P&Z to reconsider 32-acre annexation

SANDPOINT — The city planning commission at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday will reconsider its 5-2 vote to deny the annexation of 32 acres for a 121-unit housing development off Baldy Mountain Road.

Planning commission member Raffat Saied said Friday he asked for a second vote, but did not want to give a reason until Tuesday's public meeting at city hall.

"There was confusion because of the motion," Saied said.

The city planning commission on July 17 voted against annexing the 32 acres that borders city limits and lies west of Great Northern Railroad. Sandpoint developer Tim McDonnell wants to build 69 homes and 52 townhouses and provide the city with much-needed affordable housing.

An affordable home should not require more than 30 percent of a family's income.

It was reported at Wednesday's city council meeting that a $137,000 home is considered affordable for Sandpoint.

McDonnell has proposed building single-family homes starting at $250,000 and town homes starting at $160,000.

He requested annexing the 32 acres so it could be served by Sandpoint's sewer and water systems.

Without annexation, he said he will not do the project.

City planning director Jeremy Grimm said Friday that based on Roberts Rules of Order — an adopted policy for public meetings — the planning commission is allowed to reconsider a vote. The request to reconsider a vote has to come from the prevailing side — from one of the five members who denied the annexation.

"Any reconsideration is based on information heard at the public hearing (on July 17)," Grimm said.

Saied two days after the vote made the reconsideration request, Grimm said.

"His explanation for the request will be known only to the world when he gets up at the next meeting and explains it," Grimm said.

The planning commission makes recommendations to City Council, but it's up to the council to then deny or approve requests.

McDonnell and Michael Kinney of Sandpoint plan to buy the property from 90-year-old Alice Tatterson's living trust.

The single-family lots in what would be known as Perlandra Estates would be up to 1/4 acre.

There also would be some more expensive, "mid-level" homes. Townhouses would include buildings with two, four and six units.

Several neighbors spoke against the development during the planning commission's public hearing for the annexation.

The primary concerns were for high-density housing, impact on wildlife and traffic, and a busy Baldy Mountain Road railroad crossing where trains often block the roadway.