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Record of Proceedings

Post Falls Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting – September 30, 2026

Planning and Zoning Commission — Wednesday, September 30, 2026
BodyPost Falls, Idaho
SessionPlanning and Zoning Commission
DateWednesday, September 30, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:06:22

Original source
Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

Speaker numbers apply only to this recording.

Speaker 1

0:00

And the traffic mcuire Maguire Road, excuse me, is classified as a minor arterial.

0:05

Echo drive is classified as a local roadway.

0:07

And then, as you kind of saw, there will be additional rights away included with this annexation request.

0:13

And so you can kind of see from the images before that it goes down to Celticeway.

0:19

Um, and I'll go back here.

0:21

So you can see along Maguire Road from Echo Drive, they will be incorporating that right away from Echo Drive down to Celte Sway.

Unassigned speaker

0:34

So

Speaker 1

0:34

the review criteria for the commission tonight is looking at is the proposed zoning district consistent with the future land use map and focus area contained in the currently adopted post-falls comprehensive plan.

0:46

Secondly, is the proposed zoning district consistent with the goals and policies contained in the currently adopted post-falls comprehensive plan that are relevant to the area under consideration.

0:55

And then lastly, the third one does the proposed zoning district create a demonstrable adverse impact upon the delivery of services by any political subdivision providing public services within the city.

Unassigned speaker

1:06

So

Speaker 1

1:07

kind of looking at what the future land use designation shows.

1:10

We see the um image on the left here, the high density residential uh future land use designation highlighted there.

1:16

That's the orange, and so within that hatched area of the subject site.

1:21

Um the implementing zoning districts for the future land use designation is going to be uh per the focus area and R3, which is what they are requesting tonight.

1:31

Also, we look at the focus area of the West Prairie focus area that it's within.

Unassigned speaker

1:36

And

Speaker 1

1:36

that kind of outlines and helps guide kind of what also policies we're looking at and um goals within the comprehensive plan that we'll cover in this slide here.

1:46

So as I mentioned, high density residential kind of includes densities.

1:51

Um they may vary by location, street and infrastructure capacities, plan development patterns, and compatibility with existing development.

1:59

So looking at the focus area, we have the rest prairie focus area, which kind of is a transitional area with portions of expected portions of it expected to develop as future residential, commercial, and industrial uses.

2:12

Additionally, mixed residential is envisioned between Maguire Road and Corbin Road with higher densities near commercial corridors and arterials.

2:19

So outlined kind of furthermore in the staff report, um, we have goals and policies kind of supporting this that's um outlined in that document.

2:27

And so goal one was one that was highlighted looking at growing and sustaining a balanced resilient economy for post falls, providing community prosperity and fiscal health, and some of those policies that support that goal as mentioned in the staff report, apply um is policy two applying or revising zoning designations with careful consideration of factors, including future land use mapping, which we've been talking about, the compatibility with surrounding land uses, also kind of what we were mentioning in the previous slides, and then infrastructure and service plans existing and future traffic patterns and then goals and policies of the comprehensive plan and related master plans.

3:05

So additionally, goal seven was highlighted as well in the staff report looking at um planning for and establishing types of types and quantities of land uses in post-falls supporting community needs in the city's long-term sustainability.

3:19

And so policy 20 was highlighted to kind of looking at the consideration for the location of multifamily development in this area, making sure they have access to arterial and collector streets, and help buffer high and lower intensity development patterns, abutting compatible existing uses, and our part of projects involving mixed use or master planned areas.

3:38

So kind of those were highlighted and kind of commented on by um staff's review within the staff report.

3:44

Um the goals and these policies kind of come together and kind of help identify kind of where the direction of this area is going along with that future land use designation.

3:53

So the per the focus area looking at kind of mixed development and higher uses and the future land use designation kind of calling out as R3, um, which is what they're requesting tonight, and higher density for residential.

4:06

We kind of look at those as being compatible and kind of leave it up to you to kind of make that decision and your recommendation to city council.

4:15

So lastly, we kind of look at that proposed zoning district.

4:19

Does it create a demonstrable adverse impact uh upon the delivery of services by any political subdivision providing public services within the city?

4:27

And so we reached out to public agencies as we normally do, and of the agencies listed here on the screen, um, we received comments back basically from post-fall school district remaining neutral, and then we had Cootney County Fire and Rescue, and they will coordinate a coordinate at the time of development, and then additionally, Phillips 66, they commented they have no utilities in the area and had no further comment for

Unassigned speaker

4:51

that.

Unassigned speaker

4:51

And so I think moving forward, kind of because I know this is kind of a um interesting area with Maguire, and there's some staff report discussion about Meguire Road, what does it look like for the future?

Speaker 1

5:01

What does it look like for the future?

5:02

What's the capacity?

5:03

How can we handle that?

5:04

I'm going to pass it over to our city engineer, uh Rob Paulus to kind of discuss and go through a little

Unassigned speaker

5:10

bit

Speaker 1

5:11

on that.

Speaker 2

5:13

I have a question.

5:14

Yes.

5:15

Didn't we already do this?

