[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6570140,"mediaKeyId","3310941-d43a23a35e57abcb20055bef38558ef5","parentId",3310941,"title","Rathdrum council denies Hayden Homes rezone after hourslong public hearing on schools, traffic and water","audioSeconds",11998,"startMs",2192000,"endMs",14190000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3310941-d43a23a35e57abcb20055bef38558ef5&start=2192&end=14190","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3310941-d43a23a35e57abcb20055bef38558ef5/thumbnail_2192000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6570140/Rathdrum/Kootenai-County/Idaho/Rathdrum-council-denies-Hayden-Homes-rezone-after-hourslong-public-hearing-on-schools-traffic-and-water","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6570140-1dcf899ca1c33c4435b3e9cdc9df08dc/orig.mp4?Expires=1770571083&Signature=NatwxV3kqohrMbXVUslVjV6jk2WGAKWzYuR0j2YbgJLiM0JBVqjLhtZM50Q0sYiioW7I2WNVj2c5S6mPIFIBOuheZ497Zi8DwtPL3h3FnQuGxo-1hYkoick0KF7FjaWrPm5Om6AQXFQdmcGfLZ1N8aIbPEoHAN27JHmj12N0QLRz2Yii3bjsd3RqquqJyldqsm~I7c~kQ14cPqk6U1umA9jQN6rh723akhCCbp7ce9Y4eDhaYbryFIbQA~3divTpurs0kQtRqQgfHLGFKo655Ni4U2M0suTmbPZ886xGDKgUuQmVrj1SAMoKqo5gbGvOkNpbffS0Gk0G0FTtDCUDnA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Rathdrum","date","2025-05-15T05:59:11Z","article","After more than three hours of public testimony and council deliberation, the Rathdrum City Council voted to decline a request by Hayden Homes to rezone roughly 24–27 acres at the southeast corner of Bokal (Bagel) and Meyer Road from industrial to MR (mixed residential). The council’s motion to deny cited concerns about traffic impacts on nearby collectors and arterials and the adequacy of mitigation timing.

The rezone application from Hayden Homes, presented by Eric Sheck, land development director, and Deborah Flagan, vice president for Hayden Homes, proposed a mixed-residential community using the MR zone’s mix of lot sizes (6,000; 7,500–8,000; and 10,000 square feet) and roughly six-to-eight years for buildout. Hayden Homes said the project would include some industrial acreage to the north, water and sewer upgrades, and a mix of housing that the company said could deliver “starter” homes in the $400,000 range and support workforce housing needs.

Supporters including Maggie Lyons of the Panhandle Affordable Housing Alliance and several prospective buyers urged the council to approve the rezone, arguing the area needs more attainable single-family homes and that Hayden Homes would partner with local organizations to support teachers and service workers. Hayden Homes said it would pay water capacity fees (estimated in the presentation at about $5,600 per lot) and implement transportation improvements identified in its traffic impact study.

Opponents — including parents, teachers and area residents — focused on school overcrowding, traffic congestion, stormwater and aquifer vulnerability. Lakeland School District concerns were presented by members of the public and via letters included in the record noting the district’s difficulty funding new facilities and the distributional limits of local levies. Several speakers cited classroom crowding at Garwood Elementary and asked the council to prioritize school capacity before approving additional housing.

Council discussion centered on three statutory criteria in Rathdrum code for MR zoning: whether traffic impacts would have a detrimental effect on arterial/collector carrying capacity, whether municipal water and sewer facilities could be provided, and whether the location is appropriate for MR given the comprehensive plan. The city engineer and staff memos identified deficiencies on local intersections (including Lancaster/Meier and other approaches) and recommended mitigation measures; Hayden Homes and its consultant agreed to many of the measures but councilors expressed concern about timing and who would deliver city-scale improvements such as the Lancaster upgrades.

