June 21, 2004
Understanding
that it’s not perfect but that specific issues can be addressed as we move
ahead, Boundary County Commissioners this afternoon unanimously moved to adopt
“The Boundary County Uniform Address and Street Naming Ordinance,” the
critical first step in adopting a countywide, 911-compatible addressing system.
The
vote came following a sparsely attended public hearing, but the participation of
the few was spirited, with many excellent points being raised, particularly
concerning the process of naming private roads.
While
the ordinance lays out the blueprint for establishing addressing that will get
emergency vehicles, utilities, package deliveries and mail to homes and
businesses in the county, many of the administrative details, commissioners
concurred, will need to be addressed by a five-member Street Name Committee,
which will be tasked with recommending street names to county commissioners.
Based
on some of the questions asked, it was agreed that there will be many issues
that will have to be addressed on a case-by-case basis, such as a question posed
by resident Jacob Epstein, who said he owns the property over which neighbors
gain access to their homes by easement, qualifying it as a private road, but who
said he had a problem with other people having the opportunity to put a name to
property he owns. County GIS specialist Gary Falcon said he’d discussed that
particular issue with county civil attorney John Topp, who said that the
property owner would retain the right. Questions were also raised concerning an
ordinance provision requiring property owners to post approved signage on
private roads; at least one in attendance felt the county should foot the bill
in the interest of public safety; commissioners said they didn’t feel it
appropriate to raise property taxes for this purpose.
Commissioner
Dan Dinning pointed out that addressing has been a concern for a number of
years, and said provisions of the Craig Wyden Bill, which provides payment to
counties in lieu of taxes on federal land, makes extra funding available
specifically for establishing 911 addressing, a need in many rural Idaho
counties.
The new ordinance will go into effect after its publication in the county newspaper of record, and in the meantime, commissioners are accepting letters of interest from those who’d like to serve on the Street Naming Committee. Letters should be addressed to Boundary County Commissioners, PO Box 419, Bonners Ferry, ID 83805.
For further information on the ordinance, contact Falcon at (208) 267-5395.