Code change hearing today

SANDPOINT — Contested changes to Bonner County’s land use code are being taken up by county commissioners today.

The board is hosting a public hearing at 1 p.m. at the Bonner County Administration Building at the corner of U.S. Highway 2 and Division Avenue.

The code changes supplant short platting with a new category called minor land divisions, which apply to divisions that result in four or fewer lots. Another new category called minor subdivisions, which refers to divisions result in five to 10 lots, would also be created.

Subdivisions of up to 10 acres would not be subject to a public hearing, although there would be a 30-day comment period.

Minor divisions can be approved administratively by the Planning Department if the code changes are adopted. The code amendments would also do away with a requirement that platted divisions of land be replatted if the parcel is further divided and exempt from review family divisions which result in four or less lots.

The changes are part of a ongoing effort by county commissioners to ease the regulatory burden on landowners and make land use planning easier to navigate. The code changes bypassed Bonner County Planning & Zoning Commission review or input.

The changes are stirring unease that county commissioners could be creating a buyer-beware situation in Bonner County because of the reduced agency review and neighborhood involvement in development decisions. Critics of the changes contend that minor land divisions would allow for no public input, notification of neighbors and requirements to follow design standards in Bonner County.

There is also concern that minor land divisions would not be subject to percolation tests to ensure lots are suitable for septic systems.

n The proposed code changes can be downloaded from the projects page on the Planning Department’s website (www.bonnercounty.us)