LAND USE 14 - 1 LAND USE 2. It provides a rational basis for establishing and modifying zoning and other land use and Community Vision 2028 development regulations. “We cherish our way of life and our small 3. It provides a broad set of policies that can be town feel. Our sense of community is strong used in guiding public and private decisions because we share a commitment to each other on projects that come before the government. and to this beautiful place.” 4. It becomes a valuable tool of communication between citizens and the local government on “As citizens of Kootenai County, we know matters concerning land use and development. what we can count on because our land use plans are consistently updated, implemented and Existing Conditions and Uses enforced.” – Kezziah Watkins Report Land Ownership Overview Kootenai County has a total area of 1,315.69 The Land Use Plan is a component of the square miles. Of this total area, 1,245.12 square Plan that establishes policies on the future use of miles is land and 70.57 square miles is water. As land. Subsequent to the review and update of this of July 2007, there were approximately 32,000 Plan it is crucial that Kootenai County continue to acres of incorporated areas in Kootenai County update its development regulations to insure well- and approximately 80,000 acres within the total planned land use in the future. Areas of City Impact (ACIs) (Kootenai County GIS Department). The beauty, heritage, and rural character are what attract people and their families to Kootenai Approximately, sixty-nine percent of County County. Therefore, it is crucial that the County residents live within incorporated cities. Thirty- use this plan to establish the policies, standards, one percent live in unincorporated areas. If that and priorities that, along with timely changes to city/county split continues for the next 20 years, ordinances, will determine the future landscape more than 16,000 new dwelling units will need to and character of this County. be constructed in the various cities, and more than 7,000 units will need to be constructed in the County’s unincorporated areas.

There are approximately 363,000 acres of public land in Kootenai County. This land includes federal, tribal, and state lands and municipalities with corporate boundaries.

As of July 2007, there were 33,349 parcels within the unincorporated areas of Kootenai County, excluding public lands and incorporated After the Land Use Plan has been adopted by cities. The average parcel size is 14 acres, with the Board of County Commissioners it has the varying sizes up to18,097 acres. As of 2007, there following clearly defined functions: were 12,843 vacant parcels without residential structures. The average size of the vacant parcels 1. It represents the vision of the community for was approximately 25 acres. future use and development of land within the County. That vision is expressed in this There are currently 7,622 parcels in the chapter of the Plan and its accompanying land Shoreline Development designation; 2,761 of use goals, policies, and implementation those parcels are vacant. The average lot size of strategies. the Shoreline Development parcels are 9.5 acres with varying sizes of up to 553 acres. Kootenai County Comprehensive Plan LAND USE 14 - 2

In 1995, there were 11,218 structures in the 10,350 acres are not Federal/State/Tribe unincorporated areas of the County. In 2007, owned), which is 43% of the total land within there were 21, 309 residential structures in the the County. The largest areas of public lands unincorporated areas of the County. are located in the U.S. Forest Service’s Bitterroot Mountain Range. Existing Land Use Map (see next page) • Existing resource land uses include publicly Kootenai County manages land use and owned and privately owned parcels that have development in the following areas: agriculture or timber exceptions. Resource 1. Comprehensive Plan policies, the County lands are located throughout the County with development codes, and other applicable large blocks of resource lands in the ordinances and standards. Bitterroot, Worley, and Selkirk sub-areas. 2. In negotiated ACIs outside city limits through • Existing residential land uses are categorized the application of the ACI agreement. by four designations: Rural 1–4 (see Table 1). Rural 1 encompasses existing parcels under 2 An analysis of existing conditions and land acres in size (0–1.99 acres). These parcels are uses was conducted in September, 2007. The uses primarily residential, do not have tax were categorized by major land use categories. exemptions related to agriculture or timber, This Plan identifies the following existing major and are located primarily near shorelines of land use categories to plan for development in the County’s rivers and lakes. There is also a future areas of growth and to preserve the concentration of Rural-1 uses on the integrity and amenities of residential areas as well Rathdrum Prairie. Rural-2 comprises 2 to 5 as promote the economic vitality of the County: acre parcels (2 to 4.99 acres), typically commercial, industrial, public lands, resource residential parcels that have no agriculture or lands, and several categories of residential land timber exemptions. These parcels are uses. generally located in the northern half of Kootenai County, with smaller pockets south • Existing commercial land uses typically of the Spokane River. There is a large consist of retail and wholesale sales, concentration of these parcels near Post Falls professional office and services. There are and northwest of Rathdrum. approximately 2,200 acres of privately owned • Rural 3 and Rural 4 are existing land use commercial land in the County. The majority categories that are primarily residential; of the commercial uses in the County are however, they generally have agriculture located near population centers, major and/or timber exemptions. Rural 3 and 4 are transportation corridors, and on the Rathdrum typically located in the same area. These Prairie. There are some commercial resort categories total about 18% of the acreage of uses on lakefront properties. Kootenai County. These categories are • Existing industrial land uses include light and located throughout the County, with heavy industrial-type uses consisting of concentrations in the northern half of the manufacturing and assembly. There are County, near concentrated population centers, approximately 1,600 acres of industrial uses and in the Cougar Bay/Mica Flats areas. The the smallest total acres and percentage of Rural 3 category encompasses parcels from 5 privately owned land uses in Kootenai to approximately 10 acres (5–9.99 acres). The County. These uses are generally located near Rural 4 category encompasses parcels from major transportation corridors in the northern 10 to approximately twenty 20+ acres (10– half of the County. 20+ acres). • Existing public lands include federal, state, tribal and county land. There are approximately 363,000 acres of public lands within Kootenai County (approximately

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Table 1: Comparative Land Use Inventory, Selkirk, Rathdrum Prairie, Cougar Gulch, Mica, September 2007 Worley, North Kootenai, Fernan, East Coeur Acres d’Alene Lake Bitterroot (see Sub-area Map). A Land Parcel Total Average % of broad summary of each sub-area and a cursory Classification Count Acres Acres Total analysis of land uses and the settlement patterns Commercial 362 2,289.43 6.32 0.51 based upon residential building permit activity Industrial 107 1,682.29 15.72 0.37 over the past 10 years follows (see Pre-1995 and Public * 638 10,350.00 16.22 2.29 2007 Settlement Pattern Maps). Resource 3,766 328,829.89 87.34 72.69 Rural 1 16,327 8,695.27 0.53 1.90 As of July 2007, an examination of parcels Rural 2 4,256 16,756.04 3.93 3.70 was done within the nine sub-areas. As indicated Rural 3 4,530 33,148.14 7.32 7.33 Rural 4 4,114 50,736.94 12.33 11.21 by the chart below, the Bitterroot and the Selkirk Total 34,100 452,488.00 18.71 100% sub-areas are the largest in acreage. The *Public lands that are not owned by Federal/State/Tribe. Bitterroot and the Mica sub-areas have the largest Source: Kootenai County Assessor’s records; by Kootenai overall acreage average, of 30 and 22 acres, County GIS. respectively. The Fernan and Rathdrum Prairie sub-areas have the smallest average acreage size. Existing Lots by Sub-Areas An analysis of the existing lots in each sub- area was conducted by the GIS (Geographic Information Systems) department in December 2007. The information was extracted from the County Assessors records. Table 2 delineates the number of existing lots, the number of lots with and without residential dwellings, and the potential for dividing the land. A comparison of the existing and future potential lot creation within each sub-area is discussed under future land use.

There are approximately 33,000 existing residential lots within the County. There are 17,000 residential lots that have primary dwellings, which indicate that 50% of the parcels do not have residential dwellings.

There are 903 non-residential lots within the County, which total 7,635 acres. Over half of the non-residential lots are located on the Rathdrum Prairie.

Kootenai County has a wide variety of geographic and topographic features. The Planning Commission divided the County into 9 geographic sub-areas based on 12 categories. These categories include cultural and historical identity, sense of community, density of the existing community, geography, topography, transportation, “urban versus rural,” and Idaho Code land use statutes. The nine sub-areas are:

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Table 2: Existing Parcels and Acreage by Sub- limited commercial properties along Highway 3 area from Rose Lake to the City of Harrison. The vast Parcel Parcel Avg* majority of the land in the Bitterroot sub-area is Name Acres* Ct* %* Acre. rural, composed of private or publicly managed Fernan 6,898 20.23% 42,980 6.2 forest land, predominately ponderosa, white pine, Bitterroot 3,635 10.66% 109,205 30.0 and larch. Selkirk 4,376 12.83% 70,136 16.0 East CDA Lake 2,506 7.35% 25,181 10.0 According to the residential structures and North Kootenai 3,830 11.23% 49,899 13.0 building permits over the past 10 years, growth Rathdrum Prairie 4,640 13.61% 30,677 6.6 has occurred on parcels of 10 or more acres (see Cougar Gulch 2,545 7.46% 25,176 9.9 Pre-1995 and 2007 Settlement Pattern Maps). Mica 2,217 6.50% 49,505 22.3 Worley 3,453 10.13% 49,729 14.4 Cougar Gulch

This sub-area is centrally located on the Total 34,100 100% 452,488 14.3 *Excluding cities and lakes. Source: Kootenai County GIS. western border of Kootenai County. There is a wide variety of elevations in this sub-area: half of According to the assessor’s records, the the area is mountainous; the remaining area Rathdrum Prairie, Worley, and Bitterroot sub- consists of rolling hills, farmlands, creeks, and areas have historically been used for agriculture, wetlands. The sub-area also encompasses river livestock, or timber production. and lakefront properties. The Kootenai County Soil Conservation Service Soil Survey indicates Sub Areas that the soil types are varied and limit residential and agriculture production. Geologically, there Bitterroot are large areas of granite and small areas of basalt The Bitterroot sub-area is the largest near the Coeur d’Alene Lake. geographic sub-area and has a wide variety of topographic features ranging from mountainous The existing land uses include residential areas to low-lying valleys. This sub-area development, small agriculture and timber encompasses the geologic formation that includes operations. Most of the smaller lots are located the Coeur d’Alene and St. Joe mountain ranges along the riverfront (see existing land use maps). and the low-lying areas of the Coeur d’Alene Settlement patterns and building permit River Basin and Chain Lakes. The lakes in this activity over the past ten years indicate that the sub-area are shallow, and there is a large flood area has seen a significant amount of growth. plain composed of wetlands and meadows in Building permits over the past ten years range addition to the Coeur d’Alene River. This sub- from lots of 1–2 acres on the river front to five area also contains upland hills and plateaus. The and ten acre parcels (see Pre-1995 and 2007 heavily forested hills and mountains are part of Settlement Pattern Maps). the very ancient Bitterroot Range, and the plateaus, largely cleared of forests for farming, East Coeur d’Alene Lake are formed by the eastern extremity of the Columbia basalt flows. The western edge of the The East Coeur d’Alene Lake sub-area plateau forms the very scenic shoreline of Lake extends primarily along the lakefront of Lake Coeur d’Alene. Coeur d’Alene from Wolf Lodge Bay to the City of Harrison. The topography of the area rises Existing land uses consist of timber and steeply from the lake, punctuated by bays fed by agriculture production and limited residential year-round creeks to a shelf of rolling open development. Residential housing is typically on meadows and farmland until it climbs again larger parcels, owing not only to current zoning through the forest to the ridgeline that connects to regulations but also to distance from urban the mountains. The mountainous areas are centers and environmental constraints. There are primarily logged and consist of public and Kootenai County Comprehensive Plan LAND USE 14 - 9 privately owned forested lands. There are several intensity is 1 acre parcels or less (see the Pre prominent outcroppings of Columbia basalt 1995 and 2007 Settlement Pattern Maps). throughout the area. Mount Coeur d’Alene is the most dominant landmark and can be seen from Mica many locations on the lake. The Mica sub-area is centrally located several miles south of the City of Coeur d’Alene. Settlement patterns based on building permit The area includes the mountainous area of Mica activity over the last 10 years indicate that there Peak, located near the Idaho-Washington state has been significant growth near the lake front. border to the shoreline of Lake Coeur d’Alene. There are sporadic areas of high-density-permit The sub-area encompasses land from Cougar Bay activity farther south along the lakefront; to Black Rock Bay. There are three unique land however; the majority of the settlement activity forms in this sub-area: the mountainous area of south of Carlin Bay is still in 5, 10 and 20 acre Mica Peak (Signal Point), the relatively flat parcels. prairie and the rolling hills of Mica Flats, and the shoreline of Lake Coeur d’Alene. Fernan The Fernan sub-area is bounded on the west The existing land uses are typically larger by the City of Coeur d’Alene and Hayden, to the lots of five- and 10-acre parcels on the “flats” and south by I-90, to the east by the U.S. Forest in the foothills of Signal Point and higher-density Service land and the Bitterroot sub-area, and to lots adjacent to the lakefront. The issue related to the north to Ohio Match Road. This sub-area has development in this area is water availability (see a wide variety of geography and topography, Existing Land Use Maps). from mountainous areas to relatively flat prairie land. The sub-area also consists of winding roads Settlement patterns related to building permit around Coeur d’Alene, Fernan, and Hayden lakes. activity indicates that increases can be found Most of the area is separated from the Rathdrum around the lake front (see Pre-1995 and 2007 Prairie by the Rimrock, which runs along the east Settlement Pattern Maps). side of U.S. 95. Distinguishing this area from the Prairie is the wide variety of elevation, wetlands, North Kootenai and a large amount of timbered areas. Areas that The North Kootenai sub-area is located in the have been cleared are typically used as home northern part of Kootenai County, almost entirely sites. According to the Kootenai County Soil over the Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer and its Conservation Service Soil Survey, the soils in the recharge. The western portion of the sub-area is area are highly erodible; however, they are relatively flat prairie land, and the eastern portion considered fair for agriculture and residential comprises mountains and timberland. A portion development. of Lake Pend Oreille, the largest natural lake in Idaho, is located in the northeast corner of the The existing land uses indicate there is high- sub-area. The City of Athol and the community of density residential development around the lakes, Bayview are in this sub-area. with lower-density-development, grazing, and timber activities throughout the rest of the sub- Existing land uses in the sub-area are area. There are some public access points on the typically subdivisions of 5, 10 and 20 acre lakes, including boat launches, marinas, stores, parcels. Athol continues to be a small community and restaurants. and is the hub for services in the area. Bayview is a high-density community located adjacent to The settlement patterns associated with Lake Pend Oreille. The mountains to the east are building permit activity indicate that there is a public property owned by both the state and the surge of development around Hayden Lake. federal government. There are several areas where the development

