Contested rezone set for hearing

SANDPOINT — Rezoning proceedings are resuming for a Coolin boat storage business that drawn opposition from neighboring landowners.

Bonner County commissioners are scheduled to resume consideration of Bruce French’s rezone request on Wednesday, Sept 13. It starts at 1:30 p.m. in the Bonner County Administration Building at the corner of Division Avenue and U.S. Highway 2.

Commissioners began hearing the proposal to change the zoning designation from suburban to rural service center in May, but remanded the proposal so that modifications could be made to a conditional use permit for the business could me incorporated into the project.

The business began operating without a permit last year, prompting objections from neighbors. French seeks to bring the business into compliance with after-the-fact permitting and a zoning adjustment that will allow commercial use of his property.

Neighbors contend the business is incompatible with the neighborhood and a drag on their property values, according to public hearing testimony and written comments on file with the Planning Department. They also accuse county officials of neglecting their rights as landowners and say the permitting process has tilted in the favor of French because the project’s land use planner is a former planning director for the county.

Last month, the Bonner County Planning Commission unanimously approved French’s self-imposed restriction not to use Highland Drive for business access in deference to neighbors’ concerns.

A staff report on the proposed rezone will be posted to the planning department’s website (bonnercounty.us) a week prior to the Sept. 13 hearing.

Keith Kinnaird can be reached by email at kkinnaird@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow him on Twitter @KeithDailyBee.