The Sandpoint Planning Department Offices are located upstairs at City Hall.

The City's revised Comprehensive Plan is now available on the Comprehensive Plan web page.
SANDPOINT PLANNING DEPARTMENT MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of the City of Sandpoint Planning Department is to enhance the quality of life for present and future generations. We do this by:
  • Providing quality service
  • Encouraging citizen involvement
  • Promoting good planning
  • Implementing our City Code
This is a summary of our mission. Full and complete mission statements are available, just ask us. 
DEPARTMENT SERVICES

There are number of helpful services the Planning Department provides to the public. Take a look at what we offer.
  • Zoning classification information for property in the City limits
  • Bulk, height and area requirements specific to your property
  • Information on land use, demographics and fair housing
  • Free feedback on preliminary site plans
  • Signage permits

"Contact Us"
Click on the following links for more information:
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q. Does my property fall within limits of the City of Sandpoint? Property that lies generally east of Chuck Slough and the Union Pacific Railroad, south of the Bonner County Fairgrounds, west of Sand Creek and Lake Pend Oreille and north of the Pend Oreille River are likely within the City's boundaries.  The Planning Department can only provide zoning information for properties within our boundaries. Property outside of the City falls under the authority of Bonner County. County zoning information can be obtained by calling 265-1458.

Still not sure if your property is located within the City? Give us a call or contact us by e-mail and we would be happy to help.

Q. Does the City have zoning requirements? Yes. The City is divided up into many different zoning categories, each with its own set of requirements. Whether you are remodeling a structure, building a new one or adding on to an existing structure you should check in with us to make sure you meet requirements. When you contact us be sure to have either a legal description of the property, tax parcel number or address. This will help us find the property quickly and give you the information you need.  You'll find a link to City Code in the left-hand menu.  See above for some general zoning information.

Q. Does the City require building permits? Yes. The City requires building permits for most types of construction within our boundaries. The City has a fully functioning building department with a full-time building inspector. For more information, contact the Building Department at 263-3407.

Q. Do I need a permit for a commercial sign? A sign permit is required anytime you want to erect, construct, reconstruct, alter, paint, or repair any sign. Review of permit requests are done by administrative staff and usually can be issued in a week or less. You can contact us if you need a permit or have questions about what types of signs are allowed.

Q. Does the City require business licenses? The City requires registration of all businesses.  Please click on "Business Registration" under the Business tab in the left-hand menu for a copy of the  registration form.  Annual registration fee is $10.  Additional licenses are also required for pawn shops, taxi cab operations, tourist homes, and for any business selling beer, wine or alcohol.  For information regarding these licenses, please call the City Clerk's office at 263-3317.

Q. How do I find my property line? The best way to determine the location of your property lines is to have the property professionally surveyed. However, before hiring a surveyor check around property corners to see if any stakes or pins are in the ground. If you find pins or stakes they most often delineate the corners of your property. If no pins exist and you haven't hired a surveyor, you can visit the Bonner County Assessors office which maintains copies of property maps including the size of property and surrounding lots.

Do not assume that fence lines and street curbs follow property lines.

MEET THE STAFF

The Planning Department currently has four full time employees. Here is little bit of information about each of us.

Melissa Bethel, Planning Assistant - Melissa has been the City since 2005.  She received her Bachelor's Degree in political studies from Whitworth College, and a law degree from Gonzaga University.

Joan Bramblee, A.I.C.P., Senior Planner:  Joan has made a career of working in the public service sector, working for a school and fire department before moving into the planning field.  She spent 10 years with Kootenai County's Planning Department before coming to Sandpoint in 1998.  She first began her employment with the City as Planning Assistant, and was promoted to a Planner position in June 2001 after taking on additional planner-related duties.

Stephen Drinkard, Project Coordinator: Stephen has been the City's grant officer since 1998, coming from writing grants for the Bonner County Improvement Council for two years. His work consists of writing and administering grants, coordinating special projects, and developing and coordinating the community forestry program.

Jeremy Grimm, Planning Director:  Jeremy has come to Sandpoint from Buffalo, Wyoming where he was Planning Director and Project Manager. In his former position Jeremy was responsible for all aspects of management and procurement of State and Federal grants and loans, analysis of financial, statistical, budget and other data associated with the administration of $24.5 million dollars of sewer and water plant expansion and modification, City development and planning activity.  Jeremy received a BA in Geomorphology from the University of Denver in 1995 and MA in Community Planning and Development from the Muskie School of Public Service, Portland, Maine, in 2004.

"Contact Us"

THE SANDPOINT PLANNING COMMISSION

The Sandpoint Planning Commission makes decisions on land use requests such as rezones and conditional use permits.  Current members are: Cate Huisman, Rob Herrera (Vice Chair), Shelby Rognstad, Kathleen Hyde, John O'Hara, and Aaron Qualls.  The Planning Commission meets on the first and third Tuesdays of each month at 5:30 pm in the City Council Chambers at City Hall.  (Click HERE for a list of our upcoming meetings and deadlines.)  All of our meetings are open to the public and we encourage everyone to attend.
 


