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Community Character and Design

Community character and design articulate functional and aesthetic characteristics that influence the overall appearance and "feel" of the City. Community values and feedback will help update the vision as articulated in the Comprehensive Plan.

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53 registered responses


Do you think that Sandpoint has a unique community character and identity?

Response Percent Response Count
Yes 96.2% 51
No 3.8% 2

If you agree that Sandpoint has a unique community character and identity, what do you think contributes to it? Check all that apply:

Response Percent Response Count
Downtown 61.5% 32
People 59.6% 31
Sense of community 61.5% 32
Outdoor recreation 80.8% 42
Wildlife 63.5% 33
Lake 86.5% 45
Mountains 84.6% 44
Agricultural / open space surrounding Sandpoint 40.4% 21
Arts and culture 48.1% 25
Food and beverage establishments 40.4% 21
Events and entertainment 50.0% 26
Volunteerism 28.8% 15
Town history 48.1% 25
Lack of big box stores 48.1% 25
Walkability 53.8% 28
Population / size 42.3% 22
Tree-lined streets 53.8% 28
Other 19.2% 10

Community Cornerstones are places, events, traditions, points of interest, scenic views, cultural and/or historic resources that are particular to that community and contribute to its character. Please list up to 5 Community Cornerstones that you value most in Sandpoint:

Answered
50
Skipped
3

Which of the following items would enhance the character of downtown Sandpoint? Choose up to five items:

Response Percent Response Count
Civic buildings and services in the downtown core 5.8% 3
Museums 13.5% 7
More on street / sidewalk events 36.5% 19
Directional signs 11.5% 6
Maintain historic character for new or remodeled buildings 80.8% 42
More public gathering spaces 23.1% 12
New parking structure 32.7% 17
More public art 19.2% 10
More performances and events 28.8% 15
Relocate City Hall downtown 3.8% 2
Other 40.4% 21

What can be done to enhance the community character of Sandpoint as a whole?

Answered
43
Skipped
10

What do you think could harm or change Sandpoint's community character?

Answered
49
Skipped
4

How important are each of the following building elements to maintaining the community character of Sandpoint? (1=not important, 5=very important):

Color
Response Percent Response Count
1 17.0% 9
2 5.7% 3
3 39.6% 21
4 15.1% 8
5 11.3% 6
No opinion 11.3% 6
Façade/architectural detail
Response Percent Response Count
1 3.8% 2
3 26.4% 14
4 30.2% 16
5 37.7% 20
No opinion 1.9% 1
Building height
Response Percent Response Count
1 3.8% 2
2 9.4% 5
3 13.2% 7
4 13.2% 7
5 56.6% 30
No opinion 3.8% 2
Overall size of building
Response Percent Response Count
1 3.8% 2
2 7.5% 4
3 17.0% 9
4 15.1% 8
5 50.9% 27
No opinion 3.8% 2
Material (i.e., log, stucco, siding)
Response Percent Response Count
1 5.7% 3
2 3.8% 2
3 32.1% 17
4 34.0% 18
5 18.9% 10
No opinion 5.7% 3
Style (i.e., Victorian, rustic, modern)
Response Percent Response Count
1 3.8% 2
2 7.5% 4
3 22.6% 12
4 34.0% 18
5 26.4% 14
No opinion 5.7% 3
Commercial signs
Response Percent Response Count
1 11.3% 6
2 5.7% 3
3 28.3% 15
4 11.3% 6
5 37.7% 20
No opinion 3.8% 2
Historical character
Response Percent Response Count
1 1.9% 1
2 1.9% 1
3 13.2% 7
4 26.4% 14
5 52.8% 28
No opinion 3.8% 2

Identify the building types for which each of the following elements should be considered to maintain community character.

Color
Response Percent Response Count
Single family residential 16.7% 8
Multi-family residential 33.3% 16
Commercial 62.5% 30
Industrial 43.8% 21
Façade/architectural detail
Response Percent Response Count
Single family residential 10.4% 5
Multi-family residential 45.8% 22
Commercial 81.3% 39
Industrial 50.0% 24
Building height
Response Percent Response Count
Single family residential 29.2% 14
Multi-family residential 60.4% 29
Commercial 79.2% 38
Industrial 58.3% 28
Overall size of building
Response Percent Response Count
Single family residential 27.1% 13
Multi-family residential 52.1% 25
Commercial 75.0% 36
Industrial 62.5% 30
Material (i.e., log, stucco, siding)
Response Percent Response Count
Single family residential 10.4% 5
Multi-family residential 37.5% 18
Commercial 56.3% 27
Industrial 39.6% 19
Style (i.e., Victorian, rustic, modern)
Response Percent Response Count
Single family residential 10.4% 5
Multi-family residential 31.3% 15
Commercial 58.3% 28
Industrial 33.3% 16
Commercial signs
Response Percent Response Count
Single family residential 6.3% 3
Multi-family residential 22.9% 11
Commercial 70.8% 34
Industrial 52.1% 25
Historical character
Response Percent Response Count
Single family residential 22.9% 11
Multi-family residential 37.5% 18
Commercial 72.9% 35
Industrial 50.0% 24

List up to five things about your neighborhood that you love:

Answered
47
Skipped
6

What about your neighborhood do you dislike or would like to change?

