Vote On Subdivision Delayed Again

Thu., March 23, 2000

Despite a vow that Wednesday would be the final decision date, Kootenai County commissioners tabled action on a Hayden Lake subdivision in the works since 1994. The commission now plans to make a decision April 5 on the Rimrock Forest Estates project, already postponed several times.

Commissioners said they want to take new information submitted Wednesday into consideration.

Neighbors fear storm water from the development will flood their properties and pollute Avondale Lake. Last September, commissioners gave developer John Beutler, a Coeur d’Alene real estate broker, until this month to solve the water concerns.

“The decision should have been made tonight,” said Jim De Smet, a consultant hired by project neighbors in the St. James Avenue area.

The board of directors of the Avondale Golf and Tennis Club still doesn’t support the project, De Smet said. He also questioned whether the subdivision’s storm-water system will work.

Beutler said he has spent more than $100,000 on the project, which, unlike existing developments, will treat storm water before it enters the lake. “The plan we have is a really good plan,” he said.

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Vote On Subdivision Delayed Again

Jesse Tinsley

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