8-13D-9-1: VISION STATEMENT:

Another principal element of the Hidden Springs vision is an emphasis on protecting and enhancing the natural environment. Plans for development are based on careful analysis of the physical and ecological characteristics of the land. Design standards and guidelines will ensure that only a very small fraction of the land is ever developed or disturbed and that homes will be compatible with the environmental systems of the area.

Perhaps most importantly, Hidden Springs has been conceived as an integrated rural planned community with requisite maintenance and operating entities and established development standards and design guidelines. When people make the choice to live in Hidden Springs it will be with a vision of what the community and its surroundings will be like both now and in the future.

Major Plan Elements:

Density and Community Diversity: Hidden Springs specific plan assumes one thousand thirty-five (1,035) units on one thousand seven hundred sixty-five (1,765) acres, for an overall density of about one unit per one and seven-tenths (1.7) acres. A range of housing types and prices, from farm/ranch lots to townhomes will offer a diversity of living options from rural to traditional north end style housing. This concept promotes community diversity by offering a variety of housing opportunities for first time buyers through large families to empty nesters.

   •   Providing a general store, schools, and on-site recreation that will keep trips from going outside the project area.

   •   Directing traffic southwest to State Street via Gary Lane and westward to Highway 55 and Eagle Road.

   •   Providing a park and ride lot in the Village Center.

   •   Creating an extensive pedestrian and bicycle path system.

   •   Incorporating advanced technology to encourage and support telecommuting.

Trails and Greenbelt:

   •   Hidden Springs will initiate and provide the foundation for major additions to the Boise foothills trail system, including:

   •   A publicly accessible greenbelt system for all of Dry Creek Valley, from Bogus Basin Road to Eagle, for both public recreation and wildlife habitat protection.

   •   Public access along Dry Creek, the western foothills, and to trail systems beyond.

   •   In addition, Hidden Springs will feature a comprehensive internal pedestrian and bicycle path system to encourage nonmotorized transportation and on-site recreation.

Wildlife:

   •   The plans for Hidden Springs place strong emphasis on promoting wildlife, including:

   •   The conservation and enhancement of large upland and riparian areas as wildlife habitat or migration corridors.

   •   Attention to both game and nongame wildlife needs.

   •   A unique set of development standards and design guidelines prepared to minimize conflicts between wildlife and development through landscape design and domestic pet controls.

   •   Conservation and enhancement of the Dry Creek greenbelt corridor.

Design And Development Standards:

   •   Plans and designs for Hidden Springs have been built from the ground up with sensitivity to the site's unique qualities and character. The built community will be based on standards including:

   •   Tucking new development into coves and avoiding "ridge chopping" construction techniques.

   •   Locating roads to follow natural contours and approach development from draws and the rear to minimize visual impacts of road cuts.

   •   Designating building envelopes to ensure maintenance of the rural character and to minimize visual impacts of development.

   •   Designing landscape envelopes around homes to ensure the predominance of the indigenous vegetation and reduce water usage.

   •   A Xeriscape or low water consumption approach to new installed landscape.

   •   Limitation to areas to be landscaped.

   •   Use of advanced irrigation technology.

   •   Building design requirements for low flow or low water use fixtures.

   •   Educational materials provided to all homeowners.

(Ord. 1002, 10-28-2025)