How to best plan for growth is a huge topic in the Treasure Valley. A few weeks ago, my dad and I were honored to participate in the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce Leadership Conference in Sun Valley. These annual conferences bring together leaders in business, government and education to discuss regional initiatives to find ways of keeping our quality of life, while allowing growth.
Each conference has a theme and this year’s dealt with planned communities. I was invited to give a presentation on one of our new projects – Arbor Hills, proposed for Ada County – alongside several other developers and planners. At other points in the two-day conference, local elected officials discussed the obstacles they face in balancing private property rights with the community good.
There was some consensus, however. People at the conference agreed that planned communities should have an identity, and that master planning should avoid the faceless blandness of so much of suburbia. They also agreed about the need for diverse housing types and price ranges, that they should be walkable and accommodate people in different stages of life. Open space, nature and parks, farmer’s markets and public squares are crucial, because they give people places to gather and practice community. Too often, we’ve become a society of one, with headphones and iPods, people who come and go in the garage door and don’t see our neighbors…a.k.a. the “click” generation.
I want to look back on this valley in 10 years and say, “We got this right.” Events like the Leadership Conference are key to finding the secret to getting it right.
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Saturday, April 21, 2007
One of the things I’ve always loved about the Treasure Valley is what an incredible place it is to raise a family. While I believe it is still a very safe place, a string of heinous crimes in the news lately has caused quite a stir around the water cooler.
Our family has strong ties to this valley. My 10 brothers and sisters and I were born and raised here, and many of us are now raising our families in the area. As we look to our children’s futures, public safety is certainly an important issue.
My dad Ted, who started Skyline in the late 1960s, taught me a great deal about community involvement. Because of his example, giving back to the community where I live and work has never been a question. As a former county judge, my Dad has kept close ties to the law enforcement community, and, as a result, we’ve heard our share of harrowing stories about the men and women who serve and protect us over the years. It’s hard to ignore the heroic efforts of individuals who are willing to risk life and limb for people they don’t even know. They deserve our support. That’s why we’ve repeatedly donated to several organizations including the Ada County Sheriff’s Association, Boise Crime Stoppers, the Boise Police Association, the Idaho State Police Association, and many more.
I want to encourage you to consider supporting our local law enforcement to help maintain the quality of life we’ve come to appreciate in this beautiful valley. They need our encouragement.
Our family has strong ties to this valley. My 10 brothers and sisters and I were born and raised here, and many of us are now raising our families in the area. As we look to our children’s futures, public safety is certainly an important issue.
My dad Ted, who started Skyline in the late 1960s, taught me a great deal about community involvement. Because of his example, giving back to the community where I live and work has never been a question. As a former county judge, my Dad has kept close ties to the law enforcement community, and, as a result, we’ve heard our share of harrowing stories about the men and women who serve and protect us over the years. It’s hard to ignore the heroic efforts of individuals who are willing to risk life and limb for people they don’t even know. They deserve our support. That’s why we’ve repeatedly donated to several organizations including the Ada County Sheriff’s Association, Boise Crime Stoppers, the Boise Police Association, the Idaho State Police Association, and many more.
I want to encourage you to consider supporting our local law enforcement to help maintain the quality of life we’ve come to appreciate in this beautiful valley. They need our encouragement.
Friday, September 15, 2006
Last evening, the Ada County Planning and Zoning Commission delayed a decision on The Cliffs, saying they wanted to think it over.
We applaud commissioners for taking the time to consider all we presented. The Commissioners spent a significant portion of the 4-hour hearing probing me and our expert advisors about habitat restoration, fire service, traffic, wastewater treatment, housing affordability, schools, covenants, funding for wildlife programs, etc. The Cliffs is a complex proposal and it’s understandable they’d need more time to think it over.
Our opponents have spent the past year browbeating Ada County, saying it gives developers a pass and doesn’t do a good job of planning. I think both sides could now agree the county is quite deliberative and in no rush to approve The Cliffs.
