Sanders Beach Lawsuits

City and Homeowners Settle Sanders Beach Lawsuits
City Acquires Over 60 Feet of Beach

The City of Coeur d'Alene and the owners of eight homes along East Lakeshore have reached an amicable conclusion to six lawsuits arising from disputes regarding Sanders Beach. Orders dismissing the lawsuits, some of which date back to 1998, have been signed and entered. In addition to settling the six lawsuits, the city acquired the homeowners’ rights to build docks and also acquired over sixty feet of beach frontage.

In exchange, the city paid a total of $278,500.00 to purchase the property and acquire the dock rights, and also amended the Shoreline Ordinance to allow fences between public and private property at 12th and 15th streets.

Disputes over the use and ownership of Sanders Beach have flared from time to time over the last 40 years. The Idaho Supreme Court ruled in 2006 that the beach above elevation 2,128 feet is private property. Several homeowners sought dock permits which the city opposed, resulting in additional lawsuits being filed.

As a result of the settlement between the city and the homeowners, the beach above 2,128 feet between 12th and 15th streets remains privately owned and is not open to the public.

Nonetheless, no docks can be built and the city swim area will be preserved in perpetuity. The beach that the city purchased is a 51-foot wide piece adjacent to 12th Street and a 10-foot wide piece adjacent to the Jewett House Beach. The beach and water below 2,128 is open to the public as well as the beaches at the 12th Street end, and the 15th Street end to the Jaeger property.

“I’m grateful that all parties were able to find common ground while also enhancing the city’s vision of public access to the lake,” said Mayor Sandi Bloem. “This is the kind of situation where everybody wins.”

For more information, contact the homeowners’ attorney John Magnuson (208) 667-0100, the city of Coeur d'Alene attorney Mike Haman (208) 667-6287, Coeur d'Alene Parks Director Doug Eastwood (208) 769-2251, or Coeur d'Alene City Attorney Mike Gridley (208) 769-2330.