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Rathdrum planning commission recommends allowing contractor services at Hollis Woods commercial site
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Summary
The Rathdrum Planning & Zoning Commission voted to recommend that the city council approve a text amendment allowing “building development/general contracting services” as an outright permitted use across a 9.5-acre Hollis Woods commercial site, saying the request fits the site’s C‑1 commercial node designation and the city’s comprehensive plan.
The Rathdrum Planning & Zoning Commission on March 17 recommended that the city council approve a text amendment to allow building development and general contracting services as a permitted use at the Hollis Woods commercial node, a roughly 9.5‑acre parcel at Meijer and Wyoming.
The proposal, presented by Drew Dittman of Lake City Engineering, would keep the parcel zoned C‑1 but amend the zoning code so trade and contractor-type businesses (electricians, plumbers, landscapers and similar low-impact contractors) would not need to return for separate conditional-use permits each time a tenant leased space. “We annexed this property…in 2020 and designated it C‑1 commercial,” Dittman said, adding that the applicant seeks a code change — not a map rezoning — to allow contractor services sitewide.
Why it matters: Commissioners and staff said the site sits in a designated commercial node and that allowing contractor uses by code would streamline tenant occupancy while maintaining standards on hours of operation and other city codes. Planning staff described the parcel as consistent with the comprehensive plan’s commercial‑node designation and told commissioners that most proposed uses are already allowed in adjacent zoning districts.
What was argued: Dittman told the commission the development would be a multi‑building commercial park with separate parking, small offices at the front of buildings and storage/warehouse space in the rear; he identified the roll‑up doors typical of contractor shops as the trigger that currently places those uses into a conditional‑use category. Planning staff explained the comprehensive plan allows a commercial node at that intersection, and commissioners asked about access points, number of buildings and a two‑acre dedication for a future fire station that was part of the site’s annexation obligations.
The commission’s action: After public testimony was invited and no speakers appeared, the commission closed the hearing and Chair moved to recommend approval to council, asking that the planning and zoning administrator provide a written report within 60 days with facts and legal reasoning. The motion passed on a roll‑call vote recorded by name as “Aye” for the commissioners present.
Next steps: The commission’s recommendation will be transmitted to the city council along with staff’s 60‑day report and the record from tonight’s hearing. The city council must act separately to adopt or deny the text amendment.
Details and sourcing: Direct quotes and descriptions in this report are taken from the hearing record and presentations by Drew Dittman (Lake City Engineering) and city planning staff (James).
