STEP THREE:

• We got out our shovels and hammers and got to work building this dream!

Conscious Farms, Middleton Idaho, 2020 - 2025

This is the project that started it all for Colt. While Chelsi and Colt were only trying to build the American dream, they had to fight an uphill battle to make their dream a reality. They learned a lot in the process and are determined to help others make the process smoother.

STEP ONE:

• Once we found the property in the location we wanted, we wrote the owner and asked to buy it.

• We then found a builder who resonated with our values.

• We spent considerable time on the property to learn about it and figure out what we wanted to do with it.

• Navigating a complex purchase where we wanted to borrow some money for the land based on our project. Financing was difficult because the land was valued more as farm land, because the existing small farmhouse was basically condemned.

STEP TWO:

• We started the due diligence process after we purchased the property and found some issues:

  • Boundary issues

  • Undisclosed easements

  • The entire property is within a floodplain

• We got out our pencils and started our administrative requirements:

  • Started to design our home

  • Learned all things FEMA and Idaho floodplain, and began engineering study to determine requirements to build in the floodplain

  • Solved issues with boundaries and easements

  • Completed administrative split to separate the old farmhouse from the remainder of the property

  • Completed permitting (Entitlement)

STEP FOUR:

• We finished building and moved in, but then realized we missed some things and had to complete some rework:

  • We did not find out the water quality until after we moved in, and so we had to rebuild the water system and add a wellhouse for reverse osmosis water treatment system

  • We had to rework the plans on the interconnectivity between the house and future shop, and because that was not pinned down on a comprehensive site plan before we built the house it added extra work, and rework as our plan finally came together.

• Building in Idaho now is expensive and we learned the value of having a plan up front, to help guide you through the project, especially when the project will take 5-10 years to complete.

Wilder Site Plan Project 2025

This project helped a family through their first-time custom home build. ICD provided the following:

STEP ONE:

• Site walk and discussions to understand the family's values and objectives

• Due diligence process to help them understand

  • Physical safety risks to their children from old wells and underground cisterns

  • Water quality in the surrounding area and potential health impacts

  • Potential environmental concerns from past agricultural uses on the property

STEP TWO:

• Working with them and their builder to create a construction site plan with all regulatory considerations captured to streamline the permitting process and communication with other subcontractors.

• Additionally, during this project ICD was able to help them engage with Canyon County and the local Fire District to build a suitable solution related to residential fire suppression sprinkler systems.

STEP THREE:

• Working with the family to have multiple conversations about their vision and long-term objectives, which allowed ICD to build a comprehensive site plan that would allow all subsequent projects to align with their long-term goals.

Middleton Barndominium 2025

This was ICDs first Shop & Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) design. Alternative names for this type of structure are barndominium or shouse

STEP ONE:

• Use Comprehensive Site Plan and Purpose Statement to determine the purpose of the structure

  • Place for mom to live with family on the property

  • Place for the owner to build an office

  • Place for the owner to have a storage mezzanine

  • Place for the owner to work on farm equipment

  • Place for the owner to store toys

STEP TWO:

• Blend current aesthetics of the site and existing architecture into the exterior design of the barndominium

Boise Foothills Utility Plan 2025

This project supported a seasoned builder who wanted a perspective on utilities planning, on an existing site plan. ICD helped integrate existing utilities and future utilities into a cohesive utilities plan. ICD also assisted the builder in negotiating with the Fire District on residential fire suppression sprinklers, successfully eliminating the sprinkler requirement for this project. Additionally, after helping them save their clients money with a more deliberate long-term plan, ICD engaged with local regulatory agencies on their behalf to update permits for the project.

Denver Landscape Plan 2025

This project supported a family buying a new home and needing to build a cohesive plan and understand the textures of the different aspects of the plan. They used the plan to get more accurate pricing for landscaping their new home. Bring on the backyard barbeques and sitting by the fire!

Crouch Idaho Utilities Plan 2025

This project supported a seasoned excavation company that was creating building sites on its property. ICD helped them by developing a site plan that they could use to obtain utilities on the property and began developing a plan with the building department to obtain approval for two post-frame cabins and shops for their family.