Post Falls to mull subdivisions

POST FALLS - The Post Falls City Council tonight will consider subdivisions on the east and west sides of the city.

Sternberg Investments is proposing a 20-lot, 4.6-acre multi-family subdivision called Ashton Villas at 4235 E. 16th Ave. east of Highway 41.

The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval of the request, limiting the project to duplexes or single-family homes and requiring a landscaping buffer on the north and west ends of the property.

The buffer requirement came after neighbors voiced concerns over traffic and whether the project could mix with a nearby garbage company.

Bert and Grace Clark, who live on 16th, said traffic on 16th trying to get onto Highway 41 is already backed up at times and a traffic signal is not planned in the near future.

"The traffic signal is badly needed now, so we feel the signal should be installed first and then the permit to build be given," the couple wrote.

Phil Damiano, who owns Post Falls Sanitation, earlier forewarned the applicant that his company can cause early-morning noise and odor issues due to the nature of the business. He said his firm has been at the site since 1993 and it has no intentions of moving or changing how it does business.

"I will have a problem if I get complaints for doing business," he said.

Bart North, who represents applicant Justin Sternberg, said other neighbors have not complained of noise or odor.

Sternberg said he's trying to create a project that's best for the city and believes it fits the zoning requirements for a housing project.

The council will also consider Greenstone-Kootenai's request for the seventh addition of Montrose, a 62-lot, single-family subdivision on 15.3 acres near West Ridge Elementary south of Poleline and west of Chase.

The project would be accessed by continuing Clark Fork Street, Snoqualmie Avenue and Yaquina Drive.

The lots fronting the school would be developed upon approval of a railroad crossing agreement or a permanent road is constructed.

The planning commission recommended approval after no public testimony was received.

In other business, the council will hear staff updates on the fiscal 2011 budget process and code enforcement.

There will be no public hearings tonight.

The meeting starts at 6 p.m. at 408 N. Spokane St.