Council gathers URD input

COEUR d’ALENE — Details of a plan to restructure two urban renewal districts and create a third URD at the city-owned former Atlas Mill site were parsed by City Council members and the public Tuesday, in preparation for a decision on the proposals next month.

Tuesday’s public hearing at the regular council meeting was meant to gather comments on a proposal to change the boundaries of two urban renewal districts, Lake and River, so money already available in the districts could be used to develop a portion of the 47-acre former mill site.

Council member Dan Gookin wanted to make sure that the plans to develop the waterfront at the city’s newly-purchased riverfront parcel primarily for the public access would not be altered. Coeur d’Alene resident David Lyons pointed out wording in the contract that was cause for concern.

Gookin said the ordinances to expand the Lake and River urban renewal districts seemed to allow for changes without council approval.

“All of a sudden something pops up that hadn’t been before the public, and that is a concern of mine,” Gookin said. “I want to make sure the public is still in the driver’s seat on this thing.”

Phil Boyd, of Welch Comer Engineering, the city’s engineer on the project, said if modifications are required the public will still be involved, because alterations will be addressed by the planning commission.

“It doesn’t land at council, but it lands at planning and zoning, and that is a public process,” Boyd said.

Over the past year, Coeur d’Alene residents at planning meetings have been adamant that the site along the Spokane River west of Riverstone will provide a place where the public can access the water, as well as provide a lot of green space and public amenities. The plan calls for keeping the waterfront public.

Lyons, a former attorney, said the wording in the contract to expand districts allows for a loophole in how districts disperse money and property when they expire.

“What happens to assets when the district expires?” Lyons asked. “There is a loophole there which I think leaves room for mischief.”

Realtor Tom Torgerson asked the council one last time to reconsider developing the riverfront as a public park. The most valuable property should be developed commercially and the money the city earns in the process could be used to develop public amenities such as a performing arts center, Torgerson said.

“It doesn’t make sense,” Torgerson said. “I think it’s an incredible waste.”

The City Council will readdress expanding the districts Dec. 4 at the regular council meeting.