Lack Of Storage Angers Residents Lakeland Pines Developer Calls Rv Parking Dispute ‘A Typical Small-Town Thing’

Terry Smith has a nice boat, but he doesn’t want it docked in his driveway.

The Lakeland Pines subdivision resident says the fact he has no storage for the vessel knocks $5,000 off the value of the home he bought last year.

Neighbors are steamed because the subdivision’s developer, Larry Clark, promised residents exclusive rental access to an RV parking facility. That was three years ago, but it never has been built. Now, three new homes sit where the storage space was supposed to be.

Smith and others say they paid top dollar for their land because of the promised storage. Because of the lack of RV storage space and other complaints, they say they’ve been taken for a ride with no place to park.

“Had I realized it was a dictatorship that ran this place, I wouldn’t have bought it,” Smith said.

Clark dismisses the controversy as a minor ruckus that he’s working to resolve.

Smith and neighbor Lori Root have collected stacks and binders full of documents: city records, subdivision rules, assessor’s records, City Council meeting comment forms. They’ve set sail on a campaign to get their storage and a homeowners association, too.

One resident, Delbert McBride, says his boat has been beached in the back yard for two years. “The reason I bought (land) was for the storage.”

Earlier this month, residents packed a Rathdrum City Council meeting to oppose Clark’s plans to open storage space near the subdivision. Clark wanted to build a bigger facility available for rent to anyone in Rathdrum. The city denied Clark the necessary conditional-use permit.

Clark says he doesn’t understand what all the hubbub is about. “It’s a typical small-town thing.”

Tuesday, Clark applied for a second permit. That request will come before Rathdrum zoning officials Nov. 20 and before the City Council Dec. 10.

If the permit is granted, Clark says he will open RV storage exclusively for Lakeland Pines residents. “I think basically all (residents) are trying to do is drum up publicity. We’re trying to do exactly what they want.”

Neighbors hadn’t heard about the new plan. Some say it’s still too late and wish Clark would consult with them before making plans.

“He’s done everything on his own,” McBride said.

Residents said the new plan for RV storage isn’t acceptable because this land is just outside the subdivision. Even if they formed an association, they would have no control over it.

Smith and Root also claimed their attempts to form a neighborhood association have been stymied by Clark.

Clark denied he’s against the association. He said he’d love to be free of the mess. “I welcome that. I hope they get the 75 percent, to be honest … they handed out literature all around town.”

Residents must get signatures from 75 percent of the subdivision’s 70-or-so landowners to form a recognized homeowner’s association.

Those leading the Rathdrum rebellion also complain that parts of Lakeland Pines are being taken over by weeds.

“A subdivision should have grassy swales, not weedy swales,” Smith said.

A promise to allow only two-car garages also has been breached, they claimed. “(Clark) just seems to change things to fix his fancy,” said neighbor Les Root.

There are too many cars parked on the streets at night and on weekends, the neighbors said, making it difficult for drivers to see small children who may dart out into the street.

And neighbors said they’re reluctant to believe any of Clark’s announced plans are for real.

“It’s definitely suspicious,” Lori Root said.

“Amen,” echoed another neighbor, Maxine Guinn. She said just because Clark is seeking a permit doesn’t mean the storage space will become reality. “He’s just wishy-washy.”

, DataTimes