More than 120 residents of Dalton Gardens packed the community center Thursday evening to voice overwhelming opposition to a proposed 280-unit apartment complex on 18 acres of farmland at the intersection of Dalton Avenue and Fourth Street, a project that opponents say would fundamentally alter the character of the small, rural-feeling community that sits between Coeur d’Alene and Hayden. The public hearing, conducted by the Dalton Gardens Planning and Zoning Commission, ran over three hours as resident after resident urged the commission to reject the proposal.
The project, submitted by Inland Pacific Development LLC, would construct eight three-story apartment buildings along with a community center, pool, playground, and 1.5 acres of landscaped open space on land currently zoned for agricultural use. The developer is requesting a zone change to medium-density residential — a classification that Dalton Gardens has historically been reluctant to approve.
Why Residents Oppose the Development
Dalton Gardens is an unincorporated community of approximately 2,800 residents that has maintained its small-town, semi-rural character even as the surrounding Coeur d’Alene and Hayden metropolitan areas have experienced explosive growth. Residents cite the community’s large lot sizes, horse properties, garden plots, and lack of commercial development as defining features they moved there specifically to enjoy.
“I didn’t buy a two-acre lot in Dalton Gardens to live next to a three-story apartment complex,” said longtime resident Karen Mitchell, drawing applause from the crowd. “There are plenty of places to build apartments in Kootenai County. This isn’t one of them.”
Traffic concerns dominated the testimony. Dalton Avenue already carries over 8,000 vehicles per day, and residents argued that adding 280 residential units — with an estimated 500+ additional daily vehicle trips — would create dangerous congestion on roads that lack sidewalks, curbs, and dedicated turn lanes. The intersection of Dalton and Fourth Street has been identified by the Kootenai Metropolitan Planning Organization as a congestion concern even at current traffic levels.
The Developer’s Argument
Inland Pacific representative Mark Chen told the commission that the project addresses Kootenai County’s critical housing shortage and would provide moderately priced rental units for workers who cannot afford to purchase homes in the current market. Monthly rents would range from $1,200 for a one-bedroom to $1,800 for a three-bedroom unit — below the Coeur d’Alene area average.
“Kootenai County needs more housing at every price point,” Chen said. “The teachers, nurses, firefighters, and service workers who keep this community running need places to live that they can afford. This project helps fill that gap.”
The developer has offered to fund road improvements along Dalton Avenue including a dedicated turn lane and new sidewalks adjacent to the property. The project would also connect to public sewer and water systems, avoiding the septic and well concerns associated with rural development.
What Comes Next
The Dalton Gardens Planning and Zoning Commission will deliberate on the zone change request at its April meeting and make a recommendation to the Kootenai County Board of Commissioners, which holds final authority over zone changes in unincorporated areas. Residents can submit written comments to the commission through the Kootenai County Community Development office at 451 N. Government Way, Coeur d’Alene, or by email at planning@kcgov.us.