Hearing tonight on proposal for golf complex

The public is getting its first chance tonight to comment on the latest gated golf community proposed for the shores of Lake Coeur d’Alene.

A Las Vegas development firm wants to build the $150 million Chateau De Loire Golf and Lake Club, an 18-hole golf course and 475 luxury homes and condos overlooking Moscow Bay. The architecture would be themed after famous French castles.

Kirk Hughes Development LLC revised plans for the development in September adding an athletic center, outdoor amphitheater, hiking trails, community dock and destination spa.

The Kootenai County Planning Department requested that the company postpone tonight’s hearing, arguing the changes were too substantial and more review is needed.

Project manager and attorney Brian Bills said the county’s concerns are unfounded and the company wants to proceed with the hearing before the county hearing examiner.

In a letter to the county Monday, Bills wrote that the request to postpone the hearing has “raised serious concerns about the process and fairness” of the planning department.

He added that he plans to contact the county attorney about the problem.

One of the largest concerns is traffic impact on state Highway 97. Chateau De Loire would be built on both sides of the narrow highway.

The Idaho Transportation Department is asking for an overpass to let Chateau traffic flow from one side of the development to the other without impacting Highway 97.

The county also has concerns about wetland protection on the 578 acres that was once the Flying Arrow Ranch and with a newly proposed community dock.

Bills said that the company is working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on the wetlands protection and will request a permit to do work in the area after the county approves initial plans for Chateau. At that time, the company also will request a permit from the Idaho Department of Lands for the community dock.