[{"_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",6466442,"mediaKeyId","5824030-9ab854ccda91a7efcde2554ee5317a34","parentId",5824030,"title","Votes at a glance: Rathdrum council approves appointments, code updates, plats and agreements","audioSeconds",4586,"startMs",59000,"endMs",4645000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5824030-9ab854ccda91a7efcde2554ee5317a34&start=59&end=4645","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5824030-9ab854ccda91a7efcde2554ee5317a34/thumbnail_59000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6466442/Rathdrum/Kootenai-County/Idaho/Votes-at-a-glance-Rathdrum-council-approves-appointments-code-updates-plats-and-agreements","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6466442-14a56bbfa760726a52e6d2b2563a7952/orig.mp4?Expires=1771021124&Signature=isyz3V1e4KneWbDgSJjLSh7Y99LoRRgg6-lWKnUqK3LYVHL8W0he5WAeu5eBdGfGDSxDG1p355BXyva4o-HmYMntbevw9-41YM3SSKvFAbkYHQ2yv9FAr0iRYvdTPyhzkteLJR8UG5j-0jzfxrzlUgWmgQ4pQpQBQVkn2CjzsjwnmhT0dFDBpads~DUNM5jrUMUGCaKc9W3xEks~btWiru3ouGJzIhzNRKFO3OKulN-oq32-VQ78LZ6214hJXEBbR0QM19wf1AG4Ggc7CpC9Io6NnJpL6AqmPA-6QHltKkVMWWI2P-iArirSzCxPIG5jTUO9R2MfPxGvHDZscDOmqw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Rathdrum","date","2025-09-25T02:17:43.687Z","article","The Rathdrum City Council took a series of votes on appointments, land-use items, code updates, contracts and intergovernmental agreements during the meeting. Below are the actions the council took and their outcomes as recorded on the meeting agenda and in the transcript.

- Consent calendar: Council approved the consent calendar with the exception that item 5(c), acceptance of public infrastructure for Settlement Mountain, was tabled until later (no separate motion to table was required per the clerk).

- Police chief appointment: Council approved removal of the current appointment of Tommy McLean and the appointment of Daniel Haley as police chief (motion made and seconded; motion passed).

- Commissions appointments: Council approved the appointment of Katie Lomiller (Parks & Recreation Commission) and approved the appointments of Greg Metzger and Chris Close to the Planning & Zoning Commission.

- Northwest Solutions (Lewis Street): Council approved the zoning map amendment (C‑1 to R‑2A) and granted variances for lot size and driveway length after a public hearing with no speakers in opposition.

- Meyer Meadows First Edition preliminary long plat: Council approved the preliminary plat, which triggers required construction of Radcliffe Road and associated utilities as a condition of the annexation and final-plat process.

- City code update (Ordinance): Council placed Titles 2, 3, 5, 7 and 8 on first reading, waived second and third readings, adopted the ordinance amending those titles and approved publication of the code by summary.

- City Hall campus change order: Council authorized the mayor to execute a change order with Walker Construction to add park items (funded from parks impact fees rather than City Hall project funds).

- Lions Club annexation-agreement amendment: Council approved an amendment clarifying that beautification of the Chinese cemetery and similar improvements do not constitute development that would forfeit RV parking, allowing the Lions Club to proceed with planned site improvements.

- Audit engagement: Council authorized the mayor to execute an engagement letter with Hayden Ross for the fiscal-year 2025 audit.

- Student Resource Officer (SRO) agreement: Council authorized the mayor to execute an amended SRO agreement with Lakeland School District reflecting a fixed dollar amount consistent with the city’s adopted budget.

For most items the council motioned, seconded and approved the action during roll-call votes recorded in the transcript. Where the transcript included individual roll-call confirmations, no recorded opposition was noted for these items. The transcript did not provide detailed vote tallies for every item; the meeting record indicates each listed motion passed.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","September 24, 2025 - City Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The Rathdrum City Council approved a series of appointments, land-use actions, code amendments and contract authorizations at its meeting.","taxTitle","Rathdrum, Kootenai County, Idaho","taxId",55014,"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},6466447,"Council approves Meyer Meadows preliminary plat; road, water and fire-flow obligations discussed",741,3005000,3746000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5824030-9ab854ccda91a7efcde2554ee5317a34&start=3005&end=3746","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5824030-9ab854ccda91a7efcde2554ee5317a34/thumbnail_3005000.jpg","/articles/6466447/Rathdrum/Kootenai-County/Idaho/Council-approves-Meyer-Meadows-preliminary-plat-road-water-and-fire-flow-obligations-discussed","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6466447-78c71149448608216d9eb6ac981a222b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771021124&Signature=T76uAIg7e2Mop6~dS1IDD9NzlV3frTcXP8L~R5qvDJOjBias53yvhfJd0HjmP9aU8zRalPPSk5SEFhbujZrkzilx5eOh19CyKRXESN1Qiw~SiNiRT3POalMNQ-yNKWQ0~rje94xgZRXdfGRtcwFwepu0GojlcUZI8O98mhZL8PYNBEoTzf3q8E4piFjbvHmX6EViOtim03Tr31tDHuY0DK0tTzsW-sgZh9XIHnh7d4TT6G1vRVF9JWyQt0viN~kJcryOgA3wlWFL3K18q~fDVUKd5k6YcdlF8mtHgHevz0-F2g2RMSvtNNy3UgAFJRz-QIclbXlsCR869ywIB9eung__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Rathdrum City Council approved the preliminary long plat for Meyer Meadows First Edition, advancing subdivision plans that will create residential lots and require construction of Radcliffe Road and associated utilities.

