Nearly 2,000 Respond to Kootenai County survey; residents prioritize preserving open space and trails

Aaron, the presenter for the county's comprehensive-plan update, told the planning commission that the county received nearly 2,000 survey responses and that most respondents were in-county property owners and older adults without children. "We did pretty good. Almost 2,000 respondents," Aaron said, noting many partial responses nonetheless provided usable data.

Aaron highlighted transportation pressures and loss of open space or farmland as top concerns raised by respondents and said support was strong for using planning tools—including infrastructure standards and zoning—to manage growth. "There seems to be among those who responded a willingness to get ahead in planning documents to make sure that growth is managed appropriately," he said. He also emphasized substantial support for trails and multi-use pathways and previewed printed maps staff will distribute at engagement events in Worley and Harrison.

Commissioners and staff discussed the survey's demographic skew. One commissioner asked whether outreach could reach younger families; Aaron and staff responded that the county had handed out flyers at family-oriented locations and would staff booths at the fair to capture broader participation. Planning Manager Ben Tarbutton said the survey results will inform priorities for goals and policies but cautioned that response patterns must be weighed when drafting code changes.

The presentation set the stage for follow-up outreach and a next round of public events; staff said the maps and charts will be incorporated into the draft plan materials and shown at upcoming community events so residents can review specific proposals and trade-offs.