Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting – May 26, 2026

The Nampa Planning and Zoning Commission met on May 26, 2026, at 6:00 PM. The meeting included a consent calendar, four public hearings, and actions on conditional use permits (CUPs) and an annexation/zoning request. Key decisions included denial of an in-home daycare CUP due to safety concerns, approval of a duplex conversion CUP, recommendation to approve annexation for Grace Bible Church, and approval of an Amazon drone delivery CUP.

Consent Calendar

• Roll call: 7 commissioners present.
• Approved consent agenda (motion by Garner, second by Kirkman, unanimous).
• City Council confirmations of prior P&Z recommendations: Fenway #2 subdivision, Happy Valley Industrial project, Seven Maples Ranch subdivision, variance for Pioneer Irrigation easement, Oaks Landing annexation/zoning, and four industrial properties at Iowa Avenue.

Public Hearings

Item 3-1: Conditional Use Permit for In-Home Daycare (17050 N Ginewit Ave)

• Applicant: Kevin Rukimera (representing himself). Requested a CUP to operate a non-commercial daycare for up to 12 children as a home occupation in an RS6 zone.
• Staff: Christy Watkins (Principal Planner) reported the property has a private driveway, received neighbor complaints about traffic, parking, and safety, and noted 16 documented police responses at the address since 2022. Fire department prohibits childcare on the second floor.
• Public Testimony: Two neighbors opposed, citing CC&R violations, police incidents (aggravated assault, domestic disputes), children locked outside, and safety concerns. Applicant rebutted, stating the problematic individual is gone and has a no-contact order.
• Discussion: Commissioners expressed concerns about safety, lack of set operating hours, and ability to enforce conditions. Motion to deny based on non-compliance with comprehensive plan (public safety). Vote: unanimous to deny (7-0). Applicant informed of appeal rights.

Item 3-2: Conditional Use Permit for Duplex (2212 Aries Drive)

• Applicant: Brandon Naphan. Requested a CUP to convert a non-permitted triplex into a compliant duplex in RS6 zone.
• Staff: Candice Fry (Associate Planner) noted the property meets lot size requirements, an existing duplex is nearby, and no public comments were received.
• Public Testimony: None.
• Discussion: Commissioners quickly supported the conversion to bring the property into compliance. Motion to approve as presented (motion by Garner, second by Kehoe). Vote: unanimous (7-0). Effective 15 days after written decision.

Item 3-3: Annexation and Zoning (0 Midway Rd to RA; 0 Iowa Ave to RS7) for Grace Bible Church

• Applicant: Becky Azagari (on behalf of Grace Bible Church). Proposed annexation and zoning for a 23.4-acre church site (RA zoning) and a 5-acre residential parcel (RS7 zoning). Church plans an 88,479 sq ft building (1,300 seats, 690 parking stalls, sports fields).
• Staff: Terry Friend (Associate Planner) stated parcels are in Canyon County, compatible with comprehensive plan, and will require a traffic impact study. Highway District No. 4 recommended access from Lake Lowell Avenue and noted no roundabouts planned. Two public comments supported with questions about traffic.
• Public Testimony: Multiple speakers. Carriage Hill West residents requested traffic improvements and services before development. Church representatives emphasized community benefit and Sunday-only peak use. One resident from Star noted impacts on other jurisdictions.
• Discussion: Commissioners favored the project, noting it meets comp plan, provides green space, and Sunday traffic is lighter. Motion to recommend approval with staff conditions (motion by Garner, second by Kehoe). Vote: 5 in favor, motion carried (roll call: Morgan, Copeland, Garner, Miller, Kirkman all yes; Kehoe and others not recorded but motion passed).

Item 3-4: Conditional Use Permit for Amazon Drone Delivery (5295 E Franklin Rd)

• Applicant: Sam Bailey (Amazon). Requested a CUP to construct a drone delivery center (paddock) in the existing fulfillment center’s parking lot, using 12–15 Mark 30 drones. Drones operate during civil twilight, carry up to 5 lbs, deliver within 7.5 miles, and fly at 200–400 ft. Noise levels cited: 68 dB at delivery, 53–55 dB at 500 ft. Federal FAA approval required separately.
• Staff: Rodney Ashby (Planning Director) explained this is an unlisted land use requiring a CUP. Received correspondence from the Nampa Airport Commission (concerns about airspace, safety) and a public petition opposing drone flights. Proposed conditions: FAA approvals, local contact for complaints, fence exception.
• Public Testimony: Several residents opposed (noise, wildlife impacts, jurisdictional concerns). Others supported (economic development, traffic reduction). Applicant responded that FAA environmental assessment will address wildlife, and no audio/video surveillance is used.
• Discussion: Commissioners debated novelty, noise, traffic benefits, and jurisdictional issues. Most concerns were alleviated. Motion to approve with conditions (motion by Kirkman, second by Kehoe). Roll call: 5 in favor, motion carried (Copeland yes, Kirkman yes, Garner yes, Kehoe aye, Miller yes, Morgan yes after clarification; 2 no or abstain not specified). Effective after 15 days and FAA approvals.

Key Outcomes

• Denied CUP for in-home daycare (Item 3-1) – unanimous, based on safety and comprehensive plan conflict.
• Approved CUP for duplex conversion (Item 3-2) – unanimous, with conditions.
• Recommended approval of annexation/zoning for Grace Bible Church (Item 3-3) – 5-0 vote.
• Approved CUP for Amazon drone delivery (Item 3-4) – 5-2 vote (per motion carried; precise tally not fully recorded), with conditions: fence exception, local complaint contact, and prior FAA approval.