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Commissioners approve conditional zone changes for Elder Road parcels after tribal concerns
Summary
The board approved ZON24-0007 and ZON24-0008 (Elder Road East and West) with conditional zoning development agreements; the Coeur d'Alene Tribe opposed further development inside the reservation boundary citing habitat and subsistence impacts.
Kootenai County commissioners on July 24 approved two conditional zone-change applications—ZON24-0007 (Elder Road East) and ZON24-0008 (Elder Road West)—subject to conditional zoning development agreements. Staff and the applicant reported they had negotiated terms reflected in the board packet, and county attorneys had reviewed the documents.
The Coeur d'Alene Tribe reiterated opposition to development within reservation boundaries during public comment. "The Coeur d'Alene Lake is the lifeblood of the Coeur d'Alene people," said Julianne Harmon, who spoke for the tribe, adding that increased development reduces wildlife habitat and undermines subsistence fishing and hunting. Harmon urged the commissioners to deny the change to protect resources used by tribal members and local residents.
Applicant and staff responses: Applicant representative Ray Kimball said the tribe’s broad statements were not necessarily relevant to the county action and reminded the board that tribal jurisdiction applies to tribal lands, while non‑tribal land remains subject to county governance. "The tribe has full jurisdiction over their own lands within the reservation boundary, and then the land owned by non-tribal members ... is governed by you folks, commissioners," Kimball said.
Staff noted that if the applicant proceeds to building permits later, referrals to agencies, including the tribe, would occur at the permit-review stage and that agencies typically comment then. Commissioner Metari and other commissioners said they had worked with the applicants to reach a solution and that conditions tied to building permits would address outstanding concerns.
Vote: The board voted unanimously to approve ZON24-0007 and ZON24-0008 with conditional zoning development agreements; Commissioners Eberlein, Duncan and Chair Metari voted "aye."
What’s next: Staff said building permits and site-specific reviews (including referrals to the tribe and other agencies) will follow the zone-change approval and that those processes would be the venue for addressing wildlife, habitat and other site-specific mitigation measures.
