Council approves easement swap to shift pedestrian promenade into Atlas Waterfront Park

The Coeur d'Alene City Council on a recorded vote approved a substitute grant of easement to preserve fire and stormwater access for Atlas Waterfront Area 13 and authorized a new parks easement that moves the pedestrian promenade and related public amenities into Atlas Waterfront Park.

Council President Dan English said the decision responds to changes in the developer’s access plan and aims to separate vehicle access from public pedestrian use. The developer, Chase Mixes (represented by Dean Pape), agreed to pay for the park-side improvements; city parks staff will assume long-term maintenance.

City staff told the council the change replaces a perpetual easement recorded in December 2023 that had included a pedestrian promenade on Area 13. Hillary (staff) described the substitute easement as preserving “fire access and stormwater utility” but removing the public-access component from Area 13 and attaching a construction easement and concept plan to the new parks easement.

Bill Greenwood, Parks and Recreation Director, said the developer will install native-style landscaping, bench seating, a shade structure and low-level path lighting, and will cap irrigation lines where needed so the park remains green. Dean Pape, a managing partner for the developer, said the access alignment will soften the transition between private development and the park and will include space intended for active restaurant/retail uses facing the park.

Hillary told the council there will be no new or increased cost to the city for construction; the developer pays for all improvements and the city will maintain them after completion. The staff performance analysis concluded the revised plan supports Atlas development standards (no surface parking, active ground-floor uses) while delivering the promenade and park amenities.

The council approved Resolution 25-049 by roll call (Miller: yes; Gookin: yes; Wood: yes; Evans: yes).