Attorney shelves Fort Grounds appeal

COEUR d'ALENE - A Fort Grounds attorney pulled his appeal regarding Alcoholics Anonymous meetings at the Fort Sherman Chapel.

Edward W. Kok shelved the public hearing request since the two sides in the legal suit were working toward a resolution.

Kok, who lives across the street from the chapel, filed the civil complaint in September stating the morning and evening AA meetings were become too loud for the Fort Grounds neighborhood since members gathered outside before and after the group sessions.

That suit was separate, but tied to a city ruling.

The city ruled in December that the meetings were legal non-conforming uses for the property since the meetings had been happening there before 1982, grandfathering in the allowance.

Kok appealed that ruling, which was scheduled for Tuesday's City Council meeting, but pulled it off because he and the group were close to an agreement, he said Monday.

Attorney Tom Vasseur, representing Alcoholics Anonymous, declined comment.