In brief: State delays ruling on request for docks
The state is postponing its decision on Sanders Beach property owners’ requests to build six docks along the popular Coeur d’Alene shoreline until a judge rules on the original dock proposal made by owner Jerry Frank.
1st District Judge John Luster is scheduled to have a June 13 hearing on Frank’s appeal of the Idaho Department of Land’s denial of his dock request.
Frank was the first Sanders Beach property owner to request an encroachment permit that would allow him to build a dock extending 22 feet into the lake.
He is appealing the decision, arguing that Coeur d’Alene had no right to object to the request because the city is not an adjacent neighbor. The state wants the District Court to decide the Frank case before it considers the six new dock proposals.
Luster is expected to return Frank’s case to the state so that the Lands Department can have a public hearing.
If that happens, attorneys for both the city and the homeowners expect that the state will combine all the dock requests and have one hearing.
– Erica Curless
County to decide on Real Life permit
The Kootenai County Commission will decide Thursday on whether to give Real Life Ministries a conditional-use permit to build a new campus on the Rathdrum Prairie.
The commission continued Wednesday’s public hearing so that the church could hash out an aviation agreement with the Coeur d’Alene Airport.
The 116 acres, east of state Highway 41 at the corner of Meyer Road and Wyoming Avenue, is in the flight path of the airport, County Attorney John Cafferty said.
The only opposition the church has heard is from the neighboring cities of Post Falls and Hayden, which argue that the county should wait to give approval until a sewer master plan study for the prairie is done. The study will show how best to provide sewer hookups on the prairie.
The nondenominational Christian church is outgrowing its complex in Post Falls off Cecil Road.
The Thursday meeting is at 10 a.m. in the Kootenai County Administration Building, 451 Government Way. For more information, call (208) 446-1070.
– Erica Curless
Athol, Idaho
Fire chief leaving Northern Lakes
The Northern Lakes Fire Protection District and its chief are parting ways.
Fire district attorney Larry Beck said the district’s board of commissioners is meeting at 11 a.m. today to iron out details of an agreement terminating Chief Marion Blackwell’s contract.
Blackwell has been on paid administrative leave since earlier this week, Beck said. He did not return a call seeking comment Thursday.
Beck described the separation as “one of the most amicable agreements” he had seen.
“Marion Blackwell has some additional opportunities that have come his way, and he wants to explore those,” Beck said. “Both sides are truly walking away from this on good terms.”
Deputy Chief Ralph Kramer and Division Chief Bob Maines have assumed Blackwell’s duties, Beck said.
Beck said there has been discussion of Blackwell going to work for the Timberlake Fire Protection District, where he was previously employed.
The Athol-based district has not had a chief since last fall and has two firefighters on leave pending the outcome of an investigation into alleged computer porn.
– Taryn Brodwater