Variance · Planning application
Approved variances let Greenstar Foods build drive-thru food project in Nampa
The city approved variances relaxing landscaping, vehicle maneuvering and drive-thru escape lane rules for a roughly 2,050-square-foot food building on a 0.52-acre commercial lot. The variances were needed because a court ruling requires the site to keep delivery access for nearby businesses; the permit ends if work…
From the filing
The application's description as it appears in City of Nampa's record. See the official record
Greenstar Foods LLC, through architect Jeff Likes, asked the Nampa City Council for variances to build an El Pollo Loco-style restaurant with a drive-thru at 95 2nd Street South on a 0.52-acre downtown parcel, with a 2,050-square-foot building and 17 parking spaces. The requests would reduce a landscape buffer along Northside Blvd, allow the drive-thru maneuvering area inside a side yard setback, and remove the drive-thru emergency escape lane, because a 2007 Idaho Supreme Court ruling requires delivery access through the site. Staff recommended approval, and the council's decision is not recorded in this document.
Initially approved through City Council on May 5, 2014, as part of a prior application for a 2,627 SF Carl’s Jr drive-thru restaurant variance application, this site had gained relief for the required landscape buffer along Northside Blvd. to allow for the placement of internal parking and pass-through window service, both necessary for the placement of the structure and parking which would have been incombered by the now vacated 1st Ave. South Right-Of-Way, not allowing for this parcel to be developed.
Project name on file: Greenstar Foods
Timeline
May 9, 2025
16 documents added
April 23, 2025
City Council Decision/Action Letter
April 21, 2025
Decision: Approved with Conditions
Nampa City Council: Approved with Conditions.
April 21, 2025
Public hearing: Nampa City Council
April 7, 2025
Notice to Area Property Owners
Jan. 23, 2025
Notice to Agencies/Departments
Jan. 15, 2025
Assess Fees (Variance)
Jan. 14, 2025
Plan Intake Passed
Jan. 14, 2025
Accepted for review
Jan. 13, 2025
Plan Intake Failed
Jan. 7, 2025
Application filed
Documents
Site plans
- Download Site plan layout for landscape setback variance
Site layout plan showing parking, landscape buffers, setbacks, and key notes for a downtown business zone parcel, prepared by ALC Architecture and dated December 2024.
Jan. 7, 2025 · 1 page · 590 KB · Site Plan
Project narrative
- Download Landscape setback variance request narrative
Letter from the applicant's architect requesting relief from the 15-foot landscape buffer along Northside Blvd., citing a prior approved drive-thru site plan and access requirements.
Jan. 7, 2025 · 1 page · 116 KB · Narrative
Staff reports
- Download Staff report for Greenstar Foods drive-thru variance request
Staff recommends approval of three variances for a downtown drive-thru site, covering a 15-foot landscape buffer, vehicle maneuvering in a street side setback, and removal of the 10-foot escape lane.
April 17, 2025 · 22 pages · 8.5 MB · Staff Report
Decisions
- Download Variance permit for landscape buffer, vehicle maneuvering, and drive-thru escape lane
Recorded City of Nampa variance permit for Greenstar Foods LLC approving three variances for a downtown business site, reviewed by City Council under the listed approval criteria.
May 9, 2025 · 4 pages · 417 KB · Recorded Permit 5.9.25
- Download Signed findings of fact and decision approving three variances
Nampa City Council's signed decision approving variances for a Greenstar Foods drive-thru site in the Downtown Business zone, covering landscape buffer, setbacks and escape lane.
April 23, 2025 · 5 pages · 1.0 MB · Signed Findings
- Download Council decision letter approving three variances
Letter from the Nampa City Council approving three variances for a drive-thru project, from landscape buffer, setback and escape lane requirements, with one condition to follow city codes and Title 4.
April 23, 2025 · 6 pages · 1.4 MB · Decision Letter
Application
- Download Master application for variance
General master application form for a variance request, listing the applicant, architect, and property owner for the El Pollo & Coffee Shop project.
Jan. 14, 2025 · 2 pages · 2.4 MB · Application
Other documents
- Checklist for El Pollo & Coffee Shop variance
Jan. 15, 2025 · Checklist
- Legal description, Parcel A
Jan. 14, 2025 · Legal Description Parcel A
- Legal description, Parcel B
Jan. 14, 2025 · Legal Description Parcel B
- Download Pre-application meeting notes from planning staff
Planning and zoning property inquiry notes covering the zoning, a prior expired variance, the 1st Ave S vacation history, allowed uses, and landscaping and irrigation requirements.
Jan. 14, 2025 · 5 pages · 618 KB · Pre-App Mtg Notes
- Parcel A legal description
Jan. 7, 2025 · Legal Description - Parcel A - Word
- Parcel B legal description
Jan. 7, 2025 · Legal Description - Parcel B - Word
- Affidavit of legal interest
Jan. 7, 2025 · Affidavit of Legal Interest
- Quitclaim deed
Quitclaim deed filed with the Greenstar Foods application, transferring property interest; no text was available to confirm details.
Jan. 7, 2025 · Quitclaim Deed 1 - Greenstar Foods
- Quitclaim deed
Quitclaim deed filed with the variance application, transferring property interest between parties, likely involving Greenstar Foods.
Jan. 7, 2025 · Quitclaim Deed 2 - Greenstar Foods
