Post Falls City Council Meeting - August 5, 2026

The Post Falls City Council held a regular meeting on August 5, 2026, beginning with an invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance. The council addressed a consent calendar, a public hearing for an appeal of a special use permit for the McKinley Meadows cottage home development, a water infrastructure design contract, a personnel policy amendment, and other administrative items. The meeting also included public testimony, council discussion, and a workshop scheduling decision.

Consent Calendar

• Item A: Approved the minutes from the July 21, 2026, City Council meeting.
• Item B: Approved payables covering July 22 through August 5, 2026.
• Item C: Approved the State Line Tower Site, first edition minor subdivision, final plat.
• Item D: Approved the designation of acting city clerk.
• The consent calendar was approved unanimously on a roll call vote (Plue: aye, Malloy: aye, Luca: aye, Stigleader: aye).

Public Comments & Testimony

On the McKinley Meadows Special Use Permit Appeal:

• In Favor: Several residents and the developer's representative spoke in support. Emily Butler (realtor and developer's spouse) stated that the developer (Noah Stam) created the only single-family homes under $400,000 in Kootenai County in 2025-2026 and emphasized the need for affordable workforce housing. She noted that CC&Rs at a prior project (The ARC) prohibit renting, ensuring homes remain owner-occupied. Shane Anderson (former property owner) expressed support for the developer's efforts and noted the difficulty young families face finding housing. Written comments from Ben Blakely, Ryan Waldy, Haley Nacarado, and Jackson Summer also supported the project, citing positive experiences at The ARC and the need for attainable housing.
• In Opposition: Glenn Douglas spoke on behalf of 21 residents, arguing the project is incompatible with the established R1 neighborhood, would increase traffic by 17 additional households on a quiet cul-de-sac, poses safety risks from emergency access through a school site, and that the project's open space is fragmented. Joy Sizemore cited traffic safety concerns, noting that children walk in the street due to missing sidewalks on North Compton Street, and argued that traffic projections ignore school-related traffic. Candace Frank, a 35-year resident, raised concerns about snow storage blocking sight lines, overflow parking, loss of neighborhood historical status, and alleged impropriety by planning and zoning commissioners after the previous hearing.

Discussion Items

• McKinley Meadows Special Use Permit (SUP 26-3) Appeal: This was a de novo hearing on the appeal of the Planning and Zoning Commission's May 12, 2026, decision to approve a special use permit for 17 cottage homes on a 2.67-acre site zoned R1 at the end of Montgomery Place. Staff presented the proposal, noting it complies with the R1 zone's purpose (single-family homes), is a permitted special use for cottage homes, and meets comprehensive plan goals for infill and diverse housing. Traffic engineer Robert Paulis stated existing traffic averages 280 vehicles per day, and the development would add about 180 trips, remaining well under the 800-vehicle threshold for a low-volume residential street. The applicant, Scott MacArthur, highlighted off-site water line improvements ($200,000+), increased parking (2.5 spaces per home including guest parking), and a looped water system that also serves existing homes. Council discussed the four review criteria: conformity to zone purpose, legal allowance as a special use, compatibility with health/safety/welfare, and consistency with comprehensive plan goals. Council members noted competing goals between preserving neighborhood character and encouraging creative infill. Some members expressed that while the traffic increase is real, it does not rise to a demonstrable health/safety threat. A motion was made to approve the special use permit as conditioned in the packet; a second was received. After further discussion, the meeting moved to other business without a recorded final vote on this motion. (Note: The transcript does not contain the roll call or outcome for this motion.)
• Westwood Water Distribution Replacement Project, Phase Two Design Services Agreement: The council considered a $70,180 contract for design of approximately 4,500 feet of water main replacement on First Ave, Maplewood Avenue, Ridgewood Drive, and Ross Point Road. Phase one is in construction and on budget. Phase two design is expected to be complete by January 2027, with construction in spring 2027. The motion passed unanimously (Ziegler: aye, Mosby: aye, Stigleader: aye, Plue: aye, Malloy: aye).
• Personnel Policy – Compassionate Separation: The HR director requested approval to re-add a policy (originally adopted in 2022) providing a $10,000 benefit for regular full-time employees with a terminal medical condition after 12 consecutive months of service. Council discussed the eligibility period and whether the benefit should vest immediately or after a longer period. An amendment to make the benefit effective upon employment was proposed (motion by Stigleader, seconded). The amendment failed on a 3-3 tie (Councilor Mosby voting nay, citing potential for abuse; Councilor Ziegler also nay). A second motion to approve the policy as written (with 12-month eligibility) passed 5-1 (Stigleader nay).

Key Outcomes

• McKinley Meadows SUP Appeal: A motion to approve the special use permit as conditioned was made and seconded; the final outcome was not recorded in the transcript. The council did not vote on the appeal itself before moving to other agenda items.
• Westwood Phase Two Design: Approved (unanimous).
• Compassionate Separation Policy: Approved as written (5-1).
• Workshop Scheduled: A workshop on the starter home subdivision code update was scheduled for October 1, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.
• Executive Session: Motion to enter executive session under Idaho Code 74-206(1)(b) for approximately 30 minutes passed unanimously.