Developer saves space for schools in Huetter Corridor

Three sites have been reserved for future schools as development continues to devour land in northwestern Kootenai County.

Lakeside Capital Group, one of the region’s largest developers, is partnering with the Coeur d’Alene and Post Falls school districts to set aside one 20-acre parcel and two 10-acre parcels for an extensive new development, Coeur Terre, along the Huetter Road corridor.

The 20 acres will accommodate a much-needed middle school for Coeur d'Alene. The 10-acre parcels will be reserved for elementary schools.

"As we work through our land planning efforts, we are proactively working with the school districts to voluntarily identify locations that will be beneficial to the school districts for future school sites," Melissa Wells, a partner with Lakeside Capital Group, said Friday. "Our company is focused on building great communities that offer parks, amenities and schools for our homeowners and their families."

Lakeside Capital Group owns more than 1,200 acres in the Coeur d’Alene and Post Falls Area of City Impact Agreements north of I-90. About half of that land is in the Coeur d’Alene School District and half is in the Post Falls School District. Huetter Road marks the boundary between them.

It plans to develop more than 4,500 new residences in the Coeur d'Alene-Post Falls area.

Considering an average of 2.5 people per household, that development alone could hold over 11,250 residents.

As homes are built in that area, hundreds of new students are expected to enroll in the school districts.

Local ordinances and state statutes require developers to reserve land for parks, open space and public facilities such as police and fire support. Nothing requires land to be set aside for schools.

"I appreciate the progressive thought from Lakeside," Coeur d'Alene School Board Chair Jen Brumley said.

"I really am proud of and support the proactivity of our own staff in making that connection, and allowing the district to have this opportunity through those connections, meeting and having an eye for the future and what’s going to be best for this community, our students and our kids," she said.

Coeur d'Alene's enrollment is just over 10,700 students. In the five years preceding the COVID pandemic, the student population had increased by 650 students. Projections show a growth of about 15%, or more than 1,400 students, in the next 10 years.

The district lost a few students during COVID, but with the exponential construction and community growth, it's expected to remain on target with enrollment.

"I commend Lakeside Capital Group for their foresight to consider schools early on in the planning process, and listen and respond to our needs," Coeur d'Alene director of operations Jeff Voeller said. "From the onset of the project they have considered potential locations for new schools."

As Coeur d'Alene is growing tight on space, Post Falls has a little wiggle room. Post Falls has passed bonds to fund future school sites and has acquired 60 acres for a new high school at McGuire Road and Prairie Avenue, as well as a 70-acre parcel on Chase Road that was purchased with 2019 bond funds. Use of the latter has not yet been determined, although it is known that future school sites will be necessary as Post Falls expands.

"You want to make sure you're set up for future growth," Post Falls Superintendent Dena Naccarato said. "Having land is key to being set up for future growth."

She said the partnership between the school districts and Lakeside Capital Group is "wonderful."

"It enables us in our long-range planning to know we actually have a site for a future elementary school," Naccarato said.

Details of the prospective sale still need to be worked out between Lakeside Capital and the school board for each district, all parties said.

Reporter Madison Hardy contributed to this article.