PROJECT: Deny it again, Cd'A

Kudos to the Coeur d’Alene Press for their recent (Feb. 13) article on the proposed River’s Edge Apartments, with its 850 apartments in multiple high-rise buildings on the Spokane River in Coeur d’Alene.

Something the article failed to mention is that a recent petition offered by our group on change.org, garnered a whopping 8,400 signatures opposing this “bad fit” project. This should send a strong message to our city leaders that this project isn’t wanted. It’s also worth noting that the project is not in keeping with the spirit of the original Annexation Agreement, which brought this 26-acre parcel into the city envisioning extensive public access to the river. Other city policies for proper development in the river area are also not honored by this project.

Since the Planning Commission unanimously denied the re-zoning required for this project, the developer has filed an appeal to City Council for the zoning change (from C-17 to an unusually high R-34 density). That appeal hearing, on March 5 at 5:30, will be another opportunity for the public to voice their feelings about the project.

The Council should respect public sentiment and deny this project.

ROGER SMITH

Coeur d’Alene