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

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— years, with about 48 lots in the first two years.

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