RATHDRUM — Upon further review, one of Rathdrum's largest annexation requests in recent memory is still moving ahead with an approval recommendation.

Planning and Zoning Commissioner Deborah Furey — the lone person on the five-member board who didn't recuse herself from making a recommendation on Bluegrass Development, LLC's 152-acre single-family residential proposal near the southeast corner of Meyer and Lancaster roads — recommended Tuesday night that the City Council approve the request.

"They have met the criteria by submitting a completed application that complies with the city requirements," Furey said after the standing-room-only public hearing at City Hall attended by nearly 40.

"This project will not turn over overnight. It may happen over five to 10 years."

Furey said the city has responsibly accounted for growth with various plans.

The hearing was a do-over after multiple board members and city staff decided they should have recused themselves last month from making a recommendation due to conflicts of interest. The commission at that time voted 4-1 in favor of making an approval recommendation to the City Council.

Three commissioners recused themselves from the recommendation on Tuesday because of ties to the Lakeland Joint School District, which would receive a 10-acre land donation in the project for a future elementary school. The other commissioner is a mortgage lender who could potentially benefit from the project if it is ultimately approved by the City Council.

Six people spoke in favor of the proposal during the meeting that lasted an hour and a half. Three spoke who were neutral, while 13 either spoke or submitted forms in opposition.

The City Council is expected to hear the request at a meeting to be determined in September.

The applicants, John Magnuson and Tom Anderl, said there could be anywhere between 200 and 600 lots in the project and around 400 is most likely. They said they won't know the specific number until it is designed after the annexation process. About 10 percent of the project will feature larger lots that are a third of an acre.

Those in opposition said they fear that the large project will hamper Rathdrum's small-town feel, it will add pressure to what they believe are already infrastructure issues and increase traffic problems.

"What do we want to do?" Rathdrum resident Phil Thompson asked commissioners. "Do we want to be Post Falls (in terms of growth)?"

Rathdrum resident Michael Fox wondered if Post Falls, which treats Rathdrum's wastewater, will eventually pull the plug on that service because of that city's rapid growth.

"Let's fill in the holes first," said Fox, referring to developing pockets that are already inside the city.

Lakeland School District Assistant Superintendent Lisa Sexton spoke from a neutral standpoint.

"One of the things that sets this development apart is their desire to set land aside (for a school)," she said. "The growth in our district is mostly in the southern part. It is imperative we have (land) to help us accommodate that growth."

Carl and Eric Henrickson, brothers in the family that has owned the farmland, said they believe the property can provide residents a great place to live and raise families. Carl said the applicants are "putting their money where their mouth is" by working with the school district on the land donation.

Hayden Anderl, who spoke in favor of the proposal, said making the site into 5-acre parcels would provide no tax benefit for the city and it would require septic systems over the aquifer.

Magnuson said he understands concerns about growth and change, but those are inevitable.

"People will come to North Idaho and the question is, 'Will it be managed responsibly?'" Magnuson said.