Lozano's subdivision reaches plat approval

The subdivision is west of Plummer, south of Worley, and includes 13 home sites.

Lozano reiterated water was the main concern throughout the project, but a hydrological study showed there was ample water, and test wells were drilled to prove the study was correct. Water rights were secured. He said power and roads are in.

“We met all the requirements,” Lozano said. “I think it speaks for itself.”

Two members of the public – Mary McQuade and Craig Moalpaz – both shared comments on the project with the commissioners during the public hearing.

McQuade said she was in opposition to the development. She expressed concerns with homes in the area being negatively affected by the additional residences. She said preexisting homes will have superior water rights, which in the event there was a shortage, people who buy in the development will suffer.

She also referenced the explosion of development in Kootenai County in places such as Rathdrum, which has seen five-acre farms turned into apartment complex, changing the demographics. She said those buying in Lonely Moose will likely be from outside the area.

Moalpaz’ main concerns was in regards to the watershed that the subdivision was built within, water drainage, existing ditches and pipes, and a pond. He wanted information about the watershed put on record, and said potential buyers should know the watershed exists and was established in 1966.

Commissioners thanked those who made comments for taking the time to do so. Mark Reynolds said they are concerned about projected development in the county and want to allow growth while not compromising the area.

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County commissioners signed a letter of support for the broadband project. Lampert shared while he was at conference last month it was mentioned Benewah County is “out in front of everyone else” when it comes to efforts from counties in the state to get broadband infrastructure in place.

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Commissioner Bob Short said he was still waiting for a second quote to come in for the roof rehab project at the CAF Building in Fernwood.

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Commissioners briefly discussed the portion of the railroad grade the county owns in Shoshone County. The Idaho Department of Lands would like an easement and county legal counsel Mariah Dunham said she spoke with a representative from IDL concerning their request. She said the proposal from IDL is for a section of the road, which would allow them access. Lampert said he would reach out to Shoshone County to see if the new board of commissioners would be willing to take over ownership.

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Commissioners briefly reviewed IDL’s Annual Report concerning endowment trust lands. Lampert said the fund saw revenues of $88 million. Of that, Lampert said $3.8 million was from timberland in Benewah County.

“Too bad it all doesn’t come back to us,” Short said. “Only $200,000 some went back to the schools.”

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Commissioners approved an award from the Idaho Gem Grant for $27,600. Alex Barta, of Timber Plus, said the grant will allow for some more work at the 1st Street property the county owns. Including another core drilling and elevations checks, some engineering work for the potential footprint of a building and more. It would not tie the commissioners to a specific project for the site. Possible projects that have been discussed include housing or a new jail.

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Commissioners approved a memorandum of understanding with Boundary County for IT. The county’s former IT service specialist left his prior company and now is an employee of Boundary County thus the need for the contract.

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HMH Engineer Jim Roletto shared work continues on Slaughter House Bridge and should be completed within two weeks per the contract. He said it was a tough schedule for the project with a fish window and 404 permit window, but believes “they are going to make it.”

Roletto shared his firm is finishing up with the county’s facility plan for sewer and that should be turned into DEQ soon. He said there is also work being done to update the county’s transportation plan, which is important so the county can receive grants.

Roletto said there’s been progress with the two Sanders bridges, and he expects they should be completed this year. He said there is one more signature needed on the environmental document, and the Corp should be giving the permit to them soon.

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Commissioners will meet to canvass the March 14 election at 9 a.m. March 21.

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Chuck Lloyd and Lori Minier, of Benewah Community Hospital, appeared to request funding from the county for a roof rehab project in regards to the helipad. Lloyd added the deteriorating roof is a major concern as it’s over the ER and is where the helicopter lands. Commissioners asked if the hospital was able to provide any funds toward the project which is expected to cost around $450,000, to which both Minier and Lloyd said no.

“It sounds to me like mismanagement on who was supposed to be checking that stuff to let it deteriorate that far,” Short said.

“No matter what it needs to be replaced,” Lampert said.

Lampert said the commissioners would take it under advisement and get back to them in the next few days.

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Two subdivision proposals are now back on the commissioners’ desk after commissioners sent them back to planning and zoning for clarifications and questions. The two subdivisions are the Horned Hook Estates and Patriots Paradise.

Dunham said commissioners needed to decide if they needed more information, impose additional requirements, or wanted to conduct another series of public hearings for the proposals. Following those steps, she said commissioners needed to decide if they wanted to approve the primary plats or deny them.

Lampert said the commissioners would take time to consider what came back from planning and zoning and discuss the two subdivisions at their March 27 meeting to determine what they wanted to do.

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There were no updates in regards to the sewer treatment agreement with the city of St. Maries or the sewer payment agreement with PotlatchDeltic. Lampert said he wanted to discuss the items in executive session.

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Commissioners approved creating a new position at the county level for an engineer/public works/planner. Dunham was directed to draft a job description. Commissioners said there is a lot happening in the county – sewer, developments, airport, roads and more - and having someone on staff they could access more regularly would help make things efficient. Lampert said the county would still work with HMH on some projects, but the idea would be the workload sent to HMH would be less.

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Commissioners approved a resolution and quit claim deed for the sale of a property previously tabled.

Commissioners tabled the item at their last meeting, which was in regards to the sale of a property at St. Joe Riverside Tracts. Dunham discovered the parcel had not been included in any recent auctions and the last time it went up for auction was in 2005 with a minimum bid of $35,000.

Commissioners asked for an updated value, which Donna Spier, county accessor provided to them Monday. The value was $29,00