It wasn’t long ago that Boise residents were arguing with each other — in coffee shops, on street signs and at community meetings — over a rewrite of the city’s zoning code.
Most of the arguments had to do with whether the code, which determines what can be built in different parts of the city, would increase density in the city, worsen traffic and allow buildings that are not in the neighborhoods to fit. The effects of the now-adopted zoning code are beginning to become apparent, especially for those interested in taking advantage of a new rule allowing neighborhood cafes on corner lots in residential neighborhoods.
Two such neighborhood cafes could soon be on their way to Boise’s North End neighborhood, including a cafe and market at 1504 W. Lemp St. across the street from Washington Elementary School.
Brandon and Christina Turpin, who own the home at the northwest corner of 15th and Lemp streets, are trying to redevelop part of their property — their fenced yard — into a 1,200-square-foot cafe and market.
According to written comments received at a community meeting about the development, the Turpins received support for the cafe, despite some concerns about traffic and parking.
“Overall, I think the move to make our neighborhoods more walkable and livable is great,” wrote Taryn Birdsall, who attended the meeting. “I think my only ‘real’ concern is that I would prefer a more classic design – less contemporary and more in keeping with the homes in the area.”
“Right now I’m unsure and ambivalent about this project,” wrote Larry Lighty, another participant. “My biggest concern is the potential impact on the neighbors next to this project. My main attraction would be that it gives my wife and I another place to hang out when we want.”
The café is not the first of its kind. Boise’s Wylder Hospitality Group’s Roosevelt Market is located in Boise’s East End, directly across from Roosevelt Elementary School and a few blocks north of Warm Springs Avenue. Wylder Hospitality Group, from restaurateurs David and Lizzy Rex, is known for Boise restaurants including The Wylder, Percy, Certified Kitchen + Bakery and Wyld Child.
The Lemp Street cafe would have to go before the Historic Preservation Committee for a public hearing before being approved and may need a waiver from the city’s planning director to reduce parking requirements.
Under city rules, neighborhood bars like the Turpins are only allowed to open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Brandon Turpin did not respond to requests for comment in time for publication.
Boise’s new code brings new neighborhood businesses
The city has already approved a second community bar a few blocks away in the North End, across from Camel’s Back Park, just north of the busy Hyde Park neighborhood.
That project by Eagle-based Zion Ventures LLC at 1920 N. 13th St. would replace the three-bedroom house there with a two-story building. A café and shop would occupy the ground floor and four studio apartments on the second.
Mark Verner and John Bottles, brokers with Eagle’s Mark Bottles Real Estate Services, own Zion Ventures.
“We have been close friends and partners in the real estate industry for a number of years… We both grew up in Boise and have deep roots in the community,” said a letter from Verner and Bottles to the city of Boise.
According to the letter from Verner and Bottle, the new building would be an example of the neighborhood supermarkets and drugstores that were common in the North End in the early 20th century.
“The building will provide housing in a desirable neighborhood, while the café will provide a space that hosts community both within and between the neighborhood and the greater metropolis,” the letter said.
Early renderings from Hummel Architects from 2023 show a white and tan brick building with black trim, high ceilings and outdoor seating. The design was inspired by several buildings in the North End, including the old Reibe’s Shoe Shop on 13th Street and the Roots Support Services building across from the southwest corner of North Junior High School.
The existing house is non-contributing, meaning it was not built during a significant period or no longer has historic integrity, according to the city of Boise.
“Our goal is not to replicate a historic building, but to design a modern building that is historically sensitive to its surroundings,” Verner and Bottles wrote. “We understand the importance of preserving the historic authenticity within the North End and both the vitality and collective value that a new community space can bring to the neighborhood.”
“This application is consistent with the historic, architectural, archaeological, educational and cultural aspects of the district,” according to the Historic Preservation Commission’s approval for the development.
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