The Planning and Zoning Commission will meet again Oct. 5 to make a recommendation, which may come with conditions and stipulations. After their recommendation, The Cliffs will go to the three-person Ada County Commission, likely sometime later this year, which has the ultimate say in whether or not the project moves forward.
We are confident that once we’ve had a chance to present The Cliffs to the Ada County Commission, they will decide The Cliffs is exactly the type of development we need in the Treasure Valley. That is, a community where development and environmental stewardship coexist as well as one that is ideally located near to major employers.
As always, we appreciate your supportive letters to the commission at mpecchenino@adaweb.net or even a letter to the editor.
We applaud commissioners for taking the time to consider all we presented. The Commissioners spent a significant portion of the 4-hour hearing probing me and our expert advisors about habitat restoration, fire service, traffic, wastewater treatment, housing affordability, schools, covenants, funding for wildlife programs, etc. The Cliffs is a complex proposal and it’s understandable they’d need more time to think it over.
Our opponents have spent the past year browbeating Ada County, saying it gives developers a pass and doesn’t do a good job of planning. I think both sides could now agree the county is quite deliberative and in no rush to approve The Cliffs.
The Planning and Zoning Commission will meet again Oct. 5 to make a recommendation, which may come with conditions and stipulations. After their recommendation, The Cliffs will go to the three-person Ada County Commission, likely sometime later this year, which has the ultimate say in whether or not the project moves forward.
We are confident that once we’ve had a chance to present The Cliffs to the Ada County Commission, they will decide The Cliffs is exactly the type of development we need in the Treasure Valley. That is, a community where development and environmental stewardship coexist as well as one that is ideally located near to major employers.
As always, we appreciate your supportive letters to the commission at mpecchenino@adaweb.net or even a letter to the editor.
Thursday, September 14, 2006
Like many of you, summer has been a busy season of work and family. While I’ve enjoyed the time with my family, traveled a bit and worked some long hours as we prepared for our first hearing before Ada County Planning and Zoning last month, the work-life balancing act in my life met its match! Something had to give, and unfortunately, my regular communication with you here on The Cliffs website did take a back seat for a couple months. But, I’m back and I hope you’ll continue stopping in now and again to find out what’s new!
My father Ted, who started Skyline 40 years ago, stepped in during my absence and the Idaho Statesman recently printed his guest opinion. In addition, it has been heartening to read several positive the letters to both the Ada County Planning and Zoning Commission and the Idaho Statesman editorial page. Among the comments:
“The Cliffs … will bring a higher standards of environmental care and Skyline Development is taking exceptional steps to pay for services … The Cliffs is the right development in the right place at the right time.” (Jon Baumgartner, in a letter to The Idaho Statesman, Aug. 19)
“…there are parts of Ada County that are still somewhat rural. I support the development of the sagebrush flats east of Boise, rather than the hay fields to the west.” (Terry Fuhriman, in a letter to The Idaho Statesman Aug. 31)
“In review of their overall management plan, I am convinced they have created a balance which will serve the public, private and environmental sector. Quick access to my place of work, yet maintaining an environmental surrounding which my family enjoys and in which I can recreate are all reasons for me to support this project.” (Eric Johnson, in a letter to Ada County, July 30)
“The Cliffs appears to be well thought out and take into account the need for rangeland rehabilitation and dealing with the wildlife. I also like the fact that the development does not intend to be the abode only of the palaces of the wealthy.” (Jim Grissom, in a letter to Ada Count, July 29)
Additionally, several of you showed up to the Planning and Zoning hearing on August 4 and voiced your support. I can’t tell you how much we appreciate those who favor The Cliffs plan and have taken time to voice their support. We have carefully put together a plan to accommodate current and projected growth in our valley and still maintain the elements that make life special here in Idaho. We don’t think it is wise to try, or even possible to shut the door to those who are moving here for the Idaho lifestyle that so many of us currently enjoy.
