When a green light causes pause...

RATHDRUM - Even with Rathdrum City Council approval of the McGovern annexation request, it's still unclear whether the project will move ahead.

The council Tuesday night unanimously approved the 33-acre annexation request directly south of Lakeland High, but with a less-dense housing zoning designation than the McGovern family sought.

The applicant was seeking lots with a minimum of 7,500 square feet, which could have resulted in about 125 homes on the site.

However, the council approved the zoning with a minimum of 10,000 square foot lots to resemble the surrounding subdivisions.

"I don't want to see cluster homes built," said Paula Laws, council member.

Council member Mark Worthen said the site is a natural extension of the city boundaries since it's already surrounded by city borders, but he believes there's already a sufficient number of medium- to high-density lots available in Rathdrum.

Steve Soltys of Inland Northwest Consultants, which represents the McGovern family, said after the meeting that it's too soon to say whether his client will proceed with submitting detailed development plans based on the zoning that was granted.

The Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously had recommended that the council approve the request as presented, but with an amended motion that any traffic and pedestrian safety issues be addressed.

Several people spoke in opposition to the request and about 65 people attended the hearing at the planning and zoning level. However, just two people spoke against the proposal at Tuesday's hearing, attended by about 30.

Resident Kathy Robson asked the council to delay a decision until a traffic study is completed. Traffic concerns, particularly in the area of the North Idaho STEM Charter Academy near the site, were cited by multiple residents.

Robson said larger lot sizes would be better than what was proposed, as they would mirror adjacent subdivisions.

Resident Bill Baragona said annexation of the site was denied in 1999 as traffic was a concern and, 15 years later, traffic congestion in that area is even worse with Rathdrum's increased population.

Soltys said the project won't be able to solve traffic issues on Highways 41 and 53, but it would provide other access points in and out of neighborhoods.

* In other business, the council tabled a request to help fund Rathdrum fireworks shows around the Fourth of July and New Year's Eve. The council contributed $250 to each show last year.

Council member Fred Meckel said, with a limited number of donors who support the shows, he opposes continuing to contribute city funds toward the efforts.