Franklin Road rezone

A Maple Hill resident opposed the rezone, calling it spot zoning in an industrial corridor and questioning the project's financing and the developer's flip-flopping on the site's use.

The owner of Lowry Dental opposed the rezone, arguing a 130-plus-bed men's recovery facility next to a pediatric dental practice is an undue burden and would worsen traffic and parking.

Co-owner of Lowry Dental for nearly 40 years asked the commission to keep the industrial zoning and suggested Rising Sun find a better-suited location.

Withdrew his comment for now, reserving the right to return on the operation of Rising Sun homes and reentry housing need.

A area worker raised traffic and parking concerns on Franklin Road and questioned precedent for residential in the industrial zone, while supporting the reentry mission.

A retired law enforcement officer and St. Vincent de Paul reentry leader testified Rising Sun homes are well managed and the community needs the facility.

A caseworker who has done home visits at Rising Sun homes for eight years said she never felt unsafe and the homes are clean and well managed.

A formerly incarcerated man living in transitional housing credited places like Rising Sun with giving him a chance to become a productive member of society.

A dentist whose father built the building in the 1980s under light industrial zoning said a spot zone change would immediately threaten his family's livelihood and the corridor.

A Maple Hill resident of 46 years argued the constrained site, dead-end Bethel Court access, and infrastructure cannot handle MX-2 intensity, urging denial of the rezone.

A formerly incarcerated woman who now works with the community said Rising Sun gave her the opportunity she needed and the location would provide vital access to jobs and resources.

A Rising Sun graduate said the organization became family to him and urged approval, calling failure to rezone a tragedy for people needing reintegration help.

A former resident who is now a successful contractor said Rising Sun saved him from homelessness or prison and argued the housing is needed wherever it can be built.

A Maple Hill HOA member at-large raised concerns about HOA common areas being exploited, lack of sidewalks, fire code for high occupancy, and proximity to Maple Hill Elementary and a preschool.

An eleven-year Maple Hill resident opposed the rezone, citing vulnerable populations, no sidewalks or bike lanes, parking shortfalls, and potential first-responder impacts.

A reentry career program manager and nearby resident strongly supported the project, noting one in twelve Idaho kids has an incarcerated parent and the site would combine housing with services.

Executive director of the Southwest Idaho Recovery Community Center said stigma about addiction is driving opposition, noting Idaho leads the nation in female incarceration and lacks affordable reentry housing.

A retired metalworker next door opposed the rezone, saying residences should not sit within a block of metal fabrication, and raised an unresolved storm drain discharging into the Ridenbaugh Canal.

Supported second chances but questioned whether a housing facility fits in a tight industrial corridor where no one lives, citing drainage concerns.

A woman who served 15 years in prison and now serves on state reentry councils argued recovery housing with services under one roof reduces shelters, ER visits, and jail, and that stigma shouldn't decide the location.

The owner of the adjacent duplex property said his experiences renting to people coming out of incarceration were bad, cited theft problems, and said the project's setback impacts were never discussed with him.

A Nampa mom supported Rising Sun, saying residents come willingly to change their lives and the organization often hires its own graduates.

The property owner closed testimony, citing national and state recognition for Rising Sun's supervised housing and arguing the east setback issue could be addressed.