The Cliffs' Blog

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!