(1)   Purpose:

      A.   To implement the goals and policies of the Comprehensive Plan:

         1.   Plan for safe, attractive, and well-maintained neighborhoods that have ample open space, and generous amenities that provide varied lifestyle choices.

         2.   Require the design and construction of pathways connections, easy pedestrian and bicycle access to parks, safe routes to schools, and the incorporation of usable open space with quality amenities as part of new multi-family residential and mixed-use developments.

      B.   To create multi-family housing that is safe and convenient and that enhances the quality of life of its residents.

         1.   To create quality buildings and designs for multi-family development that enhance the visual character of the community.

         2.   To create building and site design in multi-family development that is sensitive to and well-integrated with the surrounding neighborhood.

         3.   To create open space areas that contribute to the aesthetics of the community, provide an attractive setting for buildings, and provide safe, interesting outdoor spaces for residents.

   (2)   Applicability:

      A.   The standards contained in this article shall apply to all Multi-Family Development projects, as defined in 10-01-10 of this Chapter, including mixed use projects that contain multi-family residential.

      B.   This article is not applicable to the Downtown zoning districts (Downtown - City Center or Downtown - Central Business District).

   (3)   Site Design:

      A.   Multi-family Residential buildings shall provide a minimum setback along the perimeter of the project of at least fifteen (15) feet unless a greater setback is otherwise required by this article and/or Chapter 10 or Chapter 11 of this Code.

      B.   Multi-family Residential buildings shall provide a minimum setback between each building within the project of at least ten (10) feet unless a greater separation is required by building or fire codes.

      C.   When new multi-family buildings are proposed and share a property line with existing single-family residential dwellings, a minimum twenty-five (25) foot landscape buffer shall be installed along the shared property line consistent with all land use buffer requirements of 10-02-09-6.

         1.   Exception: Single-story structures are exempt from the 25-foot buffer and may maintain the minimum 15-foot setback requirement of (3)A above.

         2.   Exception: See Article 10-08 for required multi-family buffering and setback requirements in the City Center and Central Business District.

      D.   When new multi-family buildings are across a public roadway from single-family residential dwellings, the minimum fifteen (15) foot setback shall be maintained unless a larger landscape street buffer is required (i.e. Collector roadways require 20' and Arterials require 25') and shall include undulating berms no greater than 3' in height throughout the buffer area.

      E.   All on-site service areas, outdoor storage areas, waste storage, disposal facilities, and transformer and utility vaults shall be located in an area not visible from a public street or common area. If visible from a public street or common area, these areas shall be fully screened from view from a public street or public space via solid fencing or landscaping, or a combination thereof.

      F.   A minimum of sixty (60) square feet of private, usable open space shall be provided for each unit. This requirement can be satisfied through private porches, patios, decks, and/or enclosed yards. These areas must be separated from other common areas with visual or physical elements such as landscaping, walls/fencing, patio covers, building design, etc. Landscaping, entryway and other accessways utilized by the overall development shall not count toward this requirement.

         1.   Where any first floor private patios face existing single-family residential, the patio area shall be screened from view by either a solid wall, fence, or landscaping three (3) feet in height.

      G.   For the purposes of this section, internal vehicular circulation areas, parking areas, and private usable open space shall not be considered common open space.

      H.   No recreational vehicles, snowmobiles, boats or other personal recreation vehicles shall be stored on the site unless provided for in a separate, designated, and screened area.

      I.   The required off-street parking shall meet the requirements set forth in Article 2 of this Chapter (10-02-05).

      J.   Internal pedestrian circulation routes shall be minimum five (5) foot wide sidewalks and include curbing and gutters adjacent to parking areas and shall connect to micro-pathways and sidewalks throughout the development providing for internal connectivity and easy access to any adjacent public street. The improvements shall be constructed to the applicable standards of the Engineering Department of the City of Caldwell.

