[{"_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",6661285,"mediaKeyId","2414459-230dcc6a4d12f121820840ae0de59bce","parentId",2414459,"title","Downtown design rules tightened; staff seeks to require on‑site parking for new residential projects","audioSeconds",562,"startMs",7883000,"endMs",8445000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2414459-230dcc6a4d12f121820840ae0de59bce&start=7883&end=8445","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2414459-230dcc6a4d12f121820840ae0de59bce/thumbnail_7883000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6661285/Caldwell/Canyon-County/Idaho/Downtown-design-rules-tightened-staff-seeks-to-require-onsite-parking-for-new-residential-projects","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6661285-aaa39d6811a963a7d4a1f61a283d981c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771191560&Signature=ipnsEmYbrkdxrWy4y~YeVWfICNyTx7JWP8PQUZsOjSOseZxKAyu4PF9NGxKeiOhSMKxxCSuU9klLYy7u58NNpZgymo4h61qz3jMg-p~X8nGK-xhj7ArE342O4u7zjAC~IkdyddJMbQp~tNzOKUj~DnzWaFeD3VhMV4dVsC1ht-5yflCqhGSXcYAJ0YrXLLQQXBT7aLmx0Wqf1ieiXvg191DFOEaWqiGubomIjr4n-j7aziFUk1lPbZgYFCSOZZ89C3vB2VYPlhtAj~zLH6zfsY-sGQUMPFpeewATBnXwRgwcylIoul5T4Q2bue4F4SpmDbpxs~M93QzlK-rF3kKbQw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Caldwell","date","2025-02-27T04:51:23.047Z","article","City of Caldwell planners proposed a set of changes to the downtown and urban‑core zoning in Amendment Package 2, focusing on pedestrian design, signage, building form and parking standards.

Robin Collins and Joe Dodson said the downtown content was moved from other articles into a single urban‑core article (Article 8) and updated to reference the City’s Downtown Framework Master Plan. Among the notable changes presented:

- Parking and residential requirements: Staff proposed that residential projects in the downtown city center and central business districts must provide full on‑site parking for their units rather than relying on relaxed downtown reductions. Collins said the change is more restrictive than current practice and is intended to ensure adequate parking for residents of new apartment or condominium buildings.

- Design and minimum building standards: The draft includes a minimum-stories expectation in downtown city center (generally a minimum of two stories for new construction that supports mixed‑use retail on the ground floor). The package also strengthens facade and design standards, requiring variation in materials, building modulation and pedestrian‑scale elements.

- Signs and streetscape: The sign code is rewritten to be content neutral. Staff proposed eliminating freestanding pole signs in the city center, favoring monument, wall and projecting signs that match a pedestrian environment. Staff also proposed limits for standalone reader boards and restricting chain‑link fencing within downtown except for construction sites.

- Vacant lots and upkeep: Draft language would require active surface treatment for vacant lots in the downtown if they remain unused for 180 days, to prevent “dirt lot” blight. Staff said acceptable treatments would include landscaping, rock or other durable surfacing.

- Parking reductions and thresholds: Staff said they revised downtown parking rules to reflect pedestrian character: on‑street parking is taken into account, but staff stressed that residential developments must meet full on‑site residential parking standards. The downtown proposals also remove or restrict certain land uses (for example, drive‑throughs in the city center and standalone auto uses) to preserve a walkable downtown character.

Commissioner input and next steps

Commissioners generally supported higher design standards but pressed staff for clarity on how new parking requirements would interact with existing projects and the market. Several commissioners said they wanted clear guidance on how density bonuses and downtown parking interact and asked for training or a detailed briefing before the language goes to council.

Staff said the changes will be reviewed by the city attorney and brought forward for council workshops; no formal actions were taken at the workshop.

