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111 CITY COUNCIL. WORKSHOP
Monday
November 29, 2021
6:00 p.m.
LOCATION:
Caldwell Police Department Community Room
110 South 5th Avenue
Caldwell
AGENDA
A workshop regarding the Zoning Ordinance Land-use
Schedule to discuss the impact of multi-family
development on the preservation of essential commercial
lands for development in commercial, traditional
neighborhood and highway corridor zones.
Posted: November 4, 2021
BOOK 61 PAGE 203
CALDWELL CITY COUNCIL
WORKSHOP
MINUTES
NOVEMBER 29,2021
6:00 P.M.
Council President Chris Allgood declared the workshop open at 6:00 p.m. The meeting was held in the
Caldwell Police Department Community Room. Mayor Nancolas attended via Zoom.
Council Members present: Allgood,McGee(via Zoom),and Wagoner(via Zoom).
Council Members absent: Hopper,Callsen,and Pollard.
Staff in attendance: Robb MacDonald, Debbie Geyer, Steve Jenkins (via Zoom), Jerome Mapp, and
Debbie Root.
Others in attendance: Jerry Summers (Caldwell Chamber of Commerce), Chuck Stadick, Bonnie Layton
(via Zoom),and Jane Suggs(via Zoom).
(A WORKSHOP REGARDING THE ZONING ORDINANCE LAND-USE SCHEDULE TO DISCUSS THE
IMPACT OF MULTI-FAMILY DEVELOPMENT ON THE PRESERVATION OF ESSENTIAL
COMMERCIAL LANDS FOR DEVELOPMENT IN COMMERCIAL,TRADITIONAL NEIGHBORHOOD
AND HIGHWAY CORRIDOR ZONES)
Jerome Mapp, Planning&Zoning Director at 621 Cleveland Boulevard,presented the staff report. He reported that
in 2019 multi-family development was an allowed use within commercial zones. In 2020 amendments to the City
Code were approved for multi-family developments within commercial zones only with special use permit approval.
Planned Unit Developments also require special use permit approval. He noted that staff is concerned with the large
influx of residential development requests within commercial zones. The continuance of this trend could be a
detriment to the limited amount of commercial space. Mr. Mapp presented a diagram showing Commercial Layout
options indicating the depth for such developments
Mayor Nancolas recommended that the comprehensive plan to be reviewed to designate additional R-3 zoning to
accommodate the multi-family housing need.
Councilman Wagoner recommended that the special use permit process still be required along with the commercial
depth standards, and specific parking requirements. Special use permits pertaining to planned unit developments
(PUD)could be considered by City Council rather than the Planning&Zoning Commission or Hearing Examiner.
Council President Allgood asked Mr. Mapp for his recommendation to remedy the need for multi-family housing
throughout the City Limits.
Mr. Mapp responded that the remedy would be to update the comprehensive plan and specifications concerning
multi-family and planned unit developments. He noted that each development would be analyzed for either 300' or
600' provisions depending on the subject site. He explained the difficulty that staff faces concerning the appropriate
use for commercial-zoned parcels. He expressed concern with the eventual loss of commercial sites being absorbed
with multi-family developments.
Bonnie Layton spoke in opposition to the use of special use permits with multi-family development requests,noting
that developers expend a large amount of upfront expense,only be denied an SUP. The special use permit process is
viewed as a risk by the development community. She also noted the distance requirements must be feasible for odd-
shaped parcels. She recommended that additional research be conducted.
Jane Suggs recommended that additional special use permits be added within other zones. She expressed concern
with the restrictions within the commercial zones, based on the diagram presented by Mr. Mapp. Updating the
comprehensive plan is a lengthy process and thus would delay additional development taking place for multi-
housing units until is it complete. There is a definite need now for attainable housing within the Caldwell City
Limits.
Mr. Mapp clarified that portions of the City Code and the Comprehensive Plan would be updated.
Residential/Commercial/Industrial properties would be reviewed. The goal is to always bring forward the best
product for Council's consideration. Staff recommends this action.
Bonnie Layton acknowledged that the City of Caldwell is desirous of the best products from the development
community;however,the excess amount of special use permit requirements is of concern because of the uncertainty
of approvals. There is a great amount of competition from other neighboring municipalities for residential
developments.
In response to questions from Councilman Allgood, Mr. Mapp noted that there could be a range concerning the
frontage requirements between 300-600 feet. Each property would be reviewed individually. Mixed used
developments do not stand along but rather must be evaluated with what could happen with surrounding properties
on a long-range basis.
BOOK 61 PAGE 204
Mayor Nancolas provided closing comments,noting that staff and Council must consider what is best for the City of
Caldwell considering long-range planning goals. Commercial property in the downtown is limited and cannot be
expected to meet the all the needs for a growing community. If the commercial-zoned parcels are entirely filled
with residential development,where will people shop? We do not want to see residents driving across the Treasure
Valley rather than shopping in Caldwell. Citizens should be able to have easy access to commercial uses. Areas of
concern at this time are Hwy 20/26, Hwy 55 and the Caldwell-Nampa Boulevard. Not allowing adequate
commercial sites also brings forward issues dealing with air quality and traffic congestion. The Planning&Zoning
Department staff members are working hard to plan for long-range goals.
Bonnie Layton noted that there is a fine balance between commercial development and roof tops.
The workshop dismissed at 6:46 p.m.
APPROVED AS WRITTEN THIS 6th DAY OF December ,2021.
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