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October 23, 2024
City of Caldwell Planning & Zoning Commission and City Council
621 Cleveland Blvd
Caldwell, Idaho 83605
RE: ANN24-00013/SPP24-0002 Element Ridge Subdivision
Canyon Co Parcel R32681 aka 0 10th Avenue
10th Avenue Frontage & Traffic Impacts
Dear Council Members and Commissioners:
Highway District No. 4 (HD4) has reviewed the application for annexation and preliminary plat
for Element Ridge Subdivision, approximately 75 acres located on the west side of 10th Avenue
1/4 mile north of SH 55. The development is proposing approximately 215 new single family
homes. HD4 provides the following comments on the proposed development:
1. By agreement with the City, (Exchange Maintenance Agreement, 2008) HD4 operates and
maintains 10th Avenue along the east boundary of the subject property. Under this
agreement, HD4 is responsible for access permitting and utility permitting along 10th Ave,
and is provided opportunity to review and comment on development plans as they may
impact the operation and maintenance of the highway. HD4 also maintains David Street and
Airport Avenue adjacent to the proposed development.
2. 10th Avenue is classified as a minor arterial on the functional classification maps adopted by
HD4 and the City. Direct driveway or local or private street access is typically restricted to
support higher traffic volumes and speeds along these corridors. The proposed Neon Hills
Drive access to 10th Avenue (+/- 2,220-ft north of SH 55) appears to meet city standards for
access spacing to an arterial roadway. This approach should be aligned opposite the
northerly access to Vallivue Middle School to avoid conflicts with left-turning movements.
3. The emergency access roadway to David Street should include a fire gate or bollards to
restrict vehicular access except as allowed by emergency services providers. Given the
proposed Bear Lane connection to the Airport Ave/David St intersection, is the emergency
access necessary?
4. Proposed meander for Bear Lane at Airport Ave should be per MUTCD for a 35 mph design
speed. Additional signage on Airport Ave north of the development may be required at
developer expense to indicate the 90° roadway curve at Ashland Ave (W1-1L w/ advisory
speed plaque or similar).
5. A pedestrian crossing to Vallivue Middle School should be provided at one of the driveway
approaches to the school on 10th Avenue. The existing mid-block pedestrian crossing at
David Ave should be abandoned, as it does not connect to any pedestrian pathways or
sidewalks on the school property, and forces pedestrians to use the 10th Ave roadway
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shoulder. A sidewalk or pathway on the 10th Ave frontage of the development should extend
to and connect with David Street to accommodate pedestrian movements from existing
subdivisions to the south. The MUTCD recommends development of a pedestrian access
plan (Section 7) to promo
6. The development subject property accepts a significant volume of stormwater runoff from
the Stecher and Somerset West subdivisions to the south. These include, but are not limited
to the David Street, Airport Ave, Horizon Ave, Kimball Ave, Susan Ave, and 10th Ave
rights-of-way, and much of the lot area within the subdivisions. At the time these
developments were platted and constructed (prior to the existence of the highway district),
Canyon County made no provisions for detention or retention of stormwater. The Element
Ridge development should, at a minimum, provide for facilities necessary for pass-through
and attenuation of this runoff.
7. HD4 requests that the City include as part of any development agreement for the project a
clause requiring dedication of public right-of-way for 10th Avenue (or for any existing public
street) upon written request of the City, to facilitate construction of public roadway
improvements independent of the timing of the proposed development.
8. The development is expected to generate approximately 1,697 daily vehicle trips, with 169
trips anticipated in the PM peak hour. These new trips will have a significant impact on the
operations and capacity of the nearby roadway network. The City should, through exactions
or other fees, determine and require a proportionate share of the costs necessary to improve
capacity at local intersections affected by new traffic from the development.
9. Due to the impacts from this development and other growth within the City, HD4 will
request that the city accept for maintenance 10th Avenue between SH 55 (Karcher Rd) and
Homedale Rd, including the public road intersections within those limits. This will best
allow the city to oversee approval of improvement plans (including utility extensions and
traffic safety or capacity projects) affecting these roadways, and remove an overlapping and
unnecessary layer of permitting and inspection by the highway district.
Highway District No. 4 appreciates the opportunity to review this development application, and
requests that the Commission and Council consider these comments in their deliberations and
condition and approval to address the recommendations provided above. Please feel free to
contact me with any questions on these comments.
Respectfully,
Chris Hopper, P.E.
District Engineer
CC: Robb MacDonald, P.E. Caldwell City Engineer
File: Caldwell_10th Avenue- Element Ridge Subdivision