For a snapshot of changing Treasure Valley, visit this Boise-area city
If you want to see how the Treasure Valley keeps changing, a field trip through Caldwell does the trick.
Driving along U.S. 20 through the city’s northeastern corner, or down Montana Avenue in the southwest, the pictures are the same — of rows of newly built homes, of grass and tree soldiers standing guard over front-facing garages and concrete sidewalks that are blinding on a sunny day.
This motif dominates a Canyon County city whose population was around 46,000 just 15 years ago — and now is nearly 70,000. And the growth likely won’t stop anytime soon, as the newly approved Verbena Ranch development shows. The Caldwell City Council approved the 282-acre subdivision — which will have over 1,000 homes just north of Vallivue Middle School — in early May, despite much public opposition.
Nearby residents called the development from luxury home builder Toll Brothers an “abomination” and said it would contribute to what critics called runaway growth in the Treasure Valley. Mirroring the opposition to many housing developments, residents said it would have negative impacts on traffic, schools and taxes.
“Our schools are dying and … this is largely due to the ridiculous pace of growth,” said resident Sue Kushlan on behalf of Ron Dillion, who is involved with efforts to recall members of the council. “None of us are against growth, but we are against stupid, ridiculous growth.”
Council members, grappling with how to address the growth of the region and how to position Caldwell for the future, approved Verbena on a 4-2 vote. Council members also recently approved the 215-home Element Ridge subdivision directly south of Verbena, and across 10th Avenue from Vallivue Middle School.
“These decisions are gut-wrenching,” said Chris Allgood, who voted in favor of Verbena Ranch. “These are terrible decisions” to have to make.
Steve Jenkins, Caldwell’s economic development director, said that the city needs to maintain a healthy balance between development and preservation, but that subdivisions like Verbena Ranch are needed.
Idaho has continued to see outsize population growth, though it has slowed since the highs of the COVID-19 pandemic. Recently Canyon County has led the Treasure Valley with the pace of its growth, according to previous Idaho Statesman reporting, with it nearly doubling Ada County’s in 2024 — adding more than 8,100 new residents.
“The number of new rooftops coming to Caldwell plays an important role in attracting retail and commercial users,” Jenkins said by email. “Partnering with a single developer on such a large tract of land is helpful to achieving a well-planned, mutually beneficial development.”
The city has seen a growing interest from major retailers, such as Home Depot, and international companies like New Zealand-based Findlay Food Coatings, and Jenkins said that is a direct result of the city’s expanding residential base.
According to Jeff Bower, a partner at Boise’s Givens Pursley law firm, which is representing Toll Brothers, the company expects to start construction this year, with full build-out not coming till 2032 or ‘33.
Toll Brothers also recently revived plans to build nearly 700 homes in two subdivisions in northwest Meridian, roughly 12 miles away.
A tough vote for Caldwell
The City Council originally denied Verbena Ranch in January, then gave it a second chance after Toll Brothers edited its plans to increase lot sizes, change landscaping and — notably — restrict three of six areas to homeowners who are at least 55 years old.
Four of the areas would be gated, with private access and roads maintained by homeowner association fees. The areas would include different market-rate offerings, including single-family homes, cottage courts and four-plexes.
The developer also plans a laundry list of amenities, including:
Two ponds, one of which would have a fishing pier.
Three dog parks.
Three clubhouses and pools.
Three small playgrounds.
Multiple fire pits, picnic tables and a community orchard.
Bocce ball and pickle ball courts.
Toll Brothers also plans to build a new well for the homes, widen Homedale Road and put in a full traffic signal at the intersection of 10th Avenue and Homedale.
“Transportation improvements are significant for this project,” Bower said. “We’ll be doing about 1½ miles of just brand-new roadways.”
The development would generate about $2.5 million in impact fees, according to Bower. But community members and some on the city council said the impact fees wouldn’t be enough to cover ongoing expenses such as for police or firefighter salaries.
Many of the comments from community members focused on how the new residents could overwhelm the Vallivue School District. The district has at times written to oppose new developments, saying it could not keep up with the growth.
District spokesperson Joey Palmer told the Statesman in 2024 that he wouldn’t be surprised if the school district would soon need a third high school and an additional elementary school.
Bower, however, said that the restriction regarding many homes be sold to those 55 and older would help with issues around traffic and school enrollment. It “does mitigate the impacts of the community on multiple fronts,” he said.
This story was originally published May 20, 2025 at 4:00 AM.