Answered
43
Skipped
10

Using the numbered areas in the map below, identify where you live in Sandpoint. If you do not live in the Sandpoint city limits, please select the city or area in which you live:

Response Percent Response Count
Area 2 1.9% 1
Area 3 1.9% 1
Area 4 11.5% 6
Area 5 9.6% 5
Area 6 11.5% 6
Area 7 9.6% 5
Area 8 9.6% 5
Area 9 5.8% 3
Ponderay 1.9% 1
Kootenai 1.9% 1
Sagle 11.5% 6
Other in Bonner County 15.4% 8
None of the above 7.7% 4

Tell us a little about your relationship with the City of Sandpoint. Choose all that apply:

Response Percent Response Count
I work in Sandpoint 57.7% 30
I'm a student in Sandpoint 1.9% 1
I'm retired in Sandpoint 19.2% 10
I often visit Sandpoint 28.8% 15
I own property in Sandpoint 50.0% 26
I have a business interest or am looking to do business in Sandpoint 17.3% 9
Other 15.4% 8

What is your age?

Response Percent Response Count
20-29 3.8% 2
30-39 17.3% 9
40-49 25.0% 13
50-59 13.5% 7
60-69 28.8% 15
70 or older 11.5% 6

What is your household income?

Response Percent Response Count
Less than $25,000 6.5% 3
$25,000 - $34,999 15.2% 7
$35,000 - $49,999 15.2% 7
$50,000 - $74,999 26.1% 12
$75,000 - $99,999 13.0% 6
$100,000 or greater 23.9% 11

How many children under the age of 18 live at home?

Average
0.71
Total
34.00
Count
48
Skipped
5
Name not shown inside the County of Bonner
January 20, 2020, 8:03 PM
  • Do you think that Sandpoint has a unique community character and identity?
    • Yes
  • If you agree that Sandpoint has a unique community character and identity, what do you think contributes to it? Check all that apply:
    • Downtown
    • People
    • Sense of community
    • Outdoor recreation
    • Wildlife
    • Lake
    • Mountains
    • Arts and culture
    • Volunteerism
    • Town history
    • Walkability
    • Population / size
    • Tree-lined streets
    • Agricultural / open space surrounding Sandpoint
    • Events and entertainment
  • Community Cornerstones are places, events, traditions, points of interest, scenic views, cultural and/or historic resources that are particular to that community and contribute to its character. Please list up to 5 Community Cornerstones that you value most in Sandpoint:
    • HIstoric Downtown
    • Sandpoint Depot
    • Small town character
    • Geographical location (Lake, mountains, natural beauty)
    • Recreational opportunities
  • Which of the following items would enhance the character of downtown Sandpoint? Choose up to five items:
    • Maintain historic character for new or remodeled buildings
    • More performances and events
    • More public gathering spaces
    • New parking structure
    • Other - Improve east facing facades and amenities along Sand Creek
  • What can be done to enhance the community character of Sandpoint as a whole?

    Prioritize current and future protection for the qualities that make Sandpoint such a desirable place to work and live in. Chief among them our beautiful natural setting, small town feeling, recreational opportunities, park/trail systems, and sense of community.

  • What do you think could harm or change Sandpoint's community character?

    Sandpoint has always been known for its small town charm and character. It's at a point now where growth, if not well managed, could unalterably change its character going forward. Achieving a balance between economic development, housing needs, and smart growth principles will allow Sandpoint to retain the essence of its current reputation.

