Garden City will be working over the next couple of years on rewriting the Garden City Development Code.
The existing zoning code is outdated. Much of the existing code was drafted in the 1950 and 1970s with the last significant review in 2008. Our city has changed significantly throughout time, and so have the planning tools we use and rely on to preserve what makes Garden City special and improve our city as it grows.
A new zoning code is necessary to successfully implement the comprehensive plan. The new development code will also shape a clear path forward to preserve the aspects of Garden City that make it special, while also serving the needs of our city today and into the future.
The Process
Phase One: Organization. During phase one known needs, code amendments that are relatively straight forward, will be adopted to establish a base to work from. There will be outreach to determine additional needs.
Phase Two: Assessment and outreach.
Phase Three: A committee and potential subcommittees will be established to work through revisions to the development code.
Phase Four: Public Review, including workshops and open houses.
Phase Five: Revisions and Adoption
Ordinances as Part of Phase One
This is currently occurring. The below links are to code amendments that are in the works or have been completed.
- CPAFY2022-0001 Tiny Homes - (proposed by a member of the community-EXPIRED)
- CPAFY2022-0002 Flood Hazard (ADOPTED)
- CPAFY2022-0003 Design Review Process (ADOPTED)
- CPAFY2022-0004 Accessory Dwelling Units (ADOPTED)
- CPAFY2022-0005 Live-Work-Create District Repeal & Design Review Finding (ADOPTED)
- CPAFY2022-0006 Parking (ADOPTED)
- CPAFY2022-0010 Small Cell (ADOPTED)
- CPAFY2023-0001 Sureties (ADOPTED)
- CPAFY2023-0002 Extensions (ADOPTED)
- CPAFY2023-0003 Floodplain (ADOPTED)
- CPAFY2024-0003 Extensions (ADOPTED)
- CPAFY2024-0004 Buffers (ADOPTED)
- CPAFY2021-0005 Design Review & Administration (ADOPTED)
- CPAFY2024-0006 Planned Unit Development (ADOPTED)
- CPAFY2024-0007 Required Improvements (PENDING/ ON HOLD)
Resources
Children's Corner
Planning According to the Kids
On October 10, 2022 Robin's 1st Grade Class at Anser made urban plans. They were complete with parks, schools, and even a landfill.
How This Will Help the City
This project will:
- Make the code more user-friendly,
- Provide clear objectives for development projects,
- Encourage the enhancement and revitalization of activity centers by creating compact, walkable development patterns, and
- Promote original and high-quality building and site designs that will enhance the character and function of Garden City’s streets while fitting into the context of established neighborhoods.
How to be Involved
The city will be providing a robust public participation effort throughout the entire process. This effort will include a series of public engagement activities that will provide multiple opportunities to learn, review and provide comment.
Individuals interested in routine updates can notify us by sending an email to planning@gardencityidaho.org.
Advisory Committee
The Citywide Advisory Committee will be comprised of individuals who represent a dynamic group of community members, businesses, and stakeholders across backgrounds, technical and personal experiences from throughout the community.
This committee serves as a sounding board for ideas and questions raised throughout the Development Code Rewrite process. Members will review the draft zoning code updates and offer feedback that will help guide the direction of the new development code the city hopes to adopt at the end of this process. Opinions expressed by committee members are shared with the city’s elected and appointed officials.



