[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6607428,"mediaKeyId","2952834-848387d7235e54982d80e1b35daa81a8","parentId",2952834,"title","Commissioners direct staff to explore downzoning options as state law changes areas-of-impact rules","audioSeconds",257,"startMs",2204000,"endMs",2461000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2952834-848387d7235e54982d80e1b35daa81a8&start=2204&end=2461","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2952834-848387d7235e54982d80e1b35daa81a8/thumbnail_2204000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6607428/Kootenai-County/Idaho/Commissioners-direct-staff-to-explore-downzoning-options-as-state-law-changes-areas-of-impact-rules","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6607428-72e74d5bd96f300fa5bbe86fd13403ca/orig.mp4?Expires=1771182252&Signature=IIP~ZFqzlx6EQ1JzaCn8rqytdnD0nnETLWWwB8KCu3GOyiyRMFAD~H9hdxsjs6xrp2H12OQ60DTpElFnFypoWAq0V04~SOHb5HVH4H6uld1DauCqxx~aAGvPmz5m21ioTAv1Xifalh6PaIN70Zc4r8D8lg3QtskjxNhMn2c6GpIJIxwXY7SpYIs~h3ZMLAmQjeaW8xHUhCWG1aVmzwpLRdX-wwBz8OfHhw-X1i1MCheheNf12BEZgtsnpmtyoFMl43SB0ZBb3d2KVOFsuxlQFztCX-Rh44JJ3aPoR0sUjDKBOacQCKzy-JDiEOMY9tRjAsKMo7-gibCjGplJJyEgEw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Kootenai County","date","2025-04-10T18:18:32.07Z","article","Kootenai County commissioners on April 10 directed Community Development staff to begin conversations with city staff and property owners about potential zoning approaches in areas of impact after a recent state law change altered how areas of impact are defined.

Director David Callahan explained that the state removed the prior \"city language\" from the areas-of-impact statute, meaning county regulations will guide certain areas that previously relied on city provisions. He noted one practical consequence: some exclusive tiers in existing agreements prohibited subdivisions unless parcels connected to municipal water and sewer. Callahan proposed that, when updating area-of-impact maps, the county consider rezoning some lands to agricultural (AG) designations or AG with minimum-acreage overlays to preserve lower density while allowing redevelopment ties to city services.

Pat (staff) and other participants described options including AG-10 or AG-15 minimum parcel sizes or similar approaches that would reduce potential subdivision density in areas cities might annex. Commissioners emphasized property-owner consent before any downzoning and noted potential negligible tax impacts for owners.

Commissioner Eberline said the board should ensure property owners are treated fairly. Commission consensus favored staff discussing downzoning options with city managers and mayors and returning with proposals; staff said that is the direction they needed.

No formal zoning changes were made at the meeting; the item provided direction to staff to proceed with outreach and planning for the area-of-impact map updates and potential rezoning concepts.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","4/10/2025 Board of County Commissioners: Community Development","oneSentenceSummary","Following a state law change removing \"city\" language from areas of impact, the board directed staff to discuss potential downzoning in future county-city area-of-impact maps and to coordinate proposals with property owners and city leaders.","taxTitle","Kootenai County, Idaho","taxId",3567,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6607431,"County staff to propose modest fee adjustments tied to CPI; board gives direction",125,2029000,2154000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2952834-848387d7235e54982d80e1b35daa81a8&start=2029&end=2154","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2952834-848387d7235e54982d80e1b35daa81a8/thumbnail_2029000.jpg","/articles/6607431/Kootenai-County/Idaho/County-staff-to-propose-modest-fee-adjustments-tied-to-CPI-board-gives-direction","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6607431-bf41e0142a167d9afdcf2df02d2cd56e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771182252&Signature=YiXq8epXXQ1ZgRfuyn2KMwUGL8oJD7fgC0x1RzX1BUihXceghUQXZzZw6cuVGZR~WI6sTW4GEQLSWH2UFJjh07RLHPOSlsqLgsPv~VeokBwqISMrsesFUmAY1MQwvXLVX-nbb29wT229RC2EglPRb1UIBpylhmZXqmt3vaZ~71U2gvlcYhp4aQUQt4pTdIaBuz5oPB72bboO0yvpbyMYE0CCVf0LcywlLbmE5eGesgrxXQuqEqUT-9w9qUGe3XnkTvdwNhOg8HjM3~DYYYxrLkhHgwp24gDnErZreenRQxP0FajPYAIQPeAWWJkS-gAwDqAtYSwT7fKQtZLdQ05aow__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Kootenai County Community Development staff told commissioners April 10 that, after a substantial fee update last year, only a modest increase tied to the consumer price index (CPI) is likely needed for 2025.

