Planners deny assisted living facility at Highlands

POST FALLS — Faced with an outpouring of opposition, the Post Falls Planning and Zoning Commission has denied a special use permit for a 16-bed assisted living facility near the Highlands Golf Course.

About a dozen people spoke out against the project Tuesday evening. It was denied on a 5-1 vote.

Audrey Oats, who lives directly in front of the proposed 7,400 square-foot business, said such a use is not compatible with the neighborhood.

“It would bring more vehicles at different times of day and night and it’s not a good place for a very large number of senior citizens to be living,” Oats told the commission. “If this goes through it’s going to be difficult for me and it’s going to put a lot of anxiety in my life.”

The applicant, LT Management Inc., was seeking approval for the single-story residential care facility on 2.45 acres. The parcel is shared with Highlands Day Spa and Fleur De Sel restaurant, which are in a separate building from the proposed residential care living facility.

The area is zoned for single-family residential uses. However, the lot in question is part of a planned unit development approved in 1990 and allowing for commercial uses within the residential zoning classification.

Opponent Patrick Whalen, who has lived in the neighborhood for about 21 years, said the project does not fit with the character of the Highlands community.

“As you can see clearly from the site plan, they’ve crammed this building into the northeast corner in what I think is an inappropriate way,” Whalen said. “Approving this without knowing what (applicant) plans to do with the whole lot would be a disservice to your constituents at Highlands.”

Oats said that despite comments to the contrary by the applicant, the neighborhood is not conducive to senior housing. Walking is not allowed on the golf course except for players. The neighborhood is hilly and would be difficult for the elderly to traverse.

Post Falls planning manager Jon Manley said other concerns voiced to the city included increased noise and diminishing property values.

LT Management was represented by Verdis, a Coeur d’Alene-based land development firm. Merle Van Houten, project engineer, said the developer is weighing its options.

“There are no definite plans to do anything at this point,” Van Houten said.