Boise Automotive RE Holdings, the owner of the local Lyle Pearson dealership in Boise, is looking to expand its offerings by adding a new dealership for high-end Ineos Grenadier SUVs. The company, based in Spokane, hopes to remodel a 2,200 square foot dealership building in front of the existing Mercedes-Benz building at 7611 W. Gratz Dr. in Boise. This location is part of the Boise Auto Mall development, a hub for various car dealerships in the area. The new dealership would replace a current Porsche dealership building, as Porsche moved to a different building on the campus last year.
However, the city’s recently adopted zoning code, known as the Boise Zoning Code Rewrite, has presented a challenge for the proposed expansion. The property where Lyle Pearson intends to add the new dealership is now zoned MX-3, which stands for „Mixed-Use: Active.“ This zoning designation is meant to support office, commercial, institutional, and residential uses that promote active modes of transportation. Unfortunately, the MX-3 district does not permit vehicle sales, limiting such activities to specific industrial and mixed-use zones like MX-2 found along major roadways in the city.
The zoning code rewrite has created a dilemma for Lyle Pearson, as the proposed dealership does not align with the current zoning regulations. While existing car dealerships in non-compliant areas are grandfathered in, the code does not clearly address whether remodeling an existing building for a different brand is permissible. Additionally, any increase in square footage triggers a stricter review process, which the Lyle Pearson proposal does not meet.
To proceed with their plans, Lyle Pearson will need to seek a variance from the city to allow for the changeover. The project must first undergo the city’s zoning compliance review process, where the specifics of the proposal will be evaluated. This variance will be crucial in determining whether the new dealership can move forward in the designated MX-3 zone.
In conclusion, the potential addition of a new dealership for Ineos Grenadier SUVs by Boise Automotive RE Holdings at the Lyle Pearson location presents an interesting challenge due to the city’s updated zoning regulations. The need for a variance and compliance review underscores the complexities involved in expanding commercial operations within evolving urban landscapes. As the project progresses, it will be interesting to see how the city and the dealership navigate these zoning hurdles to bring the new dealership to fruition.