Post Falls to hold hearing on SmartCode ordinance

POST FALLS - The Post Falls City Council on Tuesday will hold a public hearing on the draft SmartCode ordinance that will be used for land use and zoning decisions during future annexations.

The council passed an interim SmartCode ordinance in July 2009 that will expire on July 16. Since the adoption, the city has transitioned Post Falls Landing along the Spokane River into a SmartCode project and has annexed the 12-acre Crossing parcel as SmartCode zoning.

The proposed new ordinance adds language to growth area designations and eliminates two open space designations to allow for more flexibility. For example, if the city wants to trade its land for another parcel, the new owner wouldn't have to process an amendment to the Comprehensive Plan.

The Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously recommended approval of the ordinance, which encourages mixed uses through integrated design and is intended to avoid sprawl.

In other business, Parks and Recreation Director Dave Fair will report on landscaping plans for the roundabout at Spokane and Poleline.

It is intended to be planted with vegetation that will not need tending by the city, but some citizens have complained they can't see through the roundabout with existing flowers that are there. Some argue, however, that not seeing through the intersection and not making the center a scenic focal point makes drivers focus more on oncoming traffic and thereby makes the roundabout safer.

The council will hold a special meeting at 8 a.m. on June 11 to award the bid for the Idaho Street improvement project. The council will not meet on June 15 because several staff members will be attending the Association of Idaho Cities conference.

Tuesday's meeting starts at 6 p.m. at 408 N. Spokane St.