Post Falls Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting – November 12, 2025

The meeting convened at 5:30 PM on November 12, 2025, with all five commissioners present. Two major public hearings were held on annexation and zoning requests for properties at McGuire Road/Pole Line Avenue and Cecil Road/16th Avenue. The commission forwarded zoning recommendations to the city council after public testimony and deliberation.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the meeting minutes from October 14, 2025, on a unanimous roll call vote.

Public Comments & Testimony

McGuire Annexation (ANX 25-4)

• In favor: John Rudebaugh, Wade Jacqueline (applicant), Amy Gilmore, Charlie Renz, and Jason Knox spoke in support, emphasizing the need for affordable housing, pedestrian safety, infrastructure improvements (including a quarter mile of sidewalk), and the economic benefits of development. The applicant confirmed the development would be single-family detached homes, not apartments.
• Opposed: Marilee Owen (neighbor), Floyd Mossberg, Don Lydell, Alan Horning, Gerald Dale, Tim Terrell, Debbie Vaca, and one anonymous speaker raised concerns about traffic safety on two-lane roads, loss of rural character, density (R2 versus R1), potential for multifamily, emergency vehicle access blocked by trains, and the prior denial of the Brainerd annexation nearby. Gerald Dale reported that 35 of 36 neighbors he surveyed opposed the plan.
• Several written comments were read into the record, including an anonymous poem opposing government overreach and letters from property owners citing tax increases and safety risks.

Gaul Annexation (ANX 25-1)

• In favor: Tri Vagall (property owner’s representative) and Anthony Bennett spoke in support, citing plans for cottage homes, a small commercial area (coffee shop, dog grooming, daycare), infill development, and improvements to Cecil Road and 16th Avenue. The applicant stated existing mobile homes would be removed with tenant assistance.
• Opposed: Patricia Murphy (neighbor) argued that commercial uses are inappropriate in the residential neighborhood, traffic on 16th Avenue is already dangerous for children walking to bus stops, and the proposal lacks thoughtful planning.
• One neighbor requested a six-foot vinyl fence along the property line, which the applicant indicated they would consider.

Discussion Items

McGuire Annexation

• Staff (Justin Souter) presented the 18.11-acre site as a county island with four parcels, requesting R2 zoning (medium-density residential). The future land use map designates the area as “transitional.” The applicant (Ray Kimball, engineer) argued that R2 allows smaller lots for entry-level homes, provides $681,000 in right-of-way and infrastructure improvements at no cost to the city, and follows the comprehensive plan’s goals for infill and pedestrian connectivity. City engineer Robert Paulis clarified that McGuire Road is slated for a five-lane widening and Pole Line for three lanes per the current transportation master plan, though future traffic may decrease when McGuire is closed at Highway 53. Commissioners debated whether R2 or R1 better fits the transitional designation, noting the need for attainable housing.
• Commission deliberation: All five commissioners agreed the proposal meets the three review criteria (consistency with future land use map, comprehensive plan goals, and no adverse service impacts). A motion was made to recommend R2 zoning with a recommendation to limit development to single-family detached housing, which passed unanimously (5-0; one commissioner voted “with heavy heart”).

Gaul Annexation

• Staff presented the 7.76-acre site (four parcels, one owner) requesting a Residential Mixed (RM) zone, which allows up to 10% commercial (neighborhood-friendly uses like coffee shops, daycare, no gas stations) and residential at medium density. The conceptual plan shows cottage homes and a small commercial corner. Commissioners questioned the lack of a fixed density maximum in the RM zone; staff clarified that development agreements would impose conditions, and actual density would be limited by parking and setbacks. The applicant (Nick Evner, engineer) stated they intend to use the RM zone for cottage homes and small retail, with sewer and water connections available nearby.
• Commission deliberation: Concerns were raised about open-ended commercial uses (e.g., convenience stores) so close to existing commercial corridors. Commissioner Schreiber suggested that city council review allowable uses. Others noted the RM zone requires a development agreement, which can restrict uses. A motion to recommend RM zoning with a note to city council regarding commercial use concerns passed unanimously (5-0).

Key Outcomes

• McGuire Annexation (ANX 25-4): The commission voted 5-0 to recommend R2 zoning to the city council, with a recommendation that development be limited to single-family detached homes (as stated by the applicant in the annexation agreement).
• Gaul Annexation (ANX 25-1): The commission voted 5-0 to recommend Residential Mixed (RM) zoning to the city council, directing staff to prepare a recommendation that addresses the commission’s concerns about allowable commercial uses (e.g., convenience stores) for council consideration.
• Both recommendations will be forwarded to the city council for final zoning and annexation decisions.
• The commission also noted a special meeting on November 20, 2025, at 5:30 PM to approve consent agenda items.