Of course not everyone agrees with our plan. In an Aug. 25 reader’s view published by The Idaho Statesman, in response to my Dad’s column, by Harris Ranch resident Mike Silva, claimed:
“So far, no one in the county seems to care about the horrendous impact building hundreds of homes will have on traffic, wildlife habitat, the Boise River and the environment in general … It needs to be left untouched so that everyone really can enjoy its beauty.”
Not so long ago, I recall hearing the same arguments presented against nearby Harris Ranch – the very neighborhood Mr. Silva calls “home.” Fortunately for Mr. Silva, officials weighed Harris Ranch’s merits as a development and permitted it to move forward…and he bought a home there just like some 400-plus others over the past 5 or so years. Incidentally, Harris Ranch developers are now moving forward with plans to finish their master plan, with plans to build more homes and significant retail and office space. Curiously, Mr. Silva doesn’t seem to be as concerned about those additional residents or destination traffic.
To quickly bring you up to speed with where things stand with our project today, the Idaho Department of Fish and Game is currently reviewing an updated and more detailed mitigation plan we gave them for review in mid-August. We hope to have a response back from them in the next few weeks. Additionally, there has been some discussion about the entrance to The Cliffs. Because we are committed to doing everything we can to minimizing traffic impacts to existing neighborhoods, we continue to work with the Idaho Transportation Department to find the best solution given the existing roadways and geography.
Tonight we’ll go before the Ada County Planning and Zoning Commission again, for “part two” of our hearing. That starts at 6 p.m. and is expected to end at 10 p.m. Commissioners will continue to hear public testimony, and you are certainly invited and encouraged to share your thoughts to the commissioners. I hope you’ll come and show your support.
Meantime, I hope you’ll stop back in now and again to find out what’s new with the project…and, I’ll do my very best to try to post updates to this blog with greater frequency!
My father Ted, who started Skyline 40 years ago, stepped in during my absence and the Idaho Statesman recently printed his guest opinion. In addition, it has been heartening to read several positive the letters to both the Ada County Planning and Zoning Commission and the Idaho Statesman editorial page. Among the comments:
“The Cliffs … will bring a higher standards of environmental care and Skyline Development is taking exceptional steps to pay for services … The Cliffs is the right development in the right place at the right time.” (Jon Baumgartner, in a letter to The Idaho Statesman, Aug. 19)
“…there are parts of Ada County that are still somewhat rural. I support the development of the sagebrush flats east of Boise, rather than the hay fields to the west.” (Terry Fuhriman, in a letter to The Idaho Statesman Aug. 31)
“In review of their overall management plan, I am convinced they have created a balance which will serve the public, private and environmental sector. Quick access to my place of work, yet maintaining an environmental surrounding which my family enjoys and in which I can recreate are all reasons for me to support this project.” (Eric Johnson, in a letter to Ada County, July 30)
“The Cliffs appears to be well thought out and take into account the need for rangeland rehabilitation and dealing with the wildlife. I also like the fact that the development does not intend to be the abode only of the palaces of the wealthy.” (Jim Grissom, in a letter to Ada Count, July 29)
Additionally, several of you showed up to the Planning and Zoning hearing on August 4 and voiced your support. I can’t tell you how much we appreciate those who favor The Cliffs plan and have taken time to voice their support. We have carefully put together a plan to accommodate current and projected growth in our valley and still maintain the elements that make life special here in Idaho. We don’t think it is wise to try, or even possible to shut the door to those who are moving here for the Idaho lifestyle that so many of us currently enjoy.
Of course not everyone agrees with our plan. In an Aug. 25 reader’s view published by The Idaho Statesman, in response to my Dad’s column, by Harris Ranch resident Mike Silva, claimed:
“So far, no one in the county seems to care about the horrendous impact building hundreds of homes will have on traffic, wildlife habitat, the Boise River and the environment in general … It needs to be left untouched so that everyone really can enjoy its beauty.”
Not so long ago, I recall hearing the same arguments presented against nearby Harris Ranch – the very neighborhood Mr. Silva calls “home.” Fortunately for Mr. Silva, officials weighed Harris Ranch’s merits as a development and permitted it to move forward…and he bought a home there just like some 400-plus others over the past 5 or so years. Incidentally, Harris Ranch developers are now moving forward with plans to finish their master plan, with plans to build more homes and significant retail and office space. Curiously, Mr. Silva doesn’t seem to be as concerned about those additional residents or destination traffic.
To quickly bring you up to speed with where things stand with our project today, the Idaho Department of Fish and Game is currently reviewing an updated and more detailed mitigation plan we gave them for review in mid-August. We hope to have a response back from them in the next few weeks. Additionally, there has been some discussion about the entrance to The Cliffs. Because we are committed to doing everything we can to minimizing traffic impacts to existing neighborhoods, we continue to work with the Idaho Transportation Department to find the best solution given the existing roadways and geography.
Tonight we’ll go before the Ada County Planning and Zoning Commission again, for “part two” of our hearing. That starts at 6 p.m. and is expected to end at 10 p.m. Commissioners will continue to hear public testimony, and you are certainly invited and encouraged to share your thoughts to the commissioners. I hope you’ll come and show your support.
Meantime, I hope you’ll stop back in now and again to find out what’s new with the project…and, I’ll do my very best to try to post updates to this blog with greater frequency!
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
The Information Age is causing a massive decentralization of industry. It is possible for many companies to relocate where their workers can afford a single-family home and enjoy parks, recreation, safety and cultural attractions.
The Treasure Valley has an aubundance of the above, which is why it has ranked high on yet another quality of life/great place to live index. As a lifelong resident of this area, I’m proud to see Boise recently made the Money magazine list of best places to live.
Boise ranked eighth on the 2006 Best Places to Live list for small cities and has ranked in the top ten several times. The magazine explained how a low unemployment, a go-go economy and 2,700 acres of trails, parks and recreational areas boosted our score. Similar reasons were behind Inc. magazine, which in 2005 put Boise No. 2 on its annual list of the "Best Cities to Do Business in America.”
Money credited other things for the ranking, including job growth of 12 percent since 2000 and a median housing price of $183,000, compared with an average of nearly $257,000 for 90 other top-rated cities. The Treasure Valley’s housing appreciated at 14.8 percent for 2004-05, compared with a 9.40 percent average.
However, Money also noticed some threats to continued prosperity. Climbing property taxes are reducing the affordability of housing, one of the main things that makes the area attractive for so many. Joel Kotkin, who researched and wrote the 2005 Forbes story listing Boise first among Best Places for Business and Careers, noted a modern city’s success is tied to attainable housing. Kotkin found that between 1999 and 2004, San Jose, San Francisco, Austin and Portland lost jobs, while cities such as Boise and Reno gained jobs.
We’ve said this before but it bears repeating: The Cliffs will provide a high-quality supply of attainable workforce housing, just a few miles from Ada County’s core business center (Micron, downtown and Federal Way industries, etc.). The Cliffs will also reduce the exclusivity of Foothills living, introducing classical neighborhood development in this beautiful setting that both conserves open space and allows more people to enjoy this amazing way of life. Long a part of our design, we will also extend regional public recreation trails and improve wildlife habitat and result.
Like the folks at Money magazine, we recognize what’s special about the greater-Boise area. As a developer, we know it’s our obligation to protect and enhance what makes this place so special.
The Treasure Valley has an aubundance of the above, which is why it has ranked high on yet another quality of life/great place to live index. As a lifelong resident of this area, I’m proud to see Boise recently made the Money magazine list of best places to live.
Boise ranked eighth on the 2006 Best Places to Live list for small cities and has ranked in the top ten several times. The magazine explained how a low unemployment, a go-go economy and 2,700 acres of trails, parks and recreational areas boosted our score. Similar reasons were behind Inc. magazine, which in 2005 put Boise No. 2 on its annual list of the "Best Cities to Do Business in America.”
