Road's extension would be the wrong decision

Dear Members of the Planning Commission,

I am writing as a long-time resident of Maplewood Village, living at 1501 River Rock Road, to express my strong concerns about the proposed vehicular extension of River Rock Road as part of the Ridley Village Courts Planned Unit Development and Subdivision. While I support thoughtful growth in our community and am not opposed to the project itself, I urge you to condition any approval on closing River Rock Road to vehicle traffic, allowing only pedestrian and bicycle access through gates or similar means. This would connect our neighborhoods in a safe, human-centered way without inviting disaster.

As you know, this extension would funnel traffic from Ridley Village's 57 units, plus existing and future developments in the area—totaling around 237 units—directly onto narrow South Division Avenue. South Division is already a busy corridor for pedestrians, including students from Sandpoint Charter School and Sandpoint High School, children from two nearby daycares, and vulnerable seniors from Lakeside Assisted Living. Many of these folks use the walking paths daily, often crossing to enjoy the Maplewood Village Pond, a man-made sanctuary for wildlife that's owned and maintained by our HOA. Adding hundreds of daily vehicle trips (easily 2,000-3,000 based on standard estimates of 8-10 trips per unit) to this mix is a recipe for accidents, noise, and lost peace.

Sandpoint's codes provide clear flexibility to prioritize safety here. Under Title 9, Chapter 3 of the City Code, PUDs must ensure "adequate circulation for multimodal traffic" and include pedestrian and bike facilities in improvements—vehicular access isn't mandated if it creates hazards. The City's Complete Streets Policy further emphasizes safe design for all users, including medians or refuges for pedestrians, and the Sidewalks & Pathways Master Plan prioritizes ped-friendly connections. Title 7, Chapter 2 also allows restrictions on paths if pedestrian zones are impacted. Even the Urban Area Transportation Plan requires traffic studies to address off-site impacts and recommend mitigations like non-vehicular links. Given the proximity to schools, Idaho Code §33-806 on school safety zones supports limiting vehicle flow to protect kids.

Instead of opening River Rock to cars, let's make it a ped/bike-only path with simple gates. This honors the codes' call for safety and welfare (Title 9-3-6 allows Council-imposed conditions), connects Ridley Village to Maplewood for walking or cycling, and preserves our quiet neighborhood character without compromising the pond or paths. It's a win for everyone—growth without the grind.

PHIL DOMMES

DAVE BROOKS

JAMES McENULTY

SUSAN SCHWARTZ

KAREN HEFLEY

Sandpoint

Maplewood Village HOA board