  • How important are each of the following building elements to maintaining the community character of Sandpoint? (1=not important, 5=very important):
    • Color - 3
    • Façade/architectural detail - 5
    • Building height - 5
    • Overall size of building - 5
    • Material (i.e., log, stucco, siding) - 3
    • Style (i.e., Victorian, rustic, modern) - 3
    • Commercial signs - 1
    • Historical character - 5
  • Identify the building types for which each of the following elements should be considered to maintain community character.
    • Color - Multi-family residential, Commercial
    • Façade/architectural detail - Multi-family residential, Commercial
    • Building height - Single family residential, Multi-family residential, Commercial
    • Overall size of building - Single family residential, Multi-family residential, Commercial
    • Material (i.e., log, stucco, siding) - Single family residential, Multi-family residential, Commercial
    • Style (i.e., Victorian, rustic, modern) - Multi-family residential
    • Commercial signs - Commercial
    • Historical character - Single family residential, Multi-family residential, Commercial
  • List up to five things about your neighborhood that you love:
    • Quiet, established feeling on the outskirts of town
    • Friendly with a strong sense of neighborliness
    • Mountain views, open skies
    • Proximity to parks and open spaces
    • It's in Sandpoint!
  • What about your neighborhood do you dislike or would like to change?

    Transportation infrastructure improvements needed. Medium density zoning necessary to prevent potential overcrowding in established neighborhoods.

  • Using the numbered areas in the map below, identify where you live in Sandpoint. If you do not live in the Sandpoint city limits, please select the city or area in which you live:
    • Area 4
  • Tell us a little about your relationship with the City of Sandpoint. Choose all that apply:
    • I'm retired in Sandpoint
  • What is your age?
    • 60-69
  • What is your household income?
    No response.
  • How many children under the age of 18 live at home?
    No response.
Open Town Hall is not a certified voting system or ballot box. As with any public comment process, participation in Open Town Hall is voluntary. The responses in this record are not necessarily representative of the whole population, nor do they reflect the opinions of any government agency or elected officials.

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  • The Registered Channel: Sign in before or just after you submit your response. Either way, Community Feedback will show your response on this website.
  • The Unregistered Channel: Don't sign in and remain anonymous. Community Feedback will just share your response with Sandpoint staff.

Note: The first time you sign in, you'll need to register (establish an account on Open Town Hall). Registration is free.

Why do I need to sign in to show my response on this website?

The City of Sandpoint has contracted with Community Feedback to monitor responses shown on this website.

  • To prevent any single user from dominating the forum, the City of Sandpoint restricts the number of responses any one user can post on selected topics. Registration helps Community Feedback enforce this restriction.
  • Users, staff and government leaders often want to know the neighborhood from which a response is posted. Community Feedback uses registration to show the neighborhood next to each response (not the address).
  • If a user posts a response that does not meet the City of Sandpoint guidelines for civility, Community Feedback uses the user's email address to invite the user to resolve the issue.
I'm concerned about privacy. Who will get my contact information and what will they use it for?

Community Feedback will get your contact information. The company is under contract with the City of Sandpoint to hold it in strict confidence per their privacy policy.

What other benefits do I get from signing in?
  • Since you'll see your own response on Open Town Hall, you'll be able to confirm that your response was posted as you intended.
  • You'll be able to change and/or delete your response as long as the topic is open.
I'm still very concerned about privacy. Is there a way for me to submit a response without registering?

Yes. Sign out, then set your privacy preference to be "No - just show it without my name to staff". You won't need to register.

What prevents an unregistered user from submitting multiple anonymous responses?

While no authentication procedure can perfectly detect every fraudulent registration, Community Feedback is able to secure the registered channel against systematic fraud: cases where users submit enough statements with fraudulent registrations to sway the overall interpretation of the feedback.

Community Feedback is unable to secure the unregistered channel against systematic fraud, because unregistered users are anonymous.

Neither the registered nor the unregistered channel represent a certified voting system or ballot box - and that caveat is footnoted on every page of feedback. Instead, both are additional channels for feedback to government.

Why are there two participation channels?

Users can participate on the registered channel (by signing in) or on the unregistered channel (by remaining anonymous). The City of Sandpoint offers both channels in order to broaden participation and maximize decision makers' insights.

The registered channel enables users to assure decision makers that their feedback comes from a real person in a specific neighborhood. It also enables users to participate in a public discussion on the website, as well as manage their own response after posting it.

The unregistered channel is for users who want to provide quick feedback without registering, and/or whose privacy concerns would prevent them from participating if required to register. Because many users with valuable insights will only share them anonymously, this channel gives decision makers the option to consider those insights in their deliberations.

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Map of Downtown Sandpoint

Choose at most 5 options
1
2
3
4
5
No opinion
Color
Façade/architectural detail
Building height
Overall size of building
Material (i.e., log, stucco, siding)
Style (i.e., Victorian, rustic, modern)
Commercial signs
Historical character
Single family residential
Multi-family residential
Commercial
Industrial
Color
Façade/architectural detail
Building height
Overall size of building
Material (i.e., log, stucco, siding)
Style (i.e., Victorian, rustic, modern)
Commercial signs
Historical character

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