Ending: Staff asked for written feedback from commissioners to refine design standards and parking formulas ahead of legal review and council review.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","2025/2/26 - Planning & Zoning Commission Workshop","oneSentenceSummary","Amendment Package 2 includes new urban-core (Article 8) rules that raise design standards and require residential projects in downtown to meet on‑site parking minimums. Staff also proposed removing freestanding pole signs in the city center and strengthening maintenance and facade landscaping requirements.","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},6661289,"Caldwell proposes density-bonus program; commissioners ask for public review and higher‑level approvals",13255,444000,13699000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2414459-230dcc6a4d12f121820840ae0de59bce&start=444&end=13699","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2414459-230dcc6a4d12f121820840ae0de59bce/thumbnail_444000.jpg","/articles/6661289/Caldwell/Canyon-County/Idaho/Caldwell-proposes-density-bonus-program-commissioners-ask-for-public-review-and-higherlevel-approvals","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6661289-06bca4fb53d8bbe79bf1d420c089d51d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771191560&Signature=ltF3GbbJQZj6kmp3xAt16a0zuSrp1e6lu5AIF1pUw9MhclNIrczRTYeJcbN0tEE2w69LVB5pEqtG-7clwsCSP0Dmuq26CVBgUw7wAcllg-px4wm4IU3cwWjlN49uy1PDhJwM3hoCjt~8er2dHEekeZBQC2drLp8m6RBGosvXzxAOOBOHwoHaNqGF5qrvabONycVvfbxgMMqLcWStPcJZ5tsmBp2n2ZoM8~z43UcIESxOpy9rwNl7VCGMqpeyvorvIu5Uiazw4091BcXPRs-7xu6eZYgOr6Pw2~-D0U9~yCH~cZdNXC-oy4id9ibYHp8CXadX6j-GseTvSTgkesTIgQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City of Caldwell staff presented a proposed density-bonus program during a Feb. 26 Planning & Zoning Commission workshop, describing a points-based system that would grant increases in residential density in exchange for community benefits.

Joe Dodson, senior planner, said the density-bonus matrix ties bonus percentages to categories of community benefit (for example, deed‑restricted affordable units, dedication/construction of public facilities, or sizable on‑site public amenities). The program is intended to implement objectives in the comprehensive plan that encourage housing variety and public improvements in exchange for increased units per acre.

Minimum criteria and mechanics

- Applicability: staff proposed the density-bonus program would apply in specified zones where residential use is permitted (but explicitly not in the R‑1 zone, which is capped at 8 dwelling units per acre). Dodson and Collins emphasized R‑1 would remain excluded from the bonus program.

- Points system: bonuses would be awarded by accumulating points for qualifying actions; larger public benefits would earn more points. Examples discussed include dedication or construction of major public facilities (parks, community centers), deed‑restricted affordable housing, and on‑site public open space; very large or high‑value public contributions would receive the highest point values.

- Thresholds: staff said the scoring system is intended so that smaller items alone would not produce the maximum bonus; instead, projects would need multiple benefits or a high-value public benefit to achieve larger density increases.

Commissioner feedback and process concerns

Commissioners questioned the administrative pathway for awarding bonuses. Several commissioners asked whether staff scoring alone would grant increased densities or whether requests should be heard by a public hearing body.

- Commissioner Larson and others said the scale of allowable bonuses makes the review appropriate for a hearing body; Larson said density decisions carry significant long‑term effects and argued for commission or council review rather than a one‑person administrative approval.

- Commissioners emphasized the need for predictability and guardrails: they asked staff to clarify what documentation/deed restrictions would be required, how long affordability covenants must last, and which public benefits qualify and how they will be measured.

Staff response and next steps

Robin Collins said staff had not yet proposed the procedural route for final approval (administrative sign‑off versus public hearing), and asked commissioners for feedback. Commissioners expressed a preference that density‑bonus awards be subject to a public hearing; staff indicated they would incorporate that input when drafting final ordinance language and present options to council.

No formal vote or action was taken at the workshop; staff said they will revise the proposed code, seek legal review and return with a recommended process that addresses commissioner concerns.","As part of Amendment Package 2, City staff proposed a density‑bonus program tied to public benefits (deed-restricted affordable housing, park construction, public facilities). Commissioners asked for mechanisms that require hearing‑body or council review before bonuses are granted.",{"_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},6661294,"Caldwell staff previews sweeping zoning rewrite in Amendment Package 2, no votes taken at workshop",13439,279000,13718000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2414459-230dcc6a4d12f121820840ae0de59bce&start=279&end=13718","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2414459-230dcc6a4d12f121820840ae0de59bce/thumbnail_279000.jpg","/articles/6661294/Caldwell/Canyon-County/Idaho/Caldwell-staff-previews-sweeping-zoning-rewrite-in-Amendment-Package-2-no-votes-taken-at-workshop","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6661294-92301904fed8f5cd29efddd667fba6f4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771191560&Signature=fjvH-ceGDJecJFxQ~aZY9ljllmg7CmPZblpNw09eoLein2SnOLqL0c-7K-SRdMMf5TMMQTJzNMvI7GrXGjO4TN~pQcW2bsmnMWlIgtcW-3wIQMc8JY50UzrvG5XExESZ50y3rTEv5jtokm8mlN6ztuOrYV~8ezfyA6gxA6xLyIYErk1I83QQsiDjdP7mEjtAv58GpEASJExrjCplvxZhyIGb-xU6P4KUMMlxLDa9kYqSowQLkjMtNurHIcrFV9V3MtisSCt6YEfTmN2SC5ggTqbm~2IT45GHXQOk8da0PsRnKH3OBDu75sUfxNH8xKLzIaXh561luhxzIu2h4nEdUg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City of Caldwell Community Development staff presented Amendment Package 2 of a multi-part zoning-code update at a Planning & Zoning Commission workshop on Feb. 26, 2025, walking commissioners through a reorganization of Chapter 10 and related changes intended to align the municipal zoning code with the newly adopted comprehensive plan.