City planning staff said the annexation and associated zoning designations created conditions requiring the developer to construct Radcliffe Road between the north property line and Lancaster. Staff told the council that a preliminary-plat approval is a prerequisite for starting road-and-utility construction. The council discussed that the city hall site and the subdivision both touch the same improvement schedule; an annexation agreement allows the city to build the road and be reimbursed if the developer cannot build it on the developer’s preferred schedule.

Council members raised water-supply and fire-flow concerns tied to the planned lots. One councilmember noted public complaints about low water pressure and asked how the subdivision addresses code section 12.3.1.7(b) (adequate water) and fire‑protection provisions. City staff said the city has budgeted a water-line project to extend from Highway 41 to the Meyer area to access a larger well and that impact-fee funds are available. Staff said hydrants were flow-tested recently and that the city meets the state’s minimum fire-flow requirements.

Staff also described the subdivision’s zoning: parcels along Lancaster are C‑1 commercial while the residential portion is a mix of R‑2S (with an 8,500‑square‑foot minimum) and R‑1 (10,000‑square‑foot minimum). Staff said all lots in the proposed plat meet the applicable minimum sizes; they confirmed available water and sewage disposal per the city engineer’s review. The council noted that the developer must construct infrastructure first and that the city holds one‑year warranties on accepted improvements.

Council members and staff discussed who pays first if the developer cannot proceed: under the annexation agreement, the city would construct and be reimbursed, but staff warned that public bidding and city costs can make that route more expensive for the developer.

After discussion the council moved, seconded and approved the preliminary plat. Staff said that if the final construction deviates from the approved preliminary plat, the developer must return for additional hearings and approvals.","Council approved the Meyer Meadows First Edition preliminary plat, triggering infrastructure requirements for Radcliffe Road and renewed questions about water pressure and fire protection; staff said developers must install infrastructure and that a budgeted water line will improve supply.",{"_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},6466450,"Council approves rezoning, variances for Lewis Street lot to allow residential use",1364,1471000,2835000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5824030-9ab854ccda91a7efcde2554ee5317a34&start=1471&end=2835","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5824030-9ab854ccda91a7efcde2554ee5317a34/thumbnail_1471000.jpg","/articles/6466450/Rathdrum/Kootenai-County/Idaho/Council-approves-rezoning-variances-for-Lewis-Street-lot-to-allow-residential-use","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6466450-eea3c5f333de87caf2c4a4a250e5c023/orig.mp4?Expires=1771021124&Signature=ZlQYOM4zoA3L7ntfKYQT~rmUhCA0SU80PhCCiGb9Vr-GFvqk029FI95RlT8yefBXVOoBa~ItzNToE7sDEKO0gdJhvLh-IR8ofoBKs2jLo~whV8BkKlJzJsXkbPD2G66Y5FCQTipj4Uq4zu38uU2RBR3W6IrOyTZh6mTekOkRgI1NdW7DjRJJAGvPWn9hXQKTueUS10QOfxt8czRfEVg6CVBoDWNMbiuwuHGiSz7ItG8GzlTTjDsA1PRdtOfPxeBboDbM-fmHdRJVozgme27qtYiJsF3mcheXkX6kf5hNSXkNy4VTicW-ljp4~4xooVWWvlAYALY8ISYXmuwIQP1MxA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Rathdrum City Council voted to approve a rezoning and two variances for a small parcel on Lewis Street, allowing conversion of an existing small commercial building to residential use.

The council approved a zoning map amendment to change the parcel — represented at the meeting by Connie Krueger of Northwest Solutions and owned by Brandy Ross — from C‑1 commercial to R‑2A residential. The council also approved variances for the lot size (the parcel is about 5,044–5,200 square feet; the R‑2A minimum is 8,500 square feet) and for driveway length (applicant requested 20 feet where code requires 25 feet).

Connie Krueger told the council the building on the property has a green roof and is surrounded by established residences; staff recommended the residential rezoning after explaining commercial buffering requirements made a commercial redevelopment impractical. Krueger said the owner’s plan is to keep the existing structure and add a garage. City staff said the structure meets residential building standards under the IRC but is not currently connected to city water and sewer.

