Rural business decision could ruin our way of life

The State of the County address recently given by the BOCC was missing something very significant — it should have included the beginning of the slow destruction of the beautiful rural communities of Kootenai County. That is what many citizens living in the rural/agricultural areas of this County believe happened last Monday evening when the BOCC voted 2 to 1 to allow commercial businesses into every area of Kootenai County, as long as they had 20 acres.

Twenty acres is not a very large parcel, especially in rural areas — anywhere. It is especially problematic for commercial growth when one is close to a body of water, as sound travels miles over rural lands and waters. And one can only imagine the increase in accidents from drivers who are unfamiliar or impaired by alcohol on these twisty curvy mountainous roads, not to mention the additional destruction to our rural infrastructure. And our voluntary emergency services will be stretched to the limit with lodges (hotels), retreat centers, guest ranches, delivery trucks, etc. being plopped down in the middle of a small plot surrounded by individuals who cherish the peace and quiet of rustic life.

Because this new CUP, with such small required acreage, will be allowing development of commercial businesses, all of us living and owning property in the rural/agricultural areas can now expect many hearings in the future by eager developers who have been waiting to see such an allowance in some of the most pristine and fragile areas we have in our County. If those hearings are not attended by well researched and educated property owners who are willing to present reasons NOT to allow such an invasion into their neighborhood, it is likely any number of commercial businesses will be spot located throughout Kootenai County. The future time that will need to be spent objecting to such non-conforming uses in our frail rural areas, trying to protect our waters from further pollution, our wetlands and forests from destruction, our wildlife corridors from disappearing — is almost full time, and that seems terribly unfair to those of us who see the value and importance of maintaining the rural/agricultural areas of North Idaho. We don’t get paid for any of this while those who are pushing this agenda, such as the local Planners representing out of area developers, are getting rich at our expense, and the expense of all of Kootenai County.

Twenty acres falls way short of accommodating some of the now allowed uses by this CUP. There are but few restrictions in the ordinance that may deter some developers, one being that “no weddings” will be allowed in these facilities. Even though that was deleted from this ordinance — and this is just common sense — all other large gatherings will be allowed, such as graduation parties, bar mitzvahs, family reunions, birthday and anniversary celebrations, etc. Those events will likely bring the same kind of problems that were being expressed about weddings.

In addition, the restriction that there has to be a full-time resident living on the property who is either the owner of the business, or owns at least 20 percent of the corporate ownership if that is the case of land ownership, many are now asking the question just how the County will be checking this requirement. Will it land in the hands of citizens once again to do the checking and then report their findings to the County? And then what? Nothing happens, if history is an indication.

Twenty acres is not nearly enough for a lodge/retreat center/guest ranch to be built, with required parking, landscaping, buffers to neighboring lands, signage, etc. without problems ensuing for landowners nearby. And we’re all aware that a lodge or resort of any kind will be serving food, so there has to be a loading and unloading area also, as well as garbage storage and pick up, so big trucks can service these facilities. Twenty acres shrinks very quickly when anticipating all these necessary “incidentals” to a commercial enterprise like a retreat center or lodge, etc. Doesn’t sound like a lot of room being left for participating customers to these businesses to hike, meditate, enjoy the outdoors, etc. except for trespassing on neighboring properties. And that in and of itself will create a lot of new problems!

And those approved uses by name (retreat, resort lodge, guest ranch, etc.), with no definitions of those names, makes for very subjective interpretations that will likely be taken advantage of by aggressive developers and businesses.

Those who have spent the most time pushing this CUP ordinance are being paid to do so by commercial business interests. The many local citizens who had opposed it and spent their valuable time coming to hearings, preparing presentations, doing research, etc. pleaded with their BOCC to put the health and splendor of Kootenai County’s rural/agricultural areas above the dazzle of dollar bills. What a discouragement we all feel today. It’s like “roll the dice” for developers and citizens alike to know what is and is not allowed in rural/agricultural areas; anything goes as long as there’s 20 acres for it!

As we enter an election year with the potential of two new Commissioners on the BOCC, citizens are really paying attention to who is running and where they place their priorities. Rural and agricultural landowners are expressing that they feel they’ve been sold down the river to those with hopes and plans of invading the rural areas that were once the escape from noise, traffic, commercialism, and populated areas, for so many. It’s a bit difficult to maintain that ideal now with lodges, resorts, events, retreats, and guest ranches allowed on any parcel of 20 acres or more.

The magic of Kootenai County will soon be gone entirely, as we will start to see more and more commercial enterprises everywhere throughout this special place. It’s not hard to see why neighboring counties are already beginning to see a movement of individuals to their towns and countryside. Once the magic is gone, it will disappear forever.

Bev Twillmann is a member of Neighbors for Responsible Growth.