Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Zoning Maps topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commissioners interpret zoning map to correct GIS discrepancy, parcel treated as fully recreation
Summary
The board used authority under Bonner County Revised Code 12-315 to interpret a split-zoned parcel as entirely recreation and directed staff to correct the county's digital zoning map layer after the parcel owner and public pointed to a mapping error.
Bonner County commissioners on March 4 exercised their authority under Bonner County Revised Code 12-315H to interpret the zoning boundary for parcel RP60A (W273750A) as entirely zoned recreation, citing a discrepancy between the original 2008 paper map and the county's digital GIS overlay.
Planning staff told the board the parcel appeared split between recreation and AF-10 on the digital layers, but the 2008 paper zoning map and draft comprehensive-plan map showed the property as recreation. The property owner, Jack Topher, and his project representative, Tyson Glahe, attended online and told the board they cannot proceed with a minor land division (MLD) while the parcel remains split on the digital map. Public commenter Dave Bowman also urged the board to correct what he described as a clerical GIS error that has affected multiple neighborhood parcels.
County staff explained the county adopted the digital zoning map in 2021 as the official zoning map; several mapping discrepancies have since appeared. Staff said the Planning Commission produced a draft zoning map that would eventually correct known errors, but that process could be months away. Commissioners noted they have the authority under BCRC 12-315 to interpret boundaries where discrepancies exist.
The board voted to interpret RP60A as entirely recreation and directed planning staff to correct the digital zoning layer in future map updates.
Why it matters: The interpretation removes a zoning uncertainty that blocked the property owner from processing building-location permits and potential division of the parcel. It also signals the county will proactively correct digital map errors that affect landowners' ability to advance projects.
Follow-up: Planning staff will correct the GIS zoning layer in the county's digital mapping system and incorporate the change into the comprehensive-plan/zoning updates, per the board direction. The property owner may proceed with MLD or permit applications consistent with the interpreted zoning.
