POST FALLS — The Post Falls City Council approved a zone change request by Idaho Veneer Company, converting the lumber manufacturing firm’s 20 acre industrial zone to urban center.

It’s a step forward in the community’s quest to develop a downtown.

“The zone change will allow for mixed-use commercial and residential ‘urban type’ development in the city’s core off of Spokane Street near the Spokane River,” Post Falls planning manager Jon Manley said.

Idaho Veneer can still operate under its pre-existing permitted use, as long as the mill doesn’t increase its square footage

“A community center zone would have been sufficient,” said Mayor Ron Jacobson.

Jacobson said the zoning did need to change. He’s hoping the conversion will create initiative and inspire innovation down the road.

The council’s decision Tuesday night is in keeping with the 2005 City Center plan, defined as “a comprehensive revitalization strategy for the historic center of Post Falls.”

The plan considers a full range of community development issues including transportation, character and identity, economic reinvestment, business vitality, and other topics.

City planners use the SmartCode “T5” to designate urban center zones in their comprehensive plan.

Post Falls resident and frequent council meeting attendee Bob Flowers expressed concern that the SmartCode 5 designation would create more coffee shops, ice cream shops, and “doo-dad” shops.

“All they’re really creating is a zone for minimum paying jobs,” Flowers said.

His opinion was not in the majority. Two council members voted against the zone change and one remained neutral.

Idaho Veneer President John Malloy said the company doesn’t have any firm plans now that the zone change has been approved.

“We’ve been told for years that we’re not using the property to the highest and best use,” he said.

A mixed-use zone would likely result in the closure of Idaho Veneer, a fixture at that site for 66 years, he said. The manufacturer employs about 30 people.

Manley said an industrial zone is not compatible with commercial uses that investors are seeking.

In other action the council unanimously approved two annexations for low density, single-family residential developments. The Corbin Meadows annexation will annex and subdivide 20 acres along the south side of Bluegrass Lane, east of Greensferry Road and west of Cecil Road. The Hingston annexation applies to 20.6 acres along the southwest corner of Prairie Avenue and Cecil Road, east of Greensferry Road and north of Killdeer Lane.