Sandpoint approves Packer Centre

SANDPOINT — The process was long and fraught with challenges, but after listening to all sides, the council approved a local developer’s plans to build a community center and hockey rink at the former St. Joseph’s Catholic Church.

Having already signed off on his request to rezone the property at its June 17 meeting, the council took up Bruce Pedersen’s call for an alley vacation and a conditional use permit Wednesday night. On a 5-1 vote, the council approved the conditional use permit, with Councilwoman Carrie Logan dissenting.

Originally approved by the Planning Commission in May, the permit was appealed by a pair of nearby residents, who said the development would be inconsistent with a number of city zoning laws and would not fit with the recently-passed comprehensive plan. After adding their own conditions to the permit, the council dismissed the appeal and granted Pedersen the permit.

In a 3-3 vote, the council also agreed to vacate an alley located on the site. Council members Michael Boge and Helen Newton joined Logan in voting against the vacation, with council members John Reuter, John O’Hara and Stephen Snedden voting in favor. Mayor Gretchen Hellar broke the tie by voting in favor of Pedersen’s request.

With the two decisions, Pedersen now has the city’s blessing to build the Jamie Packer Centre as proposed, which will include a three-story, 90,000-square-foot parking structure and 135,000 square feet of mixed-use space, along with an indoor hockey rink and a number of residential homes.

While it approved the conditional use permit and zone change, the council included more than 40 stipulations to ensure Pedersen sticks to his plan.

Among them, Pedersen will need to complete a parking study on the site prior to building. He will also need to preserve a portion of the church and a number of nearby trees. The council also included a sunset clause that will dissolve the permit after five years of inactivity. The conditions also call for the center to meet various environmental standards, such as LEED certification.

If Pedersen submits a site plan that is consistent with the council’s demands, the center will automatically receive approval, according to City Planner Jeremy Grimm.

“So long as he doesn’t make any significant modifications to what was represented, then the council is basically required to approve the project,” Grimm said.

Pedersen, who had two unsuccessful attempts at rezoning the property prior to his latest try, called last night’s decision a victory for the community.

“I really commend the community for that long night that everybody gave,” Pedersen said of last week’s nearly nine-hour meeting. “Obviously, improvements could be made in the process, but the council also has to be commended for recognizing the value this will bring to the community.”

Newton, who raised numerous concerns about the project, said the council’s decision is a win-win for both Pedersen’s supporters and those against the project.

“I think it shows we can work through these things,” she said. “It just takes time, and I don’t think people understand the amount of time it takes. Maybe it took longer than it should have, but we got there.”

Not everyone is excited about the development, but Pedersen said he hopes the council’s decision will help convince detractors that the facility will be good for the community.

“Hopefully the opposition has lost all their steam and they’ll realize we’re all after a good thing,” he said. “It’s going to be a change, and now it’s our job to prove to them it is going to be good.”

Pedersen will now begin the process of raising funds for the approximately $40 million project. He said he will apply for grants, pre-sell properties and seek out investors. If all goes well, he hopes to break ground next spring and open the center 18 months later.

In the meantime, Pedersen said he will host a public workshop on the center in an attempt to allay any lingering fears about the project and continue to build on his recent success.

“We really want to keep this momentum going, because I think everybody is ready to put their skates on,” he said.