A large, master-planned development proposal is drawing intense backlash from neighbors in North Meridian near the border of Star.
The development, called Ibaia, after the Basque word for “river,” would span nearly a square mile of what is now farmland northeast of Chinden Boulevard and State Highway 16. Some of the land in this area, which sits just south of the Boise River, was previously designated for future development in the city of Star.
Now, developers with Brighton Corp. are seeking the city of Meridian’s blessing to annex the almost 600-acre swath and transform it into a massive subdivision with hundreds of homes, a large city park and a private event center. In its first phase of development, Ibaia would include 471 homes on nearly 300 acres, application materials filed with the city show…