# 9/24/26 Board of County Commissioners: Community Development


**Body:** Kootenai County Idaho
**Date:** September 23, 2026
**Jurisdiction:** SLED

**Tags:** Construction & Infrastructure, Public Safety, Physical Infrastructure, Emergency Response


The Kootenai County Idaho Board of County Commissioners held a Community Development public hearing on September 24, 2026, to consider Conditional Use Permit (CUP25-00008) for the Mitchell Event Center, a proposed seasonal event venue on a rural 40-acre property. The meeting involved extensive presentations from county staff, the applicant's representatives, and numerous public testimonies both in support and opposition. Key procurement-related discussions focused on compliance with county codes, fire safety, road access improvements including widening a private easement to 20 feet as required by the fire district, parking capacity, noise mitigation, and wildfire evacuation planning. The applicant proposed conditions such as limiting events to 25 per year with a maximum of 175 attendees, prohibiting fireworks and open flames, and preparing fire mitigation and evacuation plans. Opposition raised concerns about road safety, emergency access, wildfire risk, noise, lighting, and legal issues regarding commercial use of the private easement. The Sheriff's Office maintained opposition citing evacuation and fire risks, while the Fire District conditionally approved the proposal. After public testimony, the board voted to continue deliberations to October 22, 2026, and scheduled an executive session to discuss legal matters related to the easement. No final decision was made at this meeting.

**Source:** Kootenai County Idaho