ULUC a collaborative effort
As the Kootenai County Commissioners work toward adopting the new Unified Land Use Code (ULUC) tension has risen among some members of the community regarding the process as well as the absolute direction of the code. We have received many phone calls in recent weeks from citizens making broad comments like "it's not fair;" "it's a taking;" "I should be able to do whatever I want on my property" and "they need to start over." Experience demonstrates that these generalized comments will get virtually no response, nor should they, from our elected officials.
Your Coeur d'Alene Association of Realtors take code changes very seriously. We have spent countless volunteer hours researching these proposals keeping private property rights as the primary goal of our oversight, tempered with our responsibility to maintain this beautiful place we are so fortunate to call home.
Our concern of late is that there has been a recent outpouring of complaints that the meetings being held with Kendig Keast Collaborative, the county's hired consultant for the ULUC, have somehow been at best "under the radar" and at worst "secretive" or "exclusive." We can tell you these comments are far from the truth.
The work that has taken place over the last year on the ULUC has been open to the public, published online and attended by "non-member" citizens on every occasion. In fact, this process has actually been ongoing for more than five years when you take into consideration the basis for the ULUC which was the redraft of the County's Comprehensive Plan.
We believe our commissioners, whether you agree with individual policies of the ULUC or not, have been extremely open, inviting of public comment and available to the general public. There is no "hall pass" that gets you in their offices. Dedication, commitment, involvement, education and suggestion are how to make your voice heard and to receive serious consideration for code direction. In fact, the commissioners are not shy about reaching out to the public for ideas and input. We have been honored to be the recipient of those requests many times and on a regular basis.
It is important to differentiate the idea of a fair and open process, versus whether we agree or disagree on specific policy or code. We stand firmly in support of the current process even though we may disagree on specific technical and regulatory aspects of the ULUC on both personal and organizational levels. We will continue to participate in the ULUC meetings and if we do not agree with the final draft we will address those concerns during the actual public hearing processes that will occur next year. Remember...we (as in all involved citizens) are only drafting the ULUC at this time. The actual legal hearings on the draft will not occur for several months.
We urge you ALL to be involved and provide solutions - not just generalized objections - to the issues being addressed in the ULUC. You will find if you state a specific problem with a portion of drafted code and supply alternative ideas for adoption that your voice will be heard. Your knowledge may bring to light important directives that could help shape our future in this great county.
Trust an expert...call a Realtor. Call your Realtor or visit www.cdarealtors.com to search properties on the Multiple Listing Service or to find a Realtor member who will represent your best interests.
Tom Torgerson is a real estate broker and the Coeur d'Alene Association of Realtors Government Affairs Director. Tom and the Association invite your feedback and input for this column. You may contact them by writing to the Coeur d'Alene Association of Realtors, 409 W. Neider, Coeur d'Alene, ID 83815 or by calling (208) 667-0664.