Historic Neighborhoods

America's older neighborhoods are important chapters in the story of who we are as a nation and people.  Working together, we can keep that story alive.

Zoning laws were first created to protect owner's rights and property values against the potentially harmful actions of others.  Rights are - and have always been - tempered with responsibilities.

 When the Urban Renewal District was formed encompassing the downtown Coeur d'Alene area it included adjoining residential neighborhoods and utilized Infill Overlay ordinances to replace (overlay) the existing area zoning (infill).  The Infill East overlay which included the area surrounding 8th to 11th Streets between Bancroft and Lakeside Avenue was deemed a "transition" area in need of redevelopment and revitalization, and made drastic changes to the residential  zoning in numerous ways including:

• Increased Height in residential zoning
• Decreased Setbacks to zero - new buildings can be built directly on the property line
• Increased Density - allowing massive multi-unit structures next to single family homes

This Infill area was created to increase the density to help revitalize the downtown core.  The residents we were not notified of this zoning change.  The Infill designation is in direct conflict with the Comprehensive Plan the city has in place.  It states that neighborhoods both old and new should be protected.  It also states that new development should be sensitive to existing areas.  The residents affected believed the Infill designation was unnecessary - the downtown is vital and the Infill area is a stable and established residential neighborhood of  historic homes.  There are other Infill areas in CdA that incorporate mostly commercial areas, the East Mullan area is predominantly residential with small pockets of differing zoning. While there are areas in CdA that could benefit from the revitalization that Infill would bring; there are areas that can also be negatively affected. 

The East Mullan neighborhood is one that was negatively affected by the increased density, mass & height changes allowed by the Infill.  Instead of sensitive redevelopment and revitalization the result was an alarming trend of tear downs and massive projects that did not fit.  Neighborhood livability is diminished as trees are removed, backyards eliminated, and sunlight is blocked by bulky new structures built right up to or on the property lines.  Economic and social diversity are reduced as costly new high-end condos and town home projects with part year residents replace more affordable houses.  The ironic and tragic result is that these new complexes wind up ruining the very qualities that made the neighborhood attractive to residents in the first place.

It is important that all residents are informed in an understandable and timely manner of any and all applications and requests for zoning changes that affect them.  The residential zoning was changed without direct notification or input.  A neighborhood group (East Mullan Historic Neighborhood Association) formed to protest and undo these changes and to ensure that it did not happen to another neighborhood.

East Mullan Historic District Neighborhood Association

The East Mullan Historic District is an area of older historic homes which incorporates an area from 8th Street to 15th, Mountain to Lakeside.   The association's main focus is to preserve and protect the character of the historic neighborhood from zoning changes and development that is not consistent with the existing residential area.

Since October 2006 the group has worked diligently with the city council and planning commission  to make changes to the Infill East ordinance.  To date the Association has been successful and some changes have been made:  the allowed height has been reduced to 35', pitched roofs are now required & the height variance has been eliminated city wide.  A portion that should never have been included in the Infill was removed.

The East Mullan Association continues  to work within the city processes to make further changes to the East Infill.  Setbacks, design standards, mass and proximity to single family homes are still areas of concern. 

The city has more Infill areas planned.  It is one of the associations goals to help the city realize that it must manage change and new construction so that it follows the comprehensive plan and respects the character of the neighborhood instead of ignoring or eroding it.

New members are always welcome.

Joe Morris:  President

To contact Joe via email: >>Click Here<<

Helpful tips for others trying to organize....

• Remember the City Council & Planning Commission are people just like us, they live in Coeur d'Alene too
• They are approachable and you can contact them with questions or concerns
• Know the zoning so your complaint or concern is valid
• Get organized - find others in your area or neighborhood who are also affected
• Learn all you can before a meeting - the city's website has a wealth of information or you can call the city or planning department
• If there are numerous people with your group who wish to speak, have them each choose a separate related point or topic to speak on
• Don't waste time by repeating the same argument or complaint
• Use examples, diagrams, photos, visual aids to support your position, a picture is worth a thousand words
• A room full of people is much more important than a petition full of signatures
• The petition notices sent out by the city are not always understood and therefore many times are ignored or not returned for fear of answering incorrectly
• If you are not receiving notices - speak out - they need to know the residents affected are not being notified
• If you cannot understand the notices - speak out - they need to know  when they are unclear
• Watch the legals in the newspaper for zoning change requests and meeting notices
• If no one shows up at a zoning change request - the planning commission can only assume no one objects