COEUR d’ALENE — A public hearing for a major development on the western city limits of Coeur d'Alene is scheduled to go before the Coeur d'Alene City Council next month.

The Kootenai County Land Company is planning Coeur Terre, which calls for about 2,000 housing units, businesses, shops and restaurants, 18 acres of parks, 4 miles of trails and land for two public schools.

The property is north of Interstate 90, south of West Hanley Avenue, east of Huetter Road and west of Atlas Road.

The proposed 442-acre annexation and zoning change received unanimous approval from the Coeur d’Alene Planning Commission in October. Since then, residents of neighboring Indian Meadows have consistently attended Coeur d'Alene City Council meetings to voice objections to the project.

"Those of us who live in Indian Meadows cherish our surroundings," Vikki Conway told the City Council on Tuesday. "Peaceful streets where children can ride their bikes and people can walk their dogs and visit with their neighbors."

She said it's a quiet area and they like it that way.

"Growth does not have to mean we get brushed aside in the scramble for new, dense areas," Conway said. "We can both coexist with a little thought."

The hearing is scheduled for 4 p.m., Feb. 7, in the Coeur d'Alene Library Community Room, to allow for what is expected to be a great deal of public comment. Council members could make a decision that night, or table it.

In October, Planning Commission members said the development would provide much-needed housing in an appropriate area targeted for growth.

“I see this as well-planned,” said Commissioner Jon Ingalls.

Commissioner Phil Ward agreed.

“This is the type of development we need,” he said.

The undeveloped land is zoned agricultural suburban. The zoning change allows for residential and commercial development.

Buildout is expected to be over 20 to 30 years. The entire project is more than 1,000 acres and could eventually house about 4,500 families. The remaining acreage sits within Post Falls city limits.

Coeur Terre is estimated to provide 900 new jobs, generate $4.5 million in property and sales tax revenues and will be a total $2.5 billion investment over buildout.

Indian Meadows, which dead-ends, is listed as one of the connectors to Coeur Terre. Residents believe opening it up would change their homes forever.

"Please be mindful of the changes you are making to our lives when you open up the streets to all of this traffic," Conway said.