Post Falls residents speak out over rezoning for custom duplexes

POST FALLS — Three Post Falls residents spoke out Tuesday against a rezoning of property from R1 single-family homes into R2 medium-density residential duplexes, arguing that it would bring down the value of neighboring homes.  

“This area is still really rural,” Debi Vacca said at a Post Falls Planning and Zoning Commission meeting. “I’m hoping that it stays that way in my lifetime.” 

She said she considers it a quiet area, except for the occasional train and that she wants the area to be respected for the beauty it has. 

Six commissioners were present, but Commissioner Bobby Wilhelm removed himself from the discussion and the vote on the topic.

Of the five planning and zoning commissioners who voted on the issue, three voted yes and two voted no on whether the proposed zoning change met with requirements.  

The developer, Nate Grossglauser, said he had tried for R2 zoning initially, but had been denied and has since had seen other medium density residential zoning requests in the area approved.

“It basically created an island out of our subdivision,” Grossglauser said.

Grossglauser owns many of the adjacent lots near the vacant lots. 

Commissioner Ray Kimball said the zoning proposal met the bare minimum of the criteria and though he was concerned by residents voicing their issues with the change, said the commission was restricted by the city zoning criteria.  

“Our personal opinions don’t necessarily matter,” Kimball said of himself and the other commissioners. 

Instead, he urged citizens to continue to speak their minds at a future City Council meeting when Gabrio Estates is addressed. 

“It's a right that you’ve got,” Kimball said. 

Commissioners James Steffensen and Ross Schlotthauer voted no on the proposal recommendation.

Schlotthauer said he felt the rezoning changed the terms of the original agreement residents made when it was designated to only be a single-family home area.