COEUR d’ALENE — City planning and zoning commissioners unanimously recommended this week that the city council create a “university zoning district” encompassing North Idaho College’s campus. 

In January, the Coeur d’Alene City Council tasked city staff with investigating the need to update the comprehensive plan to allow the city to rezone NIC’s campus. 

Planning and zoning commissioners said Tuesday that the proposal is compatible with the city’s comprehensive plan and noted that university districts exist throughout the country and elsewhere in Idaho. Moscow, Pocatello and Boise have similar university zoning districts already in place. 

“Why would we object to anything that enhances the educational environment?” said Commissioner Phil Ward. “It’s only a district boundary change.” 

The district is established “to support and enhance the educational environment of public institutions of higher education in the City of Coeur d’Alene and to allow flexible, creative development for public educational purposes,” according to the draft ordinance.

All uses permitted within the university district “shall primarily serve the students, faculty, employees and alumni of the affiliated institutions or support educational, arts, athletic or cultural events and offerings of the public higher educational institutions.” 

Industrial and commercial activities “not directly associated with educational functions” are prohibited in the proposed district, as well as residential developments not intended for student or faculty housing. 

Commissioners recommended that the proposed district exclude Hubbard Avenue and Military Drive. NIC owns most of the properties on those streets, but 10 properties are privately owned.  

William Elliott, who lives in the Fort Grounds neighborhood, said he supports the proposal. The land where NIC sits is extremely valuable, he said, and a university district would “assure that this land is dedicated to public higher education in perpetuity.” 

“This is about leadership,” Elliott said. “I think it’s right for the city to take this leadership and not leave it in the hands of others who may have some other plans. Not taking this action would leave the fate of this property in the hands of people who might decide to use it for other economic gain.” 

NIC Trustee Greg McKenzie opposed the rezone. He said he spoke as an individual, not on behalf of the board. 

“This university district gives the impression that the education neighbors are bad neighbors and predatory who are trying to acquire more residential properties,” he said. 

Rep. Ron Mendive, R-Coeur d’Alene, described the proposal as a “taking” and said he doesn’t think creating a university district would help NIC regain good standing with its accreditor. 

“I believe we’re going to be able to fix that, if not through the accreditation agency, then legislatively, because there are some issues in Florida and different states,” he said. “Things need to be looked at.” 

City attorney Randy Adams emphasized that the proposed university district is neither a taking nor an exercise of eminent domain. 

“No property is being taken physically by the city,” Adams said. “This is a rezone. Rezones are done all the time.” 

Former NIC instructor Dave Hoskins also urged commissioners to recommend the proposal. In a worst-case scenario where NIC loses accreditation, he said, the rezone would protect the campus from outside development. 

“You can put up one more line of defense before the school is lost,” he said. 

Commissioner Lynn Fleming said she strongly supports creating a university district. 

“We raise our city when we raise education,” she said. “Nothing should stand in the way.” 

The matter is expected to go before the Coeur d’Alene City Council Sept. 3.