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Comparison of the settlement patterns patterns have increased dramatically around the between 1995 and 2007 indicates that this area cities of Post Falls, Hayden, Coeur d’Alene, and has had the highest rate of building permit Hauser. The settlement patterns appear less activity in Kootenai County (see Pre-1995 and dramatic in the southern portion surrounding the 2007 Settlement Pattern Maps). City of Rathdrum (see Pre-1995 and 2007 Settlement Pattern Maps). Rathdrum Prairie The Rathdrum Prairie is a relatively level Selkirk area with soil types that are generally good for The Selkirk sub-area is located in the residential development. The ground is very northwestern portion of the County. It is bordered porous, and groundwater contamination from on the west by the Idaho/Washington state border individual sewage systems is a concern. Soil and on the north by the Kootenai/Bonner county Survey of Kootenai County Area Survey border. This sub-area is dominated by the Selkirk indicates that the soils are good for farming. The Mountains, which extends into Canada and west Rathdrum Prairie sole source aquifer is located in to Mount Spokane. The Selkirk range is one of this area. The sub-area is under great pressure for the major watershed and recharge sources for the development, which has been discussed in the Rathdrum Prairie Sole Source Aquifer. The Community Design chapter. The sub-area is geology of this area consists of the granitic Idaho surrounded by the urban populations of Coeur Batholith. The Kootenai County Soil d’Alene, Post Falls, Hayden, and Rathdrum. Conservation Service Soil Survey indicates that soil types in this area are poor for high density residential development and agriculture due to the steep slopes.

The existing land uses indicate that residential development is still fairly sparse with the exception of lakefront properties and between Spirit Lake and Athol. According to the Kootenai County Assessor’s Office, small farms and cattle ranches can be found in the Hidden Valley and Ranch in Mica Flats bordering the City of Rathdrum. There are small Historically, land uses within the sub-area commercial resorts on Twin Lakes and Spirit have predominately included mill sites, farms, Lake. Secondary lake front homes are increasing. rural areas, and low-density housing. Urban densities have typically been seen in the Settlement patterns associated with building surrounding communities. permit activity indicate that the growth has centered around the lakes and close to urban The past 10 years have witnessed rapid centers. According to the Pre-1995 and 2007 growth and rapid building of housing units. Settlement Pattern Maps, building permit activity Currently, the land uses are primarily residential; has increased in areas northeast of Rathdrum and however, there has been some commercial Twin Lakes. Additional increased building permit business development. There is still some active activity has occurred around Spirit Lake and the farming occurring on the Prairie. area between Spirit Lake and Athol. The majority of the permit activity has been on 5 and 10 acre The change in development or settlement parcels. patterns is evident in the Rathdrum Prairie sub- area. Comparison of the pre-1995 existing development pattern map with the 2007 map shows a large influx of residential building on lots of 5 acres or smaller. These settlement

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Worley (3) Application of any mutually agreed-on plan The Worley sub-area is almost entirely on the and ordinances adopted under this chapter to Coeur d’Alene Indian Reservation. The sub-area the ACI. is predominately rolling hills and is underlain by the Columbia River Basalt Group. These soils are As part of the negotiated agreement, the good for agriculture, but the hazard of erosion is County and the affected city mutually decide high. (Kootenai County Soil Survey or Natural where the future land use plan and implementing Resource Soil Conservation Service) The area is ordinances that will be used will either be from fair for residential development. Based on the County, the city, or a combination of the two. interviews with tribal planners, the Tribe Idaho Code 67-6526 (d) also provides the encourages agriculture and timber production in procedures necessary if the city and the County this sub-area. U.S. Highway 95 bisects the sub- fail to reach an agreement. area, and the Idaho Transportation Department has plans for major improvements. Worley is the In the 1990s, the majority of the communities main community within this sub-area and there is within Kootenai County negotiated Areas of City a node of commercial activity at the Tribal Impact and the plans and regulations that would Casino and Resort. apply in each area. A brief summary of each city and its impact area is discussed later within this Based on the Pre-1995 and 2007 Settlement chapter; the complete agreements and maps may Pattern Maps, the settlement of the area over the be found on www.kcgov.us. The boundaries of past 10 years has remained relatively stable. The each ACI and the regulations that were selected increases in building activity have occurred close were based on each community’s needs and to the lakefront, more specifically in the Rockford concerns. The majority of the communities used and Windy Bay areas. all three factors trade areas, geographic or environmental features, and the annexation of Areas of City Impact land in the future as part of the negotiations. Idaho Code 67-6526 states that in defining the impact area, there are three factors that must Since 1994, there have been very few be considered: trade areas, geographic factors, amendments or renegotiated agreements, with the and areas that can reasonably be expected to be exception of the Rathdrum Prairie Coordinated annexed into the city in the future. The governing Area of City Impact Agreement, which was board of each county and each city therein must negotiated in 2004 and replaced the previous adopt by ordinance following the notice and individual ACI agreements with the cities of Post hearing procedures provided in Idaho Code 67- Falls, Hayden and Rathdrum. 6509, a map identifying an Area of City Impact See Areas of City Impact map on following within the unincorporated area of the county. A page. separate ordinance providing for application of plans and ordinances for the ACI must also be adopted. Subject to the provisions of Idaho Code 50-222, an ACI must be established before a city may annex adjacent territory. This separate ordinance must provide for one of the following:

(1) Application of the city plan and ordinances adopted under this chapter to the ACI; or (2) Application of the County plan and ordinances adopted under this chapter to the ACI; or

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Rathdrum Prairie Coordinated Area of City financially supported and selected an engineering Impact firm to prepare, analyze, and make In September 2004, Kootenai County and the recommendations for a shared wastewater cities of Post Falls (population 21,065), Rathdrum collection and treatment system for the Prairie. (5,605), and Hayden (11,086) entered into a joint The draft study was released in February 2008 agreement for the purpose of creating a master and the study concluded that increased and wastewater plan and coordinating future planning stringent water-quality standards for discharging and development efforts on the Rathdrum Prairie. into the Spokane River will be required and that (Ordinance Number 340) As discussed in other exploration of methods to land-apply or discharge chapters, the Rathdrum Prairie covers the sole treated effluent would be necessary. The study source of drinking water for the northern half of also recommended four alternatives, which Kootenai County and the city of Spokane, included either additional land use with less Washington. The Panhandle Health District stringent discharge standards to less land use and prohibits densities of more than 1 equivalent more stringent discharge standards. Each residential unit (ERU) for every 5-acre parcel recommendation provided a current cost estimate unless the parcel is on a municipal or public for future development and population growth on sewer system. Owing to increasing development the Prairie. on the Prairie, the jurisdictions participating in the joint agreement were seeking a coordinated Once the study is accepted by all parties, a effort for future growth and then the ability to strategic plan for implementation will be drafted, renegotiate the agreements based on future sewer, along with a coordinated land use plan for the open space, and transportation needs. study area. Once there is acceptance of the land use and implementation plan, renegotiation of the This agreement created an interim two-tiered Areas of City Impact for the participating cities Area of City Impact for each participating will be completed. The agreement remains in jurisdiction. Each city delineated an exclusive tier effect until the study, the plans, and the for which the County agreed to the following: renegotiated agreements are completed. a. Infrastructure and subdivision standards Cities with ACI Agreements would be the jurisdiction of the city; Athol b. No subdivisions would be allowed without public sewer and water; The City of Athol is a small community of approximately 700 citizens in the northern half of c. Zone changes that are requested in the the County and is approximately 1.5 miles south unincorporated areas would consider the of the Bonner County line. The community of city’s Comprehensive Future Land Use plan. Spirit Lake is approximately five miles west of the city. The geography of the impact area is The second tier was shared jointly with the fairly flat and heavily treed and is over the County and the cities of Rathdrum, Post Falls, Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer. The majority of the and Hayden. This ACI shared-tier map was in the community is bordered by U.S. Highway 95 and center of the wastewater study area and was State Highway 54; both highways provide the under the sole jurisdiction of Kootenai County. primary access in and out of the city. Annexation However, as part of the shared-tier agreement, the into the city is limited due to its location over the County agreed to rezone agriculturally zoned Aquifer and the absence of municipal sewer. Lots property or allow conditional use permits only if surrounding the area are limited to 5-acre parcels. the request would not adversely affect the ability The ACI boundary is approximately nine square for future public wastewater collection and miles. The County’s Comprehensive Plan and treatment. regulations apply in this area with the exception The participants of the coordinated of the city’s subdivision ordinance. agreement, along with the City of Hauser, Kootenai County Comprehensive Plan LAND USE 14 - 15

