Sandpoint committee urges public to weigh in at Phase 3 downtown open house

Sandpoint Sustainability Committee Chair Christine Moon urged residents to attend a 4 p.m. open house on the downtown Phase 3 revitalization plan and to participate in the accompanying survey, saying the outreach will shape design priorities.

Committee members described design options discussed at a three-hour consultant meeting, including placing a roundabout at a key intersection, narrowing vehicle lanes to widen sidewalks, and adding either separate bike lanes or multi-use paths. "Go to the open house," a committee member said, noting the meeting will include sticker-based prioritization so residents can signal what they want downtown.

Staff explained the standard outreach approach for these projects: in-person open houses, a survey likely posted online and shared via the city's project pages, social media and a newspaper article. One member cautioned that survey pickup locations matter, arguing that selecting sites frequented by out-of-town visitors could skew results.

The group also discussed tree planting and root-management solutions, including engineered tree blocks that create soil volume while supporting sidewalks, and tradeoffs between tree shade and maintenance costs. Street maintenance staff warned that certain European-style paving options such as cobblestones could be damaged by snow-removal equipment, calling for alternatives that balance appearance and long-term maintenance.

The city will host the open house at the community hall and, according to staff, will share the survey link widely and post project pages so the committee and public can review proposals and weigh priorities. The committee encouraged members to take photos and report back if they cannot attend.

The committee did not vote on design options at the meeting; its role is to collect input and forward priorities to council and staff as the public outreach proceeds.