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First, a quick news flash: over our objections, on Jan. 12, the Bonner County Commissioners (BOCC) voted to dissolve the current Planning and Zoning Commission (click to see article) and create two commissions – one to handle planning and one to handle zone changes.
 
This was a rushed decision that won’t solve the problem of overworked volunteers – while creating more government. We also are concerned about who may be chosen to review the many zoning changes coming before the commission.
 
We are considering an appeal. In the meantime, if we hear of a call for applications to serve on the new zoning or planning commission, we will be reaching out to look for people to serve who share our desire to Keep Bonner County Rural.
 
JAN. 26, 1:30 p.m. - The Double Daum -- going for double density again -- Hoodoo Valley - The Daum Construction Company is back before the Bonner County Commissioners to increase the density on a 160-acre lot from the allowed 16 lots to 32 lots. The Planning and Zoning Commission has recommended denial of this application TWICE. This proposal does not meet the requirements to amend the Comp Plan or the Zoning Map.
 
Please attend the hearing in person or by Zoom (information below), and let the commissioners know that you object to this SPOT ZONING that creates a rural residential zone in an area designated in the Comprehensive Land Use Plan as an agricultural/forest area. The county must stop changing our Comprehensive Land Use Map – which is supposed to guide growth in the county – to fit the needs of an individual developer. The developer also failed to show why this change was necessary – which is another criteria for zone changes.
 
Please email the Commissioners your opinion at jeff.connolly@bonnercountyid.gov, dan.mcdonald@bonnercountyid.gov, steven.bradshaw@bonnercountyid.gov. And copy the planning department, at planning@bonnercountyid.gov.
 
For information on attending Planning and Zoning or Bonner County Commissioner meetings, either attend in person, or via Zoom: www.bonnercountyid.gov/departments/Planning/public-hearings
 
FEB. 9, 1:30 p.m. – Selle Valley Zone Change Hearing on 700+ Acres -
The Skinner application to double the density – from 10- to 5-acre minimums – on 700 acres along Colburn-Culver and Rapid Lightning roads, next to the Northside School, now goes before the BOCC after being DENIED by the Planning and Zoning Commission. Unlike the Hoodoo Valley request, in this case, the applicant is not asking to change the county’s Comp Plan Land Use Map, but there are still many concerns regarding doubling the density here in the heart of the Selle Valley. The same concerns apply regarding SPOT ZONING (changing the zone to benefit one landowner) and failure to show the necessity for the change. Many area residents turned out at the P&Z Hearing to raise their concerns about the impacts of adding 70+ homes in this sparsely populated area. Please join us in opposing this zone change and send your emails in by Feb. 2 or attend the hearing on Feb. 9.
 
Please email the Commissioners your opinion at jeff.connolly@bonnercountyid.gov, dan.mcdonald@bonnercountyid.gov, steven.bradshaw@bonnercountyid.gov. And copy the planning department, at planning@bonnercountyid.gov

  For information on attending Planning and Zoning or Bonner County Commissioner meetings, either attend in person, or via Zoom: www.bonnercountyid.gov/departments/Planning/public-hearings
 
How Do We Stop Rubber-Stamped Upzoning?
Our amendment (read about it here) would greatly restrict approvals of zoning changes, and should ease the burden on the Planning and Zoning Commission. This zoning code amendment will reduce the number of applications for zoning code changes, thereby reducing the workload as well on volunteer planning and zoning commissioners. The amendment will be heard on Feb. 17 before the existing Planning and Zoning Commission before they are dissolved. Stay tuned for our call for comments in favor of this change!
 
FEB. 16, 1:30 p.m. – Camp Bay PUBLIC Waterfront & Road Vacation – We are grateful to Camp Bay residents who challenged the commissioners’ decision in court to give away nearly 3 acres of public land – including 50 feet of public waterfront in Camp Bay. Due to their efforts, this decision was sent back to the BOCC after the court ruled the decision was based on incomplete and inaccurate information. Don’t let them give it away again. Turn out and speak up! We’ll have more information about this before the hearing. In the meantime, learn more here! 
Stay informed by joining the Keep Bonner County Rural Facebook group or following Project 7B’s Facebook page.
 
PLEASE DONATE TO KBCR’S LEGAL FUND!
We can't convince the commissioners without you AND more resources. One way you can help is to support our efforts financially – these funds will go toward legal costs to secure a top land-use attorney to advise our efforts!
 
You can donate to KBCR through our GoFundMe campaign.
 
If you would like to discuss other ways to help, please email 
kbcr@mail.com
 and let’s talk!