Director David Callahan said the department’s costs are largely up to date and recommended a limited CPI-based change in the 2–3 percent range unless the auditor’s office advises otherwise. Christina Garland told the board staff typically introduces fee updates in July or August and that last year’s changes were implemented in August.

Commissioners asked for a simple approach that aligns fees with actual costs rather than creating over- or under-charging. The board directed staff to work with the auditor’s office on estimates and to return proposed fee-resolution language in time for an August implementation if appropriate. Callahan noted that if the CPI exceeds 5 percent a public hearing may be required under county rules.

No formal action or vote was recorded on a fee resolution at the meeting; the item was a staff-direction discussion only.","Community Development staff advised commissioners that after a significant fee update last year only a small, CPI-based adjustment is likely necessary for 2025; the board directed staff to coordinate with the auditor's office and return proposed language for adoption later this summer.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6607436,"Board approves conditional-use permit to expand Kootenai County landfill; staff cite wetland and tribal coordination conditions",748,1269000,2017000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2952834-848387d7235e54982d80e1b35daa81a8&start=1269&end=2017","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2952834-848387d7235e54982d80e1b35daa81a8/thumbnail_1269000.jpg","/articles/6607436/Kootenai-County/Idaho/Board-approves-conditional-use-permit-to-expand-Kootenai-County-landfill-staff-cite-wetland-and-tribal-coordination-conditions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6607436-c0744da4a51a28c1c0a05f7e78a57ea3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771182252&Signature=h3Z3QKMVzSgr3or1QCkjZ8Ar3cnseavPJVPGdEMO4eOcEhGPNNv3o8gfLbov2rVDm9EmjdKaahSsCajBPpY~HYDMwiI3mTGVawXj6E-wjgxWH6RDX68LjYjRVrdmGJkIwDWxfjAaMT28UByVGWjnt9YY3vuXQ12-zPhlOuFUDw8SswmmFEk1pqLAiO9AIrSMl0aUcc47zf7hPxvIdzEPCAJbdsFcs3UI5qYe04mO-Y39TnXvKRmTW-Becw6fJHMC4-nU2~BKqyVCFWDgPURTzVA67Hbn-SF6eUl21arXr33jiGjHQYfWbmTZj8-k38Hrh8ORxvwSe9xk98coHrl34A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Kootenai County commissioners on April 10 voted to approve CUP 240011, a conditional-use permit to expand the county landfill in the southwest quadrant of Kootenai County. The expansion would add approximately 197 acres of new fill area within a 490-acre project boundary and is intended to extend landfill capacity by about 10 years.

Vlad Finkel, presenting for county planning staff, said the project traces to earlier approvals in 1989 (CUP-687-89) and a 1999 modification. He described a site composed of 13 contiguous parcels west of Highway 95, just north of Fighting Creek Road, and told the board the proposed south-cell expansion is largely isolated from neighboring residential development by topography.

Finkel said staff found several wetland areas within the proposed expansion footprint and coordinated with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; the Corps advised there is a permitting and mitigation process to address wetland impacts and that the county is incorporating those requirements into permit conditions. The record also reflects that county consultants concluded the expansion would allow an additional 9.2 million cubic yards of solid-waste storage and postpone capacity constraints by about a decade. Without the expansion, the facility was estimated to reach capacity in roughly 17 years (around February 2042).

The presentation and record include a brief period of late-arriving tribal concerns over cultural resources. Callahan and Finkel told the board there had been prior coordination with the tribe and consultants, but recent staffing and email-delivery problems on the tribal side delayed receipt of some comments; county staff said they had re-established communication with tribal counsel and would continue to work jointly to address any cultural-resource issues.

Finkel said most state and federal reviewers raised no objections beyond the standard mitigation and permitting steps. The hearing examiner recommended approval on March 6, and the staff report carries forward conditions intended both to address new impacts and to preserve several conditions from the earlier permits (conditions 8.11 and 8.12–8.16 in the staff packet) that the hearing examiner said should remain in effect.

Commissioners concluded the conditions could mitigate concerns and voted to approve the permit with conditions. Commissioner Eberline voted aye, Commissioner Duncan voted aye, and Chair Metari voted aye.

