City delays vote on center proposal

SANDPOINT — A local developer’s plan to build a community center and hockey rink at the former St. Joseph’s Catholic Church was temporarily put on ice at Wednesday’s City Council meeting.

The meeting, which was historic for both its duration and level of community involvement, didn’t wrap up until nearly 2:30 a.m. More than 100 residents turned out to argue both for and against the proposed Jamie Packer Centre, put forward by Dover’s Bruce Pedersen.

The agenda featured three items pertaining to the center, and, even after hours of testimony and deliberation, the council could not reach consensus on the plan.

Pedersen asked the council to rezone the church and its surrounding lots, sought support for a conditional use permit to allow for the community center, and asked the city to vacate an alley running through the middle of the lot.

During his introductory remarks, Pedersen acknowledged the many hurdles he’ll have to overcome to make the plan a reality — including vocal opposition from a number of nearby residents — but said he would not be deterred.

“To take this project and plunk it in Ponderay or plunk it in Kootenai, it would cost us 30 percent less with no friction,” he said. “We fully recognize the challenges that come with this, but we feel that the benefits are definitely worth the effort.”

The council voted 5-1 in favor of granting Pedersen’s rezoning request, with Councilwoman Helen Newton dissenting. With the vote, the council agreed to change portions of the lot from Residential B to Residential C and portions from Residential B to Professional Office.

Although they agreed to the rezone, the council added a number of conditions. Under the development agreement, Pedersen would be able to use existing church buildings for some commercial purposes, but would not be able to erect any buildings for commercial use, other than those outlined in his proposal for the Jamie Packer Center.

Jim Austin, who lives near the proposed development, was one of more than a dozen residents to speak out against the rezone. Like many other opponents, Austin said he was in favor of a community center, but feels Pedersen’s project does not fit the fabric of the neighborhood.

“We love our homes, the quiet, and we love our neighborhood,” he said. “Mr. Pedersen has presented a proposal which we think may benefit our community, but we think it is in the wrong location.”

Pedersen’s supporters said the proposal is in line with the city’s newly-passed comprehensive plan for land use and asked the council to view the project objectively.

“You’ve put a lot of work into the comp plan and the council has done a great job on that, but use the comp plan,” said Karl Dye. “If you’re going to say no to the zone change, then you need to take a look at where in the city are you going to let someone do something like this?”

It was past midnight when the council decided to table the second and third portions of Pedersen’s requests. They will take up the issue again next week, but the public will not be able to speak.

If the council opts to deny his conditional use permit and alley vacation, Pedersen could resubmit an altered plan to the Planning Commission or appeal the council’s decision to district court. He still believes his project will be approved, but, if not, Pedersen said he will find a way to make the center a reality.

“You always have contingency plans, but at this point I’m charging the gates,” he said “I’m even looking toward November, because if it means me campaigning and using this as a campaign to get a new City Council — not just for my project — but I’m really concerned about the welfare of Sandpoint.”

No matter what the outcome of his own project, Pedersen said his time working on the proposal has soured him on city government. On his Web site, jpcentre.org, Pedersen goes as far as soliciting residents to run in November for a seat on the council, asking them to check a box that says: “I am willing to consider to run and/or campaign for City Council.”

The council will finalize the issue June 24 at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall.