COEUR d'ALENE - Kootenai County commissioners heard more than four hours of public testimony Thursday night on a contractor's controversial zone-change request for 34 acres near Athol.

The commissioners hadn't made a decision by 10:45 p.m., but if the request is approved, the property's zone designation will change from rural to restricted residential.

Thursday night's hearing was a follow-up from one in March, and hundreds of people turned out for both hearings at North Idaho College in the Schuler Performing Arts Center.

Most of those in attendance opposed the zone-change request, which would clear the way for 86 residential lots, as they believe a higher-density residential development in the area would alter the current nature of the area.

Mort Construction, of Coeur d'Alene, filed the request for the zone change, though the property is owned by Dennis Swartout, of Spokane. Cliff Mort testified during Thursday's hearing that he will purchase the property if the zone-change request gets approved.

The zone change would allow higher-density development. Rural zoning limits home building to one per five acres.

Mort testified that the homes in the development would be built on quarter-acre and half-acre lots.

"These would be considered very low density in most cities," Mort said. "We're not doing apartments. We're not doing high-density housing."

The commissioners will have to separately approve the planned subdivision. The 34 acres is located on the east side of U.S. 95 and approximately 2 miles north of Chilco Road. Another component of Mort Construction's plan calls for building a related wastewater treatment plant to serve the subdivision.

Public hearings won't be required before the commissioners make decisions on either the subdivision or the wastewater treatment plant.

Jeff Merkeley, who spoke in opposition, said approving a zone change for the 34 acres could open the door for similar zone changes made to other parcels in the area.

"This rural community is very passionate about our lifestyle," Merkeley said.

Athol resident Ramona Grissom said establishing a higher density zone in the area and allowing the development of Mort's desired subdivision would "extinguish" the existing rural land use and lifestyle that area residents "hold dear."

Bob Pedersen, of the conservative political organization Rally Right, commended the commissioners for taking the time to conduct two lengthy public hearings.

"I would hope you would listen to the public," and turn the request down, Pedersen said.

Both Commissioners Marc Eberlein and David Stewart received campaign contributions from Swartout and his family in last year's election.

"That is not a conflict of interest," Stewart said during the hearing. "We've taken a contribution from a lot of people."