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Jun 07, 2025

Idaho judge revokes bike park permit just before opening | krem.com

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SAGLE, Idaho — A Sagle family is scrambling for its next steps after an Idaho judge revoked the permit for their mountain biking park, just 10 days before they were planning to open, and after Bonner County approved their permit.

"People love to recreate out here. Whether that's skiing, mountain biking, or spending time on the lake," said Jennifer Kalbach, the co-owner of Panhandle Bike Ranch, which was meant to be a space for her family and others to enjoy mountain biking.

But after a Bonner County judge revoked her conditional use permit on Tuesday, the ranch can only be enjoyed by her family and a 15-person staff, for now.

The permit allows a property owner to use their land in ways that normally wouldn't be allowed by local zoning ordinances. Kalbach says in her case, the permit would have given her family approval to open the bike park up to the public as a business and welcome people to ride along their 100 acres of land in the warmer months.

The Kalbach family attended two hearings on the issue with neighbors in the area who oppose the park.

"We went to court, and they presented their case that we were a resort and not a recreation facility, which is, you're not allowed to have a resort in this area, but you are permitted to have a recreation facility," said Kalbach.

Mary Miller, a neighbor against the park, argues that the construction alone has caused issues.

"It's basically a resort up there," said Miller. "That shouldn't be being built in a residential area where all the other families have to sit and listen."

Despite the pushback, the Kalbach family is continuing their efforts to open the bike park. But their next court hearing date is on August 25, and Kalbach worries that it takes away the summer riding time.

"We're only open May through October 15, if we can, if we can get those dates like based on the weather," said Kalbach.

She says she hopes the permit being revoked is just another rough road to overcome, and still hopes to share her property with the Sagle community.

"I guess we'll just have to see. When we go back and see what the county decides, if they stay with their decision, their original decision, or if they change their minds," said Kalbach.