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Moyie River rezone proposal draws
concern |
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March 8, 2012 |
A proposal to rezone a number of properties
along the Moyie River from agriculture/forestry
to suburban that's going to be heard at a
Boundary County Planning and Zoning hearing next
week has sparked considerable comment and
concern, but for most, it's not going to mean
much of anything.
The majority of the lots involved are still well
below the new "minimum" parcel size; the ones
above will likely need a public hearing process
to develop.
"There were a number of subidivions platted in
the 1970s, before the county ever had a zoning
ordinance, and every one of those lots has to be
considered a "buildable" lot by county law,"said
zoning administrator Mike Weland. "They are
grandfathered. For them, nothing will change."
While the county would allow development,
whether zone ag/forestry or suburban, in most
cases the land itself precludes development; it
won't perk, the land is too close to the river
to allow a septic system, you can't drill a well
and get good water. The land is what it is;
zoning won't change that.
Likewise, the new zoning, if adopted, won't
change tax assessments; in Idaho, assessments
are based on the use of the land, not the
underlying zoning.
Unless the use of the land changes, assessments
will not change.
"In developing the Comprehensive Plan, those who
were involved noted that a number of lots were
platted along the Moyie River in the 1970s, one
and two acre parcels on ground zoned for 10
acres," said zoning adminstraor Mike Weland. "We
looked at creating a 'recreation' zone, but that
would have restricted those properties suitable
for building a house from being able to do so."
The nearest zoning that would allow a range of
uses that were grandfathered in already was
suburban; which allows increased residential
density,was suburban, and that's what was
reflected on the Comp Plan Map.
Instead of asking that each property owner make
application, pay the fee and go through the
public hearing process, they chose to initiate
the process themselves, thus saving the many
property owners the expense and time.
The proposal doesn't give carte blanch ... those
few who have enough property to subdivide will
in most cases have to go through a public
hearing process to do so; all it does is give
them the opportunity.
For the owners of lots platted in the 1970s, the
amendment means nothing ... it will not change
taxes, it will not restrict what you can do on
your property. All it will do is bring the
county zoning map more in line with what is
already, and has been for years, on the ground.
If it does anything, the proposed zone change
might actually increase property value should
you offer it for sale ... Realtors do consider
zoning when setting the asking price, even if,
in effect, it means little or nothing. |
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