Staff noted the approval specifically restricts some parcels from future use as landfill cells (per condition 8.11) while allowing their use for supporting infrastructure such as roads, buildings and stormwater features. The approval also directs the applicant to complete required wetland permitting and any necessary cultural-resource coordination before implementing the expansion.

","The board approved CUP 240011 allowing a lateral expansion of the county landfill that would add about 197 acres of fill area, extend capacity roughly 10 years and provide about 9.2 million cubic yards of additional storage; the decision includes conditions addressing wetlands, cultural resources and previously imposed permit conditions.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6607440,"Kootenai County adopts interim ordinance to regulate marine service businesses on inland lakes",1006,103000,1109000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2952834-848387d7235e54982d80e1b35daa81a8&start=103&end=1109","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2952834-848387d7235e54982d80e1b35daa81a8/thumbnail_103000.jpg","/articles/6607440/Kootenai-County/Idaho/Kootenai-County-adopts-interim-ordinance-to-regulate-marine-service-businesses-on-inland-lakes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6607440-4f9d1af7af5f5a9bf2064819eac49785/orig.mp4?Expires=1771182252&Signature=Kszkt5L8G2m17XuTlJvmh17ka4AjbH86GD6UmzxemGYyubn1GPRKevB6rkjQnjANI6Omk8pmBg5ylq5wExkjY37Mpt-C59SsPyvzDdy-7zJwk3PGFkfIWhl6CHT0fSuS2wJ2LJn364A4RFtExolGbG7eC5xO~PVTQ9T8bv5hOsF~WF8OwvoJd6Yi6lORfdhOY8Km4dzbawckQqKCf0dctFFbxv3o5nkicnApf8jZyR5VoyATGgm-qDoXfYJSx9RKdYcRmBAbAP7xRsis~PcMn3owBz81SZx82Jd5Pr~t-9gPExuvRPctJwyJ-tgmrLQQUQyYKd3iVBzIXOG7dnD71Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Kootenai County commissioners on April 10 approved ORA25-2, an interim ordinance that creates a marine services use in county commercial zones and permits certain marine-related activities within the 25-foot shoreline protection zone.

Director David Callahan, who presented the ordinance, said the change \"fills a gap in our current development code where we have never actually had a marine services section\" and that the interim approach lets staff later refine a permanent rule as part of the comprehensive-plan update. Ben Tarbutton, who joined Callahan for the presentation, told the board staff coordinated with other agencies while drafting performance standards and definitions.

The ordinance adds marine services as an allowed use in commercial zoning, establishes performance standards and a shoreline-management exception for specified activities near Coeur d'Alene Lake and other local lakes. Callahan said the county had previously handled similar activity on a case-by-case basis, which required variances or zone-change processes for properties such as the Wolf Lodge Bay area.

Consultant and longtime local waterfront practitioner John Condon spoke in support during the public hearing. \"I applaud you for taking some action now,\" Condon said, noting he first noticed the inconsistency years earlier when the county undertook work at Carlin Bay.

Commissioners discussed whether the ordinance should allow only for-profit operators or also nonprofit entities—for instance, camps that maintain docks for program use. After discussion, the board directed staff to amend the Section 5 definition to include not-for-profit organizations. Callahan and Tarbutton said the interim ordinance can be revisited within a year and refined in a permanent ordinance if issues arise.

The board voted 3–0 to approve ORA25-2 with the amendment to add not-for-profit in Section 5. Commissioner Eberline voted aye, Commissioner Duncan voted aye, and Chair Metari voted aye.

The interim ordinance also clarifies that existing county improvements to boat launches and similar infrastructure—work the county has at times performed despite an absence of an explicit allowance—will fall under the new code where they meet the performance standards. Staff emphasized that the ordinance is intended to provide clear expectations and reduce the need for variances or ad hoc interpretations moving forward.

The county will publish the amended interim ordinance and monitor its effects; staff said they plan to return within a year to consider any needed permanent-code changes or adjustments.

","The county approved ORA25-2, an interim ordinance creating a defined marine services use in commercial zones and allowing specified activities within a 25-foot shoreline protection area; the board added language to permit not-for-profit operators.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commissioners direct staff to explore downzoning options as state law changes areas-of-impact rules

County staff to propose modest fee adjustments tied to CPI; board gives direction

Board approves conditional-use permit to expand Kootenai County landfill; staff cite wetland and tribal coordination conditions

Kootenai County adopts interim ordinance to regulate marine service businesses on inland lakes