Coeur d’Alene Harrison is a lakefront community with a mix of Coeur d’Alene is the County’s largest city, commercial and residential uses. It is bisected by with approximately 40,000 citizens, and is the Highway 97 and a portion of the residential county seat. The city has a wide variety of district is “stepped” into the hillside to the east. geographic features, including neighborhoods on Slopes are relatively steep. The primary aspect of the Rathdrum Prairie, adjacent hillsides, and lake the area is timbered; however, closer to Highway and riverfront properties. The City has recently 3 there are plateaus (Harrison Flats) and rolling completed a rewrite of its Comprehensive Plan. hills of grazing lands and small pockets of hay The Area of City Impact agreement was adopted production. The County Plan and regulations in 1993 and the County’s Plan and regulations apply in this area. The City agrees not to annex apply with the exception of design and any lands outside of the impact area. infrastructure standards, which require approval of the City of Coeur d’Alene. The mapped impact Hauser area is bounded by Rathdrum Prairie to the North, The City of Hauser is a small community of the City of Huetter to the West, Spokane River to approximately 800 citizens located in the the south, and two miles from the corporate limits northwest portion of the County. The community east toward the National Forest. The City of has some unique environmental and geographic Coeur d’Alene currently has limited ability to features. The majority of the community is annex additional land to the north or west due to adjacent to Hauser Lake and the Hauser Lake jurisdictional boundaries. Watershed, which has a direct conduit to the Rathdrum Prairie aquifer. Several studies of the Dalton Gardens lake have been carried out, and the conclusion is The City of Dalton Gardens is surrounded by that the lake is eutrophic, which means an the city of Coeur d’Alene to the south and west, advanced state of age and demise. There is an City of Hayden to the north, and Canfield active group (Hauser Lake Watershed Coalition; Mountain to the east. The population of Dalton www.hauserwatershed.org) that monitors the Gardens is approximately 2,500; and the City is health of Hauser Lake and makes unique in its requirement of minimum 1-acre recommendations to the city and to applicable densities. Dalton Gardens is primarily residential; state agencies. The community also has a unique however, it is bounded by a commercial strip corporate limit, which is contiguous in areas only along Government Way. The agreement was by a 2-foot strip of right of way. This vested reached in 1995, and the County controls the annexed area is approximately two miles from the impact area with the County Comprehensive Plan city’s urban core. Another unique feature of the and implementing regulations. Dalton Gardens is City of Hauser is the type of Plan and concerned about the impact of the surrounding implementing regulations for not only the City of communities and Canfield Mountain as a result of Hauser, but the Area of City Impact. the transportation network that runs through Dalton Gardens as the sole means of access for Kootenai County adopted the Hauser Plan portions of Hayden Lake and access to and from and Development Code as part of the ACI in Canfield Mountain. The majority of the city is 1999. The land use plan designations and the type over the Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer. The city is of implementing regulations are very different currently renegotiating its agreement with the than what is used in the rest of the County. The County. land use designations are based on geographic areas that are tied directly to performance Harrison standards. The primary purpose of not only the The City of Harrison is a community of plan but the regulations is protection of the approximately 300 citizens and is located in the watershed and the lake. The development southeast portion of Kootenai County. Access to regulations are based on performance standards the city is via Highway 97 and Highway 3. and a point system, which means that a certain number of points are awarded for performance in Kootenai County Comprehensive Plan LAND USE 14 - 16 a subdivision application. Other requests such as mixed-use community of retail, light rezones or conditional use permits are evaluated manufacturing, and residential uses. Huetter was based on a “meets or does not meet” set of the first Area of City Impact agreement standards. negotiated in the state in 1984. Huetter has a small mapped impact area and the County Plan Hayden and regulations apply in the ACI. The City of Hayden is a growing community of approximately 10,000 citizens, located five Post Falls miles north of Interstate 90 and Lake Coeur The City of Post Falls is located along the d’Alene. The City of Hayden encompasses Spokane River and borders Interstate 90 on both approximately 5212 acres of land adjacent to the north and south sides of the city. Post Falls, Hayden Lake, the third largest lake in Kootenai with a current population of approximately County, and maintains nearly one third of a mile 21,000 citizens, is approximately seven miles of frontage on Honeysuckle Bay. The watersheds downriver from both the outlet of Lake Coeur of Hayden Lake drain directly into the Rathdrum d’Alene and the City of Coeur d’Alene. Over the Aquifer. In order to protect and preserve Hayden past years, Post Falls served as a rural bedroom Lake’s water quality, the State of Idaho has community for Spokane and Coeur d’Alene, the designated Hayden Lake as a Special Resource seat of Kootenai County’s government. Lumber Water. The City of Hayden is adjacent to the and agriculture were the cornerstones of the local Coeur d’Alene Airport’s Pappy Boyington Field. economy for most of the past century and This generates revenue and provides aviation remained so until the last decade. The decline of services for the entire county, but also presents a the lumber industry and major changes to challenge to future land use and development agricultural production has created both within the area. challenges and new opportunities for city government and business leaders. However, since Hayden Lake the early 1990’s, the city has facilitated the Hayden Lake is a small community of needed infrastructure improvements to continue approximately 500 citizens. It is adjacent to attracting new businesses and encouraging the Hayden Lake, the second-largest lake entirely growth of existing businesses. within Kootenai County. There is an active watershed association (www.haydenlake Rathdrum watershedassociation.com) that monitors lake The City is located on the Rathdrum Prairie quality and provides information and approximately 10 miles north of the Spokane recommendations to applicable jurisdictions and River, Post Falls and Interstate 90. Rathdrum sits state agencies. The Area of City Impact above the Rathdrum Aquifer and is surrounded by agreement was adopted in 1995, and the both forest and agricultural fields with Rathdrum boundary stretches north to Lancaster Road, west Mountain looming above the valley floor as a to the City of Hayden, and south and east scenic backdrop to the city. With a population of bordering Hayden Lake. The agreement has approximately 5600 citizens, the City has seen an recently been amended (2006) and includes increase of 141% in population growth in the minimum lot sizes of 1-acre parcels and decade between 1990 and 2000. The City’s additional regulations regarding traffic calming residents continue to cherish the small town feel devices. The County’s Comprehensive Plan and as a primary reason they live here. Some of the development regulations apply within the ACI. primary housing concerns as the city grows are diversity, affordability, well planned Huetter neighborhoods, neighborhood connectivity, sense The City of Huetter is a small community of of community, and preserving the natural approximately 100 citizens and is located near the environment that characterizes Rathdrum as a Spokane River surrounded by the City of Coeur community. d’Alene and the City of Post Falls. Huetter is a Kootenai County Comprehensive Plan LAND USE 14 - 17

Spirit Lake adopted in 1995 and has not been amended or The City of Spirit Lake is a community of renegotiated. approximately 1,600 citizens and is bordered by Highway 54, Highway 41, and Spirit Lake. The Cities with-out Area of City Impact city’s northern boundary is on the boundary line Agreements between Kootenai and Bonner County and has a The incorporated communities of Fernan wide variety of commercial and residential uses. Lake Village and State Line Village do not have There is small downtown core with a historic Areas of City Impact agreements with the district. This community and the surrounding area County. If those communities are interested in are partially over the Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer, annexation, a negotiated ACI agreement must be but the majority of the land is within the adopted. Fernan Lake Village is located on the watershed and off the Aquifer. banks of Fernan Lake, which is a shallow, eutrophic lake. The lake is designated by the Public facilities, services, and schools are Idaho Department of Fish and Game as a family- shared by citizens from both Kootenai and friendly lake. State Line Village is a very small Bonner counties. A portion of the city is served community of primarily commercial uses located by municipal sewer. Spirit Lake is a very shallow in the western portion of the County adjacent to lake and has had water quality issues in the past the Idaho/Washington state line. several years. In the late 1990s, the Panhandle Health District and the Department of Communities of special interests Environmental Quality developed a lake The unincorporated communities consist of management plan for Spirit Lake. The geography Cataldo, Rose Lake, Medimont, Bayview, Twin of the area is heavily wooded with varying grades Lakes, and Setters. These communities have a and slopes. The land on the north and east side of very small population base. Bayview is the the lake has been subdivided into smaller largest unincorporated community and has a lakefront lots. The impact map within the chamber of commerce, a commercial district, and agreement has two tiers; tier 1 is the area that a large residential district. County regulations allows annexation and comments from the city apply in these areas. The communities have a regarding development applications. Tier 2 is wide variety of geographic and topographic labeled a watershed notification area where characteristics. Kootenai County provides notification of any development applications to the City of Spirit The Coeur d’Alene Tribe Lake. The City agrees not to annex any lands The Coeur d’Alene Tribe (www.cdatribe- outside of its Tier 1 area, and has recently nsn.gov) is situated on a reservation covering adopted a new Comprehensive Plan, which is 345,000 acres of mountains, lakes, rivers and available on its website (www.spiritlakeid.gov). valleys, which spans the northeastern edge of the abundant Palouse Country. The reservation Worley covers portions of both Kootenai and Benewah The City of Worley is a small community of Counties. The Reservation includes the Coeur approximately 220 citizens and is located on the d’Alene and St. Joe rivers and a portion of Lake Coeur d’Alene Reservation. The land is relatively Coeur d’Alene. rolling hills and areas of timber. The land is primarily used for agriculture, some timber, and The Tribe, like all tribes in America, has a grazing. The ACI agreement primarily leaves government based on executive, legislative, and jurisdiction to Kootenai County; the County Plan judicial branches. The tribal council has seven and regulations apply. The mapped impact members and operates on a parliamentary system, boundary is quite small and is located primarily with members elected by tribal vote and the to the northwest and south of the city. Tribal trust chairman elected by vote on the council. land (land under the jurisdiction of the Tribe) Although he or she would serve as chief primarily surrounds the city. The agreement was Kootenai County Comprehensive Plan LAND USE 14 - 18 executive, the chairman has one vote on the happen and the possibility of this trend council and does not have veto power. continuing. Careful future land use planning is critical for Kootenai County to show the The reservation economy is based primarily community that we have learned from the past. on productive agriculture. The Coeur d’Alene Rigorous and immediate implementation of the Tribe’s 6,000-acre farm produces wheat, barley, future land use designations herein through new peas, lentils, and canola. The reservation development regulations is necessary to ensure countryside includes about 180,000 acres of the viability of this Plan. forest and 150,000 acres of farmland, most of that farmland owned by private farmers. The The land use chapter is a compilation of a reservation land also produces about 30,000 acres comprehensive examination of many aspects of of Kentucky bluegrass. Logging is another the County: its existing conditions and future important component of the economy and source potential for economics, population, public of revenue for the tribe. Only selective cutting of facilities, natural resources, and the community forests is undertaken on tribal land. Clear-cuts are vision for the future. banned. Due to the unique nature of Kootenai The majority of land and land use on the County, the Planning Commission divided the Reservation falls under the jurisdiction of the County into various sub-areas and examined each County. However, Tribal Trust lands in the area’s geography, historical and existing land County do not fall under either the jurisdiction of uses, and settlement patterns. the County, nor the State of Idaho. Also, the Coeur d’Alene Tribe has jurisdiction and The Planning Commission also reviewed the ownership of the southern one-third of Lake Area of City Impact agreements and the potential Coeur d’Alene. With potentially different goals for development within each of those impact within the same geographic area, there arises the areas. need to develop compatible land use plans and joint land use planning processes in order to Based on these factors, the drafted goals and coordinate efforts between jurisdictions. policies, and the community’s vision, new future land use designations were developed. These Representatives of the Coeur d’Alene Tribe future land use designations draw a sharp line Planning Division and both the Kootenai County between urban and rural land use. The Building and Planning Department and Planning designations direct urban growth toward urban Commission have indicated a willingness to work centers or remote villages. Lower densities and cooperatively in the development of plans and rural land uses are located in remote areas where ordinances for the development of land within the transportation and public facilities will be Reservation boundaries. difficult to develop.

Future Land Use An analysis of the build-out of the future land use map was conducted and clearly indicates Kootenai County has been under great that development potential for Kootenai County pressure for development since the early 1990s. is available and viable; however, growth has been Without full implementation of comprehensive directed toward urban centers where land use planning documents, land use conflicts transportation and public facilities and services arise, the cost of providing public services can are readily available. become a public burden, and the potential for irreversible environmental degradation is This chapter directs land use away from the heightened. The 1994 future land use more traditional implementation strategies that designations and map were never fully would severely segregate land uses and toward implemented. The public has expressed concern innovative planning techniques and strategies. that implementation and enforcement did not For example, the land use plan, designations, and Kootenai County Comprehensive Plan LAND USE 14 - 19 future land use map direct appropriate residential components of the values and vision were viewed and non-residential growth to all areas of the within the four geographic areas described in the County. These uses shall be more dependent upon visioning report. The Community Design chapter future performance standards versus delineated presented first a countywide assessment and “zoning districts.” design framework, followed by more detailed investigation of smaller sub-areas and individual Land use is a description of how land is communities. The community design chapter is occupied or used. To accurately describe how the not a land use element, rather an exercise that will land is used, land is typically classified or be used to assist the Commission in land use designated based on a set of criteria. To plan for designations and policies on a countywide basis. the future and ensure a balance of adequate housing, a flourishing economy, and careful During the fall and winter of 2007, a review consideration of the environment, Kootenai of the land related to topography, erodible soils, County must examine: water features, and wildlife habitat was conducted using information collected by the Planning staff 1. The land (topography, erodible soils, wildlife and analyzed and mapped by the County GIS habitat, water features) department. The County Planning Commission 2. Existing land uses which includes future held several workshops on creating, defining, and availability of services and infrastructure mapping the designations for the future land use 3. Goals and policies of the Plan map. Based on the information collected and analyzed, the Commission used existing 4. Community input conditions, the environment, lot creations,

building permit activity, existing land uses, and The purpose of creating designations is to the community vision and design to develop the adequately describe and map what the future land Future Land Use Map. use will be over the next 20 years. The purpose of each of the following Because the County is over 1,300 square designations has been prioritized by its miles, a broad examination of several features importance. These priorities are only used to was completed to create nine sub-areas in the classify future land use; specific areas or sites spring of 2007. The sub-areas were broadly may have different priorities due to categorized based on topographic features and environmental characteristics that cannot be seen community character. These sub-areas were used at a large scale. Any lot that lies within two or to move through the future land use mapping more designations and alters the lot-line through a exercise. boundary adjustment does not change the During the summer of 2007, community designation. groups created mini “plans” for each sub-area, Scenic independent from the Planning Commission’s work on the Plan. These mini land use plans were Scenic describes land that is valued for reviewed by the Commission for community natural processes and wildlife, agricultural and input into the Plan. forest production, aesthetic beauty, active and passive recreation, and other public benefits. During the fall of 2007, the County hired Such lands include working and natural forests, William Grimes of Studio Cascade Inc. to rangelands, and grasslands, farms, ranches, parks, develop a community design chapter. Using the streams and river corridors, and other natural Planning Commission recommendations, the lands within rural, suburban, and urban areas. consultant examined these differences in Open space may be protected or unprotected prioritizing the value and vision elements of the public or private. Kezziah-Watkins report and extrapolated into report form how some of the most popular Kootenai County Comprehensive Plan LAND USE 14 - 20

