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Commissioners approve Wood Family private cemetery permit near Rathdrum
Summary
The board granted a conditional use permit for a proposed private cemetery (CUP24‑0013) on a split‑zoned parcel near Rathdrum, with agencies providing guidance on best practices and water rights considerations.
Kootenai County commissioners on May 8 approved a conditional use permit, CUP24‑0013, allowing the Wood family to use about a quarter acre of a split‑zoned parcel near Rathdrum for a private cemetery. Staff and the hearing examiner concluded the applicant met the required findings for approval.
Planner Justice MacGeorge described the site as split by a section line with the burial area in the agricultural‑suburban zone and the northern portion in the rural zone. The proposal includes up to 20 burial sites over a 30‑year period, MacGeorge said. Access would be gained via an easement from North Highway 53.
Agencies offered limited comments. The Idaho Department of Water Resources noted that any future irrigation could require a water right. The county coroner recommended best practices but is not a regulating agency; those suggested practices were included as conditions of approval, MacGeorge said. Public comment included three submissions: two in support and one neutral.
Commissioners discussed whether the site lies within any city impact area; staff said it is not within the City of Rathdrum area of city impact and that county residential development is the likely long‑term outcome. The motion to approve CUP24‑0013 passed with both commissioners voting aye (Commissioner Duncan — aye; Chair Metairie — aye).