Land use attorney Michelle Fulgham, representing the developer during later deliberations, said a development agreement could record commitments on land use mix and commercial thresholds and that industrial zoning (the parcel’s current designation) could allow intensive uses without further public review. Councilors acknowledged that tension but cited immediate traffic and service concerns as dispositive.

On a motion to decline the rezone, councilors voted to deny the application. The denial did not adopt specific conditions to allow the applicant back with changes at that meeting; council comment invited the applicant to address the traffic mitigation timing and to consider a voluntary development agreement if they wished to return with terms the council could accept.

The developer said it would continue to work with staff and the district and could return with revised proposals or agreement language. Hayden Homes had presented a preliminary phasing timeline projecting first homeowner occupancy in early 2027 and a complete buildout in the early 2030s, but councilors said those schedules did not address near-term transportation mitigation or school-capacity funding.

The decision followed a lengthy public hearing with roughly two dozen speakers both for and against the project, and extensive cross-examination by council members. The council did not adopt the rezone; staff said the applicant may reapply or return with revised terms.

The hearing record includes traffic studies, a city engineer memo, written comments from the Lakeland School District and multiple public letters; the council clarified that any new or material evidence introduced outside the public hearing process would require reopening the record and offering the public a chance to respond.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","May 14, 2025 - City Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","After more than three hours of public testimony and council deliberation, the Rathdrum City Council voted to decline a request by Hayden Homes to rezone roughly 24–27 acres at Bokal and Meyer Road from industrial to MR (mixed residential).","taxTitle","Rathdrum, Kootenai County, Idaho","taxId",55014,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6570120,"Council names John Hodgkins as council president",112,15858000,15970000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3310941-d43a23a35e57abcb20055bef38558ef5&start=15858&end=15970","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3310941-d43a23a35e57abcb20055bef38558ef5/thumbnail_15858000.jpg","/articles/6570120/Rathdrum/Kootenai-County/Idaho/Council-names-John-Hodgkins-as-council-president","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6570120-ae66bf4f1464b6756d07b92164c9e49a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770571083&Signature=PEmBvqi9yUSiHYhf3JoT2XTIEe7sHpawsvanFdWCLeN8zuvbPmblwPtHS78WiKQ02MHOJeGR4EQe2l1gzZ6kkp5nF~Yx6HPm8mcjnStlLfrMjNSENq8gvYgngHORjhPlGfhKf5OM3t5PEgi4WdWilqHtXTxRjvT-GkRlcQV8aXIcpZeRY-EhVvpYhMWckiz~xPa4C2RkN9~cRRw-KqVGunrl7ynfLtbpCHK~jrHx~qAhe9xx1h1e83KdHrUJOI3m-HGxS2gakOzRbLpf8Rs7tqWsY~q~pr4AKMrRmxAkDTY~vsyBGV7EcYYqbSg-NMkwZG4y1YJ045JlfKfVvPCI3g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Councilor John Hodgkins was nominated and elected council president by his colleagues during the meeting. Councilor John Hatcher nominated Hodgkins; the nomination was seconded and the council approved by voice vote. Hodgkins accepted the role and the council moved on to the remainder of the agenda.

