SANDPOINT — The Bonner County Zoning Commission unanimously recommended approval of a Spirit Lake subdivision’s preliminary plat.  

Located off Old Forest Road near U.S. Highway 41, the subdivision, known as Pack Acres, would divide 12.74 acres into 10 industrial lots ranging in size from one to three acres. 

The applicant indicates the lots are for light industrial use, such as contractor buildings, warehouses or RV storage.  

During the hearing, commissioners raised concerns about road conditions for the plat, as Old Forest Road is a private road that already serves about 20 other lots and a church. However, the applicants offered to upgrade the portion of the road serving the subdivision to meet the private road standards outlined in the Bonner County Revised Code.  

Some confusion arose about the necessity for a formal traffic study — an analysis of vehicle movement patterns used to determine whether an existing road can handle development demands — because the applicant did not present results from a study. However, a trip-generation letter indicated that the proposed increase in traffic did not meet the threshold for conducting a full traffic impact study. 

“Based on the projected traffic generation of approximately 144 average daily trips, we are proposing to improve the portion of Old Forest Road serving the subdivision to standard private road specification,” project applicant Amanda Preston said. 

The applicant also agreed to work with the Idaho Transportation Department to manage the influx of traffic safely.  

During the public comment session, a community member stated that he had maintained Old Forest Road for over a decade and wanted to ensure he wasn’t the only one left to maintain it.  

Preston further indicated that a road maintenance agreement would also cover ongoing snow removal, surface upkeep and dust control for the affected stretch of road.  

There was also some discussion of road realignment, as Old Forest Road meets Highway U.S. 41 at approximately 36 degrees instead of the ideal 90 degrees.   

Zoning commissioners unanimously approved the plat. 

Editor's note: This story has been edited for accuracy.