Clagstone Meadows hearings set

SANDPOINT — Public hearings to consider a 12,000-acre resort community north of Kelso Lake have been reset for later this month.

The Bonner County Planning & Zoning Commission is scheduled to take up the Clagstone Meadows proposal on Tuesday, July 20, and Wednesday, July 21. The hearings start at 5:30 p.m. at the Sandpoint Charter High School auditorium at 615 South Madison Ave.

The first day’s hearing kicks off with an open house for the public to review project exhibits and leave written comments. There will also be presentations from the Planning Department and the applicant, and a comment period for public agencies.

On the second day, members of the public can register exhibits and provide testimony on the project. There will be a recap of the previous day’s proceedings, the applicant’s rebuttal to public comments and discussion by the planning commission.

The proposal was set to be heard last month, but the Planning Department recommended the application be remanded back to Clagstone Meadows LLC to address impacts to water resources and wildlife, in addition to the issue of fire protection.

The $1.2 billion project would be developed in phases that would result in 1,200 dwelling units, two 18-hole golf courses, trails, athletic fields and other amenities.

The Idaho Department of Fish & Game and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service have raised concerns about impacts to habitat. The Idaho Conservation League, meanwhile, is concerned about the scope of the development and its impact to wetlands would degrade water quality and fish habitat.

If approved, it would be, by acreage, the largest development in Bonner County history

• Development plans, agency comments and other documents related to the proposal can be found under the “projects” link on the Planning Department’s website (www.co.bonner.id.us).