Dalton Gardens residents seek answers to Canfield Mountain development rumors

DALTON GARDENS — Residents voiced growing concerns over possible development on Canfield Mountain during a town hall meeting with Kootenai County Commissioner Leslie Duncan on Thursday night.

Duncan addressed rumors of plans to build up to 35 houses on the mountain and said there’s no application or other documentation at the county level related to such a project.

Even so, several residents said construction activity on private property along Erickson Drive is a detriment to infrastructure and Dalton Gardens' “dark sky” ordinance, which is intended to minimize light pollution in the city.

Mayor Curt Jernigan said city code allows for deliveries to be made up Erickson Drive, at the end of Hanley Avenue.

Resident Clark Young was particularly displeased with such activity putting a strain on city roads.

“You mean the rest of us have to invest in (their) living on the hill?” Young asked.

“We need to address a lot of issues with that,” Jernigan said to about 25 people at the meeting.

Jernigan said the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission is working on documentation for negotiating the Area of Impact with the county.

“This agreement is the city's opportunity to negotiate and establish a framework for managing growth in the unincorporated area outside the city's boundaries,” Jernigan said.

The agreement is due by the end of 2025.

Jernigan said the city will ask the county to adopt the “dark sky” ordinance in the AOI negotiation.

“It ensures outdoor lighting does not negatively impact residents or the environment,” Jernigan said. “I believe most residents would agree.”

Duncan said the issue of development activity on Canfield Mountain is complicated by the need to strike a balance between private property rights and working with the city.

“If they purchased the property, they do have the right to build there,” Duncan said. 

Jernigan said community concern related to Canfield Mountain is nothing new. 

"Canfield Mountain has always been a beautiful backdrop to Dalton Gardens and surrounding areas. Similar to the Dalton Gardens Preservation Group of the early 2000s, a current resident group is likewise concerned about development," Jernigan said.