Big Development Planned Near Rathdrum Developer Seeks Permission To Build 419-Lot Project Close To Rail Depot
It’s called River of No Return, and it could bring in a population larger than Athol and Hauser combined.
Developers are seeking county permission to build a 419-lot subdivision just outside of town.
The project would be on 260 acres near Idaho Road North. The site is above the prairie’s aquifer, and near the future Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway’s locomotive refueling depot.
“It seems like an ambitious project for the area,” said Bob Lloyd, Rathdrum’s public works director.
Though the application for the Kootenai County Planning Department isn’t complete, it should be finished within the next few weeks, said Joe Hassell, engineer and surveyor for the development. Hassell also is a city councilman for the city of Rathdrum.
“This may be the biggest subdivision we have seen,” said Rand Wichman, senior planner for Kootenai County.
Tony Weimer, from Inland Northwest Consultants, is the developer. The owner’s address is listed in Tucson, Ariz.
Access roads and sewage and water lines will be the largest obstacles for the developers to clear, said Wichman. Since the proposed area is outside city limits, the development can’t be hooked up to the city’s sewer system.
Fire Chief Wayne Nowacki’s letter to the county stated that developers have not planned for enough roads leading to the subdivision.
“… If a major fire should occur in this area, one road would not be able to handle the traffic safely,” he wrote.
The high-density area could “bottleneck” and create a safety hazard, Nowacki said. If the plan is approved, the fire department will have to hire more personnel. He now has eight employees.
“I knew something would happen there at some time, but this is bigger than I thought it would be,” Nowacki said.
As the county considers the idea, the city’s opinion on the development will be important because someday Rathdrum’s city limits could extend that far, Wichman said.
The area is a bit elevated from the Rathdrum Prairie, Hassell said, and many of the homes will have beautiful views.
Hassell’s two roles, as council member and as engineer, won’t present a conflict of interest for him, he said.
“In this particular case, since it’s not going to come before the council, I wouldn’t have any impact on (the decision),” he said.
But the council could make a decision whether to support the idea, Lloyd said. And if there’s a possible vote, Hassell said he will just step down from voting because of conflict of interest.
Rathdrum Mayor Tawnda Bromley has requested information on the project that she could share with council members, said Lloyd.
“It’s very costly to develop rough land like that,” Lloyd said. “I hope they do their homework first.”
A scheduled date with the county has yet to be set for the preliminary proposal, said Wichman. The developer needs to gather several more approvals and signatures.
“I don’t know if the market is there to justify this type of project,” Wichman said.