Variance · Planning application
Variance approved for single home on narrow vacant lot
The Planning and Zoning Commission approved Apr. 15 a variance from two setback rules to allow a single-family home on the roughly 0.095-acre lot, where a narrow frontage and a utility transformer limit space.
From the filing
The application's description as it appears in City of Garden City's record. See the official record
The applicant asks for a variance to build a single-family home on a very small vacant lot of about 0.095 acres at 3588 N. Prospect Way in Garden City. The variance would relax the front setback maximum for the main building and the 20-foot garage setback, because a narrow frontage and an existing utility transformer leave little room to build. Staff recommends approval, and the Planning and Zoning Commission makes the final decision.
Kristen McNeill with Givens Pursley, LLP is requesting a Variance to Garden City Code 8-2B-3 to allow the encroachment of a structure outside of the 10' maximum habitable-space setback and within the 20' sidewalk setback for the garage. The property is located at 3588 N. Prospect Ln. Unit 100 Garden City, ID 83714; Ada County Parcel Number R8039730100, located in the Mixed Use District.
Timeline
April 15, 2026
Approved
Garden City Planning and Zoning Commission: Approved.
April 15, 2026
Public hearing: Garden City Planning and Zoning Commission
Documents
Site plans
- Download Setback exhibit
Site exhibit showing property line setbacks, including a 10-foot property line setback and a 20-foot setback from the back of sidewalk, with existing structures marked.
April 12, 2026 · 1 page · 80 KB
Staff reports
- Download Staff report for variance application
City staff report covering the variance request for the property, including project information, discussion, decision process, agency and public comments, and code review.
April 8, 2026 · 16 pages · 1.1 MB · Staff Report
Decisions
- Download Findings of fact, conclusions of law and decision on variance
Planning and Zoning Commission decision, dated April 15, 2026, on a variance request for a vacant mixed-use lot in Garden City, covering findings on code requirements, zoning and flood hazard status.
Yesterday · 8 pages · 306 KB · Decision
- Download Hearing presentation on setback variance
Planning and Zoning Commission slides covering site constraints, requested setback relief in the M district, and the five variance findings, with a request for approval.
Yesterday · 8 pages · 728 KB
- Download Hearing presentation on setback variance
Slide deck for the Planning and Zoning Commission's April 15, 2026 hearing covering site constraints, photos, requested setback relief, and the five variance findings.
Yesterday · 9 pages · 961 KB
Notices
- Download Affidavit of property posting for variance application
Notarized affidavit certifying that the property was posted for public notice of a variance hearing in Garden City, dated March 31, 2026.
March 30, 2026 · 3 pages · 334 KB · Notice
Application
- Download Narrative in support of setback variance
Attorney cover letter arguing that the parcel's unusual long, narrow shape justifies variances from the garage and habitable-space setbacks for a single-family home.
Yesterday · 14 pages · 4.1 MB · Application packet
