RATHDRUM - The city of Rathdrum believes it finally has the key to opening its crown jewel - 557 acres it owns on Rathdrum Mountain that are eyed as a recreation paradise.

After at least a decade of talks with neighboring property owners and hiring a law firm for research, the city has secured documents showing that Barrett Drive, formerly named Foster Road, was accepted as a county road in 1909.

Barrett leads to the city's mountain property.

"The research shows that it has not been vacated or abandoned as a public road," Rathdrum Mayor Vic Holmes said.

A public hearing before the Post Falls Highway District seeking validation will be held on Feb. 19 at 6 p.m. at the district office on Seltice Way between Post Falls and Coeur d'Alene.

"We're not trying to take somebody's land away," Holmes said. "It has been a public road and it remains a public road."

The city has been trying to access its property for several years, but, until recent research, it remained unclear as there have been access questions and neighboring property owner concerns as a result, Holmes said.

Rathdrum has spent about $15,000 in attorney fees to research the topic in its quest to gain access to its site.

"We want to make sure it's done correctly and right," said Brett Boyer, city administrator.

Holmes said the cost isn't cheap, "but it's substantially less than having to buy the property."

"This is the cleanest and easiest way to do it," Holmes said.

Boyer said if validation is approved, the city will explore low-impact recreational opportunities for the site and accept public comments on how to best utilize the property at that time. Public hearings would be a part of the process.

The site includes mountain streams, giant cedar trees and dirt Forest Service roads.

"It's very scenic and walkable," Holmes said.

The ripple effect could be huge, Holmes said, considering the site could draw folks from other areas to Rathdrum.

Holmes said Post Falls Police, which handles Rathdrum's 911 calls, has applied to the county to build a cell tower at the site to improve emergency communications throughout the county.

"Other areas of the county would benefit, not just Rathdrum," Holmes said.

The city's property has been selectively logged, which has generated income for the city and helped pay for City Hall. The site is about a half a mile north of the city limits. It is not the area of the mountain that was heavily logged and is seen as bare from the Rathdrum Prairie.

Rathdrum officials said the city could have gone through the court process to gain access to its property, but thought the public hearing and validation route would be more amicable.

Several years ago, a group of Boy Scouts approached the city wanting to access the property, but were denied due to the access hurdle.

"The citizens of Rathdrum own that property and deserve access," Holmes said.

The city believes the four property owners who would be affected if the city gains access to its site would stand to benefit because Barrett Drive would be improved and maintained by either the city, highway district or both agencies.

The two property owners who live adjacent to Barrett Drive couldn't be reached for comment on Wednesday.

The city has been supported by the nonprofit Friends of Rathdrum Mountain, a conservation group, in its pursuit of access. The city wouldn't pursue annexing its mountain site into the city until after it becomes contiguous with the city boundary.

"There is great potential (for recreation opportunities) for the site," Boyer said. "But our plan is to also be good stewards of the property."

• Public hearing

The Post Falls Highway District will hold a public hearing on a proposal to validate Barrett Drive, formerly Foster Road, on Rathdrum Mountain as a public road. The hearing will be at its office on Seltice Way between Post Falls and Coeur d'Alene on Feb. 19 at 6 p.m.