Rathdrum rezones lots in commercial corridor

A few landowners and neighbors collaborated to support a commercial project when they rezoned their properties along Highway 41 in Rathdrum.

Karen Evans, owner of one property, requested a rezone from residential to commercial to support a plan for a doctor's office next door.

Kathy and Michael Fritz also requested a rezone from residential to commercial in the same area between Stephens Street and Washington Avenue by the highway.

Rathdrum City Council members approved both zone changes during a regular meeting Wednesday.

“Do I understand that Mrs. Evans asked for this rezone, out of the kindness of her heart to help the doctors out?” Councilman Steven Adams said.

If not out of the kindness of her heart, the collaboration was an agreement to support the plan for a doctor’s office, City Planner James Agidius said.

With the rezone, the Evans property can remain the same but it allows the doctor's office to include sufficient parking and setbacks for possible future council approval.

The commercial zone aligns with the city’s plan for the area to be a commercial corridor in the future land use map.

“I really want to note that this is the right way to do it, in terms of zoning,” Councilman John Hodgkins said.

The rezone also unifies the commercial zone with the surrounding properties along Highway 41 and makes the most sense for the area, Agidius said.

Also during the meeting, STEM Charter Academy students presented artwork to the council to review.

“The STEM Charter School has been working with ITD to put artwork on the transfer boxes at certain intersections throughout the city,” City Attorney Emily Smith said.

The intersections that will receive the art covers are at Lancaster, North Bridge, South Bridge, Nagel and Boekel along Highway 41 and at Meyer and Highway 53.

Makayla Haase, Samuel Knutson, Cohen Willis, Ryan Liu, Gracie Keppner and Luke Brockman attended the council meeting and talked about design elements at play in each piece.

The art pieces were mostly natural or landscapes and two were more abstract interpretations of the local area.