15 years of home building along Idaho 55

The developers of the controversial Dry Creek Ranch subdivision near Hidden Springs have just cleared what may be their biggest remaining legal obstacle to completing the 1,800-home development.

The Ada County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously last week to approve the project’s second, and last, preliminary plat.

The Idaho Statesman reports that the vote sets the stage for an estimated 15 years of home building along Idaho 55 and Dry Creek Road north of Boise and Eagle.

Commissioners approved the homes despite continuing resistance from local residents.

The opponents worry about the loss of farmland, increased traffic, wildfire danger, long emergency response times, and water use.

The commissioners said their hands were legally tied by past commissioners’ approval of the overall development more than a decade ago.