Nampa approves drainage swale in place of required street berm at AgWest site

The application's description as it appears in City of Nampa's record. See the official record

AgWest Farm Credit asked the City of Nampa for a variance from the city rule requiring a continuous landscaped berm along the street frontage at 16033 Equine Dr, on a 1.69-acre commercial site. The council approved the variance because a recorded stormwater and utility easement and an existing drainage swale on the site would conflict with the berm.

The subject property at 16033 Equine Dr., Nampa fronts E. Franklin Rd. has a recorded 35’ storm water/utility easement. This easement, recorded before adoption of NCC 10-4-5.B. and 10-4-5.B1, was intended to collect and treat surface water from the site and adjacent parcels to the west into the area drainage system and provide utility access between N Tiegs Way and Equine Dr. This easement was part of the site understanding at purchase. A literal application of the 20’ berm requirement within this 35’ easement would conflict with the easement’s purpose, blocking drainage and eliminating access for current and future utilities. Constructing a berm would obstruct flow and require costly alterations to make the system functional. Moreover, these code requirements directly conflict with the deeded easement. This hardship is not self-created. The easement was a pre-existing, recorded condition at design, and neighboring properties along this segment of E. Franklin Rd. use similar open swales along Franklin to meet storm water conveyance requirements and utility access. The drainage pattern of the shared drive aisle to the west also cannot be reconfigured to accommodate new berm-related flows, as the impact of the berm would be outside of 16033 Equine Drive's property limits. Granting the variance would allow a landscape swale consistent with existing conditions along the street and preserve the drainage and utility easement’s function. Strict enforcement of NCC 10-4-5.B. and 10-4-5.B1 would create unnecessary hardship and practical difficulty for the property owner and neighboring property owners. Granting the variance represents the most reasonable and functional public-interest solution.

Project name on file: AgWest Farm Credit - Nampa

1. Dec. 3, 2025

   13 documents added

2. Nov. 19, 2025

   City Council Decision/Action Letter

3. Nov. 17, 2025

   Decision: Approved

   Nampa City Council: Approved.

4. Nov. 17, 2025

   Public hearing: Nampa City Council

5. Nov. 3, 2025

   Notice to Area Property Owners

6. Sept. 26, 2025

   Notice to Agencies/Departments

7. Sept. 25, 2025

   Assess Fees (Variance)

8. Aug. 26, 2025

   Plan Intake Passed

9. Aug. 26, 2025

   Accepted for review

10. Aug. 19, 2025

    Application filed