[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6666222,"mediaKeyId","2336703-8807b6cfd074f7d2f6a360a85ac649bb","parentId",2336703,"title","Council approves Element Ridge annexation over resident objections; developers to provide water tank site and pay $900,000 in impact fees","audioSeconds",5466,"startMs",3557000,"endMs",9023000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2336703-8807b6cfd074f7d2f6a360a85ac649bb&start=3557&end=9023","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2336703-8807b6cfd074f7d2f6a360a85ac649bb/thumbnail_3557000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6666222/Caldwell/Canyon-County/Idaho/Council-approves-Element-Ridge-annexation-over-resident-objections-developers-to-provide-water-tank-site-and-pay-900000-in-impact-fees","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6666222-d18e8c4d215438cea0093328479de6bb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771138947&Signature=NmsmN4cLXFSMcAsAH3S85~W2fxTcyQQ9ORzwJ~8140Kkt23Cjtw2aNS5APZz3TklgvzRS55RCCcn0Cf7SXcLqmRuBJntcImDPXk0MszPHNMxdKMFw9Z46Na1dL5cyJHMr7oIL9818OvhK-iQ9Gg14Q2S-TCSyhMVFZPmMWdBz~oUarCKcEjONSp4ZQYLO3-MlyqaZhp2XvdIbdV8fYEXzaDkegOvDd-ct-6NrozgRJFb6QGQ1HGDpQwaBN4pZDojhBk9-gh1X64GlZ9wf1k~sOW8S5HGUz1RowXOqHYf77AFbUVM073PCZQ9FZ1YiYnbB3ue~hDWtZXyEi5bIg2zKg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Caldwell","date","2025-02-19T04:08:42.1Z","article","The Caldwell City Council voted to approve annexation of the Element Ridge Subdivision (ANN 24-13; SPP 24-02) on Feb. 18, 2025, following a lengthy public hearing that drew neighbors, school officials and developers.

The council approved the annexation and preliminary plat after a divided vote and follow-up ordinance action. During the final approval vote recorded in the meeting record, Councilors Dody (Doty), Williams and Dittenburg voted yes; Councilors Stoddick, Register and Allgood voted no; the mayor cast the deciding vote in favor, producing an initial approval outcome. The subsequent ordinance to adopt the annexation (Bill No. 68, Ordinance 36-29) was later moved for passage by title and approved by the council.

What was proposed: Element Ridge is a 74.41-acre development located on the northwest corner of 10th Avenue and David Street. Applicant materials and the city's staff report described a preliminary plat that would create 215 single-family lots (R-1 low-density residential), with minimum lot sizes of 8,000 square feet, an average lot size of 8,638 sq ft and 5.86 acres of qualifying open space (12 acres total open space). The developer indicated build-out would occur in six phases over roughly 8\u0012 years, with about 48 lots in the first two years.

Infrastructure commitments and conditions: The developer told the council the project would construct 13 local roads, two collectors and frontage improvements on 10th Avenue and David Street; it will pay an estimated $900,000 in transportation and system impact fees over the life of build-out. The applicant also offered to donate a two-acre site on the subdivision's south side for a municipal water storage tank; the city's public-works director said a tank of roughly 3,000,000 gallons (estimated at 60-foot diameter, 20-foot height, with an inset so exposed height should be ~16\u0012 feet) was identified in the water master plan to serve pressure Zone 2.

Sewer and lift station: Planning commissioners had urged caution because of engineering connections in the area; the applicant proposed to construct a sewer lift station as a permanent facility until a gravity sewer option is available. Planning staff and the applicant said the lift station would be designed and built to the city's DEQ standards. The city engineering staff noted the development would be required to meet all city standards and would be allowed to construct the lift station to make the subdivision function prior to northern gravity connections.

Public testimony and concerns: Residents and neighborhood advocates opposed the annexation at the hearing, raising issues including traffic impacts on local streets (David, Airport, Kimball and Ashland), pedestrian safety and school capacity. Valley View School District submitted a written comment stating it had current capacity but anticipated being over capacity by 2029.

\"This proposed annexation will not allow that with all this additional traffic introduced to our neighborhood,\" said Lanae Van Valen, a Somerset West resident, expressing a common theme in opposition testimony about cut-through traffic and safety for pedestrians and children.

Developers and project representatives said the project had been designed within the comprehensive-plan low-density standard (gross density 2.89 dwelling units per acre), would phase build-out so impacts are spread over many years, and would construct required improvements. The applicant's representative said the site is designed to stand alone and that a lift station would be built to serve the subdivision initially; the applicant also said it would donate a separate site at Karcher Commons for a test well and pursue that option to expedite water availability.

