Powderhorn annexation weighed

The population of Harrison, the town on the south end of Lake Coeur d’Alene, could become 10 times larger if it annexes a proposed mega golf retreat overlooking Powderhorn Bay.

Seattle-based Heartland is exploring the idea of annexing its 1,642 acres into the city of about 270 residents. The property sits high on basalt cliffs, and one stretch of hillside is visible across the Coeur d’Alene River from downtown Harrison. The company wants to transform the former farm fields and timberland into three golf courses and perhaps 1,350 luxury second homes.

The annexation inquiry comes just as the Kootenai County commission is scheduled to vote Thursday on whether to amend the comprehensive plan to allow for the Powderhorn golf course development. The three commissioners toured the property Monday in preparation for their decision.

Heartland wants the county to designate the property as rural instead of agricultural and timber. The company argues that the designation is justified because the land is no longer viable for timber or agriculture.

The comprehensive plan amendment is moot if the property is included in the Harrison city limits. Then Harrison would have jurisdiction over what happens on the property.

In May, the county Planning Commission unanimously recommended denial of Heartland’s request to change the comprehensive plan, which is the foundation of land-use decisions. The planners said it’s premature to amend the planning guide while it is undergoing a complete overhaul.

Even if Heartland gets the comprehensive plan amendment, it and five other landowners working with the company still must get the county to change the zoning on the majority of the land to rural.

This month, Heartland filed a pre-annexation application with the city.

Heartland Managing Director Steve Walker didn’t return phone calls Tuesday but wrote in a Sept. 20 letter to county commissioners that it is only exploring options.

Walker emphasized that the annexation discussions are “not to strategically maneuver or influence our request for a comprehensive plan amendment.”

Because the commission closed public testimony during the Sept. 14 hearing on the growth plan amendment, the commissioners haven’t seen a copy of Heartland’s letter even though it was added to the file at the Planning Department.

As part of its golf course development, Heartland would build new water and wastewater treatment facilities that would meet city standards, Walker wrote. Both Heartland and Harrison want to know if it is feasible to share the expense.

“We do not know from engineering or cost perspectives if this does or does not make sense at this time,” Walker wrote. “It is our perspective that as a responsible neighbor and as good business policy we should explore this request.”

Mayor Josephine Prophet, who took office in January, said annexations are uncommon and Harrison is scrambling to figure out how the process works, especially when it would have such a huge impact. So far the city hasn’t met with Heartland officials or the public, she said.

“I would like to know, too,” Prophet said Tuesday when asked about the status of the request. “This is something new for the city of Harrison.”

The commission also will make a decision Thursday on a similar comprehensive plan amendment request. Spokane-based Riverside Development wants to transform a former cattle ranch south of Athol near the Silverwood Theme Park into Rickel Ranch, a town that would largely consist of homes priced at $150,000. The Planning Commission also recommended denial of the request.