The package is primarily a reformatting and consolidation exercise, staff said, moving district purpose statements and dimensional tables into dedicated articles for residential, commercial and industrial districts and creating a new Article 12 for specific-use provisions. Robin Collins, community development director, said the changes are intended to reduce internal code contradictions, capture longstanding administrative policy in the code text and address gaps the city faces when new land uses appear.

Collins and Joe Dodson, senior planner, told commissioners the packet contains substantial edits across many topics: how split zoning is handled, clarified definitions, consolidated use categories for retail and restaurants, expanded design-review processes, new parking and landscaping rules, changes to where and how multifamily housing is regulated, and a proposed density-bonus program. Collins described this as the largest of several amendment packages the city intends to adopt; future packages will be smaller and follow the reorganization.

Why it matters: staff said the comprehensive plan was adopted before the city updated the code to match it, leaving developers, staff and decision-makers to navigate scattered or inconsistent provisions. The work in Package 2 is intended to reduce that friction, make standards more transparent, and create clearer criteria for review.

Key elements described at the workshop

- Code reorganization: Chapters and articles are being restructured so that each zoning district type (residential, commercial, industrial), as well as landscaping and specific-use provisions, are concentrated in a dedicated article. Collins said moving downtown standards and landscaping into their own articles frees space to consolidate base district rules.

- Definitions and land-use tables: Staff consolidated many narrowly worded definitions (for example, multiple retail categories) into fewer, more consistent categories keyed by typical building size and intensity. Multifamily is re-classified to begin at three dwelling units, bringing code language into line with building-code practice.

- Administrative and design review: The packet formalizes a design-review process with staff-level and commission-level thresholds and clarifies when the hearing examiner or the commission handles land-use decisions; Idaho state statute still limits the hearing examiner from acting on annexations or comprehensive-plan amendments.

- Parking and signs: Staff described a substantial rewrite of sign regulation to ensure content neutrality required by case law; freestanding pole signs would be largely eliminated except for freeway-oriented billboards. Parking rules are being revised (see separate article) and the downtown standards propose stronger pedestrian-focused sign and parking guidance.

- Landscaping: Landscaping and tree code are being pulled into a chapter that applies to all zoning districts and will include revised street buffers, land-use buffers and new water‑wise landscaping requirements.

- Multifamily and housing: Triplexes and higher are to be classified as multifamily (starting at 3 units); accessory dwelling units (ADUs) are proposed as permitted with size limits; the PUD rules are revised and the planned-unit-development open-space minimum would increase.

- Process and timing: Staff told commissioners the document will be reviewed by city attorneys before council hearings and that the department will hold workshops with council as the amendments move forward.

What commissioners said: Commissioners flagged wording that could be vague or unenforceable in purpose sections, asked for clarifications about split zoning and administrative delegation, and pressed staff to make sure legal authorities and enforcement departments (for example, code compliance and fire) are listed where code text references standards. Several commissioners said larger items — notably the density-bonus program and parking — should be discussed in more depth with the public and council.

Next steps: Staff said this package will be followed by a future infill chapter and other minor tweaks; council workshops are planned and the city attorney will review the draft before it goes to council. No formal votes or actions were taken during the workshop.

Ending: Commissioners thanked staff for the effort; Collins and Dodson asked for additional feedback and noted some items would be saved for deeper discussion later in the meeting, including landscaping, parking and the density-bonus program.","City planners presented Amendment Package 2 to the Planning & Zoning Commission on Feb. 26, describing a broad reorganization of the municipal zoning code and multiple substantive changes affecting multifamily rules, landscaping, parking, downtown standards and new review procedures. The session was informational; no formal action was taken.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Downtown design rules tightened; staff seeks to require on‑site parking for new residential projects

Caldwell proposes density-bonus program; commissioners ask for public review and higher‑level approvals

Caldwell staff previews sweeping zoning rewrite in Amendment Package 2, no votes taken at workshop