The appointment is an internal council leadership designation; no additional action or compensation was discussed at the meeting.","Rathdrum council nominated and voted to appoint Councilor John Hodgkins as council president during the meeting; the motion passed by voice vote.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6570125,"Council adopts updated police chief job description, opens national recruitment",1699,14956000,16655000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3310941-d43a23a35e57abcb20055bef38558ef5&start=14956&end=16655","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3310941-d43a23a35e57abcb20055bef38558ef5/thumbnail_14956000.jpg","/articles/6570125/Rathdrum/Kootenai-County/Idaho/Council-adopts-updated-police-chief-job-description-opens-national-recruitment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6570125-aa0b1282896a69c38f63d85b09027825/orig.mp4?Expires=1770571083&Signature=RZWinlNV2qq6zRtOdSM50G9TOBcVKy8l~vlDJzRAf4Q7bML6TAP1Ubs-RDe2yIkgU0jFHRVRuMwhCbaglVgINT5oYU0~zwPluTjOnUO5B6qhsysLWb5-~KsL3563drm-Mycjw13-S4jJCPUzJQt5RtxT6Eulf~~zXvLGVzZGVXk3Rn~JGThkz3bx1-sQ73IPrA9zsOUTKiHplUw3-QFMlkz1~BzIPoh~EffBjwKTZ50Q3yumURC1eTuL3p4md0iSZ6Uz8Ssnh0MH8bRMs8LI-EdYib6uHJzLfok3RousOfwS28mi7Mae0qJdQ~AFTIHoJAMm824xH6geY1hrc2TH4g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Rathdrum City Council adopted an updated police chief job description and authorized staff to post the position on appropriate job platforms. Councilors revised the draft during discussion to clarify the experience and management expectations: the final description requires a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, public administration or a related field (or an equivalent professional program such as an FBI command course) and a minimum of 10 years of progressive law enforcement experience including at least five years in a command/managerial role (examples cited: lieutenant/GS-11 or above, or an equivalent federal management rank).

Council directed staff to post the vacancy through the state job portal, the Idaho Chiefs of Police site, the POST academy listings, and a paid statewide government job posting for four weeks. Staff said postings would also be placed on the City of Rathdrum website and distributed to partner agencies. The mayor will nominate finalists and return to the council for appointment once recruitment and a selection panel are complete.

Council members discussed balancing the desire for broader candidate pools (including federal or out-of-state candidates) with the need for local policing experience and administrative capability. Staff said they would accept applications from candidates with equivalent federal ranks and would evaluate management experience and educational credentials during screening.

Staff expects to begin advertising immediately; council asked staff to return with a proposed interview and selection calendar once applications have been received.","Rathdrum council adopted an updated police chief job description that raises education and managerial expectations and asked staff to open a national recruitment with a four-week posting window on state and national law enforcement job boards.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6570130,"Rathdrum adopts ordinance banning public camping and sleeping; council removes homeowner exception",17224,277000,17501000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3310941-d43a23a35e57abcb20055bef38558ef5&start=277&end=17501","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3310941-d43a23a35e57abcb20055bef38558ef5/thumbnail_277000.jpg","/articles/6570130/Rathdrum/Kootenai-County/Idaho/Rathdrum-adopts-ordinance-banning-public-camping-and-sleeping-council-removes-homeowner-exception","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6570130-0592546eb1039a9966ada6458969bebc/orig.mp4?Expires=1770571083&Signature=UQwY9HD3E7C7CiHHOkYoefItWqMEM1YhpyeTVT9A4LNFHOUHjd~cr0nxionlplUgh-1CLdTqE~wPsvOM~EhPJ7TRMYNIbzGretgvV0JsIOUSacFOtg4NDjjwJG3z5GJxg9uFXN~w0SETUCZo2YiNCpRSjbxuRF7xcmxCwyR0aPG6YmYHHjFFbi6Rv8-JxjYerjX4GpNJmzMweM-1h7BggHbxHqSb8Pg7QDyKwGwAcDNpPPkoIuSZxaaZH4PhaAwQORJ4VRw3VcQx1rIuOqHbyir0TZuCwrF-PieLcVvCKlcnhWZi-Xk2lYUHOVyRhKdTvsu8hnf77NiQcCfsQWbwHw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Rathdrum City Council adopted a new ordinance (Rathdrum City Code §5-3-3) prohibiting camping or sleeping in vehicles on public rights-of-way within the city. During debate the council removed a proposed exception (subsection c) that would have allowed property owners to permit a camper or RV to sleep adjacent to their residence for up to one week per calendar year.

City staff presented a draft ordinance derived from neighboring code language; councilors discussed enforcement discretion and public safety. Supporters who spoke at the earlier public comment period had asked for an ability to allow short-term family visits in RVs in front of private homes; opponents feared that allowing exceptions could create enforcement and public-safety issues and allow private control of public right-of-way.

