Kootenai County’s ordinance consultant, Kendig Keast Collaborative, is proposing a new zoning district; Neighborhood Conservation (NC). This district would be applied to numerous established areas of Kootenai County.  In this new district, ten sub-districts are proposed, each of which corresponds to an existing neighborhood pattern. By using this approach, large areas of the County with existing homes on parcels (10 acres or less) would be zoned with an NC sub-district as this will most closely relate to their typical parcel size. First, unlike our existing land use regulations, the newly proposed NC districts will consider existing nonconforming lots and buildings as being conforming.  In other words, if the lot or building was allowed when it was created, it will become  legal and conforming under the proposed new code.  In fact, many residents who currently own nonconforming properties today will greatly benefit from having their properties converted to conforming/Board of County Commissioners news release. More here.

Thoughts?