They say all politics is local, and that is certainly apparent right now in Bonner County.
The Bonner County’s Planning Commission is working diligently to finalize updates to the comprehensive plan, which serves as a blueprint for growth and development over the next 10-20 years. This blueprint will be used to update County codes, which are essential to responsibly planned development and the protection of shorelines, wetlands, and water quality in Lake Pend Oreille, Priest Lake, and all of the rivers and streams in Bonner County.
Final touches are underway on a critical component of the plan called the Comprehensive Land Use Plan. Commissioners are currently requesting input from our community on this draft plan—you can learn more here, and please attend a workshop in your area to get your questions answered and share your thoughts!
All of the following workshops are scheduled from 3-7pm Pacific Time:
12/10/24 – Priest River; West Bonner County Library; 118 Main Street
12/17/24 – Sandpoint; Northside Elementary (Selle Valley); 7881 Colburn Culver Road
1/7/25 – Blanchard; Blanchard Community Center; 685 Rusho Lane
1/14/25 – Sagle; Sagle Elementary; 550 Sagle Road
1/21/25 – Cocolalla; Southside Elementary; 307 Southside School Road
1/28/25 – Clark Fork; Clark Fork Junior/Senior High School; 502 North Main Street
2/4/25 – Coolin; Location TBD
2/11/25 – Sandpoint; Bonner County Admin Building; 1500 Hwy 2
The comment deadline is February 15th, so stay tuned for more information from ICL about specific points we’ll suggest making.
To attest to the importance of land use decisions, and the power of speaking up and getting involved, we recently raised concerns about a proposal by Schweitzer Mountain Properties to amend the zoning and Land Use Map, affecting about 1,500 acres. The change would expand the Alpine Village Zone from the uppermost elevations of Schweitzer’s Village to the valley floor near Highway 95, and would potentially allow more than 6,000 new residential and commercial buildings. There was no assurance that Schweitzer Creek, Swede Creek and Little Sand Creek would not be polluted by the highly erodible soils, no assurance that adequate sewage treatment would be available, and no certainty that there is enough water to serve the development.
After ICL and others raised objections about the proposal, Schweitzer Mountain Properties invited us, Project 7B, Kaniksu Land Trust and other concerned citizens to meet with them. After discussing our concerns, Schweitzer Mountain Properties agreed to withdraw their proposal and work with us to refine the plan. We are grateful for their gesture and look forward to working together to minimize the impact and safeguard our water! We will keep our community informed as the process unfolds.
As Bonner County continues to grow and evolve, thoughtful planning and active community participation are essential to shaping a sustainable and vibrant future. The updates to the Comprehensive Plan provide an opportunity to ensure that growth is balanced with the preservation of our natural resources, such as the treasured waters of Lake Pend Oreille, Priest Lake, and our cherished wetlands and shorelines. As the February 15th Comprehensive Plan comment deadline approaches, let’s commit to being informed, involved, and proactive in contributing to a vision that protects Bonner County’s beauty and character for generations to come.