SANDPOINT — Sawbuck Estates will be adding new properties to its community off Kelso Lake Road after Bonner County commissioners unanimously approved a nine-lot subdivision Wednesday.   

Commissioners Brian Domke and Ron Korn voted on the matter, with Commissioner Asia Williams absent.  

The pair approved the subdivision through the use of a checklist, ensuring that the applicable file was in accordance with Bonner County Revised Code and the Bonner County Comprehensive Plan. 

The file was represented by Jeremy Grimm, owner of Whiskey Rocks Planning Consulting and mayor of Sandpoint, where he highlighted the simplicity of the proposed subdivision. The 45-acre property is currently zoned as Rural 5, fitting the request to divide the property into nine 5-acre lots. According to a map on Northwest Land and Lifestyle Properties, the proposed subdivision would fit the characteristics of the surrounding 12 five-acre lots. 

“This has been thoughtfully designed to fit within the existing character of the surrounding area, which already includes the Sawbuck estates, first edition and Sawbuck forest,” said Grimm. 

Public and agency comments were received on the matter, with community member Wayne Martin being the lone commentor at Wednesday’s hearing, where he expressed his “strong concern for health and safety of people buying homes,” as they “do not understand the safety issues, especially in relationships with fire.” 

No agency comments opposed the subdivision.  

Before approving the proposed subdivision, Domke expressing gratitude toward individuals expressing concerns about subdivisions within the county.  

“Based on public comment that was received during the hearing, I understand and appreciate that,” said Domke. “Thinking about safe access, fire safety, community design concepts when it comes to any type of plan development, I can see and understand where those are thoughtful comments to consider, but right now we need to work with what's in the code, what requirements are applicable to this particular proposal, and based on the information that we have in the record, I do believe that the items that are required for those access and safety items are addressed within the proposal and contingent upon the conditions of approval.”

    The proposed subdivision, labeled as "future," shown next to the already existing Sawbuck Estates subdivision.