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Post Falls mayor breaks tie approving North Place rezoning request

by ELLI GOLDMAN HILBERT
Staff Writer | July 8, 2021 1:00 AM

POST FALLS — The Post Falls City Council narrowly approved a zone change request Wednesday night submitted by Greenstone-Kootenai II.

Approval allows 239 of the 266 acres of the North Place East subdivision to convert from residential to mixed use.

Mayor Ron Jacobson broke the council’s tie with a vote for approval.

The property is north of the Fieldstone subdivision, east of Idaho Street and south of Prairie Avenue. About 20 years ago, it was designated as an R-1 zone to allow for 1,200 single-family homes. That designation requires no space left open for outdoor recreation or other types of development.

With RM zoning, which is what the council approved, up to 1,400 units are allowed, offering opportunity for housing diversity, project developers said. A required 7% of the land will be left as open space. RM zoning, according to developers, gives more flexibility to move things around.

RM zoning also allows for up to 10% commercial use.

The project was described as remaining mostly single-family units but also including small commercial hubs, a 5-acre park, pocket parks, high-density housing and a gated 55 & over community.

Greenstone representative Kevin Schneidmiller said the commercial offerings would be small scale, limited to services residents use, such as ice cream shops, childcare, bank ATMs and fitness facilities. It will not include fast food restaurants, full service banks or gas stations.

The idea is to create “zoning diversity,” bringing services to the area and reducing traffic.

Greenstone promised a seamless flow between multi-family, single-family and commercial use land, providing pedestrian-friendly spaces, Schneidmiller said.

About 30 people spoke out against the proposal; none spoke in favor of it.

Residents expressed concerns about infrastructure, impact on schools, emergency services and increased crime.

“In the future, you will pay for what the developer didn’t pay,” David Leonard said. “The developer is not gonna be responsible for what happens eight to 10 years down the road.”

Leonard talked about those living on a fixed income and said residents will foot the bill for new water, sewer and garbage systems while the developer will make millions and not be responsible for these costs once the project is complete.

Schneidmiller said he understands the concerns but believes the proposal is reasonable. He said the infrastructure will be in place and the project complies with zoning requirements.

Mayor Jacobson said the city has comprehensive master plans in place for expansion of water, sewer, garbage, roads and other infrastructure.

The project is expected to take at least 15 years to complete.

“This is a 10-15 year build out,” Councilwoman Linda Wilhelm said. “This isn’t gonna happen overnight.”

Council members Kerri Thoreson, Joe Malloy and Steve Anthony voted against the proposal while Wilhelm, Alan Wolfe and Lynn Borders voted for it.