COEUR d'ALENE — The Coeur d'Alene Planning Commission recently approved a special-use permit for Children's Village to build a family support center on its campus.

"I think this is a very nice asset for our community," said Commissioner Phil Ward.

Construction could begin this spring with completion later this year. Stancraft Construction Group has been chosen as the project's contractor.

The facility will be built between Children's Village's two residential homes.

Children’s Village was selected last year by the Idaho Department of Juvenile Corrections to receive $1.5 million for a multi-agency resource center.

Funding came from the voter-approved 2021 state fund by Gov. Brad Little to increase youth crisis resources across the state.

According to a press release, the center will be staffed by plain-clothed Kootenai County Juvenile Diversion officers. Additional state and private community organizations will also use the spaces for offices and internship placements.

A new road will be developed off Hanley Avenue leading to the new building to maintain security at Children's Village.

One resident whose property borders Children's Village on the east side voiced concerns about losing backyard privacy. She also was concerned about traffic from the new entrance and lights from the parking lot that will be added.

The building will be about 60 feet from the property line.

As a condition of the permit, the commission required the applicant to install slats on a 5-foot chain link fence and add landscaping to create a buffer between the building and residences on the east side of the property of the new building.

The applicant said shrouds and other means would be used to reduce the effects of the lighting.

Vanessa Moos, Children's Village chief executive officer, previously told The Press the new center is in line with the nonprofit's efforts to keep children out of state and federal systems.

"Family Support Centers, also known as Assessment Centers, aim to prevent and divert youth from juvenile justice and child welfare systems through a single point of contact," according to Children's Village "At the 'one-stop shop,' a community can potentially identify underlying issues contributing to concerning behavior and can partner with youth and families to access individualized services or resources."

The commission voted 7-0 to approve the project at its Jan. 10 meeting.