Wwp Manager Picked To Fill Planning Vacancy Post Falls Man, 42, Will Serve 3-Year Term On Advisory Board

A 20-year employee of Washington Water Power Co. has been selected to fill a position on the Kootenai County Planning Commission.

Greg Gfeller of Post Falls was chosen over nine other applicants to serve a three-year term on the advisory board that makes recommendations to county commissioners on planning and zoning matters.

“Sometimes it’s important to get involved and contribute to your community,” Gfeller, 42, said. “We’re going to have growth, and it’s important that the growth is orderly.”

Gfeller is filling a position vacated by Alan Markizon, who is leaving the commission after three years of service. Planning Commission members are not paid.

Gfeller will face tough issues during his first meeting Sept. 14. The commission is scheduled to conduct a public hearing on changes a citizens group has proposed in the county’s controversial site disturbance ordinance. That’s the law that dictates the way the county controls storm-water runoff and erosion around building sites.

Opponents say the ordinance’s penalties are too strict. The law also invites county officials to trespass on private property whenever they deem it necessary to inspect the sites, opponents say.

But some planning officials disagree. They say the changes proposed in the ordinance would make it less effective. They say they also are concerned about the county’s ability to control erosion.

Handling issues that might make people angry doesn’t seem to phase Gfeller.

“If you’re open and fair and you listen - you have laws that you have to follow - if you abide by those, it should lead you to a decision,” he said.

That attitude has served him well in his career with WWP. Gfeller has risen from laborer and lineman to manager of electric services in Coeur d’Alene. He oversees an operation with 52 employees serving 60,000 customers.

Gfeller said he sees no conflict between his work with WWP and his position on the Planning Commission, despite the fact that WWP undoubtedly will be providing utilities to some of the subdivisions for which approval is being sought. Gfeller said that if he perceives a conflict, he will remove himself from the discussion.

“I would not use my position on the Planning and Zoning Commission to benefit WWP,” he said.

Due to their jobs, other planning commissioners regularly step aside during certain matters. Other commissioners’ professions include landscape architect, mortgage lender and bank loan officer.

Cheri Howell, county planning director, welcomed Gfeller to the commission.

“He has a good handle on the commitment - the long nights, the hard work,” Howell said.