Notus approves Conway Ridge annexation contingent on development agreement after split vote

The Notus City Council approved the annexation, rezone of 34.23 acres and preliminary plat of 66.65 acres for the Conway Ridge Subdivision on Aug. 19, contingent on a development agreement to address infrastructure and phasing. The decision followed a lengthy public hearing in which multiple nearby residents urged the council to slow growth, cited traffic and school-bond concerns, and requested mitigations such as berms and drainage fixes.

Applicant Tanner Leighton said updated comps had been provided and that his team was exploring federal infrastructure grants and potential Idaho Housing partnerships; he said he was willing to work with the city on water but would not commit to speculative dollar figures. Council members pressed on water and sewer capacity — staff noted Well #2 (Tower Park) has leaking seals and rising arsenic, Well #4 lacks adequate fire flow, and the city currently has no redundant backup well. Council debated scale and phasing; Connor and Krasowski voted against the final motion to approve the annexation/rezone, while Ahlborn and Hartsock voted yes and Mayor David Porterfield cast the tie-breaking vote in favor. The council instructed the mayor and staff to pursue a development agreement that would set specific conditions, phasing, and infrastructure obligations before final platting.