City staff presented a brief legal and property history: the parcel was noted in council records as part of the city since an 1891 ordinance; a 1982 ordinance rezoned the area to R‑2; a Quonset hut permit dates to 08/04/1995 and the parcel was split by quitclaim deed on 08/12/1997; the parcel was rezoned to C‑1 in 2004. Staff also noted that a prior attempt to validate the lot by declaring it a legal lot in 2020 could not be located in recorded documents, leaving the parcel nonconforming until the council action clarified zoning and granted the variances.

During the public hearing, no one spoke in favor, neutral or opposed. Staff said the request is intended to return the parcel to a residential character consistent with surrounding lots, and that the requested relief is appropriate because the lot and structure predate current code requirements. The council approved the rezone and the variances after motion and second; the public hearing and roll call produced no recorded opposition.

The owner intends to maintain the existing building and add a garage; because the building is not yet hooked to water and sewer it cannot be occupied until required utilities and building permits are completed and accepted.","The council approved a map amendment to rezone a small Lewis Street parcel from C‑1 commercial to R‑2A residential and granted variances for lot size and a shortened driveway after a staff presentation and no public opposition.",{"_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},6466454,"Rathdrum residents press council on low water pressure and call for independent study",3412,148000,3560000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5824030-9ab854ccda91a7efcde2554ee5317a34&start=148&end=3560","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5824030-9ab854ccda91a7efcde2554ee5317a34/thumbnail_148000.jpg","/articles/6466454/Rathdrum/Kootenai-County/Idaho/Rathdrum-residents-press-council-on-low-water-pressure-and-call-for-independent-study","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6466454-11c563a97a4ee32b93dc6585014b7614/orig.mp4?Expires=1771021124&Signature=Bjkl1w00ZI8tF4sUp7VJDP2mNczQ8CgmsSmrs5AzWUAsgZjDXUADwjh6nRns0vpVz5wbcbtPc2uniITMlA6avqkkn6O8rynCZ8UJQkJONZVcNA6b0qOSdWGncWLmT6PV6Y~DhAJ0XPGBtTRpxv08Val8F2AKnOpZnAvm9gGpWnjmUPUe-ZFvzjFLrw0VEb0MRuLMIRS5usABC2jbiPSL9ZDcxbwIU1UOii6yRbu5ssRXPU5pHzCb0cYqXPdjWJw5TQh5tpYlfyCTNb1Dv9oprcsBmjdxV71lmtOpJLjSfLwMkTuk79yf0mBvxeUSZHBy5sbPNF-rbqjZJoIP3gWuQg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several residents used the council’s public-comment period to say Rathdrum’s water pressure problems are persistent and to urge independent study and community oversight.

“The water pressure is unacceptable,” said resident Stacy O’Connell, who identified her address as 20908 North Highway 41 and said she had been placed on watering restrictions. She cited testimony at earlier meetings and a hydrology report showing aquifer declines, saying the city should commission a study “by somebody who has no interest whatsoever in the happenings in Rathdrum.”

Another resident, Laura Fuller, recounted recent wildfire-driven failures of hydrants she observed in California and argued the city should heed warning signs now. “This was an extreme example of what happens when leaders fail to anticipate the warning signs that preceded tragedy,” Fuller said, urging a “community fact finding study specifically about water pressure.”

Brookshire Homeowners Association vice president Rick Pine told the council he had seen a water truck pulling water from a Brookshire hydrant and asked, “Is that legal?” Pine said a recent article and area studies show drops in local water levels and warned that building without addressing supply and pressure could leave hydrants unable to protect homes.

City staff responded later in the meeting during the Meyer Meadows subdivision discussion. A city staff member told the council that a water-line project connecting Highway 41 to the Meyer area is budgeted for the coming fiscal year and said impact-fee reserves will fund it. The staff member said hydrants are tested to state requirements and that “we do meet that” minimum. The same speaker noted developers must install required infrastructure and that the city holds one-year warranties on public improvements accepted after construction.

Speakers and residents asked how hydrant testing and low-pressure periods overlap; staff said the fire district establishes minimum flow requirements and that the city conducts mandated tests (the transcript records recent hydrant flow testing). The staff member also said the city’s water master plan work will inform longer-term actions.

No formal council action or ordinance was taken on water policy at the meeting. Several residents asked the council to form a community committee or commission outside routine staff reviews; that specific committee proposal was not adopted or referred during the session.

The council did discuss water infrastructure obligations tied to subdivision approvals elsewhere on the agenda and confirmed developers must complete required water and sewer improvements before building permits are issued. The council’s budget and capital-improvement planning were identified as the near-term vehicle to pay for the Highway 41–to–Meyer water line project.","Residents described recurring low water pressure and falling aquifer levels, urged an independent study and community oversight; city staff said budgeted projects and hydrant testing address some concerns but no new council action was taken.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Rathdrum council approves appointments, code updates, plats and agreements

Council approves Meyer Meadows preliminary plat; road, water and fire-flow obligations discussed

Council approves rezoning, variances for Lewis Street lot to allow residential use

Rathdrum residents press council on low water pressure and call for independent study