A Kootenai County hearing examiner has recommended the commissioners approve two proposals that have been magnets of public interest.

Examiner Lisa Key submitted a recommendation to the commissioners earlier this month to greenlight a rezone requested by Silverwood Theme Park, which would allow the company to extend its attractions onto 95 acres of adjacent property.

Key also submitted a recommendation in favor of Coeur d'Alene Paving's proposal to rezone about 116 acres by the state line, where the business hopes to relocate its much protested Rathdrum asphalt batch plant.

Spokespeople for both companies say this is a step toward possibly expanding operations and generating more revenue.

"We are extremely happy that the examiner said that the change should be approved," said Silverwood spokesperson Nancy DiGiammarco. "Everything you read in (the examiner's) explanation as to why is absolutely accurate and correct."

The Athol amusement park is requesting the county approve a change from rural to commercial zoning on acreage at the southwest corner of U.S. Highway 95 and Brunner Road, where the park plans to expand attractions.

Key, former community development director for the city of Hayden, wrote in her recommendation that the proposal is consistent with the county's 2010 Comprehensive Plan. The rezone would allow an existing tourist-based business to expand and provide more job opportunities, she explained.

Although commercial uses aren't specifically identified as allowable in suburban areas, Key wrote, the rezone would not disrupt the growth patterns of the area.

"The requested zone change will not be detrimental to public health, safety and welfare, since the proposed zoning is consistent with the actual use" of the property, she wrote.

The anticipated use of the property, Key added, is the type of use that "can be reasonably anticipated to develop in this particular area, given the frontage on U.S. 95 and the adjacent land use."

DiGiammarco said Silverwood representatives are prepared for the next stage of presenting the request at a hearing in front of the commissioners.

The park wouldn't build any new attractions on the property until improvements are finished on Highway 95, she added.

"At this point, there is not a designated attraction for that location," DiGiammarco said. "There's just the possibility."

Athol resident Paige Lewis said she still worries that the park's proposal will bring in too much traffic, and open the floodgates for Silverwood to develop whatever it wants.

But many still believe it will happen, she said.

"I think it comes down to a situation where big money equals a big bulldozer," Lewis said.

Coeur d'Alene Paving is encouraged by the examiner's recommendation of its proposal, said company co-owner Todd Kaufman.

The business is requesting the county rezone 116 acres near the state line from agricultural to mining, so its portable asphalt plant could be relocated there.

"All the land around it is the same thing, it's contiguous," Kaufman said of the acreage currently owned by Beck Family Trust. "It's not spot zoning."

Relocating to the land west of Beck Road would free the company of operating restrictions at its current location, Kaufman said, near a residential area.

"It would allow us better hours and let us do night work," he said.

Key wrote in her recommendation that the proposal is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan, as it would preserve a local mining operation, continue mining use and could be arranged to mitigate impacts on other land uses.

The rezone would also be consistent with surrounding uses and zoning designations, Key added.

"The facts of the case do justify the change," she wrote.

Coeur d'Alene Paving is also separately applying for a special notice permit to operate a batch plant on the state line property, Kaufman said.

"It's all future stuff," he said of what will determine the relocation.

Neighbors have protested for years against the current location of the plant, one mile west of where Highway 53 intersects with Highway 95.

A neighbor contacted on Friday declined to comment.

The commissioners will hold a hearing on Coeur d'Alene Paving's proposal at 9 a.m. Aug. 4 in the county Administration Building.

Silverwood's hearing before the commissioners is scheduled for 9 a.m. Aug. 11 in the administration building.

Silverwood is ready, DiGiammarco said.

"I think it's good for all of North Idaho when Silverwood, especially in the time we're in right now, is looking at expanding their park and investing their money in North Idaho," she said.