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Rathdrum considers 113-acre request

by Brian Walker; Staff Writer
| May 30, 2018 1:00 AM

RATHDRUM — A 113-acre annexation request with light industrial zoning has been proposed for the south side of Rathdrum near the Rathdrum Power plant.

Beyond Green Inc., an Idaho corporation with a Spokane address, is seeking to annex the site at the southeast corner of Lancaster and Greensferry roads.

City Administrator Leon Duce said he believes light industrial zoning is a good fit for the property since a portion of it is a Bonneville Power Administration easement that can't be developed.

"It matches up well with our future land-use map," Duce said. "Light industrial is a better use than trying to turn it into residential."

Duce said a public hearing before the Planning and Zoning Commission is tentatively set for June 20 at 6 p.m.

A 300-foot buffer zone between the site and property zoned high-density residential is proposed.

"They'd have to put up fencing, landscaping or a combination of both between the light industrial and high-density residential," Duce said.

The property proposed to be annexed is just south of where water and sewer were recently extended and near the future $1.5 million Greensferry lift station, which will be constructed starting this week.

At last week's city council meeting, the council agreed to sell a 120-foot, 14.5-acre easement along Greensferry from Hayden to Wyoming to Beyond Green for $143,550, with the final price dependent upon an appraisal the city has commissioned.

The site is agricultural property and the proposal is the latest request on Rathdrum's growing south side toward the Rathdrum Prairie.

"The south side is more realistic for development because the north side is up against the mountain," Duce said. "We're hoping even more projects come in for the south side once the lift station comes in."

- Meanwhile, Duce said the city remains hopeful that residents will be able to access a portion of its property on Rathdrum Mountain this fall for light recreation.

The city will send plans for guardrails to the Post Falls Highway District for consideration. The first trailhead will then be constructed after those plans are approved.