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Rathdrum council adopts update to Title 15 zoning, limits lot-size expansions
Summary
After a public hearing and discussion of lot-size limits and administrative terminology, the Rathdrum City Council adopted an ordinance revising Title 15 (Zoning and Permitted Uses), including a provision limiting subdivided lot size and replacing references to "city planner" with "administrator."
The Rathdrum City Council adopted an ordinance updating Title 15, Zoning and Permitted Uses, following a public hearing and council debate about lot-size limits and code language.
Council held a public hearing on proposed changes to Title 15 and then voted to place the ordinance on first reading and waive second and third readings. During the hearing, a resident asked for clarification about the changes; City Attorney Emily explained the hearing process and that the council was receiving public comment on changes that had been made since the planning and zoning review. Councilmember John Hatcher moved to place the ordinance on first reading by title only and to waive further readings; the motion carried on a roll call vote.
Why it matters: the ordinance restructures the city's zoning table and clarifies administrative language used throughout Title 15. Councilmembers discussed a new limit that would cap individual lot size at 200 percent of the zoning designation's maximum when property is being subdivided. James, a community development staff member, told the council the limit is intended to keep newly subdivided lots consistent with the intended character of each zoning designation: "So we're basically trying to limit lot sizes, to the to 200% of what is allowed in that zoning designation to try and ensure that, the lots are conforming with what that designation is and what we've planned for it to be." He also clarified that land already annexed but not subdivided could be purchased as a single large parcel and left un-subdivided; the subdivision standards apply at the subdivision stage.
Public participation: one resident, Mr. Weideman, spoke during the neutral comment portion asking for more information about what the changes mean for the public. Emily directed the resident to City Hall staff for follow-up and emphasized that the public hearing is for comment rather than a question-and-answer session.
Council action and next steps: After public comment and staff responses the council voted to adopt the ordinance amending Title 15 and to approve summary publication of the ordinance. The ordinance also replaced several references to "city planner" with the term "administrator" in the code language as directed by council.
The ordinance will be incorporated into the city code and the updated zoning table will be posted on the city website in the format used for codified tables. Staff said the online presentation of the zoning table may display differently than the packet PDF and that they would work to ensure readability online.
Clarifying details and limits: the ordinance text adopted sets the 200 percent cap on maximum subdivided lot size; it does not prevent a landowner from purchasing multiple parcels and later conjoining them outside the subdivision process. The ordinance also does not rezone parcels or make site-specific approvals; it changes the city's general zoning code and procedure.
Votes at a glance: council voted in favor on the ordinance's first reading and later voted to adopt the ordinance and to publish the summary; recorded roll-call votes in the meeting show the motions passed with a majority of present councilmembers.
