Boundary County Planning & Zoning Commission
Minutes
October 21, 2004

Members present: Jim Paulus, Rod Barcklay, Tom Hollingsworth, John Kellogg, Jane Kirby, Doug Reoch, and Toby Schnuerle. Members absent: Barry Davis. Staff present: Rae Jeanne Adams.

Chairman Paulus called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. It was duly noted and Resource Planner, Rae Jeanne Adams indicated Matthew Philbrook had made contact with the Planning and Zoning Office at 1:50 p.m., by telephone this date that he wanted to withdraw the Special Use Application SUP 03-04 due to some unforeseen situations that had surfaced. The fax received in the Planning and Zoning Office was also read to the Board. Paulus indicated there would not be a call for reading minutes of the September meeting since there was no meeting and this meeting would proceed.

1. Discussion ensued regarding the rezoning portions of Boundary County to rural community/commercial (Application for Amendment AM 04-01 by Boundary County Planning & Zoning), south of Bonners Ferry along U. S. Highway 95 roadway extending from the southerly boundary of Section 23, Township 60 North, Range 01 West, where it intersects with U. S. Highway 95 and extending north along U. S. Highway 95 to its intersection with the south boundary of the City Limits of Bonners Ferry, and also in portions of Sections 13 and 14, Township 62 North, Range 01 East. It was noted that a total of 81 questionnaires were mailed to pertinent property owners; 26 responded with 17 in favor, six opposed, and three uncommitted. Discussion continued regarding the 500’ identification from centerline on Highway 95 South, and the 1000’ identification from centerline on Highway 2. Indication by the board was favorable for economic development and the creation of jobs for our community by addressing this area change to rural community/commercial. No discussion covered the proposed areas to be rezoned to industrial.

Schnuerle made a motion to accept the 500’ designation from centerline on both sides of Highway 95 South and the 1000’ from centerline designation along both sides of Highway 2 as outlined in Application AM 04-01. Kirby seconded said motion and the motion carried unanimously.

2. Discussion then followed regarding Chapter 6: Certificates of Exemption, Section 1: Gifts of Property, which was read to the board members by Kirby. Board Members discussed new wording regarding this chapter to better define the intentions of the Boundary County Planning & Zoning Commission and to also put a time limit regarding the gift deeding.

The following “new wording” was also discussed regarding the family gift deed:

Once a parcel has been split by a Gift Deed, Warranty Deed, and/or Quitclaim Deed, said parcel cannot be regifted by Gift Deed, Warranty Deed, and/or Quitclaim Deed for twenty (20) years. Furthermore, newly formed lots created by Gift Deed, Warranty Deed, and/or Quitclaim Deed cannot be smaller than the current zoned area or deed by any other name.

It was decided to proceed to public hearing regarding this issue pending the Boundary County Commissioners’ approval, and staff was requested to so publish to the public for the November meeting scheduled for November 18, 2004. A comment by Chairman Paulus was to keep rural, rural; residential, residential; and industrial, industrial.

3. It was also asked of staff whether a position vacancy announcement had yet been made to fill the position created by Mrs. Luedtke’s death. Staff was so instructed to place a request for a letter of reference for prospective vacancy fulfillment in our local newspaper.

4. On old business, Kirby said she felt the term “zoning certificate” should be amended to “zoning permit.” Discussion followed with no resolution.

There being no further business before the Planning and Zoning Commission, the meeting adjourned at 6:30 p.m.