      K.   Developments with twenty (20) units or more shall provide the following:

         1.   A property management office.

         2.   A maintenance storage area.

         3.   A central mailbox location, including provisions for parcel mail, which provides safe pedestrian and/or vehicular access.

         4.   A directory and map of the development at an entrance or convenient location for those entering the development.

   (4)   Common Open Space Design Requirements:

      A.   All open space required as part of this chapter shall be located immediately adjacent to and/or within the multi-family development.

      B.   The total baseline land area of all qualified common open space shall equal or exceed ten (10) percent of the gross land area for all multi-family developments.

      C.   All qualified common open space shall meet the following standards:

         1.   The development plan shall demonstrate that the open space has been integrated into the development as a priority and not for the use of remnant land after all other elements of the development have been designed; irregular shaped, disconnected or isolated open spaces shall not meet this standard and will not be considered qualified open space. Open space areas that have been given priority in the development design have:

            (a)   Direct pedestrian access;

            (b)   Placemaking components;

            (c)   High visibility;

            (d)   Thoughtful design that preserves community culture;

            (e)   Support a range of leisure and play activities and uses; and

            (f)   Applicant should comply with the following Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED) standards as listed below:

               (i)   Natural Surveillance: Design the environment to maximize visibility, making it easier for people to see and be seen. This can be achieved through features like well-placed windows, adequate lighting, and visually accessible open spaces through the use of open-vision fencing;

               (ii)   Environmental Design: Consider the layout, design, and aesthetics of open spaces to create a sense of community, identity, and place;

               (iii)   Natural Access Control: Control and channel the flow of people through a space to create a sense of ownership and territoriality. Use elements like fences, gates, and landscaping to guide movement and deter unauthorized access;

               (iv)   Maintenance and Management: Keep the open space area well-maintained and clean to signal that it is cared for and monitored. Neglected or poorly maintained areas can attract criminal activity.

         2.   Open space shall be accessible and well connected throughout the development. This quality can be shown with open spaces that are centrally located within the development, accessible by pathways, and/or visually accessible along collector streets or as a terminal view from a street.

         3.   The open space should promote the health and well-being of its residents. Open space shall support active and passive uses for recreation, social gathering, and relaxation to serve the development.

         4.   Upper-level decks or terraces may count towards the minimum qualified open space if these areas include shared amenities such as, seating areas, barbeques, fireplaces, recreational spaces, roof gardens (accessible by residents), or landscaping. Decks or terraces shall also include appropriate features for the safety of residents such as lighting and railings.

      D.   All multi-family projects of at least five (5) acres in size or fifty (50) units or more shall provide at least one (1) common grassy area integrated into the site design allowing for general activities by all ages. This area may be included in the minimum required qualified open space total. Projects that provide safe access to adjacent public parks or parks under a common HOA within a quarter mile, without crossing an arterial roadway, are exempt from this standard.

         1.   Minimum size of common grassy area shall be at least ten thousand (10,000) square feet in area. This area may include trees and other landscaping but shall be designed to provide as much open area as possible for general activities by all ages.

      E.   In addition to the baseline qualified open space requirement, multi-family developments of five (5) acres or more shall provide a minimum area of common open space per dwelling unit as follows; said open space shall be located immediately adjacent to and/or within the multi-family development:

         1.   One hundred fifty (150) square feet for each unit containing five hundred (500) or less square feet of living area.

         2.   Two hundred fifty (250) square feet for each unit containing more than five hundred (500) square feet and up to one thousand two hundred (1,200) square feet of living area.

         3.   Three hundred fifty (350) square feet for each unit containing more than one thousand two hundred (1,200) square feet of living area.

      F.   Qualified common open space shall be not less than four hundred (400) square feet in area and shall have a minimum length and width dimension of twenty (20) feet. Linear open space that complies with the micro-pathway requirements of this chapter may count towards the qualified open space despite being less than twenty (20) feet wide.

         1.   Further, if any open space is sectioned off for private use, this area will no longer be considered common and shall not count towards the minimum qualified common open space; it may count towards private open space requirements.

      G.   In phased developments, common open space shall be provided in each phase-the main amenity and main open space area shall not be located within the final phase of development.

      H.   Unless otherwise approved through the special use or planned unit development process, common open space areas shall not be adjacent to collector or arterial street buffers unless separated from the street by a berm or constructed barrier at least four (4) feet in height, with breaks in the berm or barrier to allow for pedestrian access.

      I.   Perimeter Landscaping/Buffer(s): Fifty (50) percent of the required perimeter and/or landscape use buffer may count towards the required common open space area if landscaped to minimum code requirements of 10-02-09 and incorporates some other amenity or use that helps activate the area (i.e. active-use amenity, walking paths, etc.).

      J.   Street Buffer(s): Fifty (50) percent of the landscape buffer along collector streets and arterial streets may count towards the required baseline open space if they meet at least one of the enhanced buffer requirements below:

         1.   Enhanced pathways (10' multi-use, wider than minimum requirements);

         2.   Enhanced amenities with social interaction characteristics (benches, public art, water features, etc.);

         3.   Enhanced context with the surroundings (informational/educational signage, historic enhancement of existing features, etc.);

         4.   Enhanced landscaping that creates a sense of place and goes beyond the minimum landscape buffer requirements.

   (5)   Site Development Amenities:

      A.   All multi-family developments shall provide for quality of life, open space, and recreation amenities to meet the particular needs of the residents as follows; the number of amenities required is stated below in subsection (5)B below:

         1.   Quality of life.

            (a)   Clubhouse.

            (b)   Fitness facilities.

            (c)   Enclosed bike storage.

            (d)   Public art such as a statue.

            (e)   Dog park with waste station.

            (f)   Commercial outdoor kitchen.

            (g)   Fitness course.

            (h)   Enclosed storage

         2.   Open space.

            (a)   Community garden.

            (b)   Ponds or water features.

            (c)   Plaza.

            (d)   Picnic area including tables, benches, landscaping and a structure for shade.

         3.   Recreation.

            (a)   Pool.

            (b)   Walking trails.

            (c)   Children’s play structure (tot-lot).

            (d)   Children’s climbing rocks, or similar.

            (e)   Sports courts.

         4.   Multi-modal amenity standards.

            (a)   Bicycle repair station.

            (b)   Park and ride lot.

            (c)   Sheltered transit stop.

            (d)   Charging stations for electric vehicles.

      B.   The number of amenities shall depend on the size of multi-family development as follows:

         1.   For multi-family developments with less than twenty (20) units, two (2) total amenities shall be provided from two (2) separate categories.

         2.   For multi-family developments between twenty (20) and one hundred (100) units, three (3) total amenities shall be provided from separate categories.

         3.   For multi-family developments between one hundred (100) and one-hundred and fifty (150) units, four (4) amenities shall be provided, with at least one (1) from each category.

         4.   For multi-family developments with more than one-hundred and fifty (150) units, the decision-making body shall require additional amenities commensurate to the size of the proposed development.

      C.   The decision-making body shall be authorized to consider other improvements in addition to those provided under this subsection, provided that these improvements provide a similar level of amenity.

      D.   In the event that the number of dwelling units does not trigger a centralized open space area as outlined in subsection (4)D above, the required amenities may be placed within any required perimeter buffer or other open space area such that these perimeter landscape areas are an amenity to the development.

   (6)   Landscaping Requirements:

      A.   Development shall meet the minimum landscaping requirements in accord with section 10-02-09 of this code. Where conflicts occur, this article shall take precedence.

      B.   Street Landscape Buffers: When a multi-family development has frontage on a classified roadway not adjacent to single-family residential, the standard street buffer requirements of 10-02-09 shall apply. When a multi-family development has frontage on a Collector roadway, Local roadway, or unclassified street type that directly abuts single-family residential homes, the following landscape street buffer requirements shall be applicable:

         1.   Tree Density: A minimum density of one (1) tree per twenty-five (25) linear feet for Class I ornamental trees; A minimum density of one (1) tree per thirty-five (35) linear feet for Class II trees is required.

            (a)   No more than 50% of the required trees shall be Class 1;

            (b)   No more than 40% of the required trees shall be of the same tree species.

         2.   Shrub Density: The shrub density shall equal one (1) shrub per four (4) linear feet of street buffer. The shrubs shall be spaced throughout the buffer area, may be placed in groupings to ensure visual interest and adequate screening, and shall include a mix of perennial and evergreen plantings.

         3.   Groundcover: No more than 30% of the street buffer shall be covered with grass/sod. Natural fescue, native grasses, perennials, or combination thereof, shall be a minimum of 20% of the buffer area.

      C.   All street facing elevations shall have landscaping along their foundation. The foundation landscaping shall meet the following minimum standards:

         1.   The landscaped area shall be at least three (3) feet wide.

         2.   For every three (3) linear feet of foundation, an evergreen shrub having a minimum mature height of thirty-six (36) inches shall be planted.

         3.   Ground cover plants shall be planted in the remainder of the landscaped area.

   (7)   Maintenance and ownership responsibilities. All multi-family developments shall be responsible for the ownership, maintenance, and management responsibilities of the development, including, but not limited to, structures, parking, common areas, and other development features.

   (8)   Police access under exigent circumstances. Multifamily developments with units that take access via secured common corridors shall install and maintain a keyless entry system, or suitable alternative, to provide police access to the common corridors under exigent circumstances. The keyless entry system or alternative shall be subject to review and approval by the Caldwell Police Department. (Ord. 3672, 4-21-2025)

   (1)   Applicability: All multi-family developments shall comply with the standards as set forth in this section. A site plan or plat shall be submitted that accurately designates all dimensions for required parking spaces, vehicular circulation routes, landscaping and sidewalks.

   (2)   Purpose: The purpose of these regulations related to internal circulation routes for multi-family developments is as follows:

      A.   To provide for traffic safety, to minimize the impacts on the public circulation system, and to make appropriate connections to surrounding pathways and roadways.

      B.   To provide for adequate access for emergency services.

      C.   To provide for internal vehicular and pedestrian circulation within the development and provide for onsite-to-offsite/offsite-to-onsite movement for residents and/or users of the circulation routes.

   (3)   Requirements: Internal vehicular circulation routes, where a public street is not required, must comply with the requirements of this subsection and shall provide a safe walking environment and offer natural surveillance for the occupants and/or users.

      A.   Dimensions:

         1.   Paved internal vehicular circulation routes shall have a minimum width of twenty-six feet (26'). The Fire Marshal may require additional width for life safety purposes.

         2.   Parking stalls shall meet the requirements as set forth in Article 2, Section 5 of this chapter.

      B.   General Construction and Design Requirements:

         1.   The furthest portion of any structure cannot be more than one hundred and fifty feet (150') from the nearest point of the internal vehicular circulation route, measured in a straight line.

         2.   Internal vehicular circulation routes that extend further than one hundred and fifty feet (150') from the entrance to the development into said development shall be required to terminate in a fire apparatus turnaround, as set forth in the 2018 International Fire Code.

         3.   A secondary fire access is required for developments exceeding one hundred (100) total units, unless all structures of the entire development are equipped with fire suppression systems as set forth in the 2018 International Fire Code.

         4.   Section D105 of the International Fire Code shall apply to all structures that are taller than thirty feet (30').

         5.   Internal vehicular circulation routes shall be paved with a surface with capability of supporting, at a minimum, two (2) axled vehicles and fire equipment, with at least eighty thousand (80,000) pounds gross vehicle weight.

