Recreation must be in proper areas, following zoning code

The people opposing the Panhandle Bike Ranch are often portrayed as anti-progress, or anti-recreation. The Sagle residents living on or near East Dufort Road are not any of the above stereotypes. We are for recreation but in the proper areas for recreation, and progress that is cohesive to the zoning codes.

According to its website, Panhandle Bike Ranch planned to open May 22 and is not in accordance to the vacated Conditional Use Permit given in 2024 but vacated by Judge Casey Simmons in June 2025. With substantial majority of residents having voiced concerns regarding the Bike Ranch with very valuable concerns on the impact of a private road being over trafficked, possible fire hazards after last summer’s evacuation and limited water sources.  

Bonner County should not dismiss the voices of the people who live with these impacts each day. Even though the Bike Ranch is a nonprofit (501-C) operation or not they are still required to obtain use permits for operation and appear to be going forth without one. The Sagle residents deserve to understand why the county seems to allow this to go forth.

I for one am wondering why this is allowed and seem to be ignoring codes and regulations of Bonner County.

YVETTE RAINEY

Sagle