Boise commission approves 66 townhomes for Harris Ranch site
The Clarus Town Center project, in development since 2018, includes a small park and mixed-use lots near Old Hickory Way.
By Chinedu Schneider ·
Boise’s Planning and Zoning Commission voted on Monday night to move forward with a housing proposal in the Harris Ranch neighborhood. The approval allows the project, known as Clarus Town Center, to proceed to the next stage of review.
The development is led by KM Engineering and High Rhodes Investment Group, working with the Harris family. The family has owned the land since 2018, when the project first began. The plan covers roughly 6.8 acres near East Wolf Street and Old Hickory Way. It includes 66 townhomes, two lots reserved for future mixed-use buildings, and shared open space.
A central part of the design is a park called Village Park, which will occupy less than one acre. Pathways throughout the site will link to East Warm Springs Avenue and a multiuse trail south of Parkcenter Boulevard. KM Engineering stated the goal is to combine different housing types with commercial space in a community-focused center.
During the public hearing, officials and residents raised questions about housing costs and building height. One commissioner asked if the homes would include affordable options for buyers who cannot afford market-rate prices. The developer responded that the homes are not intended to be adjusted for affordability. No further details were provided on below-market pricing.
Concerns about the scale of the buildings also emerged. A community member asked if the structures along Wolf Tree and Old Hickory Way would rise three stories or higher. The developer confirmed the townhomes could reach three stories and noted that the team had coordinated with the fire department on the design.
The commission approved the project with recommendations for pedestrian safety. These include a raised crosswalk with a flashing beacon at Parkcenter Boulevard and a marked crosswalk on Wolf Tree Avenue. The Ada County Highway District has not yet approved the raised crosswalk, but the city can still make land-use recommendations.
The proposal now goes to the Boise City Council for a future review date.
