The nuts-and-bolts of urban development present a steep learning curve in any jurisdiction. In Idaho, which for several years has been the nation’s fastest-growing state, it has become a matter of some urgency for those trying to address the dual demands of housing creation and preserving the natural beauty that defines the state. To help REALTOR® members and elected officials throughout Idaho learn about the fundamental forces that affect development, Boise Regional REALTORS® recently partnered with the Urban Land Institute to offer training in six different Idaho municipalities. A Smart Growth Grant from the REALTOR® Party supported the effort.
Government Affairs Director Cameron Kinzer was introduced to the idea by Jessica Durham, a REALTOR® member who owns a real estate school and had worked with the Urban Land Institute to condense its Urban Plan game into a six-hour version specifically for REALTORS®, approved for CE credit. “It was an eye-opening, engaging class – using LegoTM!” recalls Kinzer. “From what I experienced, it was clear that the course would benefit not only REALTORS®, but also elected officials. By offering the training to both these groups, together, we anticipated that it would facilitate advocacy, partnership, and decision-making down the road as they encounter the real-life process of planning and development in their cities and towns.”
In coordination with the state association, Kinzer secured funding from the REALTOR® Party to offer the program, including a working lunch, in Idaho Falls, Chubbuck, Burley, Coeur d’Alene, Moscow, Star, and Boise. Working with the Association of Idaho Cities, the organization tasked with training public officials in public policy, they invited Idaho mayors, city council members, and city planners to join REALTORS® from their own communities in learning about the development process.
Durham describes the Urban Plan course as a game that takes participants through the entire development process, from concept to permitting and presenting the plan for approval. At tables of six to ten, each player is assigned a role, such as site planner, city liaison, marketer, or financial analyst. Play begins with a 3.5-minute video introducing the fictional RFP to re-build a portion of a city that had burned down. “I explain what structural inventory the LegoTM on the table represents, and the teams get to work arranging the mixed-use built environment and recreational zones such as pickleball courts and skate parks. They also have to factor in transportation, such as bus routes and pedestrian plazas. Once they’ve worked together for about an hour on creating sites that are invariably pretty, that’s when I throw the cold water, giving them the ‘bad news’ about restrictions and constraints – forcing them to think more sobering thoughts about zoning and efficient allocation of resources.” Having revised their plans, the teams present their solutions to a mock City Council. “REALTORS®, being typically competitive, tend to like this part,” observes Durham.
Feedback from the six-city tour was overwhelmingly positive, with an emphasis from REALTORS® on the value of participating and engaging with local officials and city employees from their own communities. “I think this will help in the real world,” said one.
“We were very lucky to have someone as knowledgeable and experienced as Jessica leading the classes,” says Kinzer, adding, “I would encourage associations to hold these classes in smaller communities where elected officials don’t have as much access to educational resources, or experience with urban planning and development.” In addition to this course, in recent years, Boise Regional REALTORS® has offered its members several opportunities to participate in NAR’s Smart Growth for the 21st Century training. “We really appreciate the Smart Growth Grant program,” says Kinzer. “It has been great to be able to conduct these projects, and remind members that it’s made possible by their dues coming back to their communities.”
To learn more about how Boise Regional REALTORS® is helping communities across Idaho learn about the process of smart growth development, contact Government Affairs Director Cameron Kinzer at cameron@boirealtors.com or 208.599.4783; or REALTOR® and course instructor Jessica Durham at jdurham@groverealtyid.com or 208.921.1338.
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