Hagadone seeks marina permit

Hagadone Hospitality is asking the Idaho Department of Lands for a permit to build a 30-slip private marina on the east shore of the Coeur d’Alene Resort Golf Course.

The marina is part of Hagadone’s plan for a 30-unit luxury apartment complex tiered into the side of Potlatch Hill, just above the 13th tee. Each apartment would come with a covered 14-by-32-foot boat slip. The docks would be constructed either from wood or concrete.

Carl Washburn of the Idaho Department of Lands said the public has until June 15 to comment on the proposed marina.

Hagadone also is asking for a permit to extend the existing wood sea wall to the golf course’s east property line. The application states that the sea wall extension would allow Hagadone to build the apartment complex on the site and to protect the landsca-ping and the lake during construction.

The marina would look similar to Hagadone’s other marinas on the lake, just smaller, Washburn said.

The luxury apartment building is expected to be the first constructed in Hagadone’s five-phase plan to put apartments and townhouses along Lake Coeur d’Alene in addition to a new hotel on the golf course.

The Coeur d’Alene City Council voted in March to annex 273 acres of Hagadone’s property – including the golf course and the Silver Beach Marina – in the city limits so the waterfront developments could use city sewer and water systems. The council then instructed city staff to negotiate an annexation agreement with Hagadone representatives, which outlines conditions both the city and the corporation must meet.

Even though hundreds of people opposed the annexation agreement, mostly because it lacked a condition to forever make a 500-foot stretch of Sanders Beach open to the public, the council voted to accept the agreement April 20. The agreement also waived $150,000 in annexation fees.

The annexation isn’t official until it comes back before the council for another vote, which Deputy City Attorney Warren Wilson expects to happen June 1. Hagadone can’t apply for building permits or start any other work until then.

Hagadone representative John Barlow didn’t return phone calls Thursday, but in a January interview Duane Hagadone said he would market the apartments by Memorial Day. Construction would begin as soon as enough customers commit to lease units.

The permit application states that marina construction would start spring 2005.

Conceptual plans for the marina and luxury apartments submitted to the city in January state that the apartments will be in a gated community with access off Potlatch Hill Road. The apartments will have views of the golf course and lake and will look architecturally similar to Hagadone’s other properties with light colors and sloping copper roofs.

Hagadone said demand will determine how fast the five-phase development, estimated to be worth between $50 million and $75 million, will be completed. And he was unsure in what order the other projects, including the hotel, will be built.

Hagadone’s plans also include an apartment complex near the golf course entrance, off Lake Coeur d’Alene Drive, and townhouses on the steep hillside across from the Silver Beach Marina.

Hagadone also wants to build a 10-story apartment complex where the Beach House Restaurant is currently located, next to Silver Beach Marina. Hundreds of people signed a petition opposing the high-rise because it would block lake views, potentially harm the shoreline and lake quality, and also could cause traffic congestion and safety problems on Lake Coeur d’Alene Drive and the Centennial Trail.

The Kootenai County Parks and Waterways Committee discussed the 30-slip marina at its Tuesday meeting but took no action, which means the committee had no opposition to the proposal.

Committee Chairman Jim Aucutt said a couple of members had concerns about taking more public access away from residents for a private, commercial business. A motion to oppose the marina proposal failed.

Washburn said he doesn’t know when the department will make a decision on the marina permit request because it depends on whether anyone requests a public hearing.

Anyone who wants to comment on the marina proposal can write Washburn at the Idaho Department of Lands Mica Office, 3706 Industrial Ave. S., Coeur d’Alene, ID 83815. For more information, call 765-1577.