COMPASSCommunities in Motion 2040 Development Review
The Community Planning Association of Southwest Idaho (COMPASS) is the metropolitan planning organization
(MPO) for Ada and Canyon Counties. COMPASS has developed this review as a tool for local governments to
evaluate whether land developments are consistent with the goals of Communities in Motion 2040 (CIM 2040), the
regional long-range transportation plan for Ada and Canyon Counties. This checklist is not intended to be
prescriptive, but rather a guidance document based on CIM 2040 goals.
Recommendations
The development proposes access to both Ustick Road and Linder Road. The Linder Road corridor is the #7 priority
in the Communities in Motion 2040 plan. Linder Road serves as a north-south route from the Eagle foothills to the
City of Kuna with a gap near I-84. Communities in Motion 2040 identifies the Linder Road overpass as a needed,
unfunded project. More information about Linder Road is available at:
http://www.compassidaho.org/documents/prodserv/CIM2040/7_LinderRoad_022618.pdf
The COMPASS FY2018-2022 Regional Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) identifies the widening of Linder
Road from Ustick Road to McMillan Road to five lanes with curb, gutter, sidewalk, and bicycle lanes, with
construction in 2021 (Key Number RD202-18). Additional information about TIP is available at:
http://www.compassidaho.org/documents/prodserv/trans/FY18/FY2018TIPrpt.pdf
More information about COMPASS and Communities in Motion 2040:
Web: www.compassidaho.org
Email info@compassidaho.org
More information about the development review process:
http://www.compassidaho.org/dashboard/devreview.htm
Development Name: Alpina (H-2018-0090) Agency: Meridian
CIM Vision Category: Existing Neighborhood
New households: 60 New jobs: 30 Exceeds CIM forecast: No
Farmland contributes to the local economy, creates
additional jobs, and provides food security to the region.
Development in farm areas decreases the productivity
and sustainability of farmland.
Farmland consumed: Yes
Farmland within 1 mile: 123 acres
Housing within 1 mile: 4,820
Jobs within 1 mile: 740
Jobs/Housing Ratio: 0.2
Nearest bus stop: 3.7 miles
Nearest public school: 0.5 miles
Nearest public park: 0.5 miles
Nearest grocery store: 1.9 miles
CIM Corridor: Ustick Rd
Pedestrian level of stress: R—Ustick Rd
Bicycle level of stress: R—Ustick Rd
A good jobs/housing balance – a ratio between 1 and
1.5 – reduces traffic congestion. Higher numbers
indicate the need for more housing and lower numbers
indicate an employment need.
Residents who live or work less than ½ mile from
critical services have more transportation choices.
Walking and biking reduces congestion by taking cars off
the road, while supporting a healthy and active lifestyle.
Level of Stress considers facility type, number of vehicle
lanes, and speed. Roads with G or PG ratings better
support bicyclists and pedestrians of all ages and comfort
levels.
Nearest police station: 3.7 miles
Nearest fire station: 1.6 miles
Developments within 1.5 miles of police and fire
stations ensure that emergency services are more
efficient and reduce the cost of these important public
services.
The proposal provides a mix of residential and office, which can encourage non-motorized
travel. The higher density is supportive of nearby bus service. Typically, at least 7 dwelling
units per acre (DU/acre) are needed to support public transportation. The proposal is
approximately 15 DU/acre.
The site is not currently served by public transportation. ValleyConnect 2.0 proposes two
routes on Linder Road:
• A premium service commuter route with 30-minute frequencies from College of
Western to the downtown Boise Main Street Station along Cherry Lane, Linder Road,
and Chinden Boulevard.
• A secondary service connecting Eagle High School and southwest Ada County with
30-minute peak hour and 60-minute midday service.
Consider including a concrete pad for an eventual bus stop at this site. Work with Valley
Regional Transit on siting and design that would accommodate the future service.
Consider extending the throat lengths for eastern-most driveway accessing Ustick Road.
Fairview Avenue. Insufficient throat lengths can cause unsafe conditions and result in
vehicles backing onto an arterial road, interrupting traffic flow. The Linder Road access
provides a better throat length.