Coeur d'Alene council approves map change for Cortera site; residents press traffic, road access concerns

The Coeur d'Alene City Council on Oct. 21 approved an amendment to Exhibit E of the Cortera annexation and development agreement that replaces a planned "cluster triplex" building type on roughly 20–23 acres with a mix of active-adult (age‑restricted) senior housing and three‑story walk‑up multifamily buildings.

The amendment does not change the development's overall density cap: the developer has committed to a maximum of 2,800 equivalent residential units (ERUs) across the full, 438‑acre Cortera project, and the underlying zoning remains R‑17 (17 units per gross acre), city planning staff said. "It does not," Sean, community planning staff, said when asked whether the change increases unit density in the amended area.

City staff told the council the request is a site‑specific change to the conceptual master plan (Exhibit E) and would provide the developer flexibility in building types while keeping the same density and the other terms of the development agreement in force. The staff report lists public‑safety, utility and departmental reviews and recommended that council may approve, approve with modifications or deny the amendment.

Melissa Wells, president of Kootenai County Land Company LLC, and developer partners told council the amendment is a limited, site‑specific change that reflects market demand and would not increase project density. John Fisher of the…