Lake access plan clears hurdle

SANDPOINT  — Adding public access to the shoreline at three city rights of way cleared another hurdle.

The rights of way at Euclid, S. Boyer and S. Ella avenues were earmarked as potential parks by council members after reviewing a report on the feasibility of opening the streets to allow for additional waterfront access in Sandpoint.

The rights of way may be added to the city park master plan set to be finalized by summer.

The rights of way in lakefront neighborhoods were platted long ago as streets that once connected to another, undeveloped street running parallel with the lakeshore below the present high-water mark.

Some of the rights of way are already being used by the public to carry canoes, rafts or kayaks to the lake.

Others, including the E. Division Avenue right of way, may belong to another entity.

“It was originally dedicated to Kootenai County in 1907,” Jeremy Grimm, city planner said.

The same year, Bonner County was established from a piece of Kootenai County, but the road may have been deeded to a cemetery district, he said.

“That one needs more investigation,” Grimm said.

The same goes for S. Fourth Avenue, he said.

“I was unable to find any chain of title,” Grimm said.

The Parks and Rec Department asked City Council to move ahead with the three areas that belong to the city.

It will take another few months, including at least one public hearing, before the city adopts the plan for the parks.

The project must first be streamlined and pass the muster of the parks commission before a public comment period, said Kim Woodruff, director of Sandpoint’s park and recreation department.

If it is approved, it will be added to the Parks and Rec master plan, but a timeline for completing the access plan has not been determined.

“There is a whole lot of wants and needs and limited financial resources,” Woodruff said.

 If the plan is given the final green light, Woodruff wants neighbors who live near the rights of way, to voice their vision for the areas.

Woodruff would like to see the access opened, but kept under neighborhood control, he said. Other than signage, he does not expect any blinking neon lights at the access points.

“I don’t see major, huge improvements,” he said. “I see it more as an opportunity for people in town to be aware of.

“Maybe it’s within walking distance, to enjoy the waterfront. Maybe they can use it to launch a kayak or canoe. I don’t see promoting it for tourism, or as a local park.”