Rathdrum planning commission recommends annexation of Meyer property despite resident concerns

The Rathdrum Planning & Zoning Commission voted 3–1 on Feb. 10 to recommend that the city council annex roughly 39 acres owned by the Meyer and Thomas families and to apply an R2A zoning designation, subject to conditions requiring traffic and water/sewer studies and compliance with public works, parks and fire district recommendations.

The proposal, presented by Drew Dittman of Lake City Engineering, requests annexation of two parcels totaling about 38.75–39 acres that the applicant says are fully surrounded by city limits. The applicant offered to dedicate land under transmission-line easements and a roughly 3-acre corner to the city as park or open space — a donation Dittman said represents “approximately 55% of the requested area of annexation.”

Supporters included family members who own the property. Jordan Meyer, who said the property has been in…