Speaker 1

5:17

Correct.

5:18

Yes.

5:18

This was a previous um request in 2023 that they came through and planning and zoning recommended the zoning of mixed CCS and R3 to City Council and City Council reviewed and had the hearing, and they decided ultimately to deny the annexation.

5:38

They

Speaker 2

5:39

denied it.

Unassigned speaker

5:39

Correct.

Speaker 1

5:41

So

Unassigned speaker

5:43

any

Speaker 1

5:44

other questions.

5:45

That's good for me.

Unassigned speaker

5:48

Thanks.

Unassigned speaker

5:49

Commissioner, if

Speaker 3

5:49

we have

Unassigned speaker

5:50

video now.

Speaker 4

5:54

If you wish

Unassigned speaker

5:59

good

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Zoning And Development█████████████████████████████████████████████62%
Transportation Safety████████████16%
Engineering And Infrastructure████████11%
Community Engagement██3%
Economic Development██3%
Religious Ceremonies█2%
Procedural█2%
Affordable Housing█1%
Summary of Proceedings

Post Falls Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting – September 30, 2026

The Post Falls Planning and Zoning Commission met on September 30, 2026, to consider two zoning recommendations: the Kruger Annexation (ANX-26-5) requesting R3 high-density residential zoning on 4.49 acres, and the Immaculate Conception Chapel Zone Change (ZC-26-2) requesting a change from SC4 to SC5 on 4.44 acres. The commission heard public testimony, reviewed staff presentations, and voted to forward both recommendations to the city council.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Shannon Stuckey (opposition): Expressed opposition to R3 density at the entrance to the neighborhood, citing traffic increases and concerns that apartments bring transient populations. Characterized the proposal as prioritizing fast money over responsible growth.
  • Glenn Whipple (opposition): Opposed the annexation and R3 zoning. Stated he and his wife have lived on Echo Drive for 40 years and chose the area for its rural character, small farm properties, and low traffic. Argued the city’s rapid expansion is outpacing infrastructure and that existing apartment vacancies show no need for additional high-density housing at this rural intersection. Noted safety and congestion concerns on Echo Drive and Maguire Road.
  • Debbie Vaca (opposition): Opposed the proposal, stating the area is quiet with no walkable amenities or public transit. Called the future land use map outdated and inconsistent. Raised concerns that Echo Drive is narrow and the Maguire Road intersection cannot handle more traffic. Argued annexations should be carefully considered rather than approved simply for profit.

Discussion Items

Kruger Annexation (ANX-26-5) – R3 Zoning Recommendation

  • Staff presentation (Ethan Porter): The 4.49-acre property is contiguous to the city, currently outside city limits. The future land use map designates it as high-density residential, and the West Prairie Focus Area anticipates higher densities near commercial corridors and arterials. The implementing zoning is R3. Staff found the proposal consistent with the comprehensive plan and no adverse service impacts were identified. City engineer Rob Paulus provided traffic analysis: Maguire Road currently meets level of service standards. Under a 2045 no-build scenario, it would operate at level of service C (meeting standards). Long-term plans include widening Maguire Road to four or five lanes, with signals/roundabouts at key intersections, funded by developer and impact fees.
  • Applicant (Stephanie Blaylock, Fairdis): Representing Daniel and Beverly Kruger. Emphasized that R3 zoning is consistent with the future land use map and West Prairie Focus Area. The property’s location near Celte Sway and arterial/collector streets makes it appropriate for higher-density housing. Annexation would provide right-of-way along Maguire Road and Echo Drive, improve pedestrian connectivity, expand the city’s tax base, and offer potential workforce housing. The proposed multifamily development would serve as a buffer between commercial uses to the south and single-family residential to the north.
  • Commissioner discussion: Commissioner Wilhelm noted the previous denial of annexation in 2023. Commissioners reviewed the three approval criteria and found the proposed R3 zoning consistent with the comprehensive plan, compatible with surrounding uses, and no adverse service impacts. One commissioner questioned traffic modeling and density but acknowledged the area’s specific high-density residential designation on the comp plan. Commissioner Kerry expressed opposition (voted no).

Immaculate Conception Chapel Zone Change (ZC-26-2) – SC4 to SC5

  • Staff presentation (Ethan Porter): The property is a 4.44-acre block between Fifth and Fourth Avenues and Lincoln and Idaho Streets. Current zoning is SC4; proposed is SC5, which allows higher intensity uses (e.g., hotels, taller buildings, greater density). The surrounding area is already primarily SC5, and the request follows the pattern of development in the city center. The church plans to eventually sell the property for redevelopment, which would add to the city tax base.
  • Applicant (Father Urego): Representing the church. Stated the property has been there for 50 years (moved from across the street). The church is not currently developing but sees the zone change as a win-win for the city and the church, enabling future redevelopment in a location already served by grid streets, sewer, and water. Emphasized the church’s long-term commitment to Post Falls.
  • Commissioner discussion: Commissioners noted the SC5 zoning is consistent with the future land use map and the pattern of higher-intensity development along Fourth Street. The change would encourage redevelopment in the city center, utilize existing infrastructure, and eventually bring property onto the tax rolls. Some commissioners expressed a personal preference for CCS (community commercial services) but found SC5 acceptable. No adverse impacts were identified. Unanimous support.

Key Outcomes

  • Kruger Annexation (ANX-26-5): Motion to recommend approval of R3 zoning (6-1; Commissioner Kerry opposed). The recommendation will be forwarded to the city council, which will make the final decision on annexation and zoning.
  • Immaculate Conception Chapel Zone Change (ZC-26-2): Motion to recommend approval of SC5 zoning (7-0). The recommendation will be forwarded to the city council.
  • Administrative & Commissioner Comments: Staff noted four public hearings are scheduled for the October meeting. Commissioner Wilhelm requested the annual school attendance letter from the school district for use in future land use decisions. A special city council workshop on starter home subdivisions was mentioned for Thursday (date not specified).

Meeting Transcript

And the traffic mcuire Maguire Road, excuse me, is classified as a minor arterial. Echo drive is classified as a local roadway. And then, as you kind of saw, there will be additional rights away included with this annexation request. And so you can kind of see from the images before that it goes down to Celticeway. Um, and I'll go back here. So you can see along Maguire Road from Echo Drive, they will be incorporating that right away from Echo Drive down to Celte Sway. So the review criteria for the commission tonight is looking at is the proposed zoning district consistent with the future land use map and focus area contained in the currently adopted post-falls comprehensive plan. Secondly, is the proposed zoning district consistent with the goals and policies contained in the currently adopted post-falls comprehensive plan that are relevant to the area under consideration. And then lastly, the third one does the proposed zoning district create a demonstrable adverse impact upon the delivery of services by any political subdivision providing public services within the city. So kind of looking at what the future land use designation shows. We see the um image on the left here, the high density residential uh future land use designation highlighted there. That's the orange, and so within that hatched area of the subject site. Um the implementing zoning districts for the future land use designation is going to be uh per the focus area and R3, which is what they are requesting tonight. Also, we look at the focus area of the West Prairie focus area that it's within. And that kind of outlines and helps guide kind of what also policies we're looking at and um goals within the comprehensive plan that we'll cover in this slide here. So as I mentioned, high density residential kind of includes densities. Um they may vary by location, street and infrastructure capacities, plan development patterns, and compatibility with existing development. So looking at the focus area, we have the rest prairie focus area, which kind of is a transitional area with portions of expected portions of it expected to develop as future residential, commercial, and industrial uses. Additionally, mixed residential is envisioned between Maguire Road and Corbin Road with higher densities near commercial corridors and arterials. So outlined kind of furthermore in the staff report, um, we have goals and policies kind of supporting this that's um outlined in that document. And so goal one was one that was highlighted looking at growing and sustaining a balanced resilient economy for post falls, providing community prosperity and fiscal health, and some of those policies that support that goal as mentioned in the staff report, apply um is policy two applying or revising zoning designations with careful consideration of factors, including future land use mapping, which we've been talking about, the compatibility with surrounding land uses, also kind of what we were mentioning in the previous slides, and then infrastructure and service plans existing and future traffic patterns and then goals and policies of the comprehensive plan and related master plans. So additionally, goal seven was highlighted as well in the staff report looking at um planning for and establishing types of types and quantities of land uses in post-falls supporting community needs in the city's long-term sustainability. And so policy 20 was highlighted to kind of looking at the consideration for the location of multifamily development in this area, making sure they have access to arterial and collector streets, and help buffer high and lower intensity development patterns, abutting compatible existing uses, and our part of projects involving mixed use or master planned areas. So kind of those were highlighted and kind of commented on by um staff's review within the staff report. Um the goals and these policies kind of come together and kind of help identify kind of where the direction of this area is going along with that future land use designation. So the per the focus area looking at kind of mixed development and higher uses and the future land use designation kind of calling out as R3, um, which is what they're requesting tonight, and higher density for residential. We kind of look at those as being compatible and kind of leave it up to you to kind of make that decision and your recommendation to city council. So lastly, we kind of look at that proposed zoning district. Does it create a demonstrable adverse impact uh upon the delivery of services by any political subdivision providing public services within the city? And so we reached out to public agencies as we normally do, and of the agencies listed here on the screen, um, we received comments back basically from post-fall school district remaining neutral, and then we had Cootney County Fire and Rescue, and they will coordinate a coordinate at the time of development, and then additionally, Phillips 66, they commented they have no utilities in the area and had no further comment for that. And so I think moving forward, kind of because I know this is kind of a um interesting area with Maguire, and there's some staff report discussion about Meguire Road, what does it look like for the future? What does it look like for the future? What's the capacity? How can we handle that? I'm going to pass it over to our city engineer, uh Rob Paulus to kind of discuss and go through a little bit on that. I have a question. Yes. Didn't we already do this? Correct. Yes. This was a previous um request in 2023 that they came through and planning and zoning recommended the zoning of mixed CCS and R3 to City Council and City Council reviewed and had the hearing, and they decided ultimately to deny the annexation. They denied it. Correct.

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