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Multifamily housing restriction lifted for Post Falls subdivision

by CAROLYN BOSTICK
Staff Writer | August 15, 2024 1:00 AM

POST FALLS — The planning and zoning commission voted Tuesday night to remove a condition previously imposed on Schneidmiller Brothers' North Place East Subdivision.

The condition, which restricted multifamily structures on parcel seven near Penrose Avenue and Idaho Road, was initially added in response to residents' concerns about dense housing.

Commissioner Ross Schlotthauer voted against the motion, noting that developer Kevin Schneidmiller had initially been open to the condition.

Commissioner Nancy Hampe, who suggested the condition during the June 11 meeting, changed her stance after receiving new information from Chris Gabbert, deputy city attorney for Post Falls. Hampe said, "I don't think it's going to be this big, scary monster like some people thought it was going to be."

The June hearing approved the conversion of 238.53 acres into 1,125 lots south of Prairie Avenue, between Idaho Road and Greensferry Road. Schneidmiller projected that over the next two decades, the subdivision could add 3,000-4,000 new Post Falls residents.

A report by Post Falls legal services director Field Herrington stated that restricting the multifamily development would breach the city's earlier agreement with the developer. The original 2021 agreement had already limited multifamily structures to two stories.

Gabbert asked the commission to honor the developer's request to remove the additional restriction.