COEUR D'ALENE, Idaho — The City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved a new zoning district for land located in and near the North Idaho College campus.
The move pleased NIC instructor Kathleen Miller Green. She said the designated University District will provide students with security in knowing the college will be there for years to come.
The college is thriving, with some of the top programs in the state, Miller Green said.
“We need to look at that with pride,” she said.
The public hearing on the proposal lasted about an hour. About 10 people spoke in favor of the new zoning district and of a need to safeguard NIC from development.
“We need to protect the college, just like we need to protect all things important to Coeur d’Alene,” said Geoff Harvey. “This step will do it."
“Please, please make NIC a university district,” said Dave Hoskins.
According to a staff report, “The proposed ordinance is in support of the mission of North Idaho College and the partner institutions and provides further guidance and clarity to the allowed uses.”
The draft ordinance also said, “The district is established to support and enhance the educational environment of public institutions of higher education in the City of Coeur d’Alene and to allow flexible, creative development for public educational purposes.”
In January, the City Council tasked staff with investigating the need to update the comprehensive plan to allow the city to rezone NIC’s campus.
Planning and zoning commissioners said in August that the proposal is compatible with the city’s comprehensive plan and noted that university districts exist throughout the country and elsewhere in Idaho.
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