PF Council OKs annexation for more jobs, new school

POST FALLS - Approval of two urban renewal districts and a 371.54-acre annexation by the Post Falls City Council Tuesday night spells significant developments in the River City. 

Featuring several zoning designations, the Pleasant View North Annexation acted as a steppingstone for the Pleasant View Urban Renewal Plan and Revenue Allocation Area. 

As stated in staff comments, the district — located north of Prairie Avenue and along Pleasant View Road — intends to expand the Post Falls industrial area, provide job opportunities and bring in businesses.

Representatives from companies like Commercial Tire, Pilot Travel Centers LLC, Western Trailers, Kenworth Sales Co. and others expressed their support of the annexation, several citing their intent to expand into Post Falls, with jobs in tow. 

On Tuesday, Kenworth Sales Co. District Manager Ric Peterson said the company’s recent decision to purchase a 10-acre site on West Expo Parkway came after learning that a customer was considering moving into the Post Falls Pleasant View area. That influenced the company to expand its plans from a smaller parts-only facility with about five staff members to a full-service operation that could employ over 35 people and bring in an estimated $45.6 million in sales.

“This annexation, I think, is very important for us to support our business,” Peterson said. “We don’t want to have to change our business model ... if our big customer doesn’t come over this direction.” 

Part of the annexed property is for a new school in the Post Falls School District. Superintendent Dena Naccarato spoke in favor of the annexation in the belief that it will save taxpayers money down the road. 

“I think most people are aware that in Idaho, taxpayers bear the cost of building (school) buildings. Without water and sewer in this area, the cost to our taxpayers will increase exponentially,” Naccarato said. “With the growth that we’re experiencing in our city, it’s only a matter of time before we need another high school.” 

While 14 of the 19 public comments favored the annexation, Tyler Emery expressed his strong opposition to the development because of transportation impacts. 

Previously working at the Washington State Department of Transportation as an engineer, Emery said he took part in modeling the effects of construction projects on traffic, emergency services and infrastructure. Emery encouraged the council and staff to update the city’s transportation master plan before moving forward with the annexation. 

“We’re betting on the fact that widening Prairie (Avenue) all the way down is going to fix all of our problems,” Emery said. “What if it doesn’t?”

Community Development Director Bob Seale said the city does consider roadway developments and works in conjunction with the Kootenai Metropolitan Planning Organization. 

Councilman Alan Wolfe said Pleasant View is “a perfect place” for bringing jobs into the city. He noted that what he most likes about the annexation was the fluidity of zoning that would allow future councils to allow development based on community needs. 

“We’ve got time to figure this out. It’s going to take a couple of years to get the infrastructure in place,” Wolfe said. “I think that when it comes to responsible growth, this is a good example.” 

The annexation was approved unanimously. Councilman Joe Malloy pointed out that this annexation and district will serve the community through job creation and reserving land for a new school. 

“Man, we need another school, in a big way. The fastest way to get that school open and up to maximum capacity is by this proposal and by having the other developments of commercial and residential to pay to get the sewer and water,” Malloy said. “With the rate of growth, we need one badly.”

In a 5-1 vote, Malloy dissenting, the council also approved the Downtown Urban Renewal Plan and Revenue Allocation Area.

Consisting of about 548 acres within the Post Falls core, the district continues a former urban renewal project that closed in 2018. Seale noted that projects outlined in the district are primarily infill developments like commercial nodes and infrastructure revitalization.

“In 31 years, I will be 100 years old, and I have wanted to see the city center developed in my lifetime,” Councilwoman Kerri Thoreson said. “This is likely one of the best opportunities to have that happen.”