The primary purpose of the Scenic promote large tracts of environmentally sensitive designation is to promote large tracts of lands, such as, wetlands, very steep slopes, and contiguous open space in public lands. Scenic is areas with highly erodible soils with sustainable land that is permanently set aside for public or resources. private use. The space may be used for passive or active recreation, or may be reserved to conserve Non-residential uses are limited to resource or buffer environmentally sensitive areas or cultivation or extraction services that support wildlife corridors. This designation encompasses forestry, agriculture mining, (including surface large tracts of public lands. Non-residential uses mining), recreation, and the facilities necessary to should be limited to support services for sustain those uses. recreation and resource-based uses that are directly tied to agriculture, timber, resource Characteristics: cultivation, or recreation. 1. Economic activity emphasizing sustainable and environmentally safe resource production Characteristics: (logging, farming, and mining). 1. Environmental protection and preservation 2. Environmental protection and preservation are sought through private land donations, are sought. conservation easements, public land purchases, and other means. Country 2. Economic activity, if allowed, is confined to The primary purpose of the Country resource production that preserves designation is to protect open space and to environmental integrity. promote both: (1) agricultural activities that are 3. Housing is limited to existing dwellings and compatible with rural residential development; the ability to replace dwellings. and (2) residential subdivisions that allow residential and non-residential uses. Subdivisions are allowed, and cluster subdivisions are discouraged unless design methods are used to minimize impacts on environmentally sensitive areas, historical sites, or other unique characteristics of the land being subdivided. Subdivisions are designed to reduce the need to extend infrastructure (roads, water, and sewer) over long distances and should be self-contained and require only very limited public services.

The secondary purpose of the Country designation is to promote economic activities that minimize environmental impacts and do not Agricultural open space require a full range of services.

Resource/Recreation Non-residential uses are allowed that support The primary purpose of the activities and facilities necessary to provide Resource/Recreation designation is to promote services to outlying areas that reduce traffic, commercially viable and productive resource minimize environmental impacts, and cultivation and extraction of agriculture, timber permanently preserve open space. Non-residential production, and surface mining. This designation uses shall be allowed only at a scale and intensity also includes lands suitable for recreation and commensurate with the terrain, impact to support services related to recreation such as, but environmental features and the rural character of not limited to, dude ranches and lodges. The the area. Typical non-residential uses that may be secondary purpose of this designation is to considered are, but are not limited to, equipment Kootenai County Comprehensive Plan LAND USE 14 - 21 storage, small convenience stores, fuel stations, managing erosion and surface water runoff, and assembly and manufacturing plants. reducing impervious surfaces in developments, and implementing effective setbacks from Characteristics: shorelines and surface water corridors. 1. Housing is primarily low density single- Recognizing that development demand in these family dwellings. areas is high, additional measures must be in 2. Economic activity associated with rural place to protect surface water quality. activity, resource activities, or activities that minimize environmental impacts and do not The secondary purpose of the Shoreline require a full range of services. designation is to provide continued development in areas adjacent to the shoreline of a lake, river, 3. Environmental protection of water quality and or stream and to promote design standards that the preservation of wildlife habitat and enhance natural shorelines and retain view sheds. migratory corridors are sought. This designation recognizes existing residential patterns of small-acreage parcels and Suburban encompasses larger parcels that are surrounded or Suburban development involves an adjacent to platted lands of the same. examination of existing land use patterns and may allow residential, commercial, or mixed uses. The Cluster subdivisions and increased setbacks primary purpose of this designation is to promote will be encouraged to ensure the preservation of the development of vacant or underused parcels views of the natural shoreline. within areas that are largely developed. Non- residential uses should be limited to services and Non-residential uses should be limited to industries needed to support the rural transitional services needed to support resource, seasonal, area. shoreline, and recreational uses.

The secondary purpose is to provide Characteristics: economic development opportunities that serve 1. Environmental protection of surface and the surrounding community. subsurface water quality is essential. Promote lake view sheds and natural character of the Characteristics: shoreline. 1. Housing types are governed by surrounding 2. Housing is primarily single-family and types of housing. dispersed so as to protect water quality; 2. Economic opportunities that include low however, housing would be allowed to infill impact businesses that provide community corresponding to the densities of surrounding services. properties. 3. Environmental concerns deal with the 3. Economic activity includes some resource establishment of public spaces such as parks, production and limited commercial services greenbelts, and walking and bicycle paths, that are related to marinas or services to and the preservation of water and air quality. support seasonal or shoreline development.

Shoreline Transitional This mapped designation encompasses those The purpose of this designation is to reserve lands generally within 500 feet of bodies of water land for future annexation into an incorporated that include land directly adjacent to shorelines area. This designation encompasses those lands and lands where a portion of the parcel is within suitable to reserve for future annexation within an the 500-foot boundary. incorporated area. The boundary encompasses designated lands that may not be required for The primary purpose of this designation is to urban use during the term of this plan, but are guard against water quality degradation by important for the future expansion of the cities Kootenai County Comprehensive Plan LAND USE 14 - 22 and are at least 1,000 feet from an incorporated Characteristics: boundary. These areas will have limited 1. Housing limited to single-family dwellings, development that should be easily redeveloped accessory structures, and minor associated when annexed into the cities. accessory uses. The Transitional designation identifies areas 3. Economic activity limited to environmentally that may be appropriate for urban development safe resource production and activities and inclusion in the future when circumstances (logging and farming etc). are appropriate. The Transitional designation Village enables the city to plan and phase growth based The primary purpose of providing the Village on the need and ability to provide the necessary designation is to: 1) allow for an annual public facilities and services to support additional review and decision making forum where projects growth. not yet fully contemplated or enumerated under The Transitional designation is tailored for existing plans and regulations can be reviewed each area to the Area of City Impact for which it and considered; and, 2) to effectuate innovative project designs of such proposals, to promote is applied, recognizing the different physical, location, and service limits associated with each open space to prevent sprawl, mitigate impacts, area. These limits will affect the timing of future and encourage developments that compliment the development and will influence the character of overall intent of this Plan when deemed development in the Transitional designation. appropriate. Although there are likely many concepts that could potentially be considered Characteristics: under this designation, one example is more specifically described in the Community Design 1. Housing remains sparse in anticipation of city chapter, which is referred to as a “rural village”. annexation and development. Regardless of the ultimate scope of any particular 2. Economic activity would be available in the proposal, Villages shall consist of some, if not all, nearby urban area. of the following attributes: 3. Environmental protection is preserved by the low population density. 1. The community is self contained. This means it provides, administers and when Border deemed practical, operates its own critical This designation is located within Areas of services and is self funded. City Impact and immediately adjacent to city 2. The community is comprised of boundaries. The purpose of this designation is to contiguous acres under single ownership allow very limited development that ensures or control. future city expansions can be accomplished in an 3. The community contains special effective, orderly and logical fashion. Prior to amenities, including recreational annexation, these areas are generally suitable for opportunities found in a “destination agricultural pursuits and/or single family resort” that attracts its residents. development on existing lots. Until annexation 4. The community engages in careful land has occurred and until city services can be use planning, including clustering and provided, these areas are generally not expected other devices, to preserve natural habitats to be intensely developed or further subdivided. in non-urban locations, and incorporates Once annexed, consistent with the city’s long- other land use/building devices in urban range plans, the areas within this designation are locations to enhance that location. ultimately expected to be served by urban 5. The residential types of communities services which will then facilitate its further provide a variety of housing in discreet development and urbanization. neighborhoods ranging from multi-family, condominiums, to single family homes.

Kootenai County Comprehensive Plan LAND USE 14 - 23

6. The proposed Village considers the 4. Economic activity involves commercial existing employment and future staffing business that would typically be found in needs during the planning process. a self-sustaining town/development and Consideration should include, but is not light industry that does not negatively limited to, using the existing local work impact the environment. force and providing housing options in the Village for employees and/or staff. “Predetermined” Village In order to promote countywide development The Village differs from all other options and a variety of housing opportunities, in developments because its size, development recognition of the expressed public interests and intensity, its potential for a variety of uses, its acknowledging the unique conditions that location or proximity to existing uses, or that it currently exist, one location has been may be anticipated to have broader implications “predetermined” and mapped as a Village, which or requirements than many smaller or is the Worley/Highway 95 location. In order to preauthorized projects. It is the expectation that provide a vision and general scope for this such proposals will clearly and fully identify the predetermined village, the following shall serve core attributes and focus of the community, as a starting point for future planning efforts which are typically expected to be an appreciable initiated by the owners/developers of this site. distance from a municipality or Area of City Moreover, it is fully expected and anticipated that Impact. The residents of Kootenai County have the Village goals, implementation strategies and requested input into these types of developments policies will be utilized in those efforts. However, and the ability to have an initial review of the until such time as these planning efforts are total project scope at the Comprehensive Plan completed, interim development should be level. Therefore, additional areas may from time allowed when determined not to be in conflict to time be mapped in the future. However, until with the intent of the Village designation. At a approved through the Comprehensive Plan minimum, and in addition to attributes listed in 1 amendment process, this Plan continues to through 6 above, Villages are contemplated to: encourage and promote development as contemplated in the Plan and as mapped in the 1. Contain a limited range of uses that are Future Land Use Map. The Village requirements shown to be necessary or supportive in do not apply to projects which are otherwise their respective outlying areas and are permitted at the time of application and do not conducive to maintaining services to the form a new “village” as contemplated by the community. Village designation. 2. Public sewer and water systems must be available within the community. Characteristics: 3. With the exception of tourist based 1. Housing ranges from single family homes, activities, generally uses within these condominiums, apartment buildings, and designated sites must provide or further affordable or workforce housing. the focal point of the community and not 2. Critical services are self sufficient and self provide services designed to draw from or funded and when deemed practical replace services provided by residential or include fire, police, emergency and urban designations. garbage. 4. With the exception of the 3. Environmental values include critical Worley/Highway 95 community, these wildlife habitat, wildlife travel corridors, sites do not envision big box retail stores, habitat connectivity, water shopping malls, or fast-food outlets. quality/quantity from both surface and 5. Generally, these sites envision small-scale sub-surface uses, and provision for offices, limited industry, and limited retail maintaining public open space are associated with providing direct services essential. to the Community. Kootenai County Comprehensive Plan LAND USE 14 - 24

