Sandpoint staff previews draft commercial zoning and new historic‑preservation code, targets summer hearing

The Sandpoint Planning and Zoning Commission on June 2 heard a detailed staff walkthrough of draft commercial zoning regulations and a proposed historic‑preservation code, with staff proposing a public hearing as soon as the commission’s second July meeting or in early August.

Deputy Director of Community Planning and Development Bill Dean led the presentation, showing commissioners a multi‑tab binder that staff will distribute in full digitally and as printed binders. Dean said the materials include a crosswalk table that compares the existing code with the proposed organization and a large-format zoning map that labels 17 areas and depicts downtown core, outer core, community commercial and neighborhood commercial districts. “This really is the snapshot — the picture of what we’ve been working on together for a while,” Dean said, explaining the binders are intended as an education tool for commissioners and the public.

The proposed project is organized in three phases: phase one focuses on commercial zoning and the historic‑preservation chapter; phase two will address zoning administration; and phase three will tackle remaining topics such as the sign ordinance. Dean said staff hope to take the phase‑one package to a public hearing in late July (the second commission meeting in July was mentioned as a first reasonable opportunity), but acknowledged the schedule could slip to Aug. 4 or Aug. 18 depending on other agenda items and staff capacity.

Dean warned that the staff team is leaner than before: assistant planner Katie Keaney recently left, leaving Dean, a planner named Eric Brewbaker and staffer Jason to process applications and support the hearing. That staffing change, Dean said, could affect how quickly staff can finalize materials and respond to questions from property owners.

The draft package includes a consolidated chapter of general provisions (a redline of chapter one) that places allowable land uses into a single table, the draft commercial zoning chapter with new development standards, and a brand‑new historic‑preservation chapter. The preservation chapter would establish a zoning overlay for part of the downtown core, create a certificate‑of‑appropriateness permit and set out a procedurally detailed review path; Dean said it is intended to implement elements of the city’s 2018 arts, culture and historic‑preservation master plan and ties into federal and Idaho statutory frameworks.

Commissioners and staff discussed outreach tactics: Dean said the binders will be posted as a page‑turnable document online, hard copies will be available at City Hall, and staff will send statutory hearing notices to affected property owners — likely thousands of notices because many parcels are being reclassified on the draft map. Staff and commissioners also referenced targeted outreach, including meetings with architects, downtown merchants and neighborhood groups, and a tab that compiles timestamped past comments linked to video so staff can log and respond to public input.

On process, Dean described the hearing workflow: staff will accept and log written and oral comments, provide written responses, and the commission will deliberate and make a recommendation to City Council. If council makes substantial changes, it could remand the proposal back to the commission for additional work. Dean emphasized commissioners may open a public hearing and continue it to a later date without re‑noticing, if needed.

Several commissioners asked for one‑on‑one briefings and additional printed materials — one commissioner requested two maps for wall display and mark‑ups — and Dean offered to meet with commissioners at their convenience. The commission approved the consent calendar at the meeting start (Commissioner Benner moved; Commissioner Simmons seconded; the motion passed by voice vote).

Next steps: staff will finalize and distribute complete binders (digital and hard copy), post materials online, schedule one‑on‑one briefings with commissioners, and prepare notices for the public hearing if the commission chooses to set a date. Dean said he expects to be available to meet with commissioners and property owners in the weeks before the hearing.

The commission adjourned at about 6:30 p.m.