are being resubmitted unchanged under a new landscape architect, requesting…
July 30, 2026 · 1 page · 30 KB · PDS-Other Small Docs
- Download Letter of explanation for reapplication under expired permit
Applicant explains the project is resubmitted under a new permit to address a failing foundation, retaining wall and drainage concerns, with a new landscape architect and an expedited review request.
July 30, 2026 · 1 page · 30 KB · PDS-Other Small Docs
Notices
- Download Completed neighborhood meeting documents
Invitation letter for a Sept. 1 neighborhood meeting on a proposed garage with second-story ADU, plus a 300-foot radius mailing list.
Sept. 3, 2026 · 14 pages · 13.8 MB · PDS-Other Small Docs
Application
- Download Planning project application form
Application for a retaining wall replacement and a garage with an accessory dwelling unit above, filed with a Hillside Questionnaire requirement noted.
July 30, 2026 · 2 pages · 154 KB · PDS-Application
- Download Public Works hillside project questionnaire
Checklist answering whether the project involves new parcel lines, exterior additions, a new dwelling, a new driveway, deep grading, and retaining walls over 4 feet.
July 30, 2026 · 1 page · 153 KB · PDS-Other Small Docs
Correspondence
- Download Hillside retaining wall permitting guidance
Public Works guidance on when retaining walls in the hillside zone need a determination, slope stability analysis, and planning-code height and setback limits.
Aug. 14, 2026 · 5 pages · 804 KB · PDS-Agency Comments
