Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Multifamily Development topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission Rejects Pinto Apartments Annexation and Special‑Use Permit for 36‑Unit Project
Summary
The commission voted to recommend denial of a request to annex 1.45 acres for a 36‑unit apartment project (Pinto Apartments), citing incompatibility with surrounding single‑family neighborhoods and concerns raised by Nampa planning staff and commissioners about density and height.
The Caldwell Planning & Zoning Commission recommended denial of the Pinto Apartments proposal Wednesday after hearing the staff report, the applicant’s presentation and public comment.
Associate Planner Katie Wright told commissioners the application requested annexation of a 1.45‑acre parcel, a comprehensive‑plan map amendment and a special‑use permit to allow multifamily use and a 45‑foot height in an R‑3 zoning designation. "The applicant's proposing a development consisting of 36 multifamily units," Wright said, and noted the city of Nampa had submitted comments opposing the project’s density adjacent to Nampa single‑family and industrial zones.
Applicant representative Craig Kolchak said the two‑building design, perimeter landscaping and rear parking would help the project transition between existing uses and that the site would act as a buffer from adjacent subdivisions. He said sewer access would come from a nearby Adams Ridge subdivision and water lines would be extended to serve the site.
David Broom, a resident who said he lives adjacent to the site, testified in opposition, citing traffic congestion at Midland Boulevard and Lassiter Lane and objecting to four‑story or 45‑foot structures near his property. "I'm completely opposed to this right here," he told the commission, describing existing traffic and safety concerns.
Commission deliberations emphasized compatibility with surrounding land uses, distance to existing R‑3 zoning and the technical conditions in the staff report. Commissioner Boutros moved to recommend denial of the annexation, comprehensive plan amendment and special‑use permit; the motion was seconded and carried on a roll call (Boutrous: yes; Whitbeck: yes; Harmon: yes; Zamora: yes). The record shows the commission recommended denial because the proposal was incompatible with the surrounding area.
Because the Planning & Zoning Commission's recommendation is advisory, the decision will be transmitted to City Council for final action. The staff report lists specific site conditions that would be required if the council chose to approve the request, including parking stall dimensions and other engineering requirements.