         6.   Internal vehicular circulation routes shall either be straight or shall have a minimum twenty-eight foot (28') inside and forty-eight foot (48') outside turning radius.

         7.   External lighting shall be required along and for all internal circulation routes and shall be shown on the site plan and/or preliminary plat.

         8.   For any lots utilizing internal vehicular circulation routes, the setbacks, dimensioned building envelope, and orientation of the lots and structures to the internal vehicular circulation route shall be shown on the preliminary plat or required site plan as an exhibit with the final plat application or building permit application.

         9.   All internal vehicular circulation routes shall have a pavement design that complies with City standards or provide a geotechnical report specifying pavement section design. Construction plans shall be reviewed and approved by the Engineering Department for compliance prior to construction.

         10.   It shall be noted on the final plat or required site plan that, if there are any public utilities located within or under the internal vehicular circulation routes, a utility easement shall be platted and granted to the City. Any required maintenance or repair to the public utility within the utility easement shall take place regardless of any potential damage or destruction to the internal vehicular circulation route as a consequence of the utility maintenance or repair, and repair or replacement shall not be the responsibility of the public utility or the City. The utility company and City shall not be liable for any damage to the internal circulation route due to utility maintenance. The foregoing subsection (3)B.10. and its acknowledgment by the applicable developer is a condition precedent to the approval of all multi-family development, and the same shall be included in the informational material provided by the Planning and Zoning Department to all applicants for preliminary plats for multi-family residential development.

         11.   No structures may be located within a public utility easement.

      C.   Street Names: Internal vehicular circulation routes shall be given a name and/or names, in accordance with Chapter 5 of the Caldwell City Code, when said internal vehicular circulation routes serve three (3) or more units.

      D.   Ownership: Internal vehicular circulation routes shall be identified by note on a required site plan and/or platted as common lots to be owned and maintained by a homeowner’s or business owner’s association or as perpetual ingress-egress easements to be maintained by a homeowner’s or business owner’s association. (Ord. 3672, 4-21-2025)

   (1)   Purpose:

      A.   Promote visually aesthetic building designs that incorporate quality architectural characteristics and establish built environments that are compatible with existing, planned, and anticipated adjacent land uses.

      B.   Promote building design that encourages an aesthetically appealing and safe places to live, while contributing to the pedestrian environment.

      C.   Emphasize architectural building forms that support compatible building scales and contribute to the quality of the neighborhood, while maintaining four-sided architecture.

      D.   Create multi-family and accessory structures that add visual interest and contribute to the human scale of the development by incorporating appropriate color and material changes to promote quality appearance and character.

      E.   Encourage the integration of architectural lighting as cohesive elements of building design that contribute to the atmosphere of the built environment and promote safe pedestrian environments.

   (2)   Applicability: All new multi-family residential buildings and accessory buildings such as detached garages, clubhouses, maintenance buildings, etc. shall comply with the architectural design standards as set forth in this section.

   (3)   Design Standards:

      A.   Building Form:

         1.   Building facades shall be varied with horizontal and vertical elements that break up long blank walls, add visual interest, and enhance the character of the neighborhood.

         2.   Wall modulation shall occur to articulate wall planes, break up building mass, and delineate separate unit entrances. Qualifying modulation includes, but is not limited to: projections, recesses, and primary façade step backs that occur no less than 30 horizontal feet.

            (a)   Modulation may be averaged over the length of the façade so long as no wall segment exceeds 40% of the overall wall length without qualifying modulation.

         3.   Qualifying wall modulation shall be a minimum of one (1) foot in depth and two (2) feet in width. When part of a townhome style building (single-family or multi-family), each dwelling unit shall be modulated at least two (2) feet in depth to delineate each unit and break up wall segments.

         4.   Ground level and upper stories shall be clearly distinguished using any combination of material type, color variation, banding, stringcourse, or modulation.

         5.   Second-story facades shall not extend beyond the front face of first-story facades without additional façade modulation or additional material types and architectural accents.

