Three Geodesic Domes Could Give Way to 152 Affordable Apartments: An Idaho Church Site Up for Rezoning

• The First Assembly of God church in Caldwell, Idaho, built in 1977 as three geodesic domes, is listed for sale at $3.9 million.
• Kimley Horn is developing a 152-unit affordable apartment project on the site at 821 N 16th Ave.
• All units would be for households earning 60 per cent or less of area median income.
• The domes would be demolished if the application, which seeks higher-density zoning, is approved.

A distinctive Idaho church may be torn down to make way for affordable homes. BoiseDev reported that the First Assembly of God church in Caldwell, known for its three geodesic domes, could be demolished for an apartment project.

The church at 821 N 16th Ave was built in 1977 and was listed on LoopNet at an asking price of $3.9 million. Kimley Horn is developing a 152-unit affordable apartment project for the site, with 56 one-bedroom, 48 two-bedroom, 32 three-bedroom and 16 four-bedroom units in five buildings, 312 bedrooms in all, and 228 parking spaces. All units would be for residents earning 60 per cent or less of the area median income. The plans include a clubhouse, a dog park and more than 27,000 square feet of open space, with the Notus Canal wrapping around the south side.

The project needs the site reclassified from “Traditional Neighborhood”, which allows 20 units per acre, to “High Density Residential”, which allows 25. The application argued: “This area adjacent the highway has not been a traditional neighborhood for some time if at all…” A Planning and Zoning Commission hearing was scheduled. The domes would be demolished only if the application is approved.

The report said the site is about five minutes from Indian Creek Plaza.

A large church site on a main road is often ideal for housing: it is already cleared of competing uses, has road access and sits among existing services. Jamaican congregations with large sites near highways or town centres could find the same interest from developers, especially for affordable homes. The Caldwell case also shows the role of zoning: the value of church land depends on what the planners will allow on it. Churches considering a sale should find out early what density their land could support.

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