Dilemma with access-road ownership

Post Falls is growing so much it is bursting at the seams. I realize there are many problems associated with paying for growth financially. The north side of the Fieldstone development is confronted with paying in yet another way.

A developer has purchased the huge field west of Greensferry, east of Idaho Street and south of Prairie. This developer wants official permission to plant houses across the easement and access road that runs behind my house on the north side.

The road has a name; it is a continuation of Grange Road. It can be accessed from Idaho Street and Syringa at the other end (when it is unblocked). Grange Road can be found on maps of the city.

Our back fence has a gate so we can get to our property in the backyard from Grange Road. Many of our neighbors have open backyards, driveways or gates like ours so they can also access their backyards.

Typically, we have a truckload of soil dropped off that way every spring to refresh the garden beds. We purposely bought the house for this access, never thinking the farmland would take it away.

I'm not at all happy about this land grab from the developer. I'm writing to ask if other Post Falls residents have also had the experience of a developer taking over an access road as their own by asking for the "easement."

I have taken care of the land from my property to Grange Road by removing weeds for nearly nine years. This land just beyond mine is city property along with the unpaved Grange Road. The farmer who owned the field acres previously only took care of the property on his side of the road.

Are we now to allow a developer to take over public property and access roads? They are crossing the line. They need to back up their building plans to the multi-acre farmland they just purchased.

Usually when a development comes in, they must add sidewalks, beautify, and add to the area. That city land in question should be improved with a sidewalk and paved road, or leave it alone. It's not theirs. Much foot and car/truck traffic is on that road every day. Their own new residents might also want to use it.

Citizens of Post Falls please help stop developers from taking over our public roads for their own financial gain. Letter writers, can write to Phnotice@postfallsidaho.org and express your opinion about developers taking away easements and city roads to squeeze in a few more houses.

Thanks for your support.

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Suzanne Holland is a Post Falls resident.