SANDPOINT — Community members off Bottle Bay Road will be welcoming an abundance of new neighbors after a 23-lot subdivision known as Bahia Del Sol was approved to come into the neighborhood. 

County commissioners approved the subdivision in a nonconsecutive, two-day meeting by a 2-1 vote after concluding that the proposed file would not adversely impact surrounding properties and utilities and that it was in accordance with Bonner County Revised Code.  

The approved file came with extensive deliberation, as the proposed subdivision is located off Bottle Bay Road in Sagle, a congested road that leads out to U.S. 95, making it difficult for residents to enter the highway during peak travel hours.  

Debate centered on the influx of traffic the proposed subdivision would add to the already congested roads. In a July feedback letter, Bonner County Road and Bridge determined that the traffic increase caused by the proposed subdivision was more than 50% less than the required threshold for a traffic impact study by Idaho Transportation Department.  

A traffic impact study is required for proposed residential dwelling units of 100 or more, and is aimed to “assist developers and transportation agencies in determining the need for any improvements to the adjacent and nearby transportation system in order to maintain a satisfactory level of service, an acceptable level of safety and the appropriate acceptable level of safety and the appropriate access provisions for a proposed development,” according to ITD officials.  

While the county department noted the congested intersection of Bottle Bay Road and U.S. 95, it shared that the solution to the intersection’s issues lie with ITD, that it would not be feasible to require a developer or contractor to make major highway improvements.   

Commissioners discussed in length the comments made by the Road and Bridge department and its acknowledgement of traffic that the subdivision would add in the area. However, they noted that ITD had an opportunity to speak out about the traffic increase and potential dangers to the intersection and opted to reply with a “no comment” response.  

Commissioner Asia Williams shared her concerns with the subdivision, questioning whether or not a development should be put in before the road safety issues were fixed, something that isn’t slated to happen for another ten years, according to ITD.  

Commissioner Ron Korn shared sentiments to Williams’ concerns but acknowledged that the only “fair” thing to do about the safety of the intersection would be to place a moratorium on the areas that utilize the Bottle Bay Road and U.S. 95 intersection. Korn further expressed that “it would be a different situation if the road to the subdivision was creating a problem to Bottle Bay Road at the intersection.”  

Korn said that denying the proposed subdivision could open the county to potential litigation, as the file met all the requirements of approval. 

Commissioner Brian Domke said he felt comfortable relying on the Road and Bridge Department’s analysis against requiring a traffic impact study, especially since ITD did not indicate the necessity for one either.   

“If somebody was silent in the record and just didn’t respond, I’d be more concerned with regard to the roadways,” said Domke. “But because both agencies associated with both roadways did respond, I’m comfortable relying on their responses to make the decision.” 

Another debated topic was an agency comment from Lake Pend Oreille School District, which argued that “some of the schools” in the district were running at or above maximum capacity. However, commissioners agreed that the agency letter fell short of including how the subdivision would directly impact the school district. 

The subdivision was approved by Domke and Korn and voted against by Williams.  

The subdivision will sit on a 6.77-acre lot in a Surburban zoned area.

    Bahia Del Sol proposed subdivision site