RATHDRUM COUNCIL: Indifferent to the community

On April 9 I attended the Rathdrum City Council meeting. I was interested in the discussion concerning development of the piece of property presently idle at Myers Road and Boekel Road. The proposal would change the zone from an industrial zone to a residential zone.

A developer shared his plan of building 494 houses on the 156 acres in the Hayden Homes/Arestad Zoning Map proposal. Then time was given for the community to share their thoughts concerning the development. 

There were no residents with positive opinions for such a development. 

Six residents brought up traffic congestion and the fact that Lakeland School District is not in favor of the plan along with many other negatives. 

With such concerns shared by the community you would think that the Rathdrum City Council would table a vote on this property for the present time. Instead the council went ahead with a vote on the Arestad Zoning Map request to make the property a residential zone. They passed it with a two in favor and two against the proposal. 

This shows great indifference to the local community. This action will cause great stress to many in our community. Sadly, the Coeur d’Alene Press Legal section in the April 1 and 8 papers only gave notice for a vote to be taken on the City’s Fee Schedule and not on the Arestad Zoning Map proposal. Many on Quail Ridge Street received their water bill with the April 9 meeting notice after the meeting. All residents of Rathdrum should have been notified of the vote that would take place before the meeting. I am glad Mayor Hill is aware of this situation and will do the best for Rathdrum.                                 

LES WINSLOW 

Rathdrum