Design Review

Below is a general overview of the Design Review Consultation process for your reference.

If you plan to submit an application, please refer to the detailed guide outlining each step: Link

  1. This is a free meeting with a city planner, held online via Microsoft Teams. It’s a great opportunity to ask questions and clarify your proposal before submitting your application.
  2. Visit the Early Assistant page to schedule an appointment and review instructions.

  1. Fill out the Design Review application
  2. Submit your completed application with all required documents.
  3. Wait for confirmation
  4. Pay the review fee.
  5. Receive your file number.
  6. Start to prepare for your neighborhood meeting.

Before an application is scheduled for a consultation a neighborhood meeting must be held by the applicant to allow for the public’s questions and input.

  1. The city will issue a 300’ radius notice list and provide a template notice letter. The applicant will notice all property owners of record within 300’ of the project at least 15 days in advance of the neighborhood meeting.  

  2. Prepare Property Posting for the Neighborhood Meeting. You must post the notice at least 10 days before the neighborhood meeting.

  1. The meeting must be scheduled on a weekday, Monday through Friday between 5:30 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
  2. A sign-in sheet in accordance with the city’s requirements shall be provided for the public to sign-in.  If there is no public in attendance, this should be noted on the sign-in sheet.
  3. A list of discussion points shall be kept.

Please send the following materials to the City:

  1. Affidavit of Neighborhood Meeting and Property Posting
  2. Photos of the posted sign on the property
  3. Copy of the 300' radius notice list
  4. Copy of the neighborhood meeting notice letter
  5. Neighborhood meeting sign-in sheet
  6. List of discussion points from the meeting, if available 

Once your neighborhood meeting is complete and all materials are submitted, the City will schedule your consultation with the Design Review Consultant(s).

  1. Consultation Timing: The consultation will be scheduled no sooner than 15 days after the neighborhood meeting.
  2. Consultation is held online via Zoom.

The consultants will give interactive feedback to help guide your project within the requirements of the code.

Note: Oral pubic testimony will not be permitted during the consultation.

Possible Outcomes

Based on the feedback, the Planning Official may:

  1. Approve the application as submitted
  2. Approve with conditions
  3. Request changes and resubmittal
  4. Deny the application
  5. If needed, an additional consultation may be scheduled

After the decision is made, Garden City staff will notify any interested parties.

Objections & Appeals

  1. If someone is an affected person (as defined by Idaho Code 67-6521), they may object within 15 days of the decision.
  2. If an objection is received, a City Council hearing will be scheduled.

City Council Review

Under Garden City Code 8-6A-2 and 8-6A-9, the City Council may choose to review the application if the City Council determines that there is a significant adverse impact to the city as a result of the decision.

  1. The City Council determines that there is a significant adverse impact, the Council should declare this in the public meeting within fifteen days of the decision
  2. Staff will schedule a public hearing that is not de novo (on the already established record).
Frequently Asked Questions
Property posting requirements info

How to Become an Interested Party for a Particular Application

  1. Submit a statement expressing your interest in the project to planning@gardencityidaho.org, and include the application number.
    The City will keep you informed about revised materials, decisions, and appeal hearing dates.
  2. Written concerns will be added to the record and reviewed by the Design Consultant(s) if received at least 7 days before the application review.
  3. If someone is affected (as defined by Idaho Code 67-6521) and submits written comments 7 or more days before the consultation, they will have the right to appeal.

Comments received later than that do not grant appeal rights.

Plan Modifications

It is likely that there will be plan modifications as you go through the approval process.  Please submit those through building@gardencityidaho.org with the resubmittal form.

If there are modifications between the Design Review approval and the building permit approval please submit a detail of all changes with the building permit documentation.  At times, these changes can be approved by staff.  Other changes will necessitate a re-review by the consultants.

Projects

Looking for an application that you are interested in.  Please see active applications linked: here.

Required Documentation

Fees