After discussion the council voted to adopt the ordinance with subsection c removed; the ordinance will be published by summary and take effect per standard ordinance publication schedules. Staff said existing parking restrictions and winter-season rules (October–March) remain in place and that the police will retain discretion to enforce public-safety or obstruction violations.

Councilors said the change balances neighborhood character and safety while giving the city clearer enforcement language. The council also directed staff to monitor complaints and provide updates if enforcement questions arise.","The council adopted a city code provision prohibiting public camping and sleeping in vehicles on public rights-of-way, removing an exception that would have allowed property owners to permit an RV or camper to sleep adjacent to their home for short periods.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6570135,"Council approves small rezone for downtown Main Street parcel",1376,841000,2217000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3310941-d43a23a35e57abcb20055bef38558ef5&start=841&end=2217","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3310941-d43a23a35e57abcb20055bef38558ef5/thumbnail_841000.jpg","/articles/6570135/Rathdrum/Kootenai-County/Idaho/Council-approves-small-rezone-for-downtown-Main-Street-parcel","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6570135-97e9d39424f6da00fb7c17608b904a76/orig.mp4?Expires=1770571083&Signature=TFOiRBXkWB-YKWQDVSRMcIJ3uaBS~3Fi-UcVwwbtVi8HFgXmQuEi2OIl~FC0bZW7un7wQ-o23tfBKTnW2Ayx9kKptTAmmnBahcwQdr98yMw8LpOa0AD3TKiZfWOPWCaWtA30EQ2ZHxDXDi-0q4Out14CoVrxVBE9m9J5P7BXJTuozJnFYTGJ2T6OWuHX0rwLvxP-OqiQGv7yWtPCMwFJH9Ye0JPjHVzy8gt98qkWhAzq4p1-9VUlADGZMAaiBkYPbDq6jmvDsFrjjNSmy6ITwx~TuDwfbT54y5463OzrX59q~l7L-~reAVz1u5Df30kCRuGvocKiqUdNN5yQG-me8A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Rathdrum City Council voted to approve a zoning map amendment requested by Around the Lake LLC to change roughly 0.27 acres at the end of Main Street (15291 North Coeur D’Alene Street) from R-3 (medium-density residential) to C-1 (general commercial).

City staff and the applicant said the parcel is essentially surrounded by downtown commercial uses, is within the expanded downtown commercial district boundaries and is well served by sidewalks and utilities. The applicant, represented by Merle (Murrell) Van Houten of Van Houten Consulting and Design, and Around the Lake LLC’s owner described the parcel as appropriate for commercial storefronts compatible with downtown’s walkable character.

A short public hearing yielded one written comment in favor and brief oral support from nearby residents and the applicant. Council members said the change was consistent with the city’s future land use map and recent downtown revitalization efforts. The council approved the rezone by voice vote.

Staff noted that water, sewer and public services are available at the site, and the property was incorporated into the city long ago; the downtown revitalization committee recently expanded the downtown commercial district in the area. City staff emphasized that the grant awarded for downtown revitalization is not tied to this specific parcel.

The council’s approval allows the owner to pursue future development in the C-1 zone; any specific building or frontage work will come back to the city through permitting and design review.","Rathdrum city council approved a request from Around the Lake LLC to rezone a 0.27-acre parcel at Main Street and Coeur d'Alene Street from R-3 (medium-density residential) to C-1 (general commercial). The council found the parcel consistent with the downtown commercial district and the city's comprehensive plan.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Rathdrum council denies Hayden Homes rezone after hourslong public hearing on schools, traffic and water

Council names John Hodgkins as council president

Council adopts updated police chief job description, opens national recruitment

Rathdrum adopts ordinance banning public camping and sleeping; council removes homeowner exception

Council approves small rezone for downtown Main Street parcel