SANDPOINT — Following a series of land use hearings, Bonner County commissioners unanimously approved a proposed subdivision in Coolin on Thursday, Aug. 20. The approval follows hefty concerns regarding the impact of sewer systems to neighboring properties. 

Community members invested in the outcome of the proposed Yoman Bluffs subdivision aren’t strangers to long hearings related to the file, with each hearing averaging from three to six hours as commissioners hear an abundance of public comment against the proposed subdivision.  

That was the case for Thursday’s hearing, which lasted approximately six hours before commissioners approved the file, citing that it met all applicable laws and technical standards set forth by county and state standards, despite most public comment being in opposition.  

Opposition to the subdivision covered an array of topics, from public safety, traffic impact and emergency response accessibility, but many shared personal frustrations that the subdivision applicant seemingly side-stepped the Coolin Sewer District’s moratorium on new sewer connections by proposing independent septic systems. 

“The sewer district becomes useless if developers can simply install individual septic systems when the district's infrastructure is inadequate. This is particularly problematic where the sewer district needs funds to develop the infrastructure that's needed to serve this project,” one local community member said. “Allowing septic system undercuts the district's ability to collect the fees that it needs to create the infrastructure to serve the project. Approving a septic system where there's not adequate infrastructure, ironically, precludes the funds that are needed for there to be adequate infrastructure.” 

Commissioners, while acknowledging public comment, relied heavily on agency expertise when unanimously approving the 12-lot subdivision. The board leaned on agency comments from Panhandle Health that suggested the applicable lots were suitable for standard individual septic systems. 

“As a board, we absolutely have an obligation to assess health and safety and make a decision. I personally have to rely on when Panhandle Health, as the jurisdictional agency, indicates that it meets their standards,” Commissioner Brian Domke said. “They are the state standard for on-site septic systems, individual on-site septic systems. I'm not an expert on that, so I have to rely on their expertise. If I question that, then that means every on-site septic system that they permit is questionable.” 

Commissioner Asia Williams shared concern for allowing multiple septic systems, saying that it could undermine the original intent of Coolin’s sewer district and its long-term function. However, because the sewer district does not have plans to expand to serve newer development, any new development in the area must resort to an individual septic.  

“If Coolin doesn’t absorb more people, the only way that they can develop is by individual septic, and it’s available to do until people say that the septic system has failed,” Williams said.  

When approving the proposed subdivision, commissioners placed a condition on the file that would require lots to connect to the Coolin sewer system within 60 days of the moratorium lift, and that on-site septic must be abandoned upon hookup. The condition aims to bridge a gap between the area’s plans around a sewer district and the immediate lack of capacity to attach to the current district.  

Yoman Bluffs subdivision has been reviewed by county commissioners on a handful of occasions, originally coming before the board as a 23-lot subdivision on 38 acres. But due to compliance concerns and easement issues, applicants revised the file to propose 12 total lots, ranging in size from 2.5 acres to 3.9 acres.  

The subdivision is proposed off Sherwood Beach in Coolin and is zoned Recreational.