Post Falls annexes county land along Zorros Road

POST FALLS — The City Council approved two annexations along Zorros Road on Tuesday for properties at Early Dawn Avenue and Poleline Avenue.

The annexations, which involve properties owned by Douglass Properties, transfer land from Kootenai County to Post Falls.

Austin Fuller of Whipple Consulting Engineers said the property on Early Dawn Avenue is surrounded by land to the north, west and south that is zoned for Community Commercial Services. 

“This is what we call a ‘doughnut hole,’” Fuller said, referring to the 9.63-acre property. “It’s an island of county land within the city.”

Annexing the land will support improvements outlined in the 2016 Highway 41 Corridor Master Plan, which includes adding “collector” and “backage” roads parallel to Highway 41 to accommodate mixed-use development.

The plan envisions creating a mix of regional retail, residential and service uses near Early Dawn and Zorros, accessible by new roads, which will help reduce reliance on large parking lots with direct access to the highway. 

The new backage roads would also ease the transition from the highway to the expected lower-density residential development in the area.

During the meeting, Councilor Samantha Steigleder raised concerns about the annexations, questioning whether they align with the city’s future planning needs as outlined in the 2024 housing needs assessment.

Councilor Joe Malloy said the Early Dawn property had been considered by the city several times before, but traffic concerns had previously held up the annexation. Now, however, he noted that the city is better equipped to address the necessary infrastructure.

The parcel at Poleline Avenue and Zorros Road is a 4.76-acre lot zoned for agriculture in Kootenai County. Malloy said it could be used for a future roundabout.

“It also removes the county peninsula, making a complete block for the city,” Malloy said.

Steigleder again expressed her opposition.

“In light of our recent housing needs assessment, there are other areas with better zoning options that I believe would be a better fit at this time,” Steigleder said. “I don’t think this annexation meets the necessary criteria for me to vote yes.”

Both annexations were approved, with Steigleder casting the lone no vote. Councilor Nathan Zeigler participated in the meeting via phone.

    The annexation of Early Dawn Avenue was approved to be annexed by Post Falls from Kootenai County Tuesday during the City Council meeting.  

    A land parcel owned by Douglass Properties LLC on Poleline Avenue and Zorros Road was approved to be annexed by Post Falls from Kootenai County Tuesday during the City Council meeting.