Decision on building-rules change delayed

The Kootenai County Commission wants residents to get a clearer idea of how proposed rules for dividing and classifying county land would work.

Instead of making a decision on the two draft subdivision and zoning rules Wednesday, the commission instead opted to have an informational meeting July 30 to answer residents’ questions and better explain how the proposed rules would work.

The biggest changes would limit where people can build on steep slopes in the county, change requirements for road building and reduce the number of homes people can build in transition areas between agricultural and urban land.

“The purpose of that meeting is for education,” County Planning Director Rand Wichman said. “It’s a chance for everyone to understand their position better.”

Wichman, along with Planning Commission Chairman Mark Triplett, will give an overview of the proposed rules and then answer questions. The County Commission will attend the meeting and then use the information to help them decide during an Aug. 3 workshop how to proceed with the proposals. Then on Aug. 4, the commission is expected to make a final decision.

Yet Wichman said if the commission makes any significant changes to either proposal, it will have to have another public meeting before making a decision.

For more than a year, county staff and the planning commission have worked to rewrite both rules. During that time, they have held several public hearings and many residents, developers and environmentalists aren’t happy with how the rules are shaping up. Critics also say there hasn’t been enough public involvement.

Some local developers fear the new rules would put a moratorium on building and inflate housing costs.

The July 30 meeting is at 1 p.m. in the Kootenai County Administration Building, 451 Government Way. For more information, call 446-1070.