Planning commission recommends annexation of two city-owned parcels on North Ramsey Road

The Hayden Planning and Zoning Commission recommended that the City Council annex two city-owned parcels on North Ramsey Road and assign them a light-industrial zoning designation, commissioners voted Jan. 5.

Staff presented the request as a city-initiated annexation of property the city purchased after Lakes Highway District relocated. "The properties are currently in the county and were part of an area of city impact approved by the county commissioners," staff said, describing the legal and planning background of the request and noting the parcels are surrounded largely by light-industrial uses.

Why it matters: Annexation would formally bring parcels now in county jurisdiction into the city and assign them zoning intended for warehousing, light manufacturing, assembly and related uses. Staff said the site’s existing buildings and uses are consistent with the light-industrial district and that airport-related height restrictions limit buildings at this location to 45 feet because of its proximity to the runway protection zone.

Agency input and conditions: Staff reported agency notices were sent to about two dozen agencies; Northern Lakes Fire Protection District replied that any future development must meet the district’s requirements, and Coeur D’Alene Airport said an application easement would be required due to the change of ownership. Staff recommended two conditions of approval: that future site or subdivision development comply with Northern Lakes Fire Protection District standards and that plans show how the property will connect to municipal sewer when available and that existing or future buildings be connected.

Public participation: The commission opened the public hearing and invited testimony but no members of the public signed up or spoke. Staff said no written public comments were received for the request.

The vote: A commissioner moved to recommend approval of the annexation (motion text recorded in the hearing as a recommendation for PZE-25-110) with staff-recommended conditions; the motion was seconded and passed by roll call. The commission’s recommendation now goes to the City Council, which will take the final action on annexation and zoning.

Next steps: If the council approves the annexation, the staff conditions require complying with the fire district’s development standards and documenting municipal sewer connections at the time of site or subdivision development.