10/08/2026
Thank you for attending our event on October 1 re: Historic Preservation in Boise and Historic Districts for West End and West Downtown! We appreciate City Staff making time to talk to residents about the future of historic preservation and districts.
Here's a recap:
Oct 1 at 6PM-7PM
United Church of Christ, Room 13
2201 Woodlawn Ave
Boise, Idaho
Attendees from the board: Justin Buckley (President) and Lauren Pennisi (VP)
Attendees from City Staff: Richard Jarvis, Senior Planner - Historic Preservation Planning and Development Services, and Jesi Lile, Planning Manager for Design Review and Historic Preservation
Background and purpose of the meeting: The WENA board thought it was time to explore historic preservation with residents. City staff spoke about the Historic Preservation Draft that was presented to the Historic Preservation Commission on Sept 28. Why it was updated and what the update involves through the approval process, and how the historic preservation plan fits within the City’s broader planning efforts. Richard Jarvis explained how the plan relates to the zoning code and historic districts.
History of the West End
About 15 years ago, a former board member created a self-guided walking tour highlighting significant homes and architectural features throughout our area. The board has also sponsored docent-led tours, too.
Even before that, in 2007, Tully Gerlach, then a member of the City’s Department of Arts and History, developed a historic sites brochure that includes a chapter on the West End.
More recently, in 2020, Kerry Davis of Preservation Solutions conducted a survey of properties from 16th Street west to 27th Street, between State Street and Idaho Street. She submitted the resulting report to the City.
The report and map of contributing homes that were included in survey are linked on the website http://www.westendboise.org. It identifies which properties contribute to the historic character of our neighborhoods.
Where we are today
To date, the West End board has not pursued a historic district. Residents asked questions about the process, opportunities for neighborhood input, the types of renovations that would be allowed, and how proposed renovations would be reviewed in collaboration with the City.
The Historic Preservation draft presented at the Sept 28 public meeting was approved by the Historic Preservation Commission to the next step, which is another public hearing by Planning and Zoning on Nov 2. Eventually, the plan will be heard by City Council in a future public hearing
WENA has an opportunity to provide input to P&Z and City Council about a section of the West End--and the West Downtown can too--about the documented history, notworthy properties, etc.
City staff said that other historic districts typically pursued a national historic register of Historic Places designation through a formal nomination process that requires majority support from property owners and a detailed demonstration of historical or architectural significance. National Register listing is largely honorary and does not restrict what private property owners may do with their properties, such as demolishing or altering buildings.
The most important feature to preserve in a home that contributes to historic character is the front facade. Homeowners can renovate the inside of their homes without restriction; it's changes to the outside of the home (street facing) that will receive the most scrutiny.
Questions from attendees:
Has WENA ever pursued a historic district? No they haven't.
Would the State Historic Preservation or Preservation Idaho could help us in our quest? Yes, Lauren has been in touch with board members from other historic districts as well as Preservation Idaho.
Do we have to get a certain number of homeowners to agree to support a historic district? The more homeowners who speak in support of a historic district the better, but there isn't a magic number of residents who need to support it.
If WENA and WDNA become historic districts, what is the process for renovation approvals? Do our neighborhoods become like an HOA? with a lot of oversight? The Historic Preservation staff would work with residents much like the City staff when building permits are submitted that require approval from P&Z. Not every renovation requires approval from the Historic Preservation Commission. HP staff uses a decision matrix to determine what level of approval is needed. Minimum turnaround time is 2 weeks.
Do I have to replace windows with wood windows? No, there are products that are better than vinyl and more effective than wood.
The questions focus on how a historic district would affect the neighborhood:
Zoning: How would a historic district affect properties zoned R-3 on Idaho Street?
Approval process: Which decisions are handled administratively, and which require hearings or approval by the Historic Preservation Commission, Planning and Zoning Commission, or City Council?
Façade easements: What is a façade easement, and what would it look like in practice?
Trees: What do Class I, II, and III mean in the Treasure Valley Tree Guide?
Tax incentives: What tax incentives might be available to property owners?
District designation: What is the difference between a nationally designated historic district and a city-designated historic district?
Next steps
Hold a WENA Board meeting on Oct 13 at 6:30pm will discuss more about how the board will proceed based on the information discussed during the Oct 1 meeting.
Immediate possibile actions are national registry, find answers to questions raised, and prepare public comments for Nov 2 hearing.
Organize a walking tour of West End based on interest and availability of a docent.
Send a message to learn more