6. Future development regulations may the ACI boundary. During future annual updates require a maximum size of each non- of the Plan of the County and the affected city or residential structure to ensure a town, the property owner may petition for community design conducive to a “village removal of the entire parcel from the ACI in type atmosphere”. accordance with the required amendment 7. Any new lot creation and subdivision in processes. Alternatively, the property owner may these sites is encouraged to use such subdivide the lot to retain both designations as design methods such as clustering to mapped, provided that all of the performance minimize impacts on sensitive portions of standards and requirements, including relevant the site, promote open space and reduce density and dimensional requirements, can be the need to extend services such as roads met. and utilities over long distance Where a resource land boundary divides a lot Interpreting Land Use Maps of record at the time of adoption of this Plan, the Boundaries and identification of land use entire parcel area shall be deemed to lie within boundaries established under this Plan are shown the Resource Land designation. on the Future Land Use Map. Land use designations are generally shown using colored Parcels of land determined by the Building shading superimposed on lighter lines designating and Planning Director to be a technical mapping platted lot lines, streets, and other physically error (other than those listed herein) may be re- identifiable ground features. In some cases, designated to the next least intensive land use specific distances or other references to a designated for parcels contiguous to the subject boundary line are specified. When the exact parcel. This determination shall be made with location of a land use designation boundary line consideration to the location of adjacent land use is not clear, it shall be determined by the Director designations as indicated on the Future Land Use of Building and Planning, with due consideration Map, parcel mapping and other data contained in given to the location as indicated on the Future the County’s Geographic Information System Land Use Map, Area of City Impact mapping, (GIS). parcel mapping, and other data contained in the Parcel boundary modification activities, such County’s Geographic Information System (GIS). as “lot-line-adjustments” or “subdivisions”, that To the greatest extent possible, boundaries of are completed after the date of adoption of this land use designations were drawn so as not to plan and that result in a lot(s) being divided by a bisect parcels. Except for parcels divided by ACI land use designation, shall not be considered a or Resource Land designation boundaries, where basis for adjusting the land use designation a land use designation boundary shown on the boundaries except as may be approved through a Future Land Use Map divides a lot of record at Comprehensive Plan amendment. the time of adoption of this Comprehensive Plan, This Plan’s land use designation review the property owner shall have the option of process is not intended to change any of the land choosing either of the two designations to apply use designation criteria used as part of the Plan, to the entire parcel area or may subdivide the lot including, but not limited to those criteria that to retain both designations as mapped, provided allow inclusion of some parcels that may not that all of the standards and requirements, individually appear to meet a particular land use including relevant density and dimensional designation. The procedures and timelines for requirements, and performance standards can be processing amendments will follow those as met. prescribed in the Plan and resulting development Where an ACI boundary divides a lot of regulations, except as stated above. record at the time of adoption of this Plan, the entire parcel area shall be deemed to lie within

Kootenai County Comprehensive Plan LAND USE 14 - 25

Future Land Use Map The land use areas depicted in the Future Land Use Map represent a long-range vision of community development (see Future Land Use Map). It should be noted that the Future Land Use Map is not a zoning map but rather a depiction of appropriate, suitable, and desired land uses throughout the County as defined by the general land use designations outlined in this chapter. Moreover, the Future Land Use Map has the potential to be supplemented at a later date with additional mapping efforts within specific planning areas, such as the Rathdrum Prairie or Villages, etc.

The map displays the relationships between parcels and the distribution and allocation of land by use in a composite presentation. The Future Land Use Map is most valuable as a planning tool to:

1. Ensure that the County is thoughtfully planned for the continued success of the local economy; and, 2. Ensure compatibility of uses; and, 3. Protect property values; and, 4. Reflect the vision of the community; and, 5. Conserve the natural resources located within the County.

To fully implement the Plan and its Future Land Use Map, the County must change, by ordinance, development regulations and zoning map consistent with the plans text and land classification areas.

Kootenai County Comprehensive Plan LAND USE 14 - 26

Kootenai County Comprehensive Plan LAND USE 14 - 27

GOALS AND POLICES Policies and Implementation Strategies The goals and policies in this chapter are intended LU-1 A. Develop regulations which encourage to articulate the community vision toward the preservation of open space and a rural region’s land use and not be regulatory, but residential lifestyle with limited development provide specific guidance for the adoption and in areas that cannot reasonably be served by implementation of development regulations public sewer systems. which will ensure conformity with the Plan. LU-1 B. Develop regulations for densities and lot sizes for rural residential development to allow only development that is of a rural Goals Quick Reference Guide Page character outside of Villages.

LU-1 C. Review land use and permitting County-Wide procedures to assure that regulatory processes 1 Unincorporated Lands - General 27 2 Historical/previous Development 29 are understandable and predictable, and can 3 Rural Development/Character 29 be accomplished within reasonable time 4 Agriculture Lands/Activities 30 periods and cost. 5 Public Facilities & Services 31 LU-1 D. Consider innovative planning and land 6 Public Participation 31 Commercial, Industrial, Mining and use techniques for residential development Resource Based Uses & Activities using density incentives, transfer of 7 Resource Uses & Activities 31 development rights, clustering, planned unit 8 Commercial & Industrial Uses 32 developments, and long platting procedures. 9 Mining 33 The County may include consideration of the

following: Land Use Designations 10 Scenic 34 a. Appropriate buffer widths from property 11-12 Resource/Recreation 34 boundaries, existing and potential rural 13 Country 35 and resource uses, other residential 14 Suburban 35 development, rights-of-way, and other 15 Shoreline 36 factors; 16-17 Village 36 b. Design to preserve environmentally

sensitive areas and to harmonize with Areas of City Impact topography and landscape features; 18 Land Use Designations 40 19 Border 40 c. Design to preserve in place and protect 19 Transitional 40 significant historical sites; 20-22 General Goals & Policies 41 d. Design to maintain or enhance 23 Annexation 43 predominant rural character, scenic views, and open space corridors; Airport Influence Areas e. Need, feasibility, and cost of public 24 Support of Airport Master Plan 43 service delivery to the cluster

development; f. Maximum number of residential units to COUNTY-WIDE be accommodated in individual clusters; Unincorporated Lands g. Potential use of density bonuses as an incentive to encourage cluster

development; and GOAL 1: Development will be allowed in h. Minimum site size. unincorporated areas that are planned and developed in an orderly and cost effective In considering innovative techniques such as manner. clustering, the County may: 1. Establish a task force to help develop a clustering program;

Kootenai County Comprehensive Plan LAND USE 14 - 28

2. Develop techniques to monitor the impact geological conditions, steep slopes, and other of a clustering program (i.e., record and dangerous characteristics. track the numbers and locations of LU-1 G. Develop regulations that encourage clustered housing); rural development to have access to a road 3. Limit areas where clustering would be that complies with highway district road allowed; and/or standards. 4. Limit or cap the total number of clustered LU-1 H. Develop regulations that identify lots allowed. when new or modified development adjacent LU-1 E. Consider a transfer of development to existing uses should provide screening and rights (TDR) program for residential other site design techniques to mitigate development. TDR programs permit the impacts on existing development. “right to develop” to be severed from one LU-1 I. Encourage rural development to property (the “donor” site) and transferred to minimize adverse impacts on the natural another location (the “recipient” site). The environment and resource land uses. donor site is preserved in its existing state, LU-1 J. Evaluate actions and policies that and the recipient site may be developed at a allow hazardous materials to be utilized higher density than otherwise established. A and/or stored in the County, or that allow such properly devised TDR program could provide materials to pose a threat to residents and the incentive for preservation of resource and environment due to the proximity of such rural lands in the County. materials. LU-1 K. Amend the County’s zoning map, as A TDR program may include, but not limited needed to be consistent with this Plan, as may to, consideration of the following: be amended, including any future sub-area a. Identification of appropriate “donor” and plans. “recipient” sites. TDRs may be limited to LU-1 L. Promote the cooperation of the County specific parcels, land use designations, or and the Coeur d’Alene Tribe in developing geographic areas; policies, plans and planning processes for b. Identification of an appropriate number of lands within the reservation boundary. units that may be transferred consistent LU-1 M. Promote cooperation and coordination with maintaining land use compatibility for land use decisions beyond County limits and that are necessary to create an that may have a significant effect on effective incentive; development in the County. Recognize and c. Provisions for protection of significant coordinate with regional planning efforts. landscape features and historical sites, LU-1 N. Work with cities and other agencies to environmentally sensitive areas, scenic establish a process for regular communication views, rural character, and open space and coordination about the location and corridors; provision of services to areas where future d. Measures necessary to ensure that land growth is expected to occur. Also address the use impacts to properties adjacent to the sequence and timing of future growth, recipient site are mitigated; and LU-1 O. Develop regulations as needed to e. Monitoring and evaluation procedures to require provision of open space, greenways, ensure that proposed recipient sites have bicycle paths, and pedestrian linkages adequate public services and facilities to between existing or planned parks, schools, absorb the additional development and neighborhoods, and shopping areas as new that rural character is maintained. development and growth occurs. LU-1 F. Develop regulations, that provide for density limitations, density transfer or denial GOAL 2: Recognize development approvals that of development where physical constraints or have been granted but may not have yet been hazards exist. Such constraints or hazards constructed or acted upon, such as subdivisions, may include flood hazards, unstable soil and planned unit developments, conditional use and Kootenai County Comprehensive Plan LAND USE 14 - 29 other special use permits, that are non- conforming with the goals of this Plan, Future GOAL 3: Rural areas should generally be Land Use Map, and/or subsequent development developed at low levels of intensity so that regulations, unless they pose a direct threat to demands will not be created for high levels of public health and safety. public services and facilities. County requirements for housing in rural areas should Policies and Implementation Strategies encourage residential development that is LU-2 A. Retain the development rights of legal compatible with natural resource based economic lots of record with residential development activity, fish and wildlife habitats, open space, rights that exist on the effective date of this outdoor recreation, protection of significant Plan, provided that: historical sites, rural service levels, and generally a. No direct threat to public health or safety with the rural character. exists; b. The scope of the non-conforming use or Policies and Implementation Strategies inconsistent land development, land LU-3 A. Develop regulations which establish activity, and/or land use does not expand; lower densities in designated areas to ensure a and rural quality of life for residents. c. The non-conforming use or inconsistent LU-3 B. Cluster housing may be used in a land development, land activity, and/or manner that protects the environment if it is land use is not abandoned for an extended determined to fit the neighborhood. period, which in most cases should be LU-3 C. Develop regulations which encourage deemed to be one year. Non-conforming design standards for new housing structures that are destroyed by fire, development that complement the rural nature earthquake, flood, or other natural or of the community. manmade event may be reconstructed as LU-3 D. Develop, formalize or adopt long as a building permit for such procedures to incorporate provisions of future reconstruction is approved within a open space plans into the land use reasonable period of time, which in most development review process and other land cases should be deemed to be one year. use decisions. d. If the scope of the non-conforming use or LU-3 E. Promote land uses in rural areas that inconsistent land development, land are related to farming, forest management, activity, and/or land use diminishes for an mining, rural residential development, extended period, which in most cases tourism, outdoor recreation, and other open should be deemed to be one year, the space activities. lesser scope of the inconsistency should LU-3 F. Encourage residential development in not be allowed to subsequently expand. rural areas on lands that can physically e. Special types of non-conforming land support it without requiring urban services. development, land activities, and/or land LU-3 G. Encourage proposed development near uses that may create a nuisance or designated resource areas to be developed in a negatively affect public health, safety, and manner that minimizes potential conflicts. welfare should be “grandfathered” only Mechanisms such as clustering, buffering, and for a fixed period of time. This period of deed notification should be used. time will generally equal the useful life LU-3 H. Develop regulations which provide for reasonably expected of the non- a variety of rural densities to: conforming use. a. Maintain rural character, farming, forestry LU-2 B. Recognize the continuing validity of and mining; variances, special use permits, planned unit b. Buffer natural resource lands; developments, and conditional use permits c. Retain open space; that were approved prior to the effective date d. Minimize the demand and cost of public of this Plan. infrastructure improvements; Kootenai County Comprehensive Plan LAND USE 14 - 30

e. Allow rural property owners reasonable on land not classified as prime agricultural economic opportunities for the use of their land. land. LU-4 F. Consider dust, noise and odors LU-3 I. Develop regulations which encourage normally associated with agricultural pursuits affordable housing opportunities that are acceptable in rural areas. Non-agricultural compatible with rural character. development should not restrict adjacent LU-3 J. Discourage new residential agricultural operations. development within the rural area from LU-4 G. Develop regulations which allow negatively affecting or causing the conversion permanent housing in rural agricultural areas of farming, mining, or timber activities. to meet the needs of farm families and farm Buffers between the residential uses and the workers and establish criteria that would natural resource based uses should be allow for additional temporary and/or provided. permanent farm residences for farmers, LU-3 K. Encourage efficient resource immediate relatives, and/or farm workers. operations and production methods that are LU-4 H. Develop regulations that recognize based on sustainable and best management part-time farming as an appropriate and practices. acceptable use of smaller parcels of agricultural land. As land prices rise, specialty GOAL 4: Support the agricultural industry and farming operations may become more preservation of prime agricultural land in the appropriate and viable agricultural uses. unincorporated areas of the County. LU-4 I. Develop regulations which provide for farm-related activities that provide additional Policies and Implementation Strategies income to the farm operation may be allowed LU-4 A. Develop a “right-to-farm” ordinance through conditional use permitting procedures and apply its provisions to all farms within in those areas of the County that remain rural rural lands. in anticipated use and do not interface with LU-4 B. Develop regulations which either Villages or rural transitional uses. encourage protection of agricultural land on LU-4 J. Promote preservation standards prime agricultural lands zoned for rural and incentives that protect the long-term use residential use through buffering, fencing, of land with prime agricultural soils, used for anti-nuisance requirements, and laws, and existing agricultural operations, and other strategies. designated for rural use. LU-4 C. Analyze the creation of LU-4 K. Develop regulations which provide development regulations which require a opportunities for and encourage small-scale or “notice to title” statement recorded prior to or specialized agricultural operations in the concurrent with obtaining development unincorporated part of the County. Address permits for properties within a prescribed community supported agriculture in rural distance of agriculture uses. areas and areas of city impact. LU-4 D. Develop regulations which allow for LU-4 L. Develop regulations which review the schools, churches, and other public and quasi- siting standards and regulations for confined public uses to be in rural areas, provided such animal feeding operations. uses primarily serve the needs of the rural community. Such uses should be encouraged GOAL 5: Promote the provision of public to locate on land not classified as prime facilities, services, roads, and utilities that are agricultural land. consistent with a rural character and lifestyle. LU-4 E. Develop regulations which encourage agricultural related industries, including those Policies and Implementation Strategies related to the production, processing, and sale LU-5 A. Discourage urban government services of food and fiber, to locate in the rural areas from expanding or extending to rural areas outside of Cities, except in those limited Kootenai County Comprehensive Plan LAND USE 14 - 31

