Kootenai County to weigh area of impact agreements

COEUR d’ALENE — Kootenai County will soon conduct public hearings on proposed area of impact agreements with cities.

An area of impact is a geographical area where a city is expected to grow into and annex at some future time. Agreements between Kootenai County and its cities about areas of impact have existed since the late '90s. 

Last year, state lawmakers passed legislation that requires areas of impact to extend no further than 2 miles from city limits and gives county commissioners the power to “make the final determination regarding area of impact boundaries.” These boundaries must be reviewed and potentially adjusted every five years under stricter guidelines. 

“This gives us the opportunity to work with our cities to have clear and more predictable boundaries for future development,” said David Callahan, Community Development Director for Kootenai County. 

Each city is working with Kootenai County to propose new areas of impact agreements, including an updated area of impact boundary map. 

So far, the cities of Athol, Coeur d’Alene, Hauser, Post Falls and Hayden have provided enough information to proceed, according to the county. 

“This is a good, cooperative effort between county and cities to better protect community character, manage infrastructure needs and make sure growth occurs at the right time and place,” Callahan said. 

Coeur d’Alene city administrator Troy Tymesen previously told The Press that while no major boundary issues have emerged, changes may be in store for Coeur d’Alene’s footprint. 

“Coeur d’Alene will most likely shrink its area of impact based on the legislation,” Tymesen said.  

Hayden City Administrator Lisa Ailport told The Press earlier this year that city staff have tentative agreements for boundaries of the new area of impact.

So far, the hardest part of the new legislation for Hayden has been the requirement that cities demonstrate they are likely to grow into an area within the law’s five-year timeline, Ailport said.   

“This is a major change in the law and one that will be hard to predict since growth can be sporadic and ever-changing,” Ailport said. “However, the city of Hayden staff believe that our boundary will reflect this requirement on its merit.” 

City administrator Leon Duce also previously said Rathdrum is in good shape to move forward because it has already reviewed its area of impact.

To consider these matters, the Kootenai County Planning and Zoning Commission will conduct a public hearing at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 6, at the county administration building. 

A Board of County Commissioners public hearing will follow at 10 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 16, at the county administration building. 

Draft area of impact agreements and boundary maps are available for review on the Kootenai County website: www.kcgov.us/1141/Areas-of-Impact