PROJECT OVERVIEW

The intent of this area area-wide zone change also known as “rezone” is to rezone tribally owned, privately owned, or leased properties within the Coeur d’Alene Reservation boundaries to agriculture where the existing land use is compatible with the Agricultural Zoning District. The purpose of this rezone is to preserve agricultural land, timber lands, open spaces, natural resources, and the existing rural character of the southwest portion of Kootenai County. This rezone is supported by both Kootenai County and Coeur d’Alene Tribal policies. Under this proposal, parcels that qualify for a rezone must meet the following thresholds: 

• Currently zoned as “Rural Zone” 
• 20-acres in size or larger 
• Within the boundaries of the Coeur d’Alene Reservation  
• Assessor’s office recorded an agricultural or timber tax exemption in the past two tax years.

These thresholds were determined to create a list of properties that have existing land uses that are compatible with the proposed agricultural rezone. If your property meets the criteria thresholds above, your property has been identified to be rezoned in this effort.  

There are 209 parcels proposed for the rezone from rural to agricultural. Potential property owners affected by the rezone received postcards the week of April 11. A map indicating which parcels are being affected will be provided by April 22 on this webpage.

Comprehensive Plan Policy Support: 

The Kootenai County Comprehensive Plan supports this area-wide zone change. The following policies emphasis the importance of preserving rural character and fostering a rural community for unincorporated County lands.   

             Element (e) – Land Use  

• Obj. 1A (Rural Character). Foster rural and community character by encouraging open space, public resources, forestry, agriculture, and low intensity development. 

• Obj. 1B (Rural Community). Foster existing rural communities and character by encouraging land uses to be consistent with existing development, voluntarily retained open space and allowing commercial uses that serve local residents and harmonize with these communities. 

Future Land Use: 

The proposed rezone efforts support the County’s long-term community development vision as depicted in the Future Land Use map, which shows appropriate, suitable, or desired land uses. The Future Land Use Map depicts land in southwest Kootenai County as scenic or resource/recreation regardless of whether the land is zoned rural or agricultural. The areawide rezone from the rural zoning designation to agricultural will not change the current or future land uses.  

Primary Rezone Impact: 

The primary impact of the rezone is that subdivisions or “lot segregations” are prohibited in the Agricultural Zoning District. The prevention of subdivisions in the Agricultural Zoning District ensures open space and natural resources are preserved in Kootenai County and within tribal lands. In addition to the prohibition of subdivisions, the following differences between the Rural and Agricultural zones.  

Secondary Rezone Impact: 

A secondary impact of the rezone will be changes to the developmental standards as set forth in Kootenai County’s Title 8 Code. As indicated in the table below, most developmental standards with either stay the same or be less restrictive. The more restrictive dimensional standards apply only when an alley is present.