RATHDRUM - A 33-acre annexation and zoning request directly south of Lakeland High is drawing opposition from neighboring residents.

Dale Updike said he plans to submit a petition with about 100 signatures in opposition to the request tonight during the Rathdrum Planning and Zoning Commission public hearing, 6 p.m. at City Hall.

The site, owned by the McGovern family, is east of Vera Street and west of Meyer Road.

The applicant, Inland Northwest Consultants, is seeking zoning for medium-density, single-family homes. Under the zoning, the lots would be a minimum of 7,500 square feet.

Updike said he and many of the residents he has spoken to are concerned that the project would only add to the traffic snarls in that area.

"Traffic is already a disaster," said Updike, adding that traffic and lack of parking are existing problems in the areas of Lakeland High and the North Idaho STEM Charter Academy off Meyer Road.

The high school planned at the charter school site will also increase the traffic, Updike said.

The planning commission will make a recommendation on the proposal to the city council, which will ultimately decide the fate of the request.

The citizen petition urges the commission to recommend denying the proposal. It also requests that, should the request be approved, the developer fund a traffic study and signalized traffic lights at the intersection of Meyer and Highway 53.

"We're talking hundreds of more trips a day on the roads upon buildout of this property," Updike said.

Steve Soltys, of INC, said detailed plans for the property will be submitted later in the process.

"The only thing on the table now is the zoning," he said.

Soltys said developers typically don't fund traffic studies for in-fill projects that are surrounded by areas already in the city and supported by existing roads.

Soltys said there is nothing negative about the annex request in the city staff report and that the proposal fits with the city's comprehensive plan for that area.

Soltys declined to say who the developer of the property would be if the request is approved.

Kevin Jump, the city's public works director, said the city doesn't know who the developer would be because the annexation application doesn't list one.

"The annexation application is being assessed to determine if there is adequate utility facilities and services, roadway connectivity and to determine the appropriate zoning designation based upon the surrounding areas," Jump said.

Updike said most residents he has spoken with realize the property will be developed someday, but he and others don't believe adding 100 or more housing lots is a wise choice with other Rathdrum subdivisions not yet filled. He said such a project could also stress services and therefore increase taxes.

Updike believes the site would be better for uses such as a community center or Lakeland High expansion in the future.

Tom Taggart, Lakeland School District finance director, said the school district is neutral on the proposal. He said the district explored the site earlier, but it has no long-terms plans to expand Lakeland High or the existing property.

"We don't have any concerns as a school district with the proposal," Taggart said. "We need new families with young kids to come in."

The city council last month agreed to allow the annexation and zoning request to enter the public hearing process.