Council debate and outcome: Council members debated infrastructure timing, school impacts and precedent for lift stations. Supporters of approval said the project met R-1 standards, fronts an arterial roadway, and includes a large impact-fee contribution that will flow into the city's capital improvements. Opponents cited concerns about traffic bottlenecks on 10th Avenue, potential impacts on private wells, and school capacity. The council ultimately approved the annexation and preliminary plat and then passed the authorizing ordinance by title later in the meeting.

Conditions: Staff recommended and the council included a condition that prior to mid-phase 1 construction drawings, the applicant will work with city staff to update a landscape plan showing additional screening around the donated water-tank site. Other standard conditions require engineering plan approval, utilities and compliance with city code; staff recommended specific conditions in the findings of fact, conclusions of law and order of decision.

Next steps: The project will proceed to engineering plan review and permitting; building permits will not be issued until required water and sewer infrastructure are in place and city staff confirm system capacity per code. The city will collect impact fees as lots are permitted; staff said those fees are intended to fund the utility capital improvements described in the master plan.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","2025/2/18 City Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The Caldwell City Council approved annexation and a 215-lot preliminary plat for the Element Ridge subdivision on Feb. 18, 2025, after public testimony focused on water, sewer, traffic and school capacity.","taxTitle","Caldwell, Canyon County, Idaho","taxId",4130,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6666229,"Caldwell council adopts new comprehensive plan after months of revisions, 4-2 vote",1655,1812000,3467000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2336703-8807b6cfd074f7d2f6a360a85ac649bb&start=1812&end=3467","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2336703-8807b6cfd074f7d2f6a360a85ac649bb/thumbnail_1812000.jpg","/articles/6666229/Caldwell/Canyon-County/Idaho/Caldwell-council-adopts-new-comprehensive-plan-after-months-of-revisions-4-2-vote","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6666229-1b06ea23d0f381cb630afffcf3e0e558/orig.mp4?Expires=1771138947&Signature=aEzL4wica86UB8CrEwtyDGS6ATss52TsTSkPFnGAKu05YUAFGI9Ayt0j4WAoFClsq5x-JjUSykviWHFcotPu1g8y7KfLfa4u1zvha~2polDkGGdrHNU1me388idcaGGRGWdl2MwuNKd8zwKRAqFi24k6Lt7zw3a7k4y1nZHBvPotifFM5-85vki2wSu3bmnFb3cDoF1VI8bQ7vHvqEYM~0N8ldcI59mjK4VBgyMawjZwooS44uUPwaI10cSInXYQK8oaBbpZexmZuTnfLSnaKqDYcOwNxhH2wdRWNvuhoxVLV9SxymgY7kmMjypN~E00wJWql8FNTW7YKEMGltevhg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Caldwell City Council adopted a new comprehensive plan for the city on Feb. 18, 2025, repealing the prior plan and replacing it with the document presented by city planning staff.

The council approved Resolution No. 63-25 by a 4-2 roll-call vote. Councilors Dody, Williams and Dittenburg voted in favor; Councilors Stoddick and Register voted against; the mayor cast the deciding vote in favor, producing the 4-2 result.

The plan rewrites the city's future land-use map, including a staff-change to pull the planning boundary back from Chicken Dinner Road to Wagner Road in one area, and proposes lower maximum densities in many residential place types while keeping modest increases in select zones. Planning staff told council the Simplot corridor had been revised from a mixed-use designation to an employment-center place type to reflect prevailing industrial uses.

\"We are not approving code tonight,\" Robin (planning staff) told the council during discussion. The plan is a policy document; any zoning or code changes would be processed separately through ordinance reviews. Council and staff emphasized the plan itself does not change zoning on privately owned parcels.

Why it matters: the comprehensive plan sets the long-range policy framework used to guide rezones, subdivisions, capital projects and code updates. Several council members and members of the public pressed staff for early follow-up workshops on the implementing zoning code changes and for a clearer checklist showing fiscal and service impacts of growth.

Councilors voiced conflicting priorities in debate. Supporters said the plan offers a long-range, predictable framework and that much of the city's recent growth makes a refreshed plan necessary. Councilor Williams said an outside planner had called it \"the best comp plan\" they'd seen and stressed the plan is visionary. Opponents said the plan did not provide enough certainty about near-term code changes and their effects on lot sizes and maximum densities. Councilor Register asked for more detail tying proposed densities to existing lot-size standards and said school capacity and traffic impacts remain issues to resolve.

Staff and presenters said proposed density bonuses are only a recommendation at this stage. \"If they don't get approved, then there is no bonus densities ever,\" planning staff said, explaining that any density-bonus program would require separate code language, hearings and council approval.