circumstances shown to be necessary to LU-6 C. Develop and adopt procedures for protect basic public health and safety and the engaging the public in land use planning environment and when such services are processes, using a variety of methods to financially supportable at rural densities and provide the flexibility to use different tools in do not permit urban development. varying situations to inform and/or solicit LU-5 B. Allow community systems or comments from residents and stakeholders. decentralized treatment systems to, be used in rural areas if consistent with the rural Commercial, Industrial, Mining, character and lifestyles. Resource Based Uses & Activities LU-5 C. Allow individual on-site septic County-Wide systems or other methods approved by the

applicable agencies if consistent with the rural GOAL 7: Facilitate the production of character and lifestyles. agricultural, timber and mineral products by LU-5 D. Encourage Panhandle Health District allowing related processing facilities, limited and/or Idaho Department of Environmental direct resource sales and limited natural resource Quality to, routinely inspect on-site septic support services that support natural resource systems to determine the location and causes activities, and which are not harmful to the of failing systems. environment in the long term.. LU-5 E. Promote wise use of public funds in rural areas by encouraging service providers Policies and Implementation Strategies to establish rural facility and service standards that are consistent with rural densities and LU-7 A. Conditionally permit natural uses. resource support services to be located within LU-5 F. Develop regulations that promote rural lands. Such uses will be limited to those public facility and other related costs of new related to natural resource enhancement, development are borne primarily by new production, or utilization, and which maintain residents and/or developers. the rural character of the area. If particular LU-5 G. Encourage growth in areas where urban services are necessary, conditions shall public investments have already been made or be established which ensure that urban growth necessary facilities, services, and utilities will not occur in adjacent rural or resource have been planned. lands. LU-7 B. Promote the development of GOAL 6: In order to encourage early and performance standards and mitigation continuous public participation, measures in order to govern the intensity, developers/landowners should meet, present, and siting, and design of any proposed on-site discuss future development proposals with area enterprise and support business to conserve landowners and neighborhood groups. natural resource lands and protect existing rural character. Performance standards may Policies and Implementation Strategies govern permitted uses regarding their impacts on soils, drainage, critical areas, traffic LU-6 A. Develop regulations where generation, visual impact, noise, and any applicants for major development proposals, other relevant criteria. including, but not limited to, major LU-7 C. Develop regulations for processing subdivisions, planned unit developments, and facilities, limited direct resource sales, and conditional use permits should consult with limited natural resource support services nearby landowners and neighborhood groups proposed within a natural resource prior to submitting their applications. designation. These shall, at a minimum, LU-6 B. Encourage applicants to consult require compliance with the following: with adjacent neighborhood groups prior to submitting a development application.

Kootenai County Comprehensive Plan LAND USE 14 - 32

a. The use does not substantially detract Policies and Implementation Strategies from the natural resource production on- LU-8 A. Allow home-based occupations and site or in the area; cottage industries throughout the rural area, b. The use is directly related to natural provided they do not adversely affect the resource enhancement or production; surrounding residential uses. Site-specific c. Any other threshold criteria that may be standards shall be considered through the enacted in the development regulations; permitting process. Such uses shall only be a and secondary use of the property with the d. The use does not substantially detract primary use in compliance with the policies from agricultural production on-site or in provided for the designation in which they are the area. to be located. Such uses shall not require LU-7 D. Develop an agricultural/timber-based urban services. business ordinance to permit on-farm LU-8 B. Allow commercial uses in rural areas enterprises including, but not limited to, direct (other than small-scale home-based marketing of unprocessed and value-added businesses and home-based cottage agricultural/timber products and industries) with appropriate scale, bulk, which agricultural/timber support businesses, to can adequately mitigate impacts to the lower allow farmers to supplement their farm densities and land uses of rural areas, such as: income, improve the efficiency of farming, a. Neighborhood convenience stores; and provide employment for farm family b. Neighborhood service businesses; members, provided that: c. Retail stores/facilities related to and a. The use remains an accessory use, dependent on on-site natural resources, secondary to the primary agriculture, timber and minerals; and agricultural/timber use of an actively d. Commercial recreational uses. farmed property; LU-8 C. Allow recreational/tourist and b. The use does not substantially interfere highway-oriented commercial and industrial with adjacent farming/timber operations facilities within a natural resource designation in the area; and or a rural designation if, at a minimum, the c. Performance standards and mitigation following criteria are met: measures are developed in order to govern a. The location of the facility would not the intensity, siting, and design of any adversely impact the natural resource proposed on-farm enterprises and production in the area; agricultural/timber support businesses. b. The facility is of size and scale d. Performance standards may consider the appropriate to its intended use and the relative impacts of the proposed use on surrounding area; soils, drainage, noise, critical areas, traffic c. The use does not require extension of generation, visual impact, and other urban services. relevant criteria. LU-8 D. Develop performance standards and LU-7 E. Develop regulations which provide for mitigation measures in order to govern the agricultural/timber-related, home-based intensity, siting, and design of any proposed businesses conducted seasonally or for short on-site enterprise and support business to duration to be allowed in rural and resource conserve natural resource lands and protect lands of the County. existing rural character. Performance standards may govern permitted uses GOAL 8: Provide for continued existing and new regarding their impacts on soils, drainage, small-scale commercial and industrial critical areas, traffic generation, visual developments outside Areas of City Impact that impact, noise, and any other relevant criteria. are compatible with and continue to preserve, LU-8 E. Allow neighborhood commercial uses maintain, and enhance the vital rural and resource outside Areas of City Impact, that meet uses in the County. specific development criteria in those areas Kootenai County Comprehensive Plan LAND USE 14 - 33

related to availability of existing services, cottage industries) that is appropriate to the impact on surrounding agricultural or lower densities and land uses of rural areas, residential uses and impacts on traffic. Such such as: uses should primarily serve the immediate a. Independent contracting services and surrounding area, travelers passing through, storage facilities; or the agricultural community. b. Industries related to and dependent on LU-8 F. Develop regulations which require natural resources of agriculture, timber, applications for commercial and industrial and minerals; development to conform with the adopted c. Industries requiring large secluded areas local, state and federal standards for: away from population centers and not a. Air emissions requiring urban services; and b. Drainage systems d. Commercial recreational uses. c. Effects on neighboring land uses LU-8 M. Develop regulations which provide for d. Employment characteristics protection of industrial sites developed under e. Environmental impacts this Plan from encroaching incompatible uses f. Fire and public safety by defining allowable industrial uses in rural g. Nature and volume of industrial activity areas as part of this process. h. Noise pollution LU-8 N. Encourage redevelopment of vacant or i. Odor emissions underutilized existing industrial sites. j. Sewage collection and treatment k. Solid waste disposal GOAL 9: Mitigate conflicts between mining and l. Streets/roads/transportation other land uses in rural lands. m. Visual impacts n. Water quality Policies and Implementation Strategies o. Utility services LU-9 A. Develop regulations minimizing the LU-8 G. Update development regulations for potential conflict of mining operations commercial and industrial land uses in rural proposed in rural areas adjacent to residential areas to ensure consistency with updated Plan uses. goals and policies; define allowable LU-9 B. Require anticipated conflicts between commercial and industrial uses in rural areas a proposed new or modified land use and as part of this process. existing mining activity to be mitigated by the LU-8 H. Protect developed commercial and newer proposed use prior to issuance of industrial activities existing at the time of development permits. adoption of this Plan through acknowledging LU-9 C. Develop regulations which require historical land use approvals. residential uses developed in the area of LU-8 I. Develop regulations which require, existing mining operations shall recognize commercial and industrial development to, that mining activities may create situations, use adequate wastewater treatment. such as smell, noise, dust, glare, vibrations, LU-8 J. Develop regulations which provide for and truck traffic. the siting of industrial sites where adequate LU-9 D. Develop regulations which include water supply and pressure are available for setback and buffer requirements as part of fire flow and protection. new mining development proposals on lands within or adjacent to rural lands. Such buffer LU-8 K. Develop regulations which require areas shall be of sufficient size to protect Industrial uses discharge water to be properly adjacent land uses from the impacts of treated or pre-treated to eliminate adverse incompatible development and to mitigate impacts on wastewater treatment facilities and against the effects of mining operations on

the environment. adjacent land uses. Such buffer shall occur on LU-8 L. Allow industrial uses in rural areas (other the mining parcel for which a development than small-scale home-based industries and right or permit is being sought. Kootenai County Comprehensive Plan LAND USE 14 - 34

LU-9 E. Analyze the creation of LAND USE DESIGNATIONS development regulations which require a County-Wide Rural Lands “notice to title” statement recorded prior to or concurrent with obtaining development “Scenic” - Land Use Designation permits for properties within a prescribed distance of an approved mining activity. GOAL 10: Create and define a land use LU-9 F. Develop regulations which require designation named “Scenic” and map it on the agriculture lands not to be used for mining County’s Future Land Use Map. purposes unless they can be restored for Policies and Implementation Strategies agricultural purpose, through the application LU-10 A. Define “Scenic” as having the lowest of segmental reclamation as mining occurs. density in the unincorporated part of the LU-9 G. Develop regulations which require County. Scenic areas: extraction industries to adequately mitigate a. Are those not typically available for impacts on: development due to public land a. Adjacent or nearby land uses; ownership; b. Significant cultural or archaeological b. Are characterized by activities including, resources; but not limited to, resource-oriented c. Fish and wildlife habitat; timber and mineral extraction activities d. Air and water quality; and open space recreational activities; e. Community aesthetics and reclamation; or c. Are too far from urban areas to enable f. Public health and safety. cost-effective provision of public services, g. Noise levels as measured at property lines. or contain land uses that do not require h. Traffic impacts. extension or provision of urban services; LU-9 H. Develop regulations which require d. May be outside existing main road new or expanded mineral resource operations networks and distant from existing to minimize and mitigate adverse impacts of utilities; and mineral-related activities on surrounding e. May have severe soil limitations, critical affected uses. Utilize and rely on the authority areas, and/or very limited ground water. and expertise of state and federal permitting LU-10 B. Encourage the Federal, State, Tribal agencies in development, implementation, and local jurisdictions to maintain the land in and enforcement of permit conditions. the Scenic designation for the benefit of the LU-9 I. Develop regulations which require Public. that exhausted mining sites shall be reclaimed LU-10 C. Develop regulations that allow for the in a manner consistent with best management replacement of a residential structure if it is practices, reclamation requirements, and other damaged or destroyed by natural causes. requirements of this Plan. LU-9 J. Develop regulations which require that segmental reclamation of mineral “Resource/Recreation”- Land Use Designation extraction sites occur as the site is being mined. The site should be reclaimed for GOAL 11: Create and define a land use appropriate future use and should blend with designation named “Resource/Recreation” and the adjacent landscape and contours. map it on the County’s Future Land Use Map. LU-9 K. Develop regulations which require that mineral-processing waters are not Policies and Implementation Strategies discharged to natural streams without LU-11 A. Define “Resource/Recreation” as adequate water quality treatment so as to meet having the second lowest density of the all discharge standards of state and federal designations in order to promote large acre jurisdictions. agriculture, timber, mining, and recreational opportunities in the unincorporated part of the County. Resource/Recreation areas: Kootenai County Comprehensive Plan LAND USE 14 - 35

