Friday, December 26, 2025
35.0°F

Lengthy cell tower proposal postponed

CHLOE COCHRAN | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 2 months AGO
by CHLOE COCHRAN
| October 25, 2025 1:00 AM

SANDPOINT — A cell tower proposal that has faced multiple appeals and a court-ordered remand has been postponed, despite being scheduled for an Oct. 22 hearing before Bonner County commissioners. 

The conditional use permit requesting the construction of a telecommunication tower has been delayed in its process once more after county commissioners removed the file from the Oct. 22 land use hearing agenda hours before it was set to be heard.  

The proposed 140-foot tower would be constructed on a 20-acre parcel on Cindy Lane in Sandpoint. 

The CUP application was initially filed December 2023, with the Bonner County Hearing Examiner approving the file three months later.  

After the hearing examiner’s decision was appealed, the file was reviewed by the 2024 Board of County Commissioners, which voted 2-1 to approve the permit.  Commissioners Luke Omodt and Steven Bradshaw voted in favor, while Asia Williams was opposed.  

Following the second approval of the file, the permit was again appealed. However, commissioners at the time of the appeal denied a review of the file.  

The appellants then sought judicial review, and the court vacated the Board of County Commissioners’ decision, effectively nullifying the previously approved permit and remanding the case back to the county for further consideration. 

At the time of publishing, a new hearing time has not been set for the file. 

ARTICLES BY CHLOE COCHRAN

Verbal approval for state disaster in Bonner County, Clark Fork floods
December 24, 2025 1 a.m.

Verbal approval for state disaster in Bonner County, Clark Fork floods

The Office of Emergency Management has indicated to Bonner County commissioners that they received verbal approval of a state disaster emergency for Bonner County flooding near Clark Fork by Idaho Gov. Brad Little.

BOCC denies call for comment's retraction
December 24, 2025 1 a.m.

BOCC denies call for comment's retraction

HR director shared public comment in Dec. 4 meeting

During Tuesday’s business meeting, a majority vote denied a Board of County Commissioners action item requesting the county’s human resources director to retract a public opinion he made during a Dec. 4 special meeting.

The tenacious veterinarian’s story
December 23, 2025 1 a.m.

The tenacious veterinarian’s story

‘We all need an advocate’

Sometimes, the mountains we face in life are meant to be conquered so that others know they can endure difficult circumstances, too.