The council instructed staff to return with implementing ordinance language and offered to schedule a workshop to review code changes before staff begins formal code drafting. Several council members asked staff for a more comprehensive impact checklist for future annexation and subdivision requests that would include capital costs, projected additional service needs (police, fire, schools), and impact-fee revenue estimates.

The council's adoption starts the process of code updates that staff and commissioners said could include changes to allowed uses, special-use permit thresholds and standards for affordable housing incentives. Staff repeatedly stated that the plan itself does not automatically rezone any property and that existing zoning remains in force until a separate rezoning process changes it.

Looking ahead: staff said they will return with draft ordinance language and recommended procedural steps. The council requested an additional early workshop before any code package is docketed for formal public hearings.

","The Caldwell City Council voted 4-2 to repeal and replace the city's comprehensive plan, a multi-year update that changes future land-use designations, reduces some maximum densities and sets new policy direction for growth and infrastructure. The council and staff said code changes will follow and require separate review.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6666217,"Votes at a glance: downtown parking advisory board, irrigation annexations and water infrastructure purchases",7276,1886000,9162000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2336703-8807b6cfd074f7d2f6a360a85ac649bb&start=1886&end=9162","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2336703-8807b6cfd074f7d2f6a360a85ac649bb/thumbnail_1886000.jpg","/articles/6666217/Caldwell/Canyon-County/Idaho/Votes-at-a-glance-downtown-parking-advisory-board-irrigation-annexations-and-water-infrastructure-purchases","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6666217-bb2edbcbd9e3986cac18e4b07aaaab7f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771138947&Signature=PUpeOoOWwwDwJ502pPGakAAnE5lhUnMpYTwxkP2zSWWzEZMIiRWBarR2z0RqNHVS5zpytBSkxXIV2sEMoYblT3bBpJ2m9WRmwri3qFMhN3wIjVW6UErcgXVti0B29ooiJbh7mOcmHC4k0~mtpedYamfWKFfiiPz6CW9tfp-AkAP2Xoi5yNZP-vFSZPd9JBZU9O5SZiFhZ2NmJVLY8Q5OBid6c0kmvkN93VGREfV4AKhkZ~efPM1959T3-mvp0ImDD7CQe49-5o7DlsEZLMDcqt3Weq-28TgdGkJeVspHC-pCAfUuFP1FFS6l6QPcyx7TzHjtVeBLqLiZQwCP2vSdyQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At its Feb. 18 meeting the Caldwell City Council took a series of formal actions on ordinance and consent items. Key outcomes recorded in the meeting are listed below.

Ordinances and bills

- Downtown parking advisory board (Bill No. 5 / Ordinance 36-57): Council amended the ordinance to limit the advisory board to a two-year term and passed the bill by unanimous roll call. Vote: unanimous.

- Caldwell Municipal Irrigation District annexations (Bill Nos. 22\u001224 and Bill No. 3 / Ordinances 36-74 through 36-76 and others): Council adopted the listed ordinances by unanimous vote as housekeeping annexation items.

- Element Ridge annexation ordinance (Bill No. 68 / Ordinance 36-29): After approving the annexation and preliminary plat during earlier deliberations, the council later moved for passage of the authorizing ordinance by title and approved the summary for publication; the meeting record shows the ordinance measure passed (vote recorded as five in favor, one opposed, with Councilor Register voting against at the ordinance vote).

Consent and procurement items

- Purchase of water works valves for the Tenth Avenue Water Project (consent items 14 and 15): Council approved purchase of 11 16-inch valves and related fittings, with the purchases accommodated within the FY25 budget. Staff explained the waterline project connects portions of Zone 4 and will be funded from water connection fees and budgeted capital funds. The vote on these consent items was unanimous.

- Accounts payable and payroll: Council approved accounts payable and payroll as listed in the finance report.

Why it matters: These actions advance water system improvements and restore a short-lived downtown advisory body under an explicit sunset clause, while the large Element Ridge annexation will go forward with conditions. Several items were framed as budgeted capital projects funded by developer connection fees or FY25 appropriations.

","Council approved several housekeeping and ordinance items Feb. 18, 2025, including creation of a downtown parking advisory board with a two-year sunset; annexations of irrigation districts; and equipment purchases for a Tenth Avenue water project. Roll-call counts and ordinance numbers are listed below.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves Element Ridge annexation over resident objections; developers to provide water tank site and pay $900,000 in impact fees

Caldwell council adopts new comprehensive plan after months of revisions, 4-2 vote

Votes at a glance: downtown parking advisory board, irrigation annexations and water infrastructure purchases