Planning project · Planning application
Replacement of hillside retaining wall at single-family home proposed
The application would replace an existing retaining wall on a quarter-acre lot with one house. City planners say it counts as a Category II hillside project because of slope and soil hazards, and it is under administrative review.
From the filing
City of Boise hasn't published a description of this application yet. See the official record
Project name on file: 724 N SANTA PAULA PL
Timeline
Oct. 13, 2026
9 documents added
Sept. 2, 2026
Pending Application Submittal: Planning Applications in Review
Sept. 1, 2026
Concept Review Complete: CR Complete - Type 2
Aug. 20, 2026
Concept Review Complete: Engineering Preview
Aug. 20, 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. 18, 2026
Application Submittal: Online
Aug. 18, 2026
Application filed
Documents
Site plans
- Download Updated site, demolition, and proposed retaining wall plan
Site plan sheet showing demolition and proposed retaining wall layout, with a note that footing dimensions vary with wall height and the worst-case footing is shown.
Sept. 1, 2026 · 1 page · 496 KB · PDS-Maps and Drawings
- Download Engineered site plans stamped by Performance Engineers
Engineer-stamped site plans and structural notes for retaining walls at the property, including design loads, wind and seismic criteria, and material properties.
Aug. 18, 2026 · 4 pages · 8.7 MB · PDS-Other Small Docs
- Download Retaining wall engineering calculations
Structural engineering calculations for the proposed retaining wall, prepared by Performance Engineers to accompany the site plans, covering design criteria, loads, and cantilevered wall analysis.
Aug. 18, 2026 · 30 pages · 4.5 MB · PDS-Other Small Docs
Project narrative
- Download Concept review summary
Planning concept review summary for a single-family retaining wall replacement, classifying the project as a Category II Hillside project and listing expected technical documents.
Sept. 1, 2026 · 2 pages · 453 KB · PDS-Concept Review Summary Report
- Download Letter of intent and project description
Owner's letter describing the proposed replacement of a failing concrete retaining wall along a shared property boundary, with engineered design and geotechnical evaluation completed.
Aug. 18, 2026 · 1 page · 57 KB · PDS-Other Small Docs
Application
- Download Planning project application form for retaining wall replacement
Application form for replacing a failing retaining wall, an 8-inch engineered poured concrete wall of about 1 to 6 feet in height, in an R-1B zone.
Aug. 18, 2026 · 2 pages · 154 KB · PDS-Application
- Download Completed hillside project questionnaire
Public Works questionnaire answering whether the project involves parcel changes, additions, new dwellings, driveways, grading, or retaining walls.
Aug. 18, 2026 · 1 page · 375 KB · PDS-Other Small Docs
Studies and reports
- Download Geotechnical engineering report for retaining wall project
Geotechnical evaluation by Innovate Geotechnical covering subsurface findings, earthwork, bearing capacity, lateral earth pressure, retaining wall and drainage recommendations.
Aug. 18, 2026 · 21 pages · 1.1 MB · 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. 20, 2026 · 5 pages · 804 KB · PDS-Agency Comments
