Sandpoint planning panel approves two mixed-use buildings on Church Street amid parking and alley concerns

The Sandpoint Planning and Zoning Commission on May 20 approved site-plan review permits for two mixed-use developments proposed at 413 and 417 Church Street, concluding a public hearing that drew nearly 20 speakers and almost 100 written comments largely focused on parking and alley access.

City Planner Bill Dean told the commission that staff had reviewed two separate applications submitted by Oz Development and found them ‘‘code compliant,’’ and that the city had elevated the review from an administrative decision to a public hearing because of public interest. He said the two properties were reviewed together for clarity and consistency with Sandpoint’s land-use standards and comprehensive plan.

The commission’s action authorizes the two buildings to move forward with conditions. The approval, moved by Commissioner Wayne Benner and seconded by Commissioner Grant Simmons, included two modifications the commission requested: revise condition No. 9 to allow the city engineer discretion to require resurfacing of the alley where construction affects it, and a requirement that an on-street or on-site loading zone be designated and usable year-round to serve the residential and ground-floor commercial tenants. The motion passed 5–2 (yes: Simmons, Dunkel, Torpey, Benner, Mitchell; no: Weber, Reimar).

Why it matters: The project would add dozens of small studio and one-bedroom units in Sandpoint’s downtown commercial district and is pitched by the developer as workforce-oriented housing near shops, services and transit. Opponents warned the development would increase demand for already constrained parking, strain alleys used for deliveries and waste pickup, and add pressure to aging sewer and utilities.

What the staff and applicant said Bill Dean, city planner, summarized staff findings: ‘‘We have a code-compliant project’’ and explained the downtown zoning includes an exemption from off-street parking requirements intended to encourage compact, walkable development. He also said the project proposes roughly 2,700 square feet of ground-floor commercial space across…