Lake Apartments project has 'wiggle room' for some structures

COEUR d'ALENE — The design of a downtown Coeur d'Alene housing development remains, despite an appeal from neighbors for changes.

Rita Snyder, of the East Mullan Historic Neighborhood Association, filed an appeal of a decision by the city's Design Review Commission approving the design for a 43-unit apartment building on the site of the current Shady Pines Apartments. On Tuesday at its regular meeting, the Coeur d'Alene City Council heard the appeal, which focused on the "bulk and spacing" of the apartments, and concluded the commission did not make the wrong decision in allowing for elevated walkways connecting the three buildings.

According to information presented during the hearing, the Montana-based CDA Mullan Partners LLC project — called the "Lake Apartments" — will have two enclosed walkways to connect the buildings. Although representatives from CDA Mullan Partners stated the walkways will serve to bring the apartment community together and increase security in the building, Snyder argued their existence ran counter to "bulk and spacing" rules created to ensure open space between buildings in the historic neighborhood.

Councilman Dan Gookin, who along with Councilman Ron Edinger opposed the denial of the appeal, told The Press in his interpretation, the design for the walkways does not count as space between buildings.

"They are heated and cooled, which to me makes them part of the building and makes it one whole building," Gookin added. "But the rest of the council didn't buy it."

The council did, however, agree with Gookin to direct city staff to work closely with the East Mullan Historic Neighborhood Association on a review of design guidelines for the area, known as the infill overlay east district. Specifically, Gookin said he would like an assessment of the 15-foot building separation portion of the code, which currently has "should" attached to it and gives developers wiggle-room in their designs.

"We need to further clarify it and maybe even remove 'should' and include a 'shall,'" Gookin said.