Moyie Zone change and code meeting July 12

MOYIE SPRINGS — The city is hosting another hearing Wednesday, July 12 to discuss proposed changes to zoning changes and city codes scheduled. The meeting will be held at City Hall.

The meeting is another chance for members of the public to provide comments on the proposed zoning changes in Moyie Springs. At this time, much of the city is still designated as unrestricted zoning, which allows for any form of zoning across large swaths of the city.

Council members said this prevents areas from being designated as residential areas and allows for commercial business and industry in close proximity to housing. They added that as far as they know, Moyie Springs is the last city in Idaho with unrestricted zoning, and the city is out of compliance with state regulations which can make them ineligible for many grants and funding.

In past meetings, city attorney Jeremy Featherson said the unrestricted zone creates problems amongst property owners as it can allow another property owner to go against the interest of other property owners.

“The zoning changes are not going to change the current use at the property,” Featherson said.

He said property uses would be grandfathered, meaning current use would be lawful after the zone change for the current property owner.

Throughout the year, Moyie Springs has had several public hearings on the matter, and held several code workshop sessions with public input as council has worked to define zoning terms and definitions.

The city’s final zone and code changes are scheduled for adoption on August 9 at 7 p.m. during the regular monthly meeting.