Save the trees: Developer, residents in Post Falls come to agreement
The tree line to the west of the planned Killdeer development.
Photo courtesy of North Britton Road Owners Group
Post Falls City Council voted to annex a location from Kootenai County in order to bring the 4.89-acre Killdeer Avenue lot into the city footprint. The property is located in a county island of land to the south of Killdeer Avenue between Greensferry and Cecil roads.
POST FALLS — Post Falls City Council voted this week to annex a 4.89-acre lot along Killdeer Avenue.
The property is located in a county island of land to the south of Killdeer Avenue between Greensferry and Cecil roads. The location is an infill project in an area surrounded by subdivisions.
Representatives from the North Britton Road Owners Group submitted written and public comments that showed community support in favor of the development.
The primary interest for the residents in the area is to preserve the tree line along the shared boundary for aesthetic reasons.
Resident Con Brady said he lives to the west of the development, and he has been encouraged by conversations with Michael Fitzgerald and Hallmark Homes for being receptive.
“We all bought property there because of the tree line, and I think the developer acknowledges these trees are going to help him move these properties,” Brady said.
The trees at the location were healthy, but not moveable without destruction.
"I think this is a success story because the developer’s been very open to talking to us,” Brady said. “Everybody's been working together to try and find a solution that is kind of a win-win for everybody: the city, the community, the developer.”
Years ago, there was an old tree farm with hundreds of burlap-covered trees.
The only request residents included was possibly adding a preservation of the "tree green belt."
“It’s not very often that we get to stand in front of you and the neighbors aren’t screaming and yelling at me for what we’re trying to do,” Drew Dittman said.
Dittman represents Northern Lights Development/Hallmark Homes.
An urban forester will take a look at the trees to make recommendations about the development site.
Both the annexation vote and initial zoning criteria for the site were approved unanimously in two votes by city councilors.
“I’m definitely for saving the trees,” City Councilor Nathan Ziegler said.
Post Falls City Council voted to annex a location from Kootenai County in order to bring the 4.89-acre Killdeer Avenue lot into the city footprint. The property is located in a county island of land to the south of Killdeer Avenue between Greensferry and Cecil roads.