Base decisions on the rules not arbitrary reasons

Closely watching the Tillberg rezone request to MUR of 8-plus acres, certain to help tackle our city’s housing issues, P&Z held a hearing on March 5 regarding the rezone.

All parties affected were advised of the chance to comment. The city attorney stated there was no grounds for denial. P&Z voted 3-2 to approve the request as it met all rules, codes and laws. I understand there are three other properties within the airport overlay zone (closer to the airport) already zoned MUR.

On March 20, the City Council voted unanimous approval of the rezone application. On Apri 4, Sandpoint Mayor Shelby Rognstad sent a memo to council members advising his intent to veto the rezone citing P&Z’s split vote. I can’t help to doubt if he now will veto any that aren’t unanimous? It seems that after the fact, someone got the mayor’s ear and swayed him to veto the rezone.

These landowners jumped through all the hoops. How could such arbitrary actions happen now? Makes no difference if rules are followed if someone of influence can persuade the mayor to overturn a council’s approval.

Is this how local government works? I see marked parallels to the legislators in Boise who ignored the majority vote of Idaho and instead did what they wanted. Is this Idaho government now, folks, and we need to just accept it? Even if you follow the rules they have written, if they decide they don’t like it, they’ll just do what they want? I want to believe this is not true and hope council members will stand up for what’s right and convey to the mayor that Sandpoint government doesn’t work that way.

TARI PARDINI

Sandpoint