New face on planning and zoning

In a unanimous decision by the Kootenai County board of commissioners, Connie Krueger was appointed to the planning and zoning commission for three years.

Krueger, a seasoned principal planner with over 25 years of public and private sector planning, was one of three appointments after her Tuesday evening interview. The remaining two were the reappointments to planning and zoning chairman, David Levine in a unanimous decision, and Deborah Rose in a two to one vote — Commissioner Leslie Duncan dissenting.

Out of nine potential applicants — including the two previous members — Krueger was chosen for an interview. Owner and founder of Stonehenge Development and Government, Krueger intended to bring her experience working with government clients in Washington and Idaho to the table.

"Currently, I am working with local governments and regional economic development agencies developing comprehensive plans and economic development strategies," she said.

Initially moving to Kootenai County in 2011, Krueger served as the Community Development Director for the city of Hayden before starting her private consulting firm two and a half years ago. Before that, she served as the Walla Walla County regional planning director, overseeing building planning, waste reduction and recycling, and emergency management.

"Being able to sit with the planning commission and hear people bringing issues forward, I can put aside my personal beliefs, and embrace the thought of where that person is coming from," Krueger said. "Through policy, we can actually craft solutions that meet the majority of needs that there are with the awareness of and working with those people."

Though she is planning on keeping her practice and continuing her work with private and public entities, Krueger said it would not affect her decisions as a board member. If there were possible conflicts of interest to her role, Krueger said she would recuse herself and undergo proper legal provisions.

During the interview Commissioner Chris Fillios asked Krueger how she intends to manage the looming growth in Kootenai County with landowners' property rights. Among a handful of others, this issue has plagued the planning and zoning commission, which is responsible for the adoption or amending of land-related policy and the county's comprehensive plan.

"I think the commission has the ability to recognize the growth patterns occurring and come in to try and implement a policy that leads to good development without managing growth per se," Krueger said. "There are always ways we can diversify our thinking."

Kootenai County Director of Community Development David Callahan also said that Krueger is a welcome addition to the planning commission.

Krueger, Levine, and Rose will all officially be appointed to their positions in an upcoming board of commissioners meeting. Krueger and Levine for three-year terms, and Rose a one-year allotment.