As Cd'A towers go up, life quality goes down
Coeur d’Alene has a Downtown Core building code that envisions “highest” density uses. (Ask for the two pages of specifications at the Building Code office.) The allowed maximum height of buildings is 220 feet (approx 22 stories) if “bonus features” are included. Twelve bonus features (one story each) are stated on the Basic Development Standards and each level can be a maximum of 8,000 square feet.
In addition, the setback is 8 feet on 1st, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, Lakeside and Sherman; and the “tower separation” from other buildings is only 50 feet if both towers are 75 feet high.
The code was developed from state and national codes by a hired consultant, Mark Hinshaw; our code (ordinance 368) was approved by our City Council in 2006. The present code for DC needs to be updated by our City Council to protect us citizens.
What should be changed? The extreme height for buildings needs to be abolished and the height restricted to two and three stories as allowed on Sherman and promoted by the 2030 Committee. No bribes should be allowed for financiers or investors from out-of-state or in-state. Realtors need to abide by a new code. A moratorium needs to be put on the DC Building Code until it is looked at seriously.
The City Code needs to insert one item which will be an overarching principle for all new buildings: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” In other words, if a new building will obstruct a present owner’s view, then the building permit should not be issued. Who wants to stare into a high wall or have his backyard movements observed from a balcony or window? Of course, “they” say, the resident can move, can’t he? Or no one wanting to live downtown would mind living behind a tall building, would he? Until changes are made, the council should enact a moratorium on the CDC Building Code.
Out-of-state investors see the development of high-rises in downtown Coeur d’Alene as a goldmine beside a beautiful lake, lovely parks and quaint village. They have the money and means for the risk; but do developers care about the effect on citizens of Coeur d’Alene? Shadows, obstructed skylines and vistas, the coldness of bigness, the need for additional fire-fighting equipment and police preparedness (paid for by all citizens)? No! Does the present City Council care or the 2030 organization or the Chamber of Commerce?
We citizens can accommodate the present travesty of building high-rises downtown with no outcry or objection, or we can argue for limiting growth in Coeur d’Alene or for spreading density to outlying areas. The density of the downtown area and the lakeside needs to be limited for the visual pleasure and use of all citizens of Coeur d’Alene and visitors. In summary, the City Council needs to examine and change the standards of the Downtown Core building code — quite soon, before the city looks like downtown L.A., Vegas, Tahoe, Chicago or even New York.
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Mary Smith is a Coeur d’Alene resident.