By BRIAN WALKER

Staff Writer

RATHDRUM — A 115-acre annexation request with mostly light industrial zoning was unanimously approved by the Rathdrum City Council on Wednesday night.

The site is at the southeast corner of Lancaster and Greensferry roads near the Rathdrum Power plant. It is contiguous with existing city boundaries.

"The focus will be on industrial, and we thought that it would be appropriate to have some multi-family as a buffer between the industrial use and single-family housing," said Brad Marshall of JUB Engineers, which represents the developer Beyond Green Inc. and Philip Wirth.

"We hope to attract industry to the site. I can assure you there are no immediate plans to develop the (14-acre multi-family portion of the site) — if at all."

Council member Paula Laws she she believes the zoning requests are a great fit for the area, which has power lines and a gas transmission line.

"I like the buffer idea and I like that it would bring in new businesses to create a great community to work in," she said.

Rathdrum resident Les Paloesay said he wondered if a park could be considered in a portion of the project.

"We need the businesses, but we need to be careful that Rathdrum doesn't grow too fast," he said.

Marshall said a park wouldn't likely be incorporated due to the power lines. He said landscaping would likely be incorporated below the power lines.

Rathdrum resident Taryn Thompson said she appreciates that jobs will be created, but she also asked city officials to keep up with infrastructure such as streets and sidewalks amid the growth.

"I believe the city has to address the safety and traffic issues," she said. "It is a small town, and we're losing some of that small-town charm with the growth."

Council member Fred Meckel said keeping services and infrastructure on pace with growth has been a top priority for the city.

"We want smart growth," he said.

Mayor Vic Holmes said that, as long as the city sets standards and sticks to those, he believes Rathdrum can maintain that small-town feel that multiple residents at recent hearings have commented about wanting to maintain.

"Every time we need something for the kids, people show up and help," he said. "It's the citizens who create that feel."

The Planning and Zoning Commission earlier unanimously recommended approval of the request.