Interfaith Sanctuary has appealed to City Council the Planning and Zoning Commission’s 5 to 1 vote to deny CUP21-00026 for a 205 bed congregate homeless shelter at 4306 W State St where the old Salvation Army thrift store used to be. The City Council will hold a hearing for this appeal beginning next week on April 18^th through April 25^th at City Hall. The dates and times are shown below:

• Monday, April 18, 2022 – 4:00 – 9:00 p.m.
• Tuesday, April 19, 2022 – 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
• Wednesday, April 20, 2022 – 4:00 – 9:00 p.m.
• Thursday, April 21, 2022 – 4:00 – 9:00 p.m.
• Monday, April 25, 2022 – 4:00 – 9:00 p.m.

ATTENDING THE HEARING

We strongly encourage you to attend this multi-day hearing in person, and plan to testify if you are a party of record. You are a party of record if you have previously testified by providing written or oral comments. If you are able to testify (and are a party of record) please fill out this short survey (https://forms.gle/BshZvJrnSkk9mY7L8), or contact us (vpnaboise@gmail.com). If you need help with your testimony or have questions, please feel free to contact us as well.

We encourage in-person attendance. Advance registration is not required for in-person attendance or testimony. If you are only able to testify via Zoom, this is the link to sign up in advance (we believe the same link signs you up for all of the hearing dates): https://cityofboise.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_0YgGkE3kQpKFNmgaEtDFTA

We expect the first day of the hearing, Monday April 18^th, to begin with presentations from both Interfaith and the Neighborhood Association followed by Q&A. While there won’t likely be public testimony that first day, it is very important that the neighborhood makes a strong in-person showing to demonstrate to Council our commitment. Public testimony is expected to begin on Tuesday the 19^th at 10 AM. We know it will be a challenge for many of you to make it there, but please make a commitment to do so. There is a lot riding on this week-long hearing. Fortunately we are in a strong position. Please plan to attend!

THE APPEAL

The Veterans Park Neighborhood Association disagrees with Interfaith’s appeal, and strongly supports upholding the Planning & Zoning Commission’s denial of the CUP. You can view the relevant appeal documents:

• The City has shared Interfaith’s appeal along with public comments the City has received regarding the appeal at this link: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1b1lExrexccuFdNz6xPUfCfk63ajwT3qF
• The legal brief submitted by the VPNA is present on page 8-34 of the “Appeal Replies Recvd 2-10-22.pdf” file (https://drive.google.com/file/d/179ywkYINYP708eWQ3xMIZf_4AY53POtz/view?usp=sharing). Neighborhood Association arguments are presented in greater detail there, along with additional support for our position that is found on the record.
• Lastly, the City Staff’s memo is located here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1nnDtX_5yH-D1Uhm8eyP4TxxD8L8tecI4

T-SHIRTS

Some neighborhood residents have asked how they can get one of the Lavender T-Shirts that many neighborhood residents wore during the Planning & Zoning hearings. During those earlier hearings, Boise Neighbors for Better Housing supporters had a large effective presence of “Boise, Better!” T-shirts in the room, and provided consistent, objective, and respectful testimony.

We need to show a large presence again! You can get a T-shirt by contacting bnbh.nsos@gmail.com. Even if you are not a party of record, please plan to attend in person and wear your lavender t-shirt!

DONATIONS

As you can imagine, these efforts are expensive. And, we expect our Legal Counsel to play a much greater role going forward. You can help by donating to the legal fund either through Boise Neighbors for Better Housing (BNBH), who has the primary financial administration role in this matter, or to the VPNA, who is a registered 501(c)3 so contributions are tax deductible if that benefits you. Below are ways you can donate:

• To BNBH via PayPal at info@boisebetter.org
• To BNBH via VenMo at @boisebetter
• To donate to BNBH via check, contact ckerickson@c4dsi.org for more info
• To VPNA via PayPal at VPNAboise@gmail.com (‘sending to a friend’ avoids the service fee)
• To donate to VPNA via check payable to Veterans Park Neighborhood Association, you can either:
  • mail your donation check to VPNA at PO Box 6598; Boise, ID 83707
  • Visit Horizon Federal Credit Union at 1010 N Whitewater Park Blvd, Boise, ID 83703 and drop off your donation to the Veterans Park Neighborhood Association account with a teller

Thank you so much for advocating for our neighborhood