Boundary County Planning & Zoning Commission
MINUTES
February 18, 2004
Members present: Jane Kirby, Mary Ann Luedtke, Tom Hollingsworth, Doug Reoch, Toby Schnuerle, Rod Barcklay. Members absent: Jim Paulus. Staff present: Mike Weland.
1. Luedtke called the meeting to order at 5:35 p.m. and called for reading of the January minutes. Kirby moved to waive reading and to approve the minutes as presented. Reoch seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
2. Luedtke opened public hearing on SUP 04-01 and read the hearing procedure. Alan Millar, Sandpoint, support services for CEDU Schools, stated that the proposed gym was an improvement to the existing facility and that the structure will replace an existing 5,000 square-foot, two story building used primarily as a dormitory. Schnuerle asked if the gym would be for school use or if it would be a method to bring in competing teams, Millar stated that the facility wouldn’t increase activity beyond current levels. He stated that there would be no bleachers. There was no staff report. Luedtke called for comment from those opposed, there was none. She called for comment from those in favor, there was none. She called for comment from those neither in favor of or against; Ken Irons, who owns property adjacent to the site to the north, stated that he has had problems in the past with students throwing rocks at his cattle and filling his field with rocks. Millar stated that he wasn’t aware of this, and promised that the matter would be dealt with. There being no further public comment, Luedtke closed the hearing to public comment and called for discussion among members. Barcklay made motion to forward to county commissioners a recommendation of approval as presented. Schnuerle seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
3. Luedtke opened public hearing on SUP 04-02. Millar stated that the application was similar to that proposed for Rocky Mountain Academny, and said the structure would be built on level ground to the east of the main lodge on the Northwest Academy campus. He stated that this proposal, too, was designed to improve existing facilities and would not increase the number of students. Lori Rist, County Road 21, stated that the highest number of students ever enrolled at the facility was 85, she stated that the facility was currently licensed for 80 and that the proposed gym would not increase that number. Weland gave the staff report, updating members on the status of access and stating that a meeting was scheduled between county commissioners and CEDU staff March 8 to discuss progress made on the road issue. Luedtke called for comment in favor of the proposal, there was none. She called for comment from those uncommitted, there was none. She called for comment from those opposed, Jerry Mortensen, Twin Rivers Canyon Resort, stated that he recently purchased 700 acres adjoining the NWA property and that the acreage was encumbered by access easements to address the road issue. He stated that while the easements are defined by deed, there is nothing to indicate their placement on the ground. He said that students come onto the parcel during fire drills and stated that he was concerned about potential liability. He stated that he supported the school and the proposal, but wanted to ensure that the road issue was addressed as defined in an agreement entered into with the former property owner. Reoch asked if the placement of the gym would impede or delay construction of the road, Mortensen stated it would not, that he just didn’t want the road issue swept under the rug. Millar stated that the final easement had been purchased and discussion has been held on widening County Road 12, but said they are still evaluating routes. He stated that under an agreement with the former owner, permission had been granted to use the property during their annual fire drills provided the owner was notified by telephone prior to the drill; he stated that alternate arrangements would be looked at. He stated that he was aware that the road issue needed to be resolved, but said the issue was not germane to construction of the proposed gym. He said the installation of a road entailed a significant investment, with estimates so far of about $1.3-million. He stated that contractual obligations with Mortensen had been fulfilled. There being no further comment, Luedtke closed the hearing to public testimony and called for discussion among members. Kirby stated she thought the road had been built and agreed the issue needed to be resolved. Barklay stated that the road issue was being addressed by county commissioners. Following discussion, Kirby made motion to forward to county commissioners a recommendation that application SUP 04-02 be approved as presented. Barcklay seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
4. Luedtke called for consideration of the resignation of member Marc Paulson. Kirby made motion to accept the resignation with regrets and that he be sent a letter of thanks for his service. Reoch seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
5. Luedtke called for consideration and discussion on letters of interest submitted to fill two vacancies on the Planning and Zoning Commission. Following discussion, it was agreed to submit recommendations of three applicants to the Board of County Commissioners and each applicant was discussed in turn. The three recommendations from the Planning and Zoning Commission were John Kellogg, Barry Davis and Jake Negley.
6. There being no further business before the Planning and Zoning Commission, Reoch made motion to adjourn and Barcklay seconded. The motion carried unanimously and the meeting adjourned at 6:40 p.m.