Planning commission recommends C‑17L rezoning to allow daycare expansion near Kootenai Health

The Coeur d'Alene Planning and Zoning Commission voted 5‑0 on April 8 to recommend that the City Council adopt a zone change (ZC 3‑25) converting three contiguous parcels at 417, 421 and 503 W. Emma Ave. from R‑12 to C‑17L so Melrose Properties LLC can expand an existing daycare facility.

The recommendation follows a staff report that found the requested C‑17L district is compatible with the city’s comprehensive plan urban‑neighborhood place type and that city utilities and services are adequate to serve the proposed use. Planning staff noted that city policy requires sidewalk installation when development abuts existing streets: “because it is adjacent, they will be putting in the sidewalk. That’s city policy,” Planning staff member Sean said during the meeting.

The commission’s action matters because the daycare at the site, operated from a converted church, serves Kootenai Health employees and the hospital has submitted a letter supporting the expansion. Applicant representative Chris Meyer, a partner with Parkwood Business Properties, told commissioners the…