All:

Please forgive this second update.  Due to operator (that would be me) error, I deleted the post on Change.org that it linked to.  This time it will be there.

This update is coming out later than I would have liked, but my plate has been full lately, catching up with things that fell behind during the election campaign and exacerbated by our County Commissioners and Planning Department running at full speed to increase density and usher in the developers all – over – the - county.  

APPEAL FOR DONATIONS!

Before we get to the cases – The two cases below are both being appealed.  One has escalated to judicial review; the other is being appealed at the county level and will almost for sure escalate to the courts.  Many of the affected parties in both causes have donated, as have a few who are not directly affected.  Here’s the reality.  The reason we’re fighting these, aside from our desire to help the directly affected parties, is that they will both end up setting a precedent for the future in Bonner County.  If you don’t want to see a doubling or quadrupling of density on the property next to you, or see an RV park go in next to you where there used to be forest or a farm, we need you to be involved before it gets to you.  And for that we need financial support because we cannot do it without attorneys.

3,000 people (Change.org and on paper) have signed our petition to stop rubber stamping density.  We have 600 members in our Facebook group.  If only 600 people would donate $30 each, that would make $18,000.  While big donations are great, we don’t get many.  KBCR has committed to fight on your behalf, and we are on the hook whether we collect the funds or not – so please – donate what you can.  $20 is good, $50 or $100 is awesome if you can spare it.  Nothing we collect goes to anyone personally; 100% goes to Planning Department fees and attorney fees.

Skinner Rezone (ZC00028-21)

Our motion for Judicial Review was filed on June 8th.  There are several procedural steps (actions and responses to actions) in the pipeline before the actual hearing talks place, with roughly a month (give or take) between each two steps.  

The process will drag on for some time, which gives us time to raise money and also makes it risky for Skinner to do any developing that would rely on 10-acre zoning.  I believe we have a strong case in court.  Remember that at the Reconsideration hearing, we were limited by the commissioners to the subject of Public Services only – nothing else was allowed to be discussed.  In court, everything that is part of the record up to and including that hearing is on the table, so we have a lot more to throw at them, and it will be heard by a judge, not the commissioners.

Last week, Skinner filed as an intervener, and we did not object, since that would incur additional costs and the court would likely accept their request anyway.  For anyone unfamiliar with that term (intervener), it’s someone who is not party to the proceeding but has an interest in it and will be directly affected by the outcome.

The priority right now is raising money to pay for the attorney.  We don’t know the final cost, but we should be prepared for up to $20,000.  Remember – while the directly affected parties are Skinner’s neighbors in the Selle Valley, this battle is for the entire county, as the outcome will be precedent setting.  Please donate what you can and encourage your friends and family to do the same.

It is my hope that lots of people will donate small amounts of money rather than having to count on a few people donating large amounts.

Two easy ways you can donate :

1.    Send a check to:

KBCR

PO Box 1984

Sandpoint, ID 83864

2.    Visit KeepBonnerCountyRural.org

Click the “Donate” button

If you have questions anytime, feel free to call me (208) 255-0698 or shoot me an e-mail at dcbow@yahoo.com

Idaho Land LLC RV “Park” (CUP0030-21)

I won’t go into too much detail on this one since it has been covered in previous updates.  Briefly – Idaho Lands LLC received unanimous approval from the new Bonner County Zoning Commission for a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for an RV Park on 4.17 acres in Rural 5 zone, for a 20 unit “RV Park” that he has stated will be “affordable housing.”  The code CLEARLY does not allow this use in this zone.

A group of concerned neighbors in the Blanchard area has formed to appeal this decision and KBCR has agreed to write the appeal and represent the affected parties.  We have retained Norm Semanko to file and present the appeal.  He is reviewing it at this time.

As with the Skinner case, we will be running up a legal bill so donations are greatly appreciated.  In this case, the appeal goes to the BOCC (Board of County Commissioners), so for now, the cost will be light compared to a court case, although that’s quite likely where this one will end up.

To Repeat -

Two easy ways you can donate :

1.  Send a check to:

KBCR

PO Box 1984

Sandpoint, ID 83864

2.    Visit KeepBonnerCountyRural.org

Click the “Donate” button

Briefly-

This is not directly a KBCR issue but it is of interest to many and at least tangentially related.  The Linscott code amendment (AM0004-22) was approved on June 23 by the BOCC, against the recommendation of the Planning Department and the Planning Commission.  

I know this was long, so KBCR and I appreciate your indulgence.  

If you have questions anytime, feel free to call me (208) 255-0698 or shoot me an e-mail at dcbow@yahoo.com

That’s all for now.

Thanks very much.

Dave Bowman