Subdivision Decisions Delayed Neighbors Of Scarcello Ranch Proposal Concerned About Wells

Thu., June 25, 1998

By Julie Titone juliet@spokesman.com

The Kootenai County Commission delayed decisions on two controversial subdivisions Wednesday evening.

Because developer Steve Thompson on Tuesday morning submitted a significantly different plan for West Hayden Estates 1st Addition, the commission was legally bound to allow more time for review of the proposal.

Thompson had been seeking preliminary plat approval for 59 lots on 21 acres north of Lancaster Road and west of Strahorn Road.

Another reason for postponing a decision, said commission chairman Dick Compton, is negotiations over ownership of the water system that serves the area. The adequacy of the water supply is a major point of controversy.

The commissioners set another hearing on the issue for 6 p.m. July 22.

They delayed until July 8 a decision on the Scarcello Ranch subdivision. Developer Charles Potts wants to rezone 250 acres east of Twin Lakes Village to build 200 homes there. He also needs preliminary plat approval for the project.

Many critics spoke up on Thursday, mostly neighbors of the project who fear that their drinking wells will be contaminated by the lagoon/land application method Potts is proposing for his 100 two-acre lots. He countered that the system of drain fields used on 5-acre lots puts the aquifer in more danger.

Another major objection was that the development is not consistent with the county’s comprehensive plan, which calls for maintaining the rural character of the area. Potts contends there is a big demand for smaller, affordable country lots.

NEW SCHEDULE The commissioners set another hearing on West Hayden Estates for 6 p.m. July 22. They delayed until July 8 a decision on the Scarcello Ranch subdivision.

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Subdivision Decisions Delayed Neighbors Of Scarcello Ranch Proposal Concerned About Wells

Jesse Tinsley

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