Idaho Veneer urban renewal request approved
POST FALLS - The Post Falls City Council on Tuesday night unanimously declared the Idaho Veneer property and immediate surrounding areas as "deteriorated," the first step in creating Post Falls' seventh urban renewal district.
The decision does not guarantee approval of a new revenue allocation area, however. A resolution will be brought forward to the council in two weeks.
The district's conceptual boundaries, which includes about 100 acres, are north of Third Avenue, south of Interstate 90, east of Bay Street and west of Lincoln. The area includes Kootenai County Fire and Rescue's fire station on Idaho Street.
Firm boundaries, along with a plan on how the land will be developed, will be determined later in the process.
The conceptual plan calls for a multi-use development with a combination of residential and commercial that would tie the city center in with the east side of Post Falls.
The Malloy family, which owns Idaho Veneer, has said it has no immediate plans to close down its Post Falls operation, but the URD proposal is a way to plan for the future and make best use of the land. The 57-year-old company has downsized in recent years due to market conditions and could re-open its facility in Samuels if necessary.
In most URDs, a proponent or developer, in this case the Malloy family, will use its own funds to install public infrastructure. The incremental taxes that are paid based on the higher assessed values after development are remitted to the URA and are, in turn, paid back to the proponent for cost reimbursement for such infrastructure.
n In other business, the council unanimously agreed to allow the Ross Point Water District and Post Falls Highway District to apply for a 24-acre annexation request south of Prairie Avenue and just west of Highway 41.
The water district plans to move its offices from Highway 41 to five acres at the site and eventually drill a well and build a standpipe to serve the immediate area.
The highway district's parcel is currently used as a source pit for gravel operations. The highway district does not plan to move its offices to the site.
Public hearings on the proposal will be held by the Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council at dates to be determined.
The council also approved a liquor license for Moon's Mongolian Grill.