SANDPOINT — The Bonner County Planning Department is conducting a series of public meetings this month to acquaint the public with proposed changes to the local land use code.

The 6 p.m. meetings are set for:

n Monday, Aug. 22 — Sagle Community Hall (354 Talache Road)

n Tuesday, Aug. 23 — Blanchard Community Hall (35 Mason Road)

n Wednesday, Aug. 31 — Hope Memorial Community Center (415 Wellington Place)

The proposed changes to the county’s subdivision ordinance involve adding a procedure called a minor land division allowing for divisions of land into four or fewer lots, extending the current short-plat process to apply to splits resulting in five to 10 lots, reducing the years a family exemption must hold a split parcel from four to two years and other formatting changes.

The proposed draft ordinance can be found on the Planning Department’s section of the county’s website (www.bonnercounty.us).

Comments about the proposed changes can be made at the meetings or by sending them to planning@bonnercountyid.gov). Remarks can also be mailed to the Bonner County Planning Department, 1500 U.S. Highway 2, Suite 208, Sandpoint, ID. 83864.

The changes were largely met with skepticism or opposition during a public hearing before county commissioners earlier this month, although some in the audience embraced the changes. They are meant speed the processing and ease the cost of relatively simple land divisions.

However, some are concerned the changes will limit public review of divisions and lead to situations where purchasers of land might wind up with lots which cannot support septic systems, which could pose water quality problems.