a. Are characterized by activities including, of preserving the perpetual resource use of the but not limited to, resource-oriented land. activities (farming, timber, and mineral extraction), open space, and residential; “Country” - Land Use Designation b. Are too far from urban areas to enable cost-effective provision of public services, GOAL 13: Create and define a land use or contain land uses that do not require designation named “Country” and map it on the extension or provision of urban services; County’s Future Land Use Map. c. Require on-site water and sewer service, may have limited fire service, or have Policies and Implementation Strategies other site constraints; LU-13 A. Define “Country” as the d. May be outside existing main road designation with the third lowest density to, networks and distant from existing maintain the rural atmosphere and rural utilities; and quality of life in the unincorporated part of e. May have severe soil limitations, critical the County. Country areas are: areas, and/or very limited ground water. a. Characterized by activities including, but not limited to, small-scale farms, GOAL 12: Identify and protect dispersed single-family homes, and open Resource/Recreation Lands in order to encourage space; an adequate land base for long-term resource b. Typically too far from the urban area to uses. enable cost-effective provision of public services nor do typical uses require Policies and Implementation Strategies provision of urban services; and LU-12 A. Promote the protection of c. Characterized by soil conditions able to designated resource lands as a resource to handle the cumulative long-term impacts benefit present and future generations. of on-site sewage disposal without LU-12 B. Promote the reduction of development adverse impacts to ground and surface pressure on resource lands by directing future waters. development in the County toward designated areas of more intense development. “Suburban” - Land Use Designation LU-12 C. Support and encourage the maintenance of timber and agricultural lands. GOAL 14: Create and define a land use Commercial timberland and farmland owners designation named “Suburban” and map it on the should be encouraged to retain their lands in County’s Future Land Use Map. production. LU-12 D. Discourage the establishment or Policies and Implementation Strategies expansion of utility local improvement LU-14 A. Define “Suburban” as the districts or sewer, water, or public utility designation with moderate to low density to districts on designated agricultural lands maintain the rural atmosphere and continue which result in the imposition of assessments, the current growth patterns that exist in areas rates, or charges on designated resource land. of the unincorporated part of the County. LU-12 E. Promote the development of Suburban areas: residential uses in designated rural areas a. Characterized by activities including, but adjacent to resource lands that minimize not limited to, small-scale farms, potential conflicts and reduce unnecessary dispersed single-family homes, and open conversion of those resource lands. space; and LU-12 F. Encourage the voluntary donation of b. Characterized by soil conditions able to conservation easements or other development handle the cumulative long-term impacts restrictions to the County or a qualified, of on-site sewage disposal without private nonprofit organization for the purpose Kootenai County Comprehensive Plan LAND USE 14 - 36

adverse impacts to ground and surface “Village” - Land Use Designation waters. GOAL 16: Create and define a land use “Shoreline” - Land Use Designation designation named “Village” and map it on the County’s Future Land Use Map. GOAL 15: Create and define a land use designation named “Shoreline” and map it on the Policies and Implementation Strategies County’s Future Land Use Map. LU-16 A. Define “Village” as the designation that is in only one area on the Policies and Implementation Strategies map, and it has great possibilities but great LU-15 A. Define “Shoreline” as the burdens as well. In order to place anymore designation generally within 500’ of Villages they must go through the waterfront. This designation will have a wide comprehensive plan amendment process. range of densities determined by many This will be very detailed and not for the faint factors. It is along the lake shores and of heart. Its vision is very broad, from a very riverbanks throughout the unincorporated part large site specific recreation use to urban of the County. Shoreline areas: densities and urban services. All services a. Characterized by activities including, but must be planned and funding secured well in not limited to, a mix of both dispersed and advance of the project approval. more intensely developed single-family homes, forest and open space; GOAL 17: Allow for the development of b. Characterized as being highly desirable Villages, consistent with the goals and policies of areas for development. this Plan and requirements of the County’s c. Characterized by having either soil zoning, planned unit development, and conditions able to handle the cumulative subdivision ordinances. All Villages are intended long-term impacts of on-site sewage to be self-sufficient and self-supporting; conserve disposal without adverse impacts to the existing natural resources, community, ground and surface waters, or having character and heritage and; must demonstrate the severe soil limitations. ability to provide and sustain the Villages utilities d. Characterized by sometimes containing and services. Villages are not to be subsidized by wetlands, sensitive areas, and areas of residents living outside the Village. special flood hazard. e. Characterized as being considered an Policies and Implementation Strategies important view shed. LU-17 A. Develop a Village overlay map that f. Development regulations should provide will be coordinated with new development for maximum residential densities for the regulations and reflect the intent and direction various designated Shoreline areas based of this Plan and provide guidance to on the predominant density of the built developers and governing bodies for future environment of the area, provided the land planning. can physically support such development LU-17 B. Villages should be considered for without requiring public sewer or water approval only when financial guarantees are services, if not currently available. provided by the developer and assurances LU-15 B. Develop regulations for residential from the appropriate public agency that development in areas designated as Shoreline essential public services will be provided, to protect water quality of adjacent water created, and financed. Villages should bodies, including but not limited to requiring demonstrate that the project will have applicable agency review and approval. minimal impacts to the public funding services, and is capable to provide adequate funding for operations and maintenance of essential public services, with the exception Kootenai County Comprehensive Plan LAND USE 14 - 37

of public schools and libraries (which are geologic and environmental hazard areas funded through user fees, state tax revenues unless it can be shown that it can occur and/or general funds). Essential public without threatening public health and safety. services include, but are not limited to, water LU-17 H. Applications for Villages should systems, wastewater collection and treatment provide independent technical studies for new systems, public safety services, schools, subsurface sewage disposal systems proposed streets and roads, paths, and parks. Provision for areas with high soil permeability, shallow of public facilities should be consistent with water tables, shallow aquifers, or geologic other policies of this Plan and coordinated hazards. Villages should prevent with other affected service providers, contamination of groundwater with seepage, including, but not limited to, ITD and any stormwater, and wastewater by connecting to water or sewer service provider with facilities central water and sewer and using Best within three miles of the proposed village. Management Practices for stormwater LU-17 C. Villages should be of a tract of land management. for the intended purpose of the Village and LU-17 I. Villages should be required to include a mixture of residential, community, incorporate design elements that utilize water and commercial land uses that provide a tax conservation practices. base sufficient to cover the costs of essential LU-17 J. Villages located within urban/rural public services and government functions that and wildland urban interface lands should will be needed to support the project. implement fire safety project design concepts LU-17 D. Villages may include well-planned, and standards for new construction to reduce pedestrian-oriented retail shops, offices, and the threat of loss of life, structure, and commercial services. property from wildland fires. LU-17 E. Applicants for Villages will be LU-17 K. Villages located near shorelines required to consult and hold at least one should protect and preserve the natural beauty informational meeting with nearby and habitat of shorelines and land abutting the landowners and neighborhood groups prior to river, stream or lake, established forest submitting their applications. preserves, wildlife sanctuaries, and wildlife LU-17 F. Applications for Villages should fully travel corridors. When reasonable possible, assess the land-use, public-service, they should retain the floodway of shorelines environmental, and transportation impacts in a natural state as a greenbelt, wildlife prior to submittal of application. habitat area, and open space recreation area. LU-17 G. Applications for Villages should They should protect shorelines floodplains, provide for an evaluation and consideration of banks, related ponds, and canyon rims from existing conditions that identifies incompatible development, as well as guide environmental constraints and measures to recreational use of those areas. Development minimize impacts on natural resources, located near shorelines should provide the consistent with other policies detailed within continuation of shorelines greenbelt areas. this Plan, County zoning, planned unit Villages are encouraged to provide access development, subdivision ordinances, and points that are to the general public. other County requirements. Development LU-17 L. Development within Villages should should be designed for compatibility with the incorporate public and private pedestrian natural environment and minimize the walkways. Applicants will be encouraged to impacts on the aquifer, aquifer recharge areas, establish a continuous network of sidewalks watersheds, hunting, geothermal resources, and bicycle, pedestrian, and equestrian paths steep slopes, and visually sensitive areas; to link neighborhoods, parks, schools, and provide substantial open space; and be open space and to establish external linkages. consistent with policies of this Plan and any LU-17 M. The applicant is encouraged to applicable specific or future sub-area plans. coordinate with Kootenai County Historic Development should not be located in Preservation Commission and the Coeur Kootenai County Comprehensive Plan LAND USE 14 - 38

d’Alene Tribe to rehabilitate and retain addressing residential, commercial, and existing historic structures and to avoid or industrial development; schools; air and reduce impacts to any unique geological, water quality; recreation facilities; special archaeological, or historical sites. or sensitive areas; the provision of LU-17 N. While distinctive zoning may be essential public services and utilities; and necessary, whenever reasonably possible the provision of irrigation delivery adopt consistent planning and zoning systems; regulations to guide the development of each c. Proposed distribution and intensity of land Village consistent with the policies of this uses; Plan. d. Anticipated phasing plans showing the LU-17 O. Permit the adoption of a sub-area plan provision of a balanced mixture of land for each Village as an amendment to the Plan. uses; LU-17 P. Require appropriate design criteria to e. Anticipated population at completion; be an integral part of the development f. General land use map designating land regulations created for all phases of each use categories for the entire Villages area Village. The applicant should establish and depicting irrigation delivery systems, density and development standards designed if constructed, and essential public to protect existing terrain, steep slopes, services associated with these land uses benches, floodways, habitat areas, habitat such as: water, public safety services, travel corridors, habitat connectivity, and wastewater collection and treatment, and ridge lines. public schools and streets, as determined LU-17 Q. Applications for Villages should in consultation with the respective coordinate with the Idaho Department of Fish responsible agencies; and Game and the US Forest Service to g. Narrative analysis describing pre- identify and resolve potential problems that development site conditions including, but may arise concerning land use changes in or not limited to: adjacent to critical wildlife habitat and 1. Detailed topographic map with slopes, wildlife urban interface area in proximity of views, and exposures; the Forest boundary. 2. Geologic conditions, structure, and LU-17 R. Villages should provide for a properties; variety of housing types and designs, 3. Soil types, properties, and depth; including housing necessary for on-site 4. Hydrology, drainage, watersheds, workforce. existing bodies of water, shorelines, LU-17 S. Village are encouraged to dedicate wetlands, groundwater conditions, and parks and open space for public use. irrigation delivery systems; LU-17 T. In designing open space and trails, the 5. Physical site dynamics and applicant is encouraged to utilize the geomorphology (flooding, erosion, Kootenai County’s Parks, Open Space and landslides); Trails Plan and the Forest Service Open Space 6. Climate and wind factors; Conservation Strategy Plan, to cooperate with 7. Vegetation, wildlife and habitat public agencies and adjacent public/private considerations; landowners in their land management efforts. 8. Cultural resources including, but not LU-17 U. Villages applications should include, limited to, historic and archaeological but are not limited to, the contents described sites and finds; and below: 9. General land use patterns on-site and a. Vision statement for the use and design of within one mile of the Planned the subject site; Community perimeter. b. Series of coordinated goals, objectives, h. Description of central design concepts that and policies implementing the create themes to guide land use aforementioned vision statement and development and to integrate a mixture of Kootenai County Comprehensive Plan LAND USE 14 - 39

