Hearing examiner closes record on proposed 30,500‑sq‑ft gym at Christian Center School

Hearing Examiner Carl Grandrath on Tuesday closed the public record for CUP 26‑0004, a conditional use permit application to build a roughly 30,000–30,500‑square‑foot gymnasium at Christian Center School on Prairie Avenue.

County planning staff described the project site as three adjoining parcels totaling about 15 acres at 3639 West Prairie in an agricultural zone. Staff told the hearing the gym would be placed on a currently undeveloped northern parcel and primarily move athletic activities out of an existing sanctuary to ease scheduling conflicts. The applicant told staff the addition would not increase student enrollment, which staff said is expected to remain around 240 (it had been as high as 255 at one point).

Staff said no agencies raised objections to the proposal but recommended conditions of approval. Notable conditions include a requirement that a boundary line adjustment be recorded before permits are issued and compliance with Corley Airport overlay provisions; staff noted an aviation easement was recorded on the property in 2002 and the airport recommended non‑reflective exterior materials for the building and roof to reduce glare hazards to pilots. "The applicant advised staff that the addition of the gymnasium will not constitute additional enrollment," county planning staff said during the presentation.

There was one public comment in support and no recorded opposition. Hearing Examiner Grandrath said he had sufficient information in the file to base a written recommendation; he will prepare his recommendation within two weeks and forward it to staff for placement on the agenda before the Kootenai County commissioners, who hold final decision authority.

The hearing record for CUP 26‑0004 is closed; the commission will consider the examiner's recommendation and the staff report when deciding whether to approve the permit and under what conditions.