Post Falls duplex plan raises concerns

By BRIAN WALKER

Staff Writer

POST FALLS — A proposal to subdivide 7 acres near the Highway 41-Seltice Way interchange into 26 duplex lots has drawn traffic and pedestrian mobility concerns from neighbors.

The Post Falls City Council will consider the request for the Maplewood Villas subdivision at the northeast corner of Ross Point Road and Maplewood Avenue by property owner Big Creek Land Co. LLC of Coeur d'Alene tonight at 6.

Neighbors told the Planning and Zoning Commission, which recommended approval of the request last month, that traffic is already bad on Ross Point, let alone adding the medium-density project.

Dean Merrill, who lives on Westwood Drive, said accessing Ross Point from First Avenue, for example, is dicey with a steady stream of traffic headed in both directions. He also suggested the Highway 41-Seltice interchange needs improvement before more multi-family in the area is approved.

"There is too much traffic on Ross Point," Merrill said.

Assistant city engineer Rob Palus told the commission the city is aware of the snarls at the interchange, and the Idaho Transportation Department is exploring an overhaul with construction tentatively to begin in 2024.

Palus said Ross Point and Maplewood south of the interchange will be widened and sidewalks will be installed if the project is approved.

Resident Shannon Scharff said enough is enough on multi-family projects in the Ross Point area as traffic is already a concern and nearby Ponderosa Elementary is near capacity with more dense housing on the way.

Multiple neighbors said they are not opposed to residential lots on the vacant land, but single-family would be more appropriate considering the busy corridor.

The council will also hold two public hearings, including:

- on landowner Larry Guy's request to annex 13 acres at the northeast corner of Grange Avenue and Guy Road for a single-family subdivision; and

- on Mike Ginther/Lamb Storage LLC's request to change the zoning of 2.2 vacant acres in the 1100 block of Third Avenue between Idaho and Bay streets from heavy industrial to commercial.

The planning commission recommended approval of both requests.

In other business, Assistant Police Chief Pat Knight will take the oath of office as police chief effective April 1 to replace the retiring Scot Haug.

Post Falls Urban Renewal Agency Executive Director Diane Fountain will also present that board's annual report.