NEW DEVELOPMENT: Taxes should add up

The time for the large headline was two years ago when Schneidmiller got Post Falls to alter general plan designation/zone for this property from Low Density, R-1, to RM, residential-mixed, and annexed it. Had it remained at R-1, the maximum homes that could fit after streets, sidewalks, parks would be 4 per acre: 238 x 4 = 952. The zone change allowed much smaller lot sizes and allowed for commercial and apartments. The concession to “just” 1,400 units, a condition imposed by the city, does not include 15 acres of land designated to commercial uses. The property adjacent on the south, Fieldstone at Prairie Falls, has far less density.   

In addition, Schneidmiller’s property tax and “assessed value” after the annexation and being granted residential mixed zoning did not increase. In September 2021, approximately 40 acres nearby, part of the original Schneidmiller farm, was annexed, subdivided and sold to Viking Construction for approximately $3,250,000, a value of $81,000 per acre. Rounding down to $80,000 per acre and multiplying by 238 = $19 MILLION imputed value for Schneidmiller’s 238 acres. The assessor’s website states the 2023 property taxes paid on the 238 acres was a total of $1,978.13. No parcel in a city should pay less taxes than its FMV based on the zoning given to it.   

HOWARD BURNS

Post Falls