Opposition dogs rezone requests

SANDPOINT — Bonner County commissioners put off decisions on two controversial land use map amendments on Wednesday so they can consider a surge of public input on the requests.

The proposed map changes would allow for increased housing densities at the foot of Schweitzer Mountain and south of the Pend Oreille River in Sagle.

The board is scheduled to resume deliberation on the comprehensive plan map and zoning map changes on Wednesday, March 24. The hearings start at 1:45 p.m. in the Bonner County Administration Building.

Both map change requests are dogged by public opposition and come with denial recommendations from the county Planning & Zoning Commission.

The landowner-initiated map changes proposed at the base of Schweitzer Mountain would shift lot size minimums from 20 acres down to 5 acres. The lands are west of Woodland Drive and on both sides of Schweitzer Mountain Road, between Granite Ridge and the first switchback.

Though some have voiced support for map changes because the properties’ proximity to city limits and infrastructure, many are opposed to the amendments because of potential impacts to wildlife habitat, wetlands and the Little Sand Creek watershed.

Opponents further argue that the rezone would impact the Mickinnick Trail, overwhelm road infrastructure and blight the rugged mountainside.

“This mountain is the backdrop of Sandpoint and what you see as you come across the Long Bridge,” Jan Griffitts, director of Friends of Mickinnick Trail, said in a letter to county officials.

The Sandpoint City Council also objects to the request. The lands are within Sandpoint’s area of city impact and the council contends the proposed densities are incongruous with the city’s development goals.

Commissioners heard testimony on the request on Wednesday, but were also hit with a considerable slug of written comment.

“There were probable 25 or 30 e-mails that came in right up until the time that the hearing began,” said Planning Director Clare Marley. “They felt they needed additional time to look those over before they made their decision.”

A wave of opposition is pushing against a landowners’ request to allow for 10- and 5-acre minimums instead of 10- to 20-acre minimums on property off Merrill Martin Road.

Although some of the adjacent land already is already zoned for the higher density, opponents maintain a zone change would negatively impact natural resources. They also contend road and access to utility infrastructure are insufficient.

“There was quite a bit of testimony. They wanted additional time to deliberate,” Marley said of the Sagle rezone request.