Public can speak at Marriott hearing

COEUR d’ALENE — The public will have a chance to offer input on the appeal of the Marriott hotel approved for downtown Coeur d’Alene.

The City Council on Tuesday voted unanimously to approve amendments to municipal code to allow for members of the public to testify during a June 4 appeal hearing. 

Councilwoman Christie Wood said she likes to err on the side of allowing public comment.

“I think that's expected of us; that's what I would support,” she said.

City attorney Randy Adams said he spoke with a Marriott attorney.

“They really want to get moving on June 4 and not delay anymore,” he said.

Downtown resident Joan Woodard appealed the Design Review Commission’s January decision approving the proposed six-story Marriott hotel.

At that hearing, many argued the hotel did not fit the character of the area. They said it would create traffic problems, block views and hurt local businesses.

The hotel would have 131 rooms, 130 parking spaces, three stories of underground parking, a fitness center, a rooftop bar and an outdoor patio. A spokesman said they hope to start construction this summer.

The appeal hearing was initially scheduled before the City Council on April 16 and about 50 people showed up, but per city code that limits testimony, they could not comment. The council tabled the hearing to consider changing its code to allow public input at an appeal hearing.

“You will either hear public comment, public testimony on June 4, or you won’t,” Adams told the council Tuesday.

Councilman Woody McEvers questioned the impacts on Marriott's plans.

“The process did delay them,” Adams said.

Allowing public comment, “will color what happens on June 4,” he said. 

The Coeur d’Alene Planning and Zoning Commission voted 4-2 on May 14 to recommend the City Council approve changes to municipal code that would allow for comment at appeal hearings, but not for pending appeals.

The council, however, opted to let people speak at the Marriott appeal hearing next month.

Councilwoman Amy Evans said she had concerns about changing municipal code midstream on a proposed development.

"That just doesn't seem equitable to all parties involved, that we're changing directions while the process is happening," she said. 

McEvers asked if the city could face legal action by Marriott.

"There's no recourse for Marriott to come out and take our money?" he asked.

"You mean sue us?" Adams said.

He said anyone can be sued for anything, but he was confident the city’s actions were defensible.

"It's your legal counsel's opinion that this procedural change is constitutional and does not violate any rights," Adams said.