Variance · Planning application
Zion Lutheran School wins approval for 136-foot fence near 12th Avenue
The City Council approved variances letting the school build a 136-foot, 6-foot-high concrete block fence five feet from the property line, with a 15-foot landscape buffer measured from the sidewalk. The approval expires in six months if no other permits are obtained.
From the filing
The application's description as it appears in City of Nampa's record. See the official record
Zion Lutheran School at 1012 12th Ave Rd asks the City of Nampa for exceptions to build a 136-foot-long, 6-foot-high concrete block wall along its playground, replacing a 4-foot chain link fence. The wall would sit 5 feet inside the property line, and the required landscape buffer and setback would be measured from the back of the sidewalk instead of the property line. The school would landscape the strip between the wall and sidewalk with trees, shrubs and irrigation.
Build 136' long, 6' high CMU fence 5' from property line for privacy and protection for students. From 12'th Ave, there is 8' of sidewalk, 2' gutter, and 10' of dirt space to property line. Zion Lutheran Church is asking to place fence 5' from their property line providing 15' to the sidewalk. They have agreed to provide landscaping from the property to the sidewalk. Reasons for the request include Ensuring the Safety Near Play Structures, Guarding Against External Threats, Increasing Visibility, and Diminishing Noise Distractions. Zion Lutheran School requests a variance to code for required 20' setback requirements. They want to build a protective CMU fence facing 12th Ave Rd and 20' setback would negatively impact property use and make the project financially unviable.
Project name on file: Zion Lutheran School Fence - Variance for Permit COM-04949-2025
Timeline
Nov. 21, 2025
14 documents added
Nov. 5, 2025
City Council Decision/Action Letter
Nov. 3, 2025
Decision: Approved with Conditions
Nampa City Council: Approved with Conditions.
Nov. 3, 2025
Public hearing: Nampa City Council
Oct. 20, 2025
Notice to Area Property Owners
Sept. 24, 2025
Notice to Agencies/Departments
Sept. 9, 2025
Assess Fees (Variance)
Sept. 9, 2025
Plan Intake Passed
Sept. 9, 2025
Accepted for review
Sept. 5, 2025
Plan Intake Failed
Sept. 2, 2025
Application filed
Documents
Plans
- Download Buffer planting plan, 24x36 sheet
Planting plan sheet showing the buffer landscaping layout, dated Aug. 21, 2025, filed with the variance application.
Sept. 2, 2025 · 1 page · 5.5 MB · Aerial image or sketch
Project narrative
- Download Narrative for variance request
Applicant's written narrative supporting the variance request, submitted with the application.
Sept. 2, 2025 · 4.2 MB · Narrative
Staff reports
- Download Staff report on fence and buffer variance requests, Nov. 3 council hearing
Staff report for the Nov. 3, 2025 council hearing on Zion Lutheran School's variance requests for a 6-foot CMU playground fence, covering landscape buffer and setback standards.
Oct. 28, 2025 · 24 pages · 10.5 MB · Staff Report - CC- Nov 2025
Decisions
- Download Recorded variance permit, City Council decision
Recorded City of Nampa variance permit allowing a CMU playground wall five feet from the property line and a reduced fifteen-foot landscape buffer for Zion Lutheran School.
Nov. 21, 2025 · 2 pages · 487 KB · Recorded Permit
- Download City Council decision letter on variance request
Letter notifying the applicant that the City Council approved a variance allowing a playground CMU wall five feet from the property line and a reduced 15-foot landscape buffer, with one condition.
Nov. 5, 2025 · 5 pages · 1.2 MB · CC Decision letter_Nov 2025
Application
- Download Master application form for variance request
Nampa master application for a variance to build a 136-foot, 6-foot-high CMU fence at Zion Lutheran School, requesting a reduced 20-foot setback from the property line.
Sept. 5, 2025 · 2 pages · 1.8 MB · Application
- Download Pre-application meeting notes email
Sept. 2, 2025 · 179 KB · Pre-Application Meeting Notes
Correspondence
- Download Email correspondence on proof of church-school authority
Bob Bennett, a consultant for the applicant, explains that the school operates as a ministry of the church and attaches website and business-registry snippets as proof of authority.
Sept. 9, 2025 · 4 pages · 1.3 MB · Available Online
- Download Headmaster letter
Sept. 2, 2025 · 21 KB · Headmaster Letter
Other documents
- Signed affidavit of legal interest
Signed affidavit of legal interest submitted on behalf of Zion Lutheran School in connection with the variance application.
Sept. 2, 2025 · Affidavit of Legal Interest
- Legal description, STRUX Engineering
Sept. 2, 2025 · Legal Description
- Deed, side 1
Sept. 2, 2025 · Deed Side 1
- Deed, side two
Sept. 2, 2025 · Deed Side 2
- Legal description of property
Sept. 2, 2025 · Legal Description - Word
