Hayden Panel Draws A Crowd Application Deadline Dec. 31 For Upgraded, 7-Member Panel That Handles Planning, Zoning

One of the 10 applicants for Hayden’s new planning and zoning commission voted against its formation - twice - when she was a City Council member.

Two others, say City Council members Darlene Ferrians and Nancy Taylor, should get to serve but might not, thanks to city politics.

Others have business interests that could collide with the city’s, Taylor and Ferrians say. And only four of the 10 applicants to date served on the recently dissolved planning and zoning committee.

“I would like to see the people who do not have a real vested interest in development and real estate, because they’re going to be driven by what the people want, and not by what’s necessarily going to help them,” Ferrians said.

Council member Chris Beck said he’d rather not hint at his thoughts until all applications are in. But the three council members agree the 10 applicants so far show a good blend of talent.

Taylor and Ferrians, at least, had hoped for more.

There’s still time left. The deadline for applicants is Dec. 31. Each member selected for the seven-person commission will serve five years.

The debate over whether to form a commission was long-fought. Because a commission has power to make certain land-use decisions, while a committee could only advise the City Council, some worried that it would strip power from the City Council and/or city staff.

In the end, council members voted to form the commission, because they said it would free up much of the council’s time.

So far, the list of 10 consists of:

Kent Bailey, 52, who owns Premier Security Consultants. He ran for City Council in 1999 and lost. He was president of the Hayden Business Association, which dissolved in favor of the new Hayden/Hayden Lake Chamber of Commerce.

John Crumb, who served on the planning and zoning committee.

Suanne Dedmon, 52, a former council member now setting up an amusement consulting business. Dedmon voted against the formation of the commission twice when she was on the council.

Darrell Hull, director of marketing for Alliance Title and Escrow Corp. in Coeur d’Alene.

Michael Klaus, a design engineer at J-U-B Engineers in Coeur d’Alene.

Brian Marcus, 60, a seven-year member of the planning and zoning committee. He’s now retired.

Vincent Rossi, a dentist who served as mayor after former Mayor Dick Panabaker joined the Kootenai County Commission.

Bob Schmand, 47, a real estate agent. He served on the County Planning and Zoning Commission for six years during the late ‘80s and early ‘90s.

Larry Stark, a self-employed general contractor who does building inspections for the city on an asneeded basis. Stark served on the planning and zoning committee for nearly a year.

Wayne Syth, a former chief of the Hayden Lake Fire District. He served on the planning and zoning committee.

Dedmon says she didn’t agree with the commission’s formation when she was on the council. But she didn’t make the recent decision to form it. And that decision shouldn’t preclude her from serving the city, she said. “I didn’t think we needed a commission to make those decisions,” Dedmon said. “I still think the council is capable of doing that.

“All I’m doing now is continuing to serve in the same manner. I don’t think it’s contradictory.”

Bailey and Marcus recently caused a tie-breaking vote on the council when they complained about troubles they were having getting staff minutes and reports from the city. Mayor Ron McIntire, who cast the deciding vote in their favor, will appoint the commission members. The council will approve those appointments.

While they attend nearly every council meeting, Bailey and Marcus can be outspoken critics, they both admit. And that has riled some city leaders.

“I don’t think I went into City Council meetings looking to create problems,” Bailey said. “I went in to observe, and found problems.”

Because of that, Marcus doesn’t think his chances are great for getting appointed.

“They think I’m a little too outspoken,” Marcus said. “I’ve served the city on all the committees they asked me to. I put my time in.

“I think I could help the city.”

He’s not the only one who thinks that.

Gerry House served on the planning and zoning committee with Marcus. House is thinking about applying. He thinks Marcus also should be a contender.

“Brian makes us all think,” House said. “I don’t always agree with him. But I like the fact he contributes to a lot of thought and discussion.”

Stark’s work for the city wouldn’t legally keep him from serving on the commission. Only elected officials must refrain from working for the city. But Ferrians and council member Nancy Taylor are worried that his presence on the commission could look like a conflict of interest.

“At this point, I think it would be inappropriate to appoint anybody who works for the city,” Taylor said.

Stark says he checked with city attorney Jerry Mason, who said conflict of interest wasn’t a problem.

The three applicants who work in planning and zoning-related fields are Hull, Klaus and Schmand. But council member Chris Beck, who approached Hull and Schmand about applying, said their experience is only an asset.

“When you put together a commission like that, you look for a cross section of folks,” Beck said. “You want people to have some experience in those areas, so you can bring a more experienced perspective.”

If business interests do get tangled with commission decisions, members can simply abstain from certain votes, Beck said.

It’s surprising, Ferrians said, that only four of the planning and zoning committee members have applied. But whether the commission’s worth will be affected is hard to say.

“Time will tell,” Ferrians said. “If we have a group of people who are very individual, think for themselves, make their decisions based on their research, their knowledge and the rules, it doesn’t matter who is in there.

“If we have people on there who are followers, will they be influenced?”

This sidebar appeared with the story: FAST FACT Commission

The commission’s main role is to make decisions on variances, special-use permits, conditional-use permits and manufactured home parks. Those decisions can still be appealed to the council.

But for projects that would require a change in engineering plats or city zoning laws, the commission can only offer advice.