Post Falls council approves 47-unit project

POST FALLS — The Post Falls City Council on Tuesday unanimously voted to add the Steckman Annexation as a medium-density R2 zone, principal uses of which are single-family houses and duplexes, according to Post Falls zoning codes.

The Steckman Annexation is expected to have single-family detached housing, two stories tall with 47 units planned.

The 6.7-acre parcel, west of the North Brookie Drive and North Spokane Street intersection, was requested to be annexed into Post Falls by Van Houten Consulting and Design on behalf of Blackwell Homes.

Maggie Lyons of the Panhandle Affordable Housing Alliance spoke in favor of the single-family housing project being planned, stating she was encouraged by the developer’s commitment to create starter homes for families.

Blackwell Homes has been in talks with PAHA about deed-restricting some of the homes, similar to what is being done with the Miracle on Britton project at Greensferry and Britton roads, also in Post Falls.

“We will find the buyers for these homes,” Lyons said.

Resident Linda Wilson said while she supports affordable housing, she was worried about traffic, both on a day-to-day basis and in the event of a fire if no additional infrastructure is added.

“I never thought Tennessee Avenue would be a thoroughfare,” Wilson said.

City Councilor Samantha Steigleder asked for more details from city staff concerning Tennessee Avenue as the only entrance and exit for the development. 

City engineer Rob Palus said all access is through Tennessee out to Grange Avenue over to Chase Road, but that will change in time.

“When all this is built, we anticipate that there will most likely be, in order to accommodate development, a roadway which will come out to Guy Road as well,” Palus said.

Steigleder inquired about why R2 density was needed for this project instead of R1 since it’s closer to an R1 density. 

R1 density's principal use is for single-family homes.

“What restrictions are being held in R2 that couldn't be achieved in R1? Is it truly just lot sizes that is beneficial to R2?” Steigleder asked.

Jon Manley, city planning manager, said there were a few reasons for the zoning decision, including that in order for this type of project to qualify as an R1 project, the developer would need a special use permit.

“The R1 doesn't allow for as small of lots innately as R2 can,” Manley said. “R2 single-family lots can go down to 4,000-foot lots. Cottage homes are permitted outright.”

The area will eventually require Tennessee Avenue to connect to Spokane Street. 

Post Falls City Councilor Randy Westlund called it a smart approach to developing low-density starter homes. 

City Councilor Nathan Ziegler said he was encouraged by the additional roadway that would be added as a balm to concerns stated by residents. 

“Because of the infrastructure that will be added, you may even see a reduction in what goes by your house,” Ziegler said.