Brighton Development Proposes ‘Basque Ranch,’ a 470-Acre Project With Hundreds of Homes and a Large Park Near the Boise River in North Meridian, Idaho
A large-scale residential development proposed for North Meridian, Idaho could bring more than 570 home sites and a significant city park to land near the Boise River, according to pre-application materials submitted to the City of Meridian by Brighton Development. The project, called Basque Ranch, spans more than 470 acres and sits in an area bordered by SpurWing Golf Club, Highway 16, and the Boise River — placing it among the most ambitious development proposals in the Treasure Valley in recent years.
Background: Who Owns the Land and Where It Stands
According to Ada County Assessor property records, the land identified in the pre-application is held by three parties. Altec Holdings of Meridian, controlled by John T. Ewing, owns one portion. Other sections are held by Sundance Investments and Club at SpurWing, LLC, which is controlled by Sundance Company CEO Roger L. Anderson. Sundance Co. previously sold the SpurWing Golf Course to Concert Golf Partners of Florida but retained control of the land now included in the proposed Basque Ranch development.
Brighton Development is not new to this part of North Meridian. The firm previously developed the SpurWing Greens neighborhood in the same general area, giving it a track record with the local landscape and municipal process.
It is important to note that a pre-application is the first step in what can be a lengthy and uncertain development review process. Pre-applications do not always advance to formal applications, and project details frequently change before — and during — formal review. This proposal is early-stage.
Project Details: Home Sites, Density, and a City Park
A site plan submitted to the city through engineering firm KM Engineering outlines a mix of residential zoning classifications across the 470-plus-acre site. The plan identifies approximately 570 home sites in areas where specific unit counts are noted, along with additional areas designated for residential development where home counts have not yet been specified.
The breakdown of identified residential areas includes:
152 units on 50.5 acres, zoned for medium-high-density residential use. 172 units on 66 acres, designated medium-density residential. 147 units on 97 acres under medium-low density zoning. Additional areas on the site plan show zoning designations but do not yet indicate the number of homes or specific configurations.
The plan also includes a space for a significant city park on land adjacent to the City of Star. The City of Meridian has separately planned Margaret Aldape Park, a 78-acre facility within the Boise River floodplain, in the broader area. Portions of the Basque Ranch property fall within Star’s area of impact, which could add a layer of complexity to the approval process.
Under Meridian’s current future land-use map, the property within the city’s area of impact is designated as low-density residential — meaning a higher-density proposal like Basque Ranch would require an amendment to the city’s comprehensive plan before it could move forward as currently envisioned. For Ada County residents watching growth reshape the region, similar rezoning battles have already drawn pushback from established neighborhoods elsewhere in the county.
Impact on Ada County Residents and Taxpayers
A development of this scale — if ultimately approved — would add hundreds of households to an already fast-growing corridor between Meridian and Star. That growth brings with it demand for roads, schools, utilities, and public services, costs that ultimately flow back to Ada County taxpayers and existing residents in various forms.
The project’s proximity to the Boise River floodplain also raises questions about infrastructure and environmental considerations that will likely surface during formal review. The area’s connection to the SpurWing Golf Club corridor, a high-profile residential and recreation zone, means the project will draw scrutiny from existing property owners in the vicinity.
Larger mixed-use developments are reshaping the Treasure Valley across multiple cities. The District at Ten Mile, a 222-acre mixed-use project in Meridian, illustrates how large-scale development is increasingly defining growth patterns across Ada County’s western communities.
What Comes Next for the Basque Ranch Proposal
For Basque Ranch to move forward, Brighton Development will need to secure a series of approvals from the City of Meridian, including annexation of portions of the property, an amendment to the city’s comprehensive plan, approval for a planned unit development, and formal rezoning of the site. Each of those steps involves public hearings and decisions by the Meridian Planning and Zoning Commission and, ultimately, the Meridian City Council.
Residents in North Meridian, Star, and surrounding areas who want to weigh in on the project can monitor the City of Meridian’s official planning portal for updates on when — or whether — a formal application is filed. No timeline for a formal submission has been publicly announced at this stage.