New commissions tackle hot issues
SANDPOINT — Bonner County is looking to the future — especially when it comes to growth, land use, and development.
Seven new volunteer positions have been added to the county since the dissolving of the Bonner County Planning & Zoning Commission on Jan. 10.
In its place are two new commissions — the Planning Commission, and the Zoning Commission. Each commission handles matters that have been growing topics of contention in recent years in the county.
At their first meetings held this week, both commissions elected their respective chair, and vice-chair positions, in addition to adopting meeting procedures. Deputy Prosecutor Bill Wilson gave a presentation to both commissions about Idaho’s Open Meeting Law, and were informed about what qualifies as a conflict of interest.
Though some may see the change as an unneeded expansion of bureaucracy, Planning Director Milton Ollerton said the expansion will help the county handle the growing requests.
“The challenge is, last year the Planning and Zoning Commission has been so tied up in hearing land use files that they have not had the time to work on these sub area plans and integrate them into the comprehensive plan,” Ollerton said in January. “This would give the county an opportunity to further this work more urgently and address the growth.”
The Planning Commission focuses on matters of planning and growth. Applications regarding the comprehensive plan, areas of city impact, and county requested zone changes go before the seven-member commision, which typically meets on Tuesdays. The Planning Commission has the added task of making recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners on potential amendments to the comprehensive plan.
Planning Commission appointees are Dave Frankenbach, the only appointee from District 1; Allan Songstead, Don Davis, and Debby Trinen from District 2; and Josh Piltch, and Brian Bailey from District 3. Wayne Brenner, who also lives in District 3, was recommended as the commission’s at-large appointee. Bailey was elected as chairman, and Frankenbach as vice-chairman.
The Zoning Commission focuses on matters of land use and development. Applications regarding subdivisions, variances, land owner zone permit requests, conditional use permits, and special use permits go before the five-member commission, which typically meets on Thursdays.
Zoning Commission appointees are Frank Wakeley and Matt Linscott for District 1, and Luke Webster and Jacob Marble for District 3. The District 2 appointee has since resigned, the county is still searching for someone to fill the position. Marble was elected as chairman, and Linscott as vice-chairmen.
Those who live in District 2 and are looking for an opportunity to make a lasting impact on the community can do so by volunteering for the vacant Zoning Commission seat. Letters of interest can be submitted to the Planning Department via email at Planning@BonnerCountyID.gov, or by traditional mail at 1500 U.S. 2.
“These guys are working too hard for a volunteer-status type of job,” said Commissioner Jeff Connolly of the prior Planning & Zoning Commission in January. “I see this as a positive move for Bonner County and a way to get the comp plan done in a more timely fashion.
The meetings can be viewed on the Bonner County Planning YouTube channel, where a list of other meetings can also be found.
