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🚫 STOP THE SAGLE BIKE PARK: Public Hearing NOT SCHEDULED 🚫
🚫 STOP THE SAGLE BIKE PARK: Public Hearing NOT SCHEDULED 🚫
Public Hearing – CUP0002-24 for Panhandle Bike Ranch NOT YET SCHEDULED
Panhandle Bike Ranch's CUP was vacated and remanded on June 2nd. It is now late August and Bonner County has still not scheduled a new hearing. We received this email from Jake Gabell on 8/11/2025.
Meanwhile PBR continues to operate without a valid permit and against Judge Simmons' order.
#stillwaiting #StopTheSagleBikePark
WHY THIS HEARING MATTERS
WHY THIS HEARING MATTERS
Panhandle Bike Ranch is applying for a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) to operate a large-scale commercial downhill mountain bike park in the middle of our rural residential Sagle neighborhood.
The district court vacated and remanded their prior CUP after our appeal—now the case is back before the County Commissioners.
During this hearing, the public can give testimony and/or provide evidence about whether the proposal meets the approval criteria of the Bonner County Revised Code.
At the end of the hearing, the Commissioners may:
✅ Approve | ❌ Deny | 🔄 Remand | ⏳ Continue the hearing
HOW YOU CAN HELP
HOW YOU CAN HELP
ATTEND THE PUBLIC HEARING when scheduled – Make a public statement at the hearing asking the Bonner County Commissioners to enforce the zoning laws and deny Panhandle Bike Ranch's CUP.
SUBMIT A WRITTEN OPPOSITION LETTER – Written statements must be in the Planning Department’s record no later than 7 days before the hearing.
At the hearing, you may also submit one page of written testimony.
Submit by:
📬 Mail – Bonner County Planning Department
1500 Highway 2, Suite 208, Sandpoint, ID 83864
📠 Fax – 866-537-4935
📧 Email – planning@bonnercountyid.gov
Address these points in your letter:
Consistency with the Bonner County Comprehensive Plan
Lack of compatibility with the neighborhood
Hazards from a large-scale commercial bike park
How it does not comply with Bonner County Revised Code
SUBMIT A PUBLIC COMMENT – Submit your public comment to Bonner County Planning through their online Google Form 7 days before the hearing. (link coming soon)
DONATE – Help cover legal fees, media outreach, and materials
💻 StopTheSagleBikePark.comVOLUNTEER - Help us to Stop The Sagle Bike Park! Email stopthesaglebikepark@gmail.com to volunteer.
We urge Bonner County to schedule this hearing, and we urge the BC Commissioners to enforce zoning laws and deny Panhandle Bike Ranch’s CUP.
Commercial resorts do not belong in rural residential neighborhoods. Protect our community, safety, and way of life.
#StopTheSagleBikePark
🚨 UPDATE: Court Vacates CUP Approval for Panhandle Bike Ranch
🚨 UPDATE: Court Vacates CUP Approval for Panhandle Bike Ranch
We are pleased to share that the District Court has vacated and remanded Bonner County’s approval of the Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for Panhandle Bike Ranch. This means the County’s decision has been nullified and sent back for further proceedings.
The Court found that the County failed to:
Provide a reasoned explanation for classifying the project as a “Recreational Facility” (a required step under Idaho law and Bonner County code), and
Demonstrate adequate water supply for fire suppression, as required by BCRC § 12-333, Note 8.
These findings affirm our concerns about the process and the impacts this project could have on our rural community.
🙏 We sincerely thank all of our neighbors, supporters, and community members who submitted comments, attended hearings, and stood up for due process and responsible land use. Your voices mattered—and made a difference.
We will continue to monitor next steps closely as the County revisits this matter. Stay tuned for updates and future opportunities to stay engaged.
#StopTheSagleBikePark
What's Happening?
What's Happening?
Panhandle Bike Ranch, a commercial downhill mountain biking park, is being built on 170 acres of Rural Residential land in Sagle, Idaho.
Access to the bike park from East Dufort Road cuts directly through the Five Lake Estates neighborhood — a quiet, family-centered rural community.
The owners have applied for a Conditional Use Permit (CUP), claiming the bike park is a “recreational facility.” But under Bonner County Code, Panhandle Bike Ranch meets the definition of a Commercial Resort — and Commercial Resorts are not allowed in Rural Residential zones.
Why It Matters
Why It Matters
🔹 Zoning Laws Matter
Rural Residential zoning is designed to protect neighborhoods like ours from high-intensity, high-traffic commercial developments. If Panhandle Bike Ranch is allowed, it could set a dangerous precedent for future commercial projects in rural areas.
🔹 Safety Matters
The park would bring a massive increase in traffic to small, private roads not built for heavy public use. This endangers families, walkers, cyclists, pets, wildlife, and emergency access. This park will have an impact on EMS and Fire Department services that are already financially strained.
🔹 Peace and Quality of Life Matter
Noise, dust, traffic, and crowds will forever change the rural character that residents value.
🔹 The Environment Matters
Heavy land use, increased erosion, and potential harm to wildlife habitats are serious concerns that have not been properly addressed.
Our Goal
Our Goal
We are asking Bonner County officials to deny the Conditional Use Permit (CUP) because:
✅ Panhandle Bike Ranch is a Commercial Resort, not a small-scale low-intensity recreation facility.
✅ Commercial Resorts are prohibited in Rural Residential zones according to Bonner County Code 12-333.
✅ Approval would violate the integrity of the zoning laws that protect all county residents.
How Can You Help?
How Can You Help?
👉 Share This Information
Help your friends, family, and neighbors understand what’s at stake.
👉 Share This Information
Help your friends, family, and neighbors understand what’s at stake.
👉 Stay Informed
Follow us on social media for updates:
👉 Stay Informed
Follow us on social media for updates:
Learn More
Learn More
Check our Updates page
Follow us on social media
Together, we can protect the future of Bonner County.
Together, we can protect the future of Bonner County.
#StopTheSagleBikePark #ProtectRuralCommunities #KeepBonnerCountyRural
🏡 🌲 🚫
🏡 🌲 🚫
If you currently enjoy privacy, peace and quiet, and wildlife on your rural residential property,
If you currently enjoy privacy, peace and quiet, and wildlife on your rural residential property,
WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT!
WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT!
Sign up for email updates from Stop The Sagle Bike Park!
Sign up for email updates from Stop The Sagle Bike Park!
Do you want this in your neighborhood? Because make no mistake - we either stop this now or IT MAY BE YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD NEXT.
Do you want this in your neighborhood? Because make no mistake - we either stop this now or IT MAY BE YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD NEXT.
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