City Council revises comprehensive plan to enhance commercial and residential development

The Rathdrum Planning and Zoning Meeting held on June 18, 2025, focused on significant updates to the city’s comprehensive plan and future land use map. The meeting aimed to address land use designations and zoning regulations to better accommodate growth and development in the area.

The first major topic discussed was the removal of the rural residential and agricultural transition designation from the comprehensive plan. A representative expressed concerns that this designation lacked substance, merely indicating that development could occur without providing a clear plan. As a result, it was decided to eliminate this designation entirely from the future land use map.

Next, the discussion shifted to expanding commercial uses along major arterials, including Bagel, Nagel, Lancaster, Wyoming, and Meijer 41. The proposal aims to create a grid of commercial development rather than relying on random nodes at intersections. This approach is intended to encourage more commercial growth along these key routes.

The meeting also addressed updates to various land use designations, including general commercial, downtown commercial, highway commercial, and mixed-use areas. The updates involve removing density references and adjusting enabling zones to reflect recent changes.

Additionally, the light industrial and general industrial designations were combined into a single industrial designation. This change aims to streamline zoning regulations while ensuring that heavy industrial zones remain separated from residential areas.

The representatives reviewed the existing future land use map, highlighting the need for clarity in designations. The proposed map simplifies the layout, with low-density residential areas surrounding the city and medium-density residential zones closer to urban centers. The discussion emphasized the importance of maintaining appropriate zoning to support future growth while allowing for flexibility in land use requests.

The meeting concluded with a reminder that any changes to the future land use map would require a comprehensive plan amendment. This process ensures that any new zoning requests align with the city’s overall planning goals.

Overall, the Rathdrum Planning and Zoning Meeting underscored the city’s commitment to thoughtful development and strategic land use planning, setting the stage for future growth while addressing community concerns.