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Friday, October 27, 2006 - After days of meetings and countless conversations with Post Falls residents about how they'd like to see their city grow, the time finally arrived this evening when the PlaceMakers design team presented their first batch of ideas, warts and all, to an inquisitive crowd of more than 60 people.
"Our focus has been the search for the big idea," began PlaceMaker Howard Blackson, "and, as it turns out, the big idea is something small. The small town sensibility that folks here have commented on over and over again. You don't want to lose that."
The pin-up presentation allows residents opportunity to review work in progress but, more importantly, it generates the feedback necessary to guide the team's completion of the project. Positive comments keep design efforts on track. And when ideas don't fly, the team is given opportunity to rethink the issue.
Based on the team's previous experience in other communities, the response was expected, in that it reflected both a deep level of concern for the community's future, but also some level of trepidation at the prospect of change.
Particularly, questions focused on exactly how the SmartCode, which is being considered as a new approach to land use zoning, works and, specifically, how its implementation would affect both existing neighborhoods, commercial areas and prairie lands at the edge of town.
"Right now," said design team leader Bill Dennis, "the existing zoning doesn't allow you to build what people keep telling us they want. That's a problem."
The SmartCode differs somewhat from conventional zoning in that it allows a reasonable mix of uses and maintains different standards for different areas of town. This allows for different types of environments - some more urban in character, some more rural - which creates a greater level of available choices for both consumers and the development community.
Questions and comments were varied.
"We've been excited about this process for a long time," offered Pete Faust of Re/Max. "I'm involved in the Tullamore development and we think adopting the SmartCode will be great for this area. I'd like to see the SmartCode mandatory for all annexations and future projects that come into the city."
Dave Holloway, of the Urban Renewal Agency, continued "We understand growth is coming. You only get one crack at it to get it right and I think this is great. I live northeast of Post Falls and am interested in the transition areas in between Post Falls and Coeur d'Alene. I know developers have the right to develop what they want, but hopefully this effort will encourage them to develop using Smart Growth principles."
"We've been waiting for this," said Chris Kreighbaum and Rod Beitz of New River City Development. "I'm glad Collin realized we need this overlay to our current codes. We're focused on downtown development, and I think the SmartCode will provide us with what we need."
Concluded Hisham Zahran of Zahran Development, "I think what they're doing here is great and will provide an opportunity for developers and builders to provide affordable homes in the area. It's sad that people have to leave here because they can't afford it. I think if the SmartCode is adopted it would be a great thing for this city. I hope other cities in the area adopt it as well."
The charrette continues through the weekend, concluding with Monday's 5-7pm final presentation.
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Planning
