Guiding lights for county land uses

First, the North West Property Owners Alliance (NWPOA), the largest property rights group in North Idaho, for which I am a director, would like to recognize the efforts of the Planning Commission, David Callahan, Pat Braden and the staff of the Community Development Department for the many hours of work that they have put in on the Land Use and Development Code and their willingness to hear our comments and meet with us throughout the process. While we prefer a more condensed version, this is a good first step. It is at least readable by the average county resident and is a vast improvement over previous attempts.

We would caution the Board of County Commissioners to not fall back into a ULUC-like document which attempted to micro-manage rural property owners by placing them in a straightjacket of over-regulation. We would agree that the “Love Your Neighbor as Yourself” approach would be ideal, yet recognize that it is not likely to happen, hence there is a need for some minimal amount of regulation. NWPOA would like to see less regulation, fewer Conditional Use Permits and more “by right” code use. If a property owner would like to do something on their property, they should be allowed to do so as long as it does not impact the health and safety of a neighbor.

We would further caution you not to over-use nuisance regulations. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder or hearer. We live in the rural county, have animals that make funny noises and produce interesting smells. We shoot guns, use chain saws, run various types of equipment and have gatherings with friends and family, all of which may be loud at times. We are the property owners, taxpayers and voters of Kootenai County.

On a more personal note:

I have lived in Kootenai County for a shorter period of time than some, but my roots are here. My great grandfather is buried in the Forest Cemetery in Cd’A. I have lived in Idaho the majority of my adult life and spent many summers, as a child, in southern Idaho on my grandparents’ farm. My husband is the third generation to own and farm our property near Nechen Bay. (Squaw Bay to the old timers.)

We appreciate the beauty of the country, love the rural way of life and respect those with other views. Yet there are those among us who have come to Kootenai County, purchased and built their rural piece of heaven and now don’t want anyone else to have the same opportunity. I would ask this: “Was their piece of rural heaven not a part of a larger parcel at one time? Did the building of their home and developing of their property not change the landscape?”

Many people have their dollars not in the bank or a retirement account, but in their property. Many of us are farmers and ranchers. Unfortunately, this way of life does not always meet the family needs as expenses continue to increase but income does not. Many of us have had to diversify on our property to meet our needs. This may mean using a barn or other large structure as storage rental space for vehicles, boats or other equipment, providing horseback riding, renaissance gatherings, wedding venues, doing a bed and breakfast, a resort lodge or a myriad of other small businesses that enable us to stay on the land.

We are not fond of change but it is inevitable. It would appear that the only people to show up at many public meetings are those who oppose something or have an ax to grind. So, it is our hope that the Commissioners would please remember that you represent even those who do not attend the meetings and hearings. Please be sensible in the process of establishing these codes and regulations and not let emotions overrule good judgment and common sense.

I submit these thoughts most respectfully. Thank you.

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Carla Woempner is a resident of Harrison.