Family land division ordinance now in effect
STAFF REPORT | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 2 years, 3 months AGO
COEUR d’ALENE — A new ordinance making it easier to divide land in Kootenai County to gift or sell to a family member is now in effect.
Kootenai County commissioners approved the family division ordinance in July. A family division is defined as a division of unplatted land for the purpose of a single gift or sale to the landowner’s spouse, parent, child, sibling, grandparent or grandchild.
“It’s a much easier way to divide land than the usual minor or major subdivision process,” Community Development Director David Callahan said in a news release. “Property owners can save thousands just by eliminating the requirement to hire a professional surveyor.”
The family division process is exempt from provisions that are applicable to county subdivisions. However, other regulations still apply. For example, applicants must comply with requirements of all local, state and federal agencies, like fire districts and water districts.
Not all parcels are eligible for the family division process.
The parcel must be unplatted, meaning it hasn’t been through the county’s formal subdivision process. It must also meet minimum lot sizes. Minimum lot sizes are 5 acres or 10 acres in the agricultural and rural zones within the Coeur d’Alene Tribe Reservation boundaries.
Property owners may not create more than four parcels using this exemption and individual recipients may not receive more than one such parcel in their lifetime.
For more information, visit www.keepingkootenai.com.
ARTICLES BY STAFF REPORT
Connell woman killed in Booker Road crash
CONNELL — Charges are pending against a Kennewick man following a collision about 12 miles south of Othello that killed a Connell woman and injured three other people Tuesday evening. A Washington State Patrol press memo said intoxicating substances were a factor. Jessica Zarate, 37, Connell, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash near the intersection of SR 17 and South Booker Road, the WSP memo said. She was driving south on Booker Road approaching the intersection when her car was hit by a pickup driven by John Reiss, 62, Kennewick. Edgar Garcia Quirino, 28, Othello, was driving north on SR 17 and ran into Zarate's car, the WSP memo said. The crash occurred at about 6:40 p.m.
Wheeler Road closed because of traffic collision
UPDATE: The road was reopened as of noon, according to a GCSO media release. MOSES LAKE — Grant County Sheriff’s Office has announced there is a road closure between Road 3-NE and Road S-NE. There was a serious traffic collision. GCSO is asking for drivers to avoid the area and find alternative routes. This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
Doors opening: The Currents will provide homeownership for more local workers
About 104 homes are planned at the former Atlas sawmill site
Teachers, nurses, firefighters and other workers who keep Coeur d’Alene running will soon have more places to buy a home in the community where they work. About 104 homes are being planned to be built at Atlas Waterfront, on roughly 10 acres that are part of a swath of land that was once home to the Atlas sawmill and is being redeveloped. Ignite CDA, the city of Coeur d’Alene’s urban renewal agency, is leading this effort.