COEUR d'ALENE - The Kootenai County commissioners voted on Monday to continue their deliberations on a controversial asphalt batch plant application to next month.

Commissioners Dan Green and Todd Tondee opted against deciding on Coeur d'Alene Paving's request to operate an asphalt batch plant on 116 acres by the state line.

Commissioner Jai Nelson couldn't attend the deliberations due to a family emergency, they explained, and the two remaining commissioners doubted they would reach a consensus without her.

"I'm still in the middle on both sides," Tondee said. "I'm not sure we'll be able to reach a decision without (Nelson)."

Green pointed out that a tied vote of one-against-one is treated as a "no" vote.

"I personally don't think that's fair to the applicant," Green said. "I think there is still a discussion to be had."

The commissioners agreed that deliberations will continue at 5 p.m. on Nov. 8.

No public testimony will be heard.

The elected officials had already twice delayed a decision on the application after a public hearing last month, once for a site visit and again to mull over a legal quandary.

Coeur d'Alene Paving is requesting a special notice permit to operate a plant on the acreage west of Beck Road, with the intent of relocating a plant currently operating off Highway 53.

Rathdrum residents have protested the pollution and noise of the Highway 53 site. Yet state line residents have also attended hearings in droves, objecting to facing the same problems.

"I don't like the resources that keep being expended on everybody's part," Green said in apology on Monday evening to folks who keep showing up for a decision.