SANDPOINT PLANNING COMMISSION
MEETING AGENDA
FEBRUARY 2, 2009 - 5:30 P.M.
CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS
 

I.

CALL TO ORDER:

 

 

 

 

 

 

II.

MATTERS FROM THE PUBLIC:

 

 

 

 

 

 

III.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

A.

Minutes of January 19, 2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CONTINUED PUBLIC HEARING:

IV.

OLD BUSINESS:

B.

OA09-03 – The City has initiated amendments to Sandpoint City Code, Title 9 for the purpose of bringing the land use regulations into compliance with the CA-4 and CA-5 areas identified by the 2009 Sandpoint Comprehensive Plan. Proposed modification will establish changes in standards to regulate and restrict the height, number of stories, size, construction, reconstruction, alteration, repair or use of buildings and structures; percentage of lot occupancy, size of courts, yards, and open spaces; density of population; and the location and use of buildings and structures. The proposed changes are as follows: 

Download :   Staff Report

1.   Chapter 3, Establishment of the “Downtown Specific” Zone  replacing the Commercial “D” zone, Commercial “D” Overlay District, Professional Office “PO” zone and Commercial Neighborhood “CN” zone for property highlighted on the attached map east of 6th Avenue, South of Larch Street, generally north of Pine Street and generally bound by the eastern limits of the City of Sandpoint. 1.                                

2.   Chapter 4, Establishment of the Commercial “A” Zone and replacing the Commercial “D” zone for all existing commercial zoned property highlighted on the attached map and located generally north of Larch Street. 

3.   Chapter 5, Establishment of the Commercial “B” Zone and replacing the Commercial “D” zone, Professional Office “PO” zone and Light Industrial “ER” zone for property highlighted on the attached map west of Boyer Avenue, South of Baldy Mountain Road, and generally along the US Highway 2 & 200 corridor west of 6th Avenue.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NEW PUBLIC HEARING:

V.

NEW BUSINESS:

C.

Revised Boundary OA09-03 – The City has initiated amendments to Sandpoint City Code, Title 9 for the purpose of bringing the land use regulations into compliance with the CA-4 and CA-5 areas identified by the 2009 Sandpoint Comprehensive Plan.  Proposed modification will establish changes in standards to regulate and restrict the height, number of stories, size, construction, reconstruction, alteration, repair or use of buildings and structures; percentage of lot occupancy, size of courts, yards, and open spaces; density of population; and the location and use of buildings and structures. The proposed changes are as follows: 

Download :   Staff Report
Download:    PDF Map

1.   Chapter 3, Establishment of the “Downtown Specific” Zone (DSZ) replacing the Commercial “D” zone, Commercial “D” Overlay District, Professional Office “PO” zone and Commercial Neighborhood “CN” zone for property highlighted on the attached map south of Larch Street, between 6th Avenue and 4th Avenue, generally south of Alder Street, north of Pine Street and generally south along the Highway 95 corridor further bound by the eastern limits of the City of Sandpoint and northerly to the section line along the southern terminus of the City of Sandpoint Lake Water Treatment Plant property.

 Download Ordinance:  Downtown Specific Zone

2.   Chapter 4, Establishment of the Commercial “A” Zone and replacing the Commercial “D” zone for all existing commercial zoned property highlighted on the attached map and located generally north of Larch Street.

  Download Ordinance:  Commercial A Zone

3.   Chapter 5, Establishment of the Commercial “B” Zone and replacing the Commercial “D” zone, and Light Industrial “ER” zone for property highlighted on the attached map west of Boyer Avenue, and generally along the US Highway 2 & 200 corridor west of 6th Avenue along with a portion of Block 18 of Ohadi Acres that is generally located southwest of the intersection of Pine Street and Division Avenue.

 Download Ordinance:  Commercial B Zone

 

 

 

 

VI.

MATTERS FROM THE STAFF/COMMISSION:

D.

Brief discussion of how to structure P&Z minutes so they are of best use to City Council.

 

 

 

 

 

 

E.

Election of New Chair

 

 

 

 

VII.

ADJOURNMENT:

 

 

 ANY PERSON NEEDING SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE ABOVE NOTICED MEETING SHOULD CONTACT CITY HALL, 1123 LAKE ST, 24 HOURS PRIOR TO THE MEETING AT 263-3370.

 Posted 1/29/10 JRB

The Planning Commission is currently working on several modifications to Commercial Zoning Districts as a result of the adoption of the 2009 Sandpoint Comprehensive Plan.  The Draft Commercial Codes were considered by the Planning Commission at the December 1, 2009 Public Hearing.  The Hearing was continued to February 2, 2010 (see above).


Click below to see past Planning Commission meeting minutes:
Minutes for 2010
Minutes for 2009
Minutes for 2008
Minutes for 2007
Minutes for 2006
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
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