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Citizen Guides
The Citizen Guides page is intended to provide easy to understand information to help navigate common city processes, responsibilities, and empower citizens to stay informed and engaged.
What is a Public Hearing?
Public hearings are held to consider all the facts of a project before making a decision, and to mitigate negative impacts where possible.
One of the most critical things citizens need to understand is that public hearings are for their benefit. These hearings must occur prior to the approval of a project. If a public hearing occurs, it means you can still participate before a decision is made.
A public hearing is not a public vote or popularity contest. Rather than determining how many people support a proposal, they are a way to hear all the facts of the case before deciding to approve or deny a project.
What can I expect during a Public Hearing?
Planning & Zoning Staff - City staff provide a comprehensive report on how the application relates to city codes and adopted city plans.
Applicant - During a public hearing, the applicant will be given 10 minutes to state their request.
Public Testimony - Anyone wanting to give public testimony is given 3 minutes (when deemed necessary, an alternate time allotment may be set by the meeting Chair) each to address the board.
Applicant Closing Comments - Following public testimony, the applicant is given 5 minutes to make their closing arguments and additional time, if needed, to answer questions. The public hearing is then closed, and no additional comments may be received from the public or the applicant.
Discussion & Vote - The board deliberates and makes a decision.
*Public Decorum*
It is important that the decorum of a public hearing be maintained in order to ensure a fair and democratic process. The chair of the meeting is responsible for conducting an orderly process where all views are considered in a respectful manner.
Though a decision doesn't always make everyone happy, the public hearing process ensures that each person is treated fairly, and their opinion is considered. You are invited to get involved with your community by respectfully participating in the public hearing process.
What are decision makers listening for?
City Council members and Planning & Zoning Commissioners listen to testimony for three main things:
Consistency - To ensure a proposed project is consistent with adopted City plans.
City Standards - To ensure a proposed project follows city standards.
Criteria - To ensure all approval criteria outlined in code are met.
Approval criteria depend on the type of project, but generally relates to whether the project is compatible and if the timing of the project is appropriate. This is where decision makers have the greatest authority to deny or approve a project based on facts received during public testimony. They also may add conditions of approval to make the project fit better or to mitigate concerns.
The public hearing process is established in state law. Local law provides additional procedures to ensure the public is informed and has a formal way to share concerns and facts that are important to making decisions about a project.
How do I know if there is a Public Hearing?
The City of Kuna shares information about public hearings through a variety of sources, including:
- Publishing the public hearing legal notice in the newspaper (Idaho Press)
- Application items are available on the City of Kuna’s “Public Hearing Level Application Tracker”
- Mailing notices to property owners within 300 feet of the subject property are sent out.
- A public hearing notice sign will be on the property site.
- The agenda and packet for an upcoming Planning & Zoning Commission or City Council meeting are normally posted on the webpage by the end of the day the Friday prior to the meeting.
- Meeting Agendas are physically posted at City Hall.
How do I submit comments?
One of the best ways for the public to communicate with decision makers is to provide written comments or emails to be included in the packet.
These need to be received by the Planning & Zoning Department (email to: PZapplications@kunaid.gov by noon on the Wednesday prior to the hearing in order to be included in the staff report. Anything received after that will be passed on to the decision makers (and uploaded to the Public Meetings webpage for public record) but are not included in the staff report.
What are Home Occupation License's for?
A home occupation license allows someone to legally operate a small business from their home while ensuring that the activity remains compatible with the surrounding residential neighborhood.
The main purpose of a home occupation license is to:
- Regulate business activity in residential areas
- support small businesses
- ensure zoning compliance
- protect public health and safety
- generate local records and accountability
In short, a home occupation license balances the flexibility for residents to work from home with the need to preserve the residential character of neighborhoods.
What are the use limitations?
All home occupations must meet these criteria:
- Only one non-resident employee allowed
- Activity must be secondary to residential use
- No outdoor storage or visible signs
- No exterior changes showing business activity
- Must not create noise, odor, smoke, vibration, dust, or radio interference
- Parking must be off-street and not in required yards
- No commercial vehicle deliveries
- Activity limited to the dwelling unit (accessory buildings need permit)
- No more than ten (10) vehicle trips per day
What is allowed?
- Artists, authors, sculptors
- Home offices for outside salesperson
- Dressmakers, seamstresses and tailors
- Family daycare homes
- Home crafts, and instruction in arts and crafts (max 4 pupils)
- Music or dance teachers (max 4 pupils)
What is not allowed?
- Auto repair (any type)
- Cabinet or woodworking shops
- Gift shops
- Vehicle, trailer, or boat painting
- Retail photo developing
When is a Special Use Permit required?
A permit from the Planning & Zoning Commission is needed for:
- Home occupations in accessory buildings
- Swimming classes in home pools
- Barber or beauty shops
- Photography studios
The City of Kuna is growing rapidly, and with that growth comes the opportunity to create landscapes that reflect our community’s values of sustainability, resilience, and livability. This Landscape Design Guide provides a framework for designing outdoor spaces that conserve water, support native ecosystems, and reduce long-term maintenance costs.
Water Conservation Standards:
All required landscaping in Kuna should be designed to reflect the site’s natural conditions, serve the people using the space, and make the best use of available water.
Landscape plans should reduce water consumption through careful site design, drought-tolerant plant selection, efficient irrigation, and improved soil quality.
- Soil Amendment: Healthy soil holds water better. Before planting, loosen soils to a depth of at least six inches and incorporate compost at a rate of four cubic yards per 1,000 square feet of planted area. Compost should be mixed in to a depth of at least two inches. Areas left as undisturbed native vegetation are exempt, provided they are protected from disturbance and compaction during construction.
- Lawn Areas: If lawn is used, choose drought-tolerant or adaptive sod/seed mixes suited to Kuna’s climate. For larger lawn areas (e.g., over 1,500 square feet), soil moisture sensors are encouraged to help prevent overwatering and to keep irrigation systems efficient.
Best Practices:
Group by water needs - Place plants with similar water requirements together. High-water-use plants should be located near buildings, shaded areas, or places where rainwater naturally collects. This ensures that water is used efficiently without waste.
Use mulch - Apply a 2–3 inch layer of mulch around trees, shrubs, and flower beds. Mulch reduces evaporation, moderates soil temperature, and helps prevent weeds, all of which save water.
Limit turf area - Traditional lawn grass requires more water and maintenance than almost any other plant type. Instead, consider replacing lawn areas with native grasses, groundcovers, or low-maintenance plantings that thrive with less water.
Efficient irrigation - Install drip irrigation or soaker hoses to deliver water directly to the roots, reducing evaporation and runoff. Avoid overhead sprinklers, especially during the heat of the day, to minimize water loss. Smart irrigation controllers and soil moisture sensors can further reduce unnecessary watering.
Plant Choices - To enhance habitat and support biodiversity, up to 25% of landscaped areas should include native flowering and nectar-producing plants. These plants not only reduce water use but also attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators that are essential to Kuna’s natural systems.
A full list of preferred trees, shrubs, flowers, grasses and groundcover can be found on the City’s website.
Additional Resources:
- City of Sun Valley - Landscape Guidelines and Drought Tolerant Species List (External Link)
- The Bureau of Land Management - Landscaping with Native Plants of the Intermountain Region (External Link)
- University of Idaho - Water and Rural Living: What Idaho Homeowners need to know (External Link)
- City of Moscow - Wisescape (External Link)
- Ada Soil and Water Conservation District - Water Wise Gardening and Landscaping Resources (External Link)
- Idaho Botanical Garden - Water Wise Gardening: Preparing for a Sustainable Growing Season (External Link)