By BRIAN WALKER

Staff Writer

RATHDRUM — A Coeur d'Alene developer has proposed a 152-acre annexation in Rathdrum — one of the city's largest ever — for a single-family housing project that includes a 7-acre donation for a future elementary school.

The Henrickson Farms property proposed to be developed by attorney John Magnuson and Tom Anderl of Bluegrass Development, LLC, is near the southeast corner of Meyer and Lancaster roads south of the city and east of the technical schools.

"We wanted to make sure we address the needs of the school district," Magnuson said. "Growth is inevitable where we live, but it is made a lot easier if it is responsibly governed."

Becky Meyer, Lakeland Joint School District superintendent, said that without a funding mechanism from the state for school construction and land acquisition, the donation is crucial.

"(The school district) is grateful and applauds the conscious efforts of Mr. Magnuson in including an elementary school site in the development plan and being mindful of the impact that the development will have on the district," Meyer wrote in a letter to the city.

The property is across Meyer Road from what will be a future high school.

"The thought process is that there will be benefits to connectivity of the schools," Magnuson said, adding that details such as open space, trails, the specific location of the future elementary on the property, the housing types and number of lots will later be hammered out in a subdivision plan if the annexation request is approved.

"We're still in the initial phases,” he said. "We want to make it a success for everybody, and the school property is a major part of that."

Leon Duce, Rathdrum's city administrator, said a public hearing before the Planning and Zoning Commission on the annexation proposal could be held in mid-July. A public hearing would also be held by the City Council.

"The application still needs to be reviewed by staff, then we will check with the applicant and finalize a date for the (first) hearing," Duce said.

He said that with schools planned in that area of the city, a residential use would be the best fit.

"Having an annexation of this size allows us to have a chunk deeded to the school district and still pencil out for the developer," Duce said.

Magnuson said that depending on the hearing process and other factors, it's possible construction could start next summer.

"This annexation will allow for the orderly development of a residential housing project that will meet the needs of the rapidly growing housing demand," the project narrative states. "Rathdrum is a desirable place to live, and this project will provide a range of housing opportunities."

The property is within the area of city impact. The developers, who have developed more than 3,000 residential lots in North Idaho over the past 20 years, believe the request is a logical extension of the city's growth boudnaries.

"The Meyer Road corridor is rapidly growing with housing projects," the narrative states. "This particular location is well-suited for residential development given the close proximity to existing residential neighborhoods as well as the existing and planned schools."

Duce said a combination of medium- and low-density housing is envisioned for the site. The property is currently farmland. The applicant has agreed to make at least 10 percent of the site low density.

"Some lots would be more than 10,000 square feet, and other lots would be 7,500," said Duce, adding that no apartments are planned.

The request comes on the heels of another large annexation request in Rathdrum.

Beyond Green Inc. is proposing to annex 113 acres with a light industrial zoning at the southeast corner of Lancaster and Greensferry roads near the Rathdrum Power plant.