Maplewood Village approval deceiving

The City Council recently approved the Maplewood Village Planned Unit Development. This PUD subdivision was approved by the planning commission, noticed to the public, and approved by the council, to develop 51 single-family lots.

However, what has not been published is that prior to approval the City Council did everything they could to grant a back-door request by the developer to allow multi-family residences. Even though the developer had already been granted many concessions including a PUD, which allows them to bypass many typical zoning requirements, including allowing lots considerably smaller than high density zone C regulations permit. The City Council would have approved this back door request if the city attorney had not repeatedly stated they could face legal consequences.

The City Council then determined the most feasible way to allow multi-family residences was to first approve this PUD and then recommend the developer submit a final plat that contained multi-family residences. So, the City Council approved the PUD and strongly encouraged the developer to come back with a final plat containing multi-family residences.

Consequently, those who did not attend the hearing have no idea of the changes recommended for the final plat. I don't know about the legality of these changes but for any citizen who may be impacted by the Maplewood Village subdivision I recommend you pay close attention to the final plat and it's approval.

TOBY McNEAL

Sandpoint