Money credited other things for the ranking, including job growth of 12 percent since 2000 and a median housing price of $183,000, compared with an average of nearly $257,000 for 90 other top-rated cities. The Treasure Valley’s housing appreciated at 14.8 percent for 2004-05, compared with a 9.40 percent average.
However, Money also noticed some threats to continued prosperity. Climbing property taxes are reducing the affordability of housing, one of the main things that makes the area attractive for so many. Joel Kotkin, who researched and wrote the 2005 Forbes story listing Boise first among Best Places for Business and Careers, noted a modern city’s success is tied to attainable housing. Kotkin found that between 1999 and 2004, San Jose, San Francisco, Austin and Portland lost jobs, while cities such as Boise and Reno gained jobs.
We’ve said this before but it bears repeating: The Cliffs will provide a high-quality supply of attainable workforce housing, just a few miles from Ada County’s core business center (Micron, downtown and Federal Way industries, etc.). The Cliffs will also reduce the exclusivity of Foothills living, introducing classical neighborhood development in this beautiful setting that both conserves open space and allows more people to enjoy this amazing way of life. Long a part of our design, we will also extend regional public recreation trails and improve wildlife habitat and result.
Like the folks at Money magazine, we recognize what’s special about the greater-Boise area. As a developer, we know it’s our obligation to protect and enhance what makes this place so special.
Thursday, February 02, 2006
We expect any ambitious project like The Cliffs to spark spirited discussion. We welcome this because, like our opponents, we share an intense commitment to honor and respect the land. We passionately believe listening to all points of view will result in a better process and development.
However, we do ask that people present things accurately, particularly if they are quoting our materials or Web site. Therefore, it was with dismay that we read this guest opinion in The Idaho Statesman on Jan. 23. In an attempt to discredit our efforts, the author of the opinion piece, Tony Jones, made several serious distortions about The Cliffs and other environmentally conscious planned communities.
On this page and our press packet we list a half-dozen planned communities that successfully live in harmony with nature in diverse places, as there are many people who might not know environmentally conscious development is possible and fairly common. We never indicated, as Jones states, that any of these developments would serve as a “model” for The Cliffs, nor did we even use the word “model" on this page. We made clear these are nothing more than “examples of how planned communities and nature can successfully co-exist” and it takes a willful desire to mislead to portray our characterization of them otherwise.
The author also makes it sound as though we formulated that list for some hidden agenda. As we state clearly, five of those developments on the list came from the book “The Practice of Sustainable Development” by the Urban Land Institute, while the sixth development received a ULI Award for Excellence. The ULI is one of the nation’s most respected research and educational organizations, of which Mr. Jones is very familiar. That he would deliberately leave this information out of his opinion suggests a regrettable lack of forthrightness.
There are many other inaccurate statements, such as The Cliffs won’t be self-sufficient in its services (offered with no corroboration). I’ll deal with those in subsequent posts, but for now I want to emphasize our commitment to maintain good relations with everyone, including our opponents. We invite everyone to stick to the principles of accountability, transparency and openness in all their statements.
However, we do ask that people present things accurately, particularly if they are quoting our materials or Web site. Therefore, it was with dismay that we read this guest opinion in The Idaho Statesman on Jan. 23. In an attempt to discredit our efforts, the author of the opinion piece, Tony Jones, made several serious distortions about The Cliffs and other environmentally conscious planned communities.
On this page and our press packet we list a half-dozen planned communities that successfully live in harmony with nature in diverse places, as there are many people who might not know environmentally conscious development is possible and fairly common. We never indicated, as Jones states, that any of these developments would serve as a “model” for The Cliffs, nor did we even use the word “model" on this page. We made clear these are nothing more than “examples of how planned communities and nature can successfully co-exist” and it takes a willful desire to mislead to portray our characterization of them otherwise.
