PRIEST RIVER — The Bonner County Zoning Commission unanimously approved a zone change request for a 35-acre property off U.S. 2 from suburban to commercial during its Dec. 18 meeting.  

The request stems from the intention to eventually divide the property, allowing the Priest River Animal Rescue to relocate. The applicable property is zoned Suburban and is currently part of The Ranch Club golf course.  

Project representative Reid Weber shared an overview of the project, noting that the applicable parcel has been a golf course since 1922. The grounds currently serve the community as The Ranch Club, offering a clubhouse and a restaurant. Noting that the animal shelter currently resides within Priest River’s city limits, Weber said the golf course "offered “a generous” deal of land ownership to the nonprofit rescue.  

“They’re at capacity and have been working out of a converted motel for many years,” said Weber about the animal shelter. He further expressed the shelter’s intentions to expand its abilities and services with the move.  

The zone change from suburban to commercial is part of the first phase of the shelter’s move and includes the property being subdivided and then purchased by the animal rescue. The second and third phases involve obtaining a conditional use permit for animal rescue and designing and constructing the building.  

Zoning commissioners unanimously approved the zone change.