Central Post Falls sites being prepared for development

POST FALLS — Two of Post Falls' most prime pieces of land for future development have entered the city approval process.

Idaho Veneer Co., which owns 11.8 acres across Fourth Avenue from its mill site and 18.4 acres to the east of the mill, is seeking to amend the city's comprehensive plan map for future development for those sites.

"They are probably the largest pieces of undeveloped property in the middle of Post Falls," said planner Rand Wichman, who represents Idaho Veneer. "They are certainly good development pieces. It's property that most people recognize because they are so centrally located."

Idaho Veneer is seeking to have the 11.8 acres next to the fire station on Idaho Street designated as commercial on the future land-use map and the 18.4 acres behind the Post Falls Senior Center and west of the Beverage Barn and Fuke restaurant as residential.

Both sites are currently designated as heavy industrial.

"Idaho Veneer doesn't have any specific plans for the sites, but recognizes that it doesn't need them for mill operations any longer," Wichman said.

Wichman said the proposal does not affect the current 13-acre mill site.

"There aren't any plans to shut the mill down," Wichman said.

The Planning and Zoning Commission will hold a public hearing on the proposal at 6 p.m., Feb. 9. The commission will make a recommendation to the city council, which will also hold a public hearing on the proposal on a date to be determined.

Wichman said the sites have been given a clean environmental bill of health for future development. Sewer and water exists in the vicinity, but will have to be extended onto the properties.

"It's just a matter of digging ditches and laying pipe," he said.

Whether to place the properties in a future urban renewal district to help spark development has been bantered in the past during informal discussions, but urban renewal executive director Tom Lien said there are no current proposals on the table.

Wichman said a zone change application will be submitted to the city if the comprehensive plan is amended. He said any proposals such as improving the intersection of Fourth and Seltice Way would be submitted with a future development proposal. Both sites are already in the city so an annexation application is not needed.

"Once the zoning is taken care of, it will be ready for a new owner to go to the city with a development plan," Wichman said.