Council continues decision on 12‑unit Lexington Sky expansion after school and neighbor safety concerns

Caldwell City Councilors on Aug. 18 moved to continue a decision on a proposed 12‑unit expansion of Lexington Sky Apartments (SUP25‑007) after neighbors and the adjacent Thomas Jefferson Charter School raised safety and access concerns.

Planner Katie Wright briefed council on the application: the project is an 0.82‑acre parcel rezoned to R‑3 in 2024 to allow a third‑story, 12‑unit building intended as a second phase of the existing Lexington complex. Staff reported the site meets zoning standards for density, setbacks, parking and landscaping; the applicant supplied revised elevations and floor plans to meet façade modulation requirements under the revised code.

Bonnie Layton, representing the developer, said the project fits the neighborhood context, provides site amenities and will connect a public pedestrian path to the adjacent city park. She told council the buildings would mirror the existing complex across the street and that residents would have access to shared clubhouse and recreational amenities.

Neighbors and school representatives urged delay. Thomas Jefferson Charter School Principal Jody Endicott and community members described repeated incidents near the school — trespass, vandalism, dog waste on school play areas, a vehicle that drove through a fence — and expressed concern about locating another three‑story building and additional residential units directly adjacent to the school and park. Speakers said the school had not been informed early enough in the prior auction process when the city sold the parcel and asked council to consider alternatives such as a land swap or commercial use that would better serve the school.

Council action: an initial motion to deny the special use permit produced a tie (3–3). Council then approved a substitute motion to continue the hearing (date to be determined) to allow staff to work with the parties and gather more information about possible mitigation, notification history, and options such as a property exchange. The council explicitly instructed staff to coordinate between the developer and the school and to return with clearer options rather than rendering a final decision at that meeting.

Next steps: staff will coordinate discussions among the applicant, the charter school and city departments and return to council with the results and any proposed conditions or alternatives.