City of Coeur d'Alene -Design Review Commission - March 26, 2026

The City of Coeur d'Alene Design Review Commission held a meeting on March 26, 2026, primarily to review and approve the design of two religious assembly buildings—a 29,630 square foot temple and a 17,282 square foot meeting house—on a 10.91-acre parcel zoned C17 commercial. The discussion focused on design compliance with commercial design guidelines, landscaping plans including over 500 trees, parking provisions exceeding requirements, and lighting considerations, particularly regarding architectural accent lighting and its impact on the surrounding residential area. The commission deliberated on the applicability of window glazing requirements and agreed to strike the design departure related to fenestration as not applicable to this civic use. A key condition of approval was that the applicant work with city staff to mitigate the impact of accent and uplighting on the building, including potential controls on duration and intensity, to ensure neighborhood compatibility. The commission voted to approve the design with this condition and no second meeting was required. Public comments were supportive, emphasizing the project's community benefits and aesthetic quality.