Best Use for the Old Victor Elementary

The Old Victor Elementary: Should It Be a Broulim’s - or something else?

On August 17, 2020, The Board of Teton County School District #401 (the “school board”) held a special meeting where 4 bids were opened from 4 developers interested in purchasing the old Victor Elementary School (VES), appraised at $340,000. 

The school, which was built by Work Projects Administration in 1941 - whose function was to provide jobs to unemployed workers on public projects sponsored by federal, state, or local agencies; and on defense and war-related projects; and to unemployed youth through National Youth Administration projects - is currently zoned "Civic and Institutional" and regardless of who the purchaser is, it looks like a rezone will be asked of the City. So, the question becomes, what is the best use for the property? 

To get a sense of the possibilities for the VES site, consider the offers received by the school district:

1. Eric J Hendricks, offer of $360,000 - zone change request to CX or DX to accommodate a family and community fun center and residential options using as much of the existing building as possible. 

2. Broulims (Mark Oswald), offer of $600,000 - all cash offer conditional on a rezone for grocery with possible mixed use. In this offer, the building would be wholly or partially torn down.

3. Eagle Rock Ventures (Matt Faupel), offer of $340,000 - all cash offer to renovate and create workforce housing apartments, schoolhouse lofts with market concept plan in the existing building. 

4. Phillip Combs, offer of $350,000 - Victor Center on Center project concept plan repurposing the school with retail and restaurant space, housing, mixed use and community space.                            

What project proposal do you think would most fit within the community vision recently recruited from public comments during the ReEnvision Victor comprehensive plan update process?  Since the Broulims offer is contingent on the approval of a rezone, and if the rezone is not approved, the other bids could be back on the table. Do you think the rezone request should be rejected so that the school board can consider the other bids? 

ReEnvision Victor public comments were overwhelmingly in favor of a vibrant, walkable downtown core, small town feel, a sense of place, and support for local small businesses. According to the Draft Comprehensive Plan six key values were identified as priorities by the community, during the planning process, in its overall vision for the future.

• Compact and livable city
• Small-business and localized economy
• Infilled, active downtown
• Green space
• Resilient environment
• Multimodal transportation 

Does the school district have to take the highest bid? In short, no.
Can the City of Victor choose how best to use the property? In short, yes.

Idaho law gives cities and counties the ability to rezone with specific conditions. Here, we have Broulim’s asking for a rezone from “Civic and Institutional (CIV)” to “Commercial Mixed-Use (CX)” to build a grocery store, as they are not allowed in the CIV zone. Does the proposed use reinforce the existing or planned character of the area? Is the subject property appropriate for development allowed in the CX zone? These and other issues will require the public’s input in order for the city to make the best decision. If the city decides to reject the rezone, then the other bids can be considered by the school district, and the necessary zoning applications for a particular bid can then be filed with the city.

Now is the time to speak up. Is this site appropriate for a grocery store? Or do one of the other bids better fit your vision for the property and the neighborhood? Should the city reject the Broulim’s rezone request and clear the way for one of the other bids? Or is Broulim’s the best option? Very rarely does the public have the opportunity to consider rezones in the context of other developer’s proposals. Be sure to let your city representatives know what you think is the best use for the VES property.  

The City of Victor Planning & Zoning Commission's public hearing to consider the rezoning of the old Victor Elementary School from CIV to CX for a Broulims grocery store will be on February 18th at 7pm.

Community members are encouraged to attend virtually via Zoom - link HERE. 

You can also email the Victor Planning Staff at planner@victorcityidaho.com to submit your comment.