The author also makes it sound as though we formulated that list for some hidden agenda. As we state clearly, five of those developments on the list came from the book “The Practice of Sustainable Development” by the Urban Land Institute, while the sixth development received a ULI Award for Excellence. The ULI is one of the nation’s most respected research and educational organizations, of which Mr. Jones is very familiar. That he would deliberately leave this information out of his opinion suggests a regrettable lack of forthrightness.
There are many other inaccurate statements, such as The Cliffs won’t be self-sufficient in its services (offered with no corroboration). I’ll deal with those in subsequent posts, but for now I want to emphasize our commitment to maintain good relations with everyone, including our opponents. We invite everyone to stick to the principles of accountability, transparency and openness in all their statements.
Thursday, January 26, 2006
We have received many emails from people wanting to know when we're breaking ground and when lots will be available for purchase. Many of these emails come from Treasure Valley residents, while others come from professionals and high-tech workers in other states - just the kind of workforce housing The Cliffs is meant to provide.
Right now, we are focused on taking public comment to refine our vision of The Cliffs, then formally submitting that vision to Ada County to begin the approval process. We are collecting the names of those people who have notified us of their interests in living in the Cliffs and will keep in touch to let them know when our marketing efforts begin.
Right now, we are focused on taking public comment to refine our vision of The Cliffs, then formally submitting that vision to Ada County to begin the approval process. We are collecting the names of those people who have notified us of their interests in living in the Cliffs and will keep in touch to let them know when our marketing efforts begin.
Wednesday, January 18, 2006
One indication that you’re doing the right thing is when external news affirms the value of your efforts. That was the case January 5, when Micron Technology announced plans to add 900 well-paying jobs just a few minutes from The Cliffs. What a great economic boost for this valley!
Micron is doing well because it has diversified into different kinds of memory chips and imaging sensors. These jobs will pay salaries of anywhere from $30,000 to more than $100,000, and create an estimated 1,800 additional jobs in retail, construction, health care and other sectors. According to The Idaho Statesman’s Jan. 6 edition, about 14,000 people currently work in the high-tech industry in Southwest Idaho and a significant portion of those individuals work for Micron.
Likewise, the Treasure Valley needs to diversify its housing offerings. Currently, most of our growth is occurring in Meridian and Nampa and the stock of attainable, high-quality workforce housing is getting slimmer in East and Southeast Boise. By adding 1,200 to 1,400 homes in various income brackets, The Cliffs will do much to meet this demand.
The prosperity of our valley depends on it. In April 2005, economist Joel Kotkin told the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce that in order to continue prospering, our top priority should be to maintain a steady supply of attainable workforce housing. With such housing, we can accommodate the right kind of growth in the Treasure Valley.
We hope local officials and leaders understand that developments like The Cliffs will be in the right time and place to keep our economy strong and add value to our community.
Micron is doing well because it has diversified into different kinds of memory chips and imaging sensors. These jobs will pay salaries of anywhere from $30,000 to more than $100,000, and create an estimated 1,800 additional jobs in retail, construction, health care and other sectors. According to The Idaho Statesman’s Jan. 6 edition, about 14,000 people currently work in the high-tech industry in Southwest Idaho and a significant portion of those individuals work for Micron.
Likewise, the Treasure Valley needs to diversify its housing offerings. Currently, most of our growth is occurring in Meridian and Nampa and the stock of attainable, high-quality workforce housing is getting slimmer in East and Southeast Boise. By adding 1,200 to 1,400 homes in various income brackets, The Cliffs will do much to meet this demand.
The prosperity of our valley depends on it. In April 2005, economist Joel Kotkin told the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce that in order to continue prospering, our top priority should be to maintain a steady supply of attainable workforce housing. With such housing, we can accommodate the right kind of growth in the Treasure Valley.
We hope local officials and leaders understand that developments like The Cliffs will be in the right time and place to keep our economy strong and add value to our community.
