PONDERAY — The City Council hesitantly approved a one-year extension for the Bay Trail Condos’ special use permit and site plan review Monday evening.

Planning and Zoning Director KayLeigh Miller said the project had already been given multiple extensions, including another one-year extension in 2025. Ben McGrann, managing partner for Bay Trail Investments, said that the developer picked up the project and now feels as if the market has steadied enough for the plan to become feasible. 

“It has been slow on this product, but we are down to the last one that's available, and we would like to move forward with the next unit,” McGrann said. “I think that this product is serving a kind of lower end housing need within the community. We found that the price point of about $300,000 is really the right price point.” 

Councilor Brenda Thompson said she was not inclined to grant an extension, initially, however voted in favor of the motion once a caveat was added onto the extension. Councilor Rick Larkin made the motion to grant the extension, with the condition that the one-year extension was the last the council would grant for the project. 

"I think two extensions is plenty,” Thompson said.  

Miller also provided an update on the city's Brownsfields project construction, which she said is finally scheduled to begin in early April. The memorandum of agreement about signate between the city, Idaho Department of Environmental Quality, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Idaho State Historic Preservation office was full executed, allowing the project to move forward. 

Miller said she will be going to the Sandpoint City Council meeting April 1 to discuss an agreement that will allow crews to access the city’s water treatment plant. Once that is signed, Miller said construction will begin the following week. 

“So exciting, after two years' worth of delay, yeah, [I was] thrilled when that came through,” Miller said. “It's been quite the process to get us some construction, so nobody will be more excited than me when I soon take the first shuttle down there.” 

In addition to the extension, the council unanimously approved the Sandpoint Cutthroat Lacrosse to do $500 worth improvements to Harbison Field. The work would include filling in holes and leveling out the field that the team uses to practice. 

In its request, the lacrosse team request priority over other teams on the field in return for the work. The council did not feel comfortable with that request, with Councilor Phil McNearney adding that the city will continue letting them use the facility for free in return. 

Miller said the city has not had issues with teams competing for the space, and the team has historically used the facility for free. 

“So, what I'm hearing is we're fine with them doing the work, but we're not doing any sort of priority status,” Miller said. “I think it's great for them to continue using it out there.” 

The council also approved a request from the Sandpoint Soccer Association to place a portable storage facility out in the Field of Dreams for the spring season. They also approved the purchasing of electronic locks for the bathrooms that Field of Dreams complex. 

The Ponderay City Council is scheduled to meet again Monday, April 6, at 5:30 p.m. in council chambers.