BoCo Planning Commission to host workshop on land divisions

By Soncirey Mitchell
Reader Staff

The Bonner County Planning Commission will host a public workshop Tuesday, May 20 on land division standards under Bonner County Revised Code. The 4:30 p.m. meeting will take place at the Bonner County Administration Building (1500 Hwy. 2, in Sandpoint) and will include a detailed review of family divisions, waiver of land divisions, minor land divisions and additional proposed code changes in BCRC Title 12.

“This is a great opportunity to help residents better understand how these land division processes work, what changes may be coming and how they can provide input,” said Planning Director Jake Gabell.

The current MLD process has drawn concern and criticism from the Planning Department, the Bonner County board of commissioners and members of the public for years due to an apparent loophole that allows developers to create de facto subdivisions without the necessary infrastructure required by the actual subdivision application. 

At the commissioners’ March 25 business meeting, Gabell said the loophole led to some “public health and public safety concerns” because the developments created under it presented “long-term challenges for emergency access, fire protection and stormwater management.”

According to Gabell, the infrastructure issues include a lack of fire mitigation and road width, surfacing and accessibility regulations, among other issues.

A moratorium on minor land divisions will go into effect Monday, May 19, to give officials time to review and alter the code. The moratorium will remain in place until Oct. 1.

To view the agenda and meeting packet or to attend the workshop on Zoom, visit bit.ly/BoCoPlanning.