SANDPOINT — In another reversal on amendments to Sandpoint’s residential zoning code, the final ordinance passed 4-2 at Wednesday’s meeting.

At the council’s Feb. 4 meeting, the council voted 4-2 to delay implementation until the city completed its storm water masterplan. At that meeting, Councilors Joe Tate and Joshua Torrez flipped their votes from the initial passing of the code changes, voting to delay the ordinance. 

Fonda Jovick, the city’s legal counsel, said that in order to flip their vote, the councilors needed to give reasons on record as to why they’ve changed their minds. Jovick said the councilors did not do this at the Feb. 4 meeting and therefore the amendments had to be brought back to the council. 

"This ordinance being placed back on the agenda is to kind of clean up, if you will, what happened in the last meeting,” Jovick said. "If there were council members going to vote different than they had before they needed to make a record of that, and they did not.” 

Tate, who put the item back on the agenda, said he was confused by which step the council was on at the Feb. 4 meeting.  

“My original position has not changed,” Tate said. “I support this lot coverage adjustment. I also believe that it's important that we continue to move forward with the stormwater study to ensure responsible implementation. So, my vote tonight reflects that consistent position.” 

Both Tate and Torrez reverted to their previous positions of supporting the amendments. Councilors Pam Duquette and Kyle Schreiber maintained their opposition to the changes and dissented.  

The amendments allow for buildings in the residential zone to build a living space to 70% of the lot size, matching the previous impervious surface standard. It also allows for smaller lots and increased density in the residential multi-family zone. 

Schreiber’s opposition to the changes stems from concern that the city’s setbacks and lot coverage regulations were not developed alongside consultation from storm water engineers. He has also expressed concern that the changes won’t increase affordable housing in Sandpoint. 

“We must ensure that our storm water infrastructure will not be pushed beyond capacity,” Schreiber said. “We heard from staff that there's no upper limit on the demand for homes from second home buyers, and therefore these code amendments do not address workforce housing affordability as written. Therefore, I'm opposed to moving forward this.” 

Duquette has objected to the changes because of concerns that it would negatively affect the character and environment of Sandpoint. 

“I do very much wish housing was more affordable, achievable, attainable, whatever you want to call it for people in Sandpoint and across the nation, but I fear it is becoming a little bit of a buzzword,” Duquette said. “The only people I've been hearing pushing this, except for one resident that I appreciated her comments, Realtors and developers.” 

Mayor Jeremy Grimm said he doesn’t believe that there is a silver bullet or cure-all for affordable housing, but that the amendments would provide more flexibility and allow for more housing types in Sandpoint. 

“It's going to give folks more creativity and flexibility to build something other than it has to be this square and this square circle,” Grimm said. "Maybe we'll get different housing sizes or configurations, and in general, I think that will benefit some affordable housing.” 

The Sandpoint City Council’s next scheduled meeting is on March 4 at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall.