County will pay $60,000 to developer

After a year of court dates and hearings, a Bonners Ferry home developer will receive $60,000 from Boundary County for a property zoning dispute.

County commissioners recently voted 2-1 to accept the terms of the mediation with developer Jimmy Ball. Commissioner Ron Smith opposed the matter.

“I voted ‘no’ because it was my feeling that the residence should go and it should not be allowed to stay there,” said county commissioner Ron Smith. “I thought $60,000 was too much money to pay for something like this. I also thought the criminal charges es out of there really bad,” said Ball. “I’m happy that the deal is over.”

Ball will receive the $60,000 to remove his guest house on Moon Shadow Road.

He also will be allowed to subdivide his property on Shamrock Road into two sections so a guest modular home can stay on the property. All criminal charges related to these matters will be dismissed.

The $60,000 will barely cover what he invested into the developments, Ball said.

“I was just glad that the county was willing to get through this,” he said. “We came to a middle deal and that is what is important.”

During mediation, Ball agreed to not to construct or place any additional homes on the parcels until the county has amended its zoning and subdivision ordinance pertaining to guest houses. He also withdrew his petition for a zoning change of the property on Moon Shadow Road.

“I’m just glad it’s all behind me,” said Ball. “Through this all, Mike Weland has been really honest and easy to work with.”