Hearing continued on zoning changes

PRIEST RIVER — The city's planning and zoning ordinance is getting a makeover as many of the topics are outdated or obsolete.

"The intent of this is to replace our existing planning and zoning ordinance," said Bryan Quayle, the city's Planning and Zoning administrator, during a May 21 public hearing on the subject.

The public hearing resumed on Monday after being continued last month, and was again continued to the July 16 meeting. The continuation allows Quayle time to work through some of the additional amendments discussed between the mayor and council members on Monday.

During the May 21 meeting, Quayle went over several edits as well, including removal of references to the Planning and Zoning Commission as the city has not had one for "awhile," Quayle said. City Council members would still have the ability to re-establish a commission at any time, he said. He also revised the ordinance to allow planning staff to act as the Historic Commission in the absence of an active committee. 

Among other topics during the first hearing, Quayle also proposed lengthening subdivision approvals to two years with an additional two-year extension, increasing the length of time for planning review and approval to 30 days, and reducing setbacks in mobile home parks from 25 to 10 feet. Another proposed change will clarify that there are no boarding services allowed for veterinary clinics in mixed-use residential, and allowing eating establishments with a coffee shop and deli — as long as they are small shops — within the mixed-use residential zones. This topic continued into Monday's meeting as Quayle added barber shops and beauty salons to the list of approved mixed-use residential.

Funeral homes will be required to be in the commercial or mixed-use commercial zones per the proposed ordinance. The existing funeral home in Priest River is located in a mixed-use commercial zone, Quayle said.

Some changes are proposed under signage as well, as Quayle said the current ordinance does not allow animated signs. As there are already several animated signs at businesses around town already, council agreed animated signs should be allowed. Quayle said the wording can still prohibit flashing and rotating signage, and the city can regulate the illumination and placement of the signs.

The ordinance also requires landscaping around the base of signs, which Quayle said is not always "practical." Mayor Jim Martin suggested it should be something addressed through a building permit.  

In addition, Quayle said the ordinance also prohibits illuminated address plates in residential neighborhoods.

"I'm not sure why, and illuminated addressing is kind of what the fire department would prefer to have," Quayle said.

The next public hearing is scheduled for 5:30 p.m., July 16 at Priest River City Hall, 209 High Street.

Mary Malone can be reached by email at mmalone@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow her on Twitter @MaryDailyBee.