         6.   Building entries shall be visible and clearly marked with canopies, porches, gables, and/or similar architectural elements; entries may pop-out or be recessed to meet this standard.

         7.   Residential entries and multi-family stairwells shall provide convenient access to and from parking and pedestrian areas while being integrated into the overall site and building design.

         8.   Windows shall provide relief, detail, and variation on the façade. This may occur through the use of significant trim and architectural styling that lends human scale to the façade through recesses, projection, or trim that is visually significant and features a color that is contrasting to the primary façade color.

         9.   Where building codes allow and privacy is intended, clear-story windows may be incorporated into building designs and may count towards any glazing requirement.

         10.   Accessory structures shall be similar and compatible to primary multi-family structures and incorporate similar materials and colors. Carports and other post type construction are exempt from the material requirement of this standard but must be compatible in design and color.

      B.   Materials and Colors:

         1.   Quality, durable materials that add visual interest shall be used in building design from the following basic groups: wood, masonry, concrete, metal, and glazing.

         2.   A minimum of three (3) primary materials are required on all front and rear façade elevations or facades exceeding forty (40) feet in length. If an elevation is less than forty (40) feet in length, a minimum of two (2) materials is required. A mix of material patterns of the same primary material may count towards this requirement if used with distinct but cohesive colors and meets all other material requirements of this section.

         3.   A minimum of two (2) colors is required along all façade elevations as part of the primary color scheme.

         4.   An accent color and/or material is required along all façade planes.

         5.   Smooth vinyl siding is prohibited. Textured vinyl siding (fiber cement board, Hardie-board, etc., or similar) permitted provided it does not exceed 50% of the facade area for each elevation. When vinyl siding is used, a mix of material patterns is encouraged including, but not limited to: board and batten, horizontal and vertical lap, shake, or shingles.

         6.   Consistent material and color combinations should be used throughout the project site to contribute to a cohesive community design.

         7.   Primary materials and accent materials shall be distinguished through pattern, texture, or additional detail. Alternate masonry or material courses may count towards this.

         8.   Untextured concrete panels and prefabricated steel panels (i.e. non-insulated metal siding) are prohibited as primary façade materials but may be used as an accent material.

      C.   Rooflines:

         1.   Modulate and articulate roof forms to create building profile interest and to reduce the appearance of building mass and scale.

         2.   Provide variations in roof profile including, but not limited to, at least two of the following: two or more visible roof planes; dormers, lookout, turret, gables, towers, or cornice work, spaced consistently along the façade plane. The maximum roof length without variation(s) shall be 75 feet.

         3.   Qualifying roofline variations shall be a minimum 1-foot in height.

         4.   Any rooftop mechanical equipment shall be screened from view of any public rights-of-way or existing single-family residential by a concealing roofline, a terraced façade, or some other type of approved screening material.

      D.   Fencing:

         1.   Where site-obscuring fencing or screening is required, chain link fencing or chain link fencing with slats is prohibited as a qualifying fencing material.

         2.   All other fencing proposed shall be of durable material and maintained in a clean and weather protected manner.

      E.   Lighting: Lighting design should consider the appropriate placement and quantity flight to provide for security and aesthetic appreciation while avoiding glare and excessive brightness as follows:

         1.   Lighting shall be directed toward the ground and include shields to minimize any glare or light trespassing.

         2.   Light fixtures shall be consistent with other decorative hardware on the multi-family buildings.

         3.   Lighting on buildings and along pedestrian walkways shall promote safe pedestrian environments.

         4.   Lighting fixtures used to illuminate the parking and vehicle circulation areas shall be no greater than twenty-five (25) feet in height, downlit, and fully shielded.

         5.   No light trespassing above 0.1 foot-candles is permitted from any parcel onto another. Light readings shall be measured at a height of five (5) feet above grade and in a plane at any angle of inclination. (Ord. 3672, 4-21-2025)