The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About11-19-2025 P & Z MINUTESP&Z Commission Minutes November 19, 2025 PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, November 19, 2025 @ 7:00 pm City Hall, Council Chambers, 205 S. 6th Ave, Caldwell, Idaho Chair Zamora called the meeting to order at: 7:00pm. ROLL CALL Present: ☒ Zamora ☐ Harman ☒ Boutros ☒ Geyer ☐ Larson ☒ Vance ☒ Whitbeck Absent: ☐ Zamora ☒ Harman ☐ Boutros ☐ Geyer ☒ Larson ☐ Vance ☐ Whitbeck Quorum Present: ☒Yes ☐ No CONFLICT OF INTEREST DECLARATION (if any). Chair Zamora asked if there were any conflict-of-interest declarations. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS. There were none. CONSENT CALENDAR: (ALL CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS ARE ACTION ITEMS) 1. None REVIEW OF PROCEEDINGS (OPENING STATEMENT) Chair Zamora opened the public hearing and outlined the public hearing procedures. Chair Zamora proceeded to public hearing items on the agenda. OLD BUSINESS: None NEW BUSINESS ACTION ITEM: Caldwell Central Urban Renewal Project Area Plan: Review Urban Renewal Plan for conformity with the Comprehensive Plan of the City of Caldwell and make recommendations to the City Council concerning the proposed plan. Staff Presentation: Attorney, Doug Waterman, presented the applicant’s request by use of the staff report. • Purpose of this hearing: Does the plan conform with comprehensive plan? Does not conform? Or somewhere in between? PLAN GOAL – VISION FOR CONNECTED COMMUNITY • Provide efficient and cost-effective movement of people and goods. • Protect the function of arterial corridors. Questions for staff: Public Works Director Robb MacDonald and Community Development Director Robin Collins. o Road improvements and who pays for what o CDBG can help in some areas o City vs Urban Renewal (UR) o Plan relies on city code o Prioritization of roads done by UR • Develop commercial and mixed-use corridors that create a strong sense of place and support all modes of transportation • Ensure safe, comfortable, and accessible pathways for pedestrians, cyclists, and other non-motorized users. P&Z Commission Minutes November 19, 2025 • Encourage the use and expansion of alternative transportation and public transit options. • Prioritize public safety in transportation and infrastructure and design. • Adapt to advances in emerging mobility, technology, and transportation innovation. • Optimize the public investment in utility services and facilities. o Irrigation problems • Collaborate with Caldwell and Vallivue School Districts and College of Idaho as partners in long-range planning. PLAN GOAL – VIBRANT GATHERING SPACES • Create a network of dynamic places for the community to gather throughout the city. • Protect and enhance the historical resources that represent the city’s cultural and architectural history. • Reinforce Caldwell’s local culture and identity • Create vibrant places through quality urban design o Parking o Zoning PLAN GOAL – VISION FOR RIVERS, PARKS AND AGRICULTURE • Develop and maintain parks, green belts, and recreation facilities to meet the diverse needs of a growing community. • Safeguard Caldwell’s environmental features and natural resources. • Minimize the threat of natural hazards to people and property. • Create a network of non-motorized paths and greenways to connect neighborhoods with natural features, recreational sites, and service areas. • Recognize agriculture as an important tradition and economic resource for Caldwell. PLAN GOAL – VISION FOR QUALITY NEIGHBORHOODS TO CALL HOME • Diversify housing options to accommodate varying household incomes, lifestyles and sizes, promoting inclusivity and affordability. o Alleyway improvements • Create distinct and inclusive neighborhoods with a focus on high quality design, connectivity and livability. • Concentrate development closer to the city’s core and preserve a rural transition at the city’s western and northern boundaries. PLAN GOAL – VISION FOR INTENTIONAL AND DISTINCT CENTERS • Expand the downtown core as the heart of the city. • Establish community centers that serve Caldwell neighborhoods. • Develop and enhance a variety of mixed-use centers to be unique, attractive and dynamic places to live, work play shop and dine. • Enhance Caldwell’s employment centers and special purpose areas to further generate economic and employment opportunities. o Plaza o Land use o Economic development possibilities • Enhance the viability and economic benefits of the Caldwell Executive Airport. • Ensure that new development provides adequate public services and infrastructure to meet Caldwell’s needs. Commission Questions for Staff and Applicant: • Remember this is to review conformity with the comprehensive plan Urban renewal plan doesn’t have to meet every goal; it is meeting the intent of the plan as a whole. Motion to close public discussion: MOTION BY: ☐ Boutros ☐ Geyer ☐ Harman ☐ Larson ☒ Whitbeck ☐ Vance ☐ Zamora P&Z Commission Minutes November 19, 2025 SECONDED BY: ☒ Boutros ☐ Geyer ☐ Harman ☐ Larson ☐ Whitbeck ☐ Vance ☐ Zamora MOTION CARRIED Evidence List: Staff Report and presentation documents Applicant presentation documents Commission Discussion and Deliberation: • Authority over property • Property values • Property taxes will increase • Similar to last urban renewal plan where P&Z Commission recommended denial • Weak justification for supporting the plan so it should be recommended for denial • Infrastructure as-is will not support growth • Current downtown improvements have been done by Urban Renewal, with City Council approval. • They were very transparent. • This is a revenue source that is specific to this area, in a needed area • This is the funding source for this plan. • Referenced Sky Ranch, Winter Wonderland, Indian Creek Plaza • Areas in town have deteriorated • Basis of Urban Renewal is to determine what has deteriorated and assist the city and its residents. • Oversight is important but it will exist with City Council and the Urban Renewal Agency hearings • 90% of what is collected is reimbursable doled out piece by piece, to the developers and not back to the city • Plan doesn’t describe the authority the way it has been described, it needs language. • State Statute has requirements that Urban Renewal can and can’t do to articulates authority over Urban Renewal. • Decisions are made within a public meeting. • UR does not have the authority to meet in secret. • Concerns about authority in taking private property • UR is bound by due process • There will be negotiations that UR will have to engage in in order • Affordable housing is a concern ORDER OF DECISION: Based upon the testimony and evidence in record in this matter, and upon the findings of fact and conclusions of law set forth herein, DO HEREBY DETERMINE AND MOVE THAT: ☒ Boutros ☐ Geyer ☐ Harman ☐ Larson ☐ Whitbeck ☐ Vance ☐ Zamora MADE A MOTION AS FOLLOWS: the request for a recommendation on whether the Urban Renewal Plan is in conformity with the Comp Plan of the City of Caldwell is recommended for denial, because it is not in conformance with the comprehensive plan. No second. MOTION NOT CONSIDERED ORDER OF DECISION: Based upon the testimony and evidence in record in this matter, and upon the findings of fact and conclusions of law set forth herein, DO HEREBY DETERMINE AND MOVE THAT: ☐ Boutros ☒ Geyer ☐ Harman ☐ Larson ☐ Whitbeck ☐ Vance ☐ Zamora MADE A MOTION AS FOLLOWS: