Kootenai County Seeks Resident Input on Long-Range Growth and Recreation Planning
Kootenai County officials are asking residents across North Idaho to participate in two major planning initiatives that will shape how the region grows, builds parks, and manages public resources over the coming two decades. The county is updating its comprehensive plan and, for the first time, developing a dedicated Parks & Waterways Plan — both of which depend heavily on community feedback to reflect local values and priorities.
Two Plans, One Goal: Guiding Kootenai County’s Future
The comprehensive plan update focuses specifically on unincorporated areas of Kootenai County — the stretches of land outside the boundaries of cities like Coeur d’Alene, Post Falls, Hayden, and Rathdrum. Under Idaho law, counties are required to maintain such a plan, which functions as a policy framework for decisions involving zoning, roads, emergency services, utilities, and future development proposals. The updated document is intended to establish a shared vision for growth while protecting the rural character, property rights, and natural landscapes that define life in the Panhandle region.
Mike Behary, Kootenai County’s Director of Community Development, noted that the county has seen substantial population growth in recent years. As families, businesses, and visitors continue relocating to the area, coordinated planning becomes more critical to preserving what makes the region desirable in the first place — from Lake Coeur d’Alene and its surrounding waterways to open lands along Highway 95 and Highway 41 corridors.
The Parks & Waterways Plan represents an entirely new effort for the county. Officials will use the plan to assess existing recreational assets, identify gaps in services, and set priorities for future investment in parks, trails, open spaces, and public waterway access. The plan will also examine how both residents and visitors are currently using the county’s recreational infrastructure, with the goal of building a sustainable system that can serve North Idaho communities well into the future.
Why Public Input Matters for Unincorporated Kootenai County
County officials are emphasizing that resident participation is central — not supplemental — to both planning processes. Feedback from the public will directly inform decisions on issues ranging from transportation and housing to recreational access and natural resource preservation. The plans are designed to reflect the priorities of the people who live and work throughout Kootenai County, not just those in incorporated city centers.
Residents throughout the region — whether in Rathdrum, Spirit Lake, Dalton Gardens, or the rural areas east and north of Coeur d’Alene — are encouraged to weigh in through an online survey. The survey covers topics including growth management, recreation needs, transportation infrastructure, housing availability, and public services. Input collected through the survey will help planners understand where residents see gaps and what they value most about living in the region.
The survey is available through the county’s planning website at keepingkootenai.com.
The Our Gem Coeur d’Alene Lake Collaborative — a group of local professionals working to protect the health of Lake Coeur d’Alene and educate the community about water resources — is among the organizations connected to this broader community planning effort. The collaborative includes representatives from the University of Idaho, the Coeur d’Alene Tribe, the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality, the Kootenai Environmental Alliance, the Coeur d’Alene Regional Chamber of Commerce, and Kootenai County itself.
Impact on Kootenai County Residents
The decisions made through these two planning documents will have lasting consequences for how land is developed, where parks and trails are built, and how public infrastructure dollars are allocated across the county. For longtime residents who have watched North Idaho’s population climb steadily, the comprehensive plan update offers a formal opportunity to ensure that growth accommodates — rather than overwhelms — the quality of life they moved here to enjoy. For newer arrivals, participation is a chance to help define the character of their adopted communities.
Local business owners and families in communities like Post Falls and Hayden may also find the economic development and housing components of the plan particularly relevant, as both areas continue to absorb significant residential and commercial growth. For context on how long-established North Idaho businesses have adapted to regional growth over the years, see our profile of a North Idaho store with more than 20 years of community history.
What Comes Next
Residents are encouraged to complete the online survey at keepingkootenai.com as soon as possible. Both the comprehensive plan update and the Parks & Waterways Plan are long-range efforts, but early public input helps planners establish baseline community priorities before formal drafting begins. County officials have indicated that the plans will guide decision-making over the next 20 years, making this an unusually significant opportunity for Kootenai County residents to have a voice in how their region develops.