land uses. These concepts should consider will be considered current and acceptable for careful placement of public and quasi- a reasonable period of time from the date of public land uses, ample open space areas original application submittal. The Director, interconnecting all phases of development Commission, or Board may make a with appropriate landscaping, and determination that significant changes in provision of specific guidelines for conditions have occurred that may require construction and placement of updating, new analysis, or studies of specific improvements; issues. i. Description of impacts on area LU-17 X. Encourage innovative forms of groundwater quality and quantity and development to; provide opportunities for the proposed measures to address and/or development of neighborhoods. mitigate such impacts. LU-17 Y. Commercial areas within Villages j. A map depicting any sub-areas or should not be located near existing or planned districts; elementary, junior high school or high school k. Design and dimensional standards areas without the opportunity for school including, but not limited to: principal district input. permitted, accessory, conditional, and LU-17 Z. Prior to or concurrent with approval of prohibited uses; setback areas; structure a Village, its location should be reflected in heights and bulk; building and the County’s Comprehensive Plan. Planning impermeable surface coverage; lot sizes; for transportation improvements necessitated landscape and open space areas; street by the community should also be coordinated frontage and street access; signage; on- concurrently with all affected highway and off-street parking; energy and water districts and ITD, and any needed updates to conservation and protection; grading; and its long-term capital improvements plan design guidelines and standards for should be identified. buildings and site improvements; and LU-17 AA. To perpetuate and conserve the l. Programs designed to achieve trip capture, wildlife resources, Village developments dust control and other air quality should be designed to mitigate impacts to mitigation. wildlife or habitat values through LU-17 V. Developers of Villages should development or design standards related to provide, at their expense and at the time of habitat enhancement, open space comprehensive plan amendment request, a preservation, conservation or development detailed financial and environmental easements, or other means. economic analysis of their project and its LU-17 AB. In determining allowed residential impacts upon the existing infrastructure and and mixed-use densities in Villages, the services and any costs of providing and County should consider the adequacy of maintaining new infrastructure or services public facilities, consistency with Kootenai that may be required to serve the project, Metropolitan Planning Organization (KMPO) including, but not limited to: public streets, long-range transportation plans, proximity to school districts, fire districts, water systems, existing employment centers, and physical wastewater collection and treatment systems, site conditions, as well as the availability of a air quality programs, water quality programs, supply of water. solid waste disposal, law enforcement, LU-17 AC. Village should be required to recreation, wildland urban interface, and open minimize adverse impacts on adjacent lands space, irrigation districts, library districts, and through techniques such as buffering, emergency medical services; and the costs of vegetative screening, location of open space, mitigation of short-range and long-range tax landscaping, traffic calming, or other and fee shortfalls. mechanisms. LU-17 W. Required studies associated with LU-17 AD. Identify location criteria for future Villages applications and agency comments Village, such as availability of an adequate Kootenai County Comprehensive Plan LAND USE 14 - 40 long-term water supply or ability to obtain “Border” and “Transitional” water from another service provider, relative Interim Land Use Designations degree of environmental constraints, and other factors. GOAL 19: Create and define interim land use LU-17 AE. Work with adjacent counties, designations within ACI’s until ACIs can be including Spokane County, to develop a renegotiated with the cities and map it on the process to jointly review Village proposed in County’s Future Land Use Map. areas that cross county or state lines. LU-17 AF. Regularly assess the level of Policies and Implementation Strategies development occurring in Village for LU-19 A. Create and Define “Border” as an consistency with approved plans. interim designation that includes parcels LU-17 AG. Discourage the conversion of Scenic immediately adjacent to the incorporated city designated land to a Village Designation. boundaries, within 1000 feet. This area LU-17 AH. The development of Villages near should be limited to residential development areas of city impact may be considered when on existing lots. No subdivision should be the adjacent and/or neighboring cities agree allowed. Border areas: that the proposed development fits their long a. Are parcels immediately adjacent to range planning. Careful coordination is incorporated boundaries of cities, within required with the cities to make appropriate 1000 feet and should include the entire policy decisions in these areas. parcel even if it extends beyond the 1000 LU-17 AI. Develop regulations to establish feet; and procedures and requirements for mitigating b. Are anticipated to be annexed within a 20 impacts of Villages on adjacent uses, year window; and including through buffering, screening, open c. Are deemed necessary to hold in reserve space provision, transitional uses, and other for potential future inclusion within a city means. in response to current or future planning decisions defined by the city. and AREAS OF CITY IMPACT d. Due to their proximity to the city, these County-Wide ACI Lands areas can more easily provided municipal services to support future development. LU-19 B. Create and Define “Transitional” GOAL 18: Encourage urban growth within City as an interim designation that includes parcels boundaries, and protect ACIs in order to allow the inside an existing ACI wholly located outside future expansion and redevelopment to city the interim Border designation. They are standards following the annexation process. important for the future expansion of the cities and should only allow limited Policies and Implementation Strategies development that can easily be re-developed LU-18 A. Encourage urban density when annexation occurs. Transitional areas: development within cities. a. Are parcels beyond 1000 feet of an LU-18 B. Encourage urban infill where possible incorporated city boundary that is to avoid sprawl and leapfrog development, eventually expected to be annexed and thereby conserving fringe open lands. redeveloped with urban densities; and LU-18 C. Encourage growth in cities already b. Are characterized by a wide-ranging mix characterized by urban growth that have the of uses and residential development, appropriate level of existing urban level scattered residences, various-sized public services and facilities, or where urban- undeveloped tracts in agricultural or level public services can be provided as a timber use or production; and requirement of development. c. Are an interim measure of preventing the LU-18 D. Consider lands designated within establishment of land uses or land use ACIs as “joint planning areas”. patterns that could foreclose planning

Kootenai County Comprehensive Plan LAND USE 14 - 41

options and eventual development or and facilities needed to serve the ACI over redevelopment at higher urban densities the planning period; and, and uses. l. Consider citizen preferences for inclusion in an ACI, based on broad-based GOAL 20: Designated Areas of City Impact community interests; and, should cumulatively provide the area and m. Develop densities that reduce the densities sufficient to permit the urban growth inappropriate conversion of undeveloped that is projected to occur in the county over the land into sprawling, low-density succeeding 20 years. development; and, n. Develop a clear distinction between urban Policies and Implementation Strategies and rural lands; and, LU-20 A. Encourage the cities and County to o. Additional factors as determined through cooperate in the preparation of ACIs. continuing discussions between the cities LU-20 B. Renegotiate the coordinated Areas and County. of City Impact agreements in a timely LU-20 F. Assist the corresponding city(s) fashion. with monitoring ACIs to ensure that land LU-20 C. “Long-term” land use designations supply is not being over-constrained or that within the ACIs should be established and development is occurring in a manner included in this Comprehensive Plan through inconsistent with this Plan. The model should future collaborative planning efforts (sub-area consider several key indicators in order to plans) with the applicable cities. Said provide a more quantifiable approach to designations should be guided by the Goals, making recommendations. Policies, and Implementation Strategies LU-20 G. Recognize the community’s interest in within this Comprehensive Plan and that of protecting and preserving designated natural the respective cities, as they may be amended. resource lands, rural character, critical areas, LU-20 D. Consider and encourage the use of the and significant historical sites. following factors when determining ACI LU-20 H. Collaborate with cities to reach boundaries: agreement on the location of an ACI Recent growth trends and projected growth of boundary with each incorporated city as the applicable city; designated in this Plan. The availability of essential public services; LU-20 I. Collaborate and refine the process for and, negotiating ACI boundaries with cities in Intergovernmental agreements between the order to ensure a partnership in the planning County, subject city and applicable service process and timely review and adoption, providers; and, consistent with the goals and policies of this a. Urban services should be provided by plan. cities or special districts; and, LU-20 J. Codify ACI agreements for each b. Land within a ACI should not contain incorporated city. areas designated for long-term resource LU-20 K. Designated Areas of City Impact use; and, should cumulatively provide the area and c. Include sufficient buildable land for densities sufficient to permit the urban growth residential, industrial, commercial, and that is projected to occur in the county over other public uses and needs during the 20- the succeeding 20 years. year planning window; and, LU-20 L. Encourage reductions in any ACI d. Natural features and historical sites should boundary if the area of the reduced ACI will be utilized/considered to define be adequate to allow for the growth that is boundaries; and, forecast to occur in the succeeding 20 years. k. Consider the cities CIPs and anticipated LU-20 M. Encourage inter-jurisdictional financial capability to provide the services planning partnerships between the County, cities, and other local, state, and regional Kootenai County Comprehensive Plan LAND USE 14 - 42

entities in matters pertaining to sewer, roads, a. Encourage coordinated planning efforts schools, and other capital improvements. between affected agencies and service LU-20 N. Adjustments to ACI boundaries providers, and provide adequate levels of should include an agreement not to annex public services in an integrated, efficient, beyond the ACI unless negotiated by the and effective manner; and county. b. To establish common principles for land LU-20 O. Work with each city to agree on the use on the Prairie; and process for applying zoning ordinances and c. To protect our shared water resources, development codes within each ACI: e.g. consider wildlife habitat in planning, and whether city or County standards and encourage open space to be provided in regulations will apply; and the process for balance with development; and joint review and/or coordination of land use d. To preserve the unique identity of each review and decision processes. city as future development expands LU-20 P. Develop guidelines and procedures for existing boundaries. ensuring consistent land use review within ACIs. GOAL 22: Renegotiated Areas of City Impact LU-20 Q. Work with cities and other service should protect and provide an orderly transition providers to develop a process and procedures of land from county to city. for determining ultimate boundaries, including service boundaries between cities. Policies and Implementation Strategies LU-20 R. Work with the Cities with on the LU-22 A. Direct residential development in periodic review the ACI assumptions and ACIs to have densities low enough to ensure monitoring of growth indicator data to cities can effectively annex and provide provide “early warning” to ensure that the efficient public services. land supply is not being over-constrained or LU-22 B. Encourage industrial and larger that development is occurring in a manner commercial development to be developed inconsistent with the intent of the ACI. The inside cities in order to support their roles as model should consider several key indicators economic centers. Industrial and commercial in order to provide a more quantifiable development should be discouraged from approach to making recommendations. occurring in ACIs. LU-22 C. Encourage open space lands GOAL 21: Maintain coordinated plans for each within ACIs to be preserved, including those Area of City Impact around an incorporated city. containing significant historical sites and those providing community identity and Policies and Implementation Strategies buffers within and between urban and rural LU-21 A. Promote the adoption, when areas. applicable, of compatible level-of-service LU-22 D. Recognize the transitional nature standards for public services and facilities of agricultural uses within the Area of City among jurisdictions within ACIs. Impact. LU-21 B. Promote development agreements, LU-22 E. Recognize farm use as a legitimate when practical, between the county and the activity within the Area of City Impact prior cities to establish common and uniform to conversion of property to urban use. development standards for infrastructure, including but not limited to roads and utilities, GOAL 23: Review annexations and etc. incorporations to evaluate and comment on the LU-21 C. Promote and endorse the following impacts on land use, traffic circulation, public common goals to serve as guidance in future services and facilities, fiscal impacts, and land use planning efforts within the Rathdrum integrity and continuity of service areas and Prairie ACI joint planning area: boundaries affecting the county.

Kootenai County Comprehensive Plan LAND USE 14 - 43

Policies and Implementation Strategies communications or otherwise have safety LU-23 A. Support annexations of areas within implications for airport operations. ACIs if the annexation proposal(s) meet the LU-24 B. Encourage commercial and industrial following standards: uses around the airport that benefit from, but a. Includes all adjacent roadways; do not conflict with, airport operations or the b. Is contiguous to the existing city limits; surrounding neighborhoods. c. Is within the city’s designated ACI; LU-24 C. Consider guidelines provided in the d. Provides for efficient provision of Airport Master Plan when adopting emergency services without conflict regulations that evaluate land use between providers; compatibility in the vicinity of the airport. e. Conforms with current regulations; and LU-24 D. Adopt mechanisms, rules, and zoning f. Does not deliberately exclude less regulations that protect the safe operation of desirable properties. the airport from incompatible development. LU-23 B. Actively encourage the annexation Include appropriate height and other of unincorporated islands within an ACI. development restrictions. LU-23 C. Discourage cities from considering LU-24 E. Coordinate developments regulations annexations outside of designated ACIs and with the city of Hayden and other appropriate annexations that cause the creation of jurisdictions in order to protect the viability of unincorporated islands. “Coeur d’Alene Airport/Pappy Boyington LU-23 D. Encourage the provision of adequate Field” as a significant county economic facilities and services for urban growth resource. Development regulations should consistent with the Plan as part of the address the siting of incompatible use such as incorporation process for all new cities. residential, hospitals, nursing homes, schools LU-23 E. Encourage cities and special service and other assembly structures, as well as districts to jointly develop annexation height restrictions in the most critical impact agreements that define policies, including zones. sharing of revenue of annexation LU-24 F. Coordinate development regulations reimbursement for capital projects developed with the city of Hayden which require a by the special districts, maintenance of notice to title for new developments or infrastructure, inclusion of roads and streets, activities near the airport that specifies that a and other issues. property is near the airport and may experience low overhead flights, noise, night Airport Influence Area lights, or other aviation impacts. LU-24 G. Encourage open space/clear areas County-Wide within key airport impact zones underlying low level flight paths near the end of runways GOAL 24: Support the adopted Coeur d’Alene beyond airport boundaries. Airport Master Plan by providing for land uses that are compatible with aircraft noise, approach zones, and operation activities and protect the health, safety, and welfare of the general public.

Policies and Implementation Strategies LU-24 A. Coordinate development regulations with the city of Hayden which discourage uses in the immediate airport area that are designed to attract birds, create visual impairments, or emit transmissions that are known to interfere with airport

Kootenai County Comprehensive Plan