PC APPROVED Minutes 05-14-15 APPROVED Minutes
Spokane Valley Planning Commission
Council Chambers—City Hall,
May 14,2015
Chairman Stoy called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Commissioners, staff and audience stood for the
pledge of allegiance. Ms.Horton took roll and the following members and staff were present:
Kevin Anderson John Hohman, Community Development Director
Heather Graham Lori Barlow, Senior Planner
Tim Kelley Cary Driskell, City Attorney
Mike Phillips Christina Janssen, Planner
Susan Scott Marty Palaniuk, Planner
Joe Stoy Karen Kendall, Planner
Sam Wood Micki Harnois, Planner
Deanna Horton, Secretary of the Commission
Elisha Heath, Office Assistant
Bill Miller, IT Specialist
Commissioner Anderson moved to approve the May 14, 2015 agenda. Staff explained the public hearing
for CTA-2015-0004 would be moved to a future date in order to accept as much public testimony this
evening on the site specific Citizen Amendment Requests for the Comprehensive Plan Update. The vote
on the amended agenda was seven in favor, zero against, the motion passes.
Commissioner Anderson moved to accept the April 23, 2015 minutes as presented. Commissioner Stoy
noted in two votes, regarding the agenda and the minutes it should reflect six votes, not seven.
Commissioner Scott noted the heading on page 5 was incorrect, and on the last page regarding
subdivision standards, there is a correction regarding "asked if anyone drew out a corner lot....."
Commissioner Graham stated on page 4, top of the page, her statement "if this request had not come
forward would the consultant still have looked at this request". Ms. Horton stated she would amend these
noted changes. The Commission approved the amended minutes with a vote of seven in favor, zero
against, and the motion passed.
COMMISSION REPORTS: Commissioner Kelley reported he attended the Valley Chamber of
Commerce meeting. Commissioner Wood reported he attended the Spokane Home Builders Association
Government Affairs meeting. Commissioners Phillips and Scott reported they attended the State of the
City at the City Hall at the Mall and the City Hall public input meeting.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT:
Community Development Director John Hohman stated the purpose for the evening's public hearing was
to accept public testimony regarding the site specific Citizen Amendment Requests (CARs). The City is
engaged in its Comprehensive Plan Update, which is required by the Growth Management Act (GMA)
every eight years. These requests are not the same as the request received during an annual
Comprehensive Plan update, in that these requests will not be recommended for approval or denial.
These requests will be looked at on the basis of do they have merit for further analysis. They should be
looked at to be included in the Comprehensive Plan Update and have further analysis done on the
suggested areas and surrounding areas. Mr. Hohman also said there had been an issue with the
notification of the text amendment and zoning overlay applicants. A special meeting would be noticed
for June 8,2015 in order to accept testimony on the text and overlay amendments.
PUBLIC COMMENT: There was no public comment
05-14-15 Planning Commission Minutes Page 1 of 17
COMMISSION BUSINESS:
Public Hearing - CAR-2015-0001 through CAR-2015-0020 - Citizen Amendment Requests for
further analysis during the Comprehensive Plan Legislative Update:
Chairman Stoy read the rules for holding a public hearing, Chairman Stoy then opened the Public
Hearing at 6:18 p.m.
Senior Planner Lori Barlow, gave the Commission an overview of the purpose of the meeting which
is to conduct a public hearing on the Citizen-initiated Amendment Requests (CARs) which have been
received. Ms. Barlow welcomed and thanked the public for attending the meeting. Ms. Barlow set
the stage for the process for the review and decisions which will be made. The Update is required by
the Growth Management Act (GMA), causing the City and other jurisdictions planning under the
GMA to do periodic updates. The City is required to complete its update by June 2017. We are
required to look at our plan and make sure that it is consistent with the laws that have been changed
since our Comprehensive Plan had been adopted. The City adopted a public participation program to
make sure we are engaging the public in the process. The CAR application process is one way to
engage the public in the process. The City received 26 CAR applications. Nineteen were site specific
requests, five text requests, and two overlay requests. Tonight public testimony will be accepted and
the Commissioners should only ask clarifying questions of the public as they testify. If the public has
questions they should contact staff for more information. She stated this would be the most efficient
way to allow as many people as possible to testify in the time allowed for the meeting. Ms. Barlow
stated each planner will give a brief overview of the site and then testimony can be taken for each
amendment. She suggested leaving the ones which were more controversial toward the end of the
evening.
The following minutes have been taken verbatim. Only minor corrections have been made to allow
for readability.
CAR-2015-0001 — Addressed as 1618 N. Sargent Rd. Requesting to change from Office to High
Density Residential.
Al Payne, 905 W. Riverside: I'm the proponent; the only thing I can say is that I have a property
that is zoned for a Garden Office, which is single story. It is inappropriate now, at one time we
owned the lots on this side of Sargent and had planned to expand into it but 2007 defeated that. So
the only thing I can do with it, I can't building anything but one story office building. I could use it
for parking,joining my current lot to the east. So this would make it more useful and compatible
than a Garden Office.
Dwight Hume, 9101 N. Mountain View Lane: Mr. Payne and I have worked on this property and
the adjoining office complex, zoned Office to the east of it over the course of time before the City
incorporating. This particular lot, as you found, is vacant and what you'll hear in the theme in all
these request for High Density Residential, especially those from Medium Density Residential is
that if there is a house on the property it is too valuable and too small to implement the MF-1 zone.
On the other hand if it becomes MF-2 it becomes usable. In this case we have a vacant piece of
property that is more suitable in bulk and scale and whatnot adjoining the office to be either MF-1
or MF-2 and as Mr. Payne said he has other lots around Sargent, the houses that are on them they
are not cost effective to convert unless they went to High Density Residential. He is not necessarily
interested in doing that on all of those properties,this one is vacant you could probably get a triplex
out of it, if it was zoned appropriately for that. That's it.
CAR-2015-0002 — Addressed as 115 and 117 N McDonald Rd. Requesting to change from Low
Density Residential to Corridor Mixed Use.
05-14-15 Planning Commission Minutes Page 2 of 17
Howard Herman, 117 N. McDonald: I have two houses that you saw in the picture. They have
been there about, one of them about 50 years and the other about 40 years. The street used to be a
single lane gravel road now it is a four lane road with 7,000 cars a day. So I would like to be able to
do something different with it then have it for residential property. Everything is in the written
materials. I thank you for your consideration.
CAR-2015-0003 — Is a vacant lot east of Conklin and south of Broadway, just to the east of the
Kohl's/Lowes development area. Requesting to change from Low Density Residential to High
Density Residential.
Glenn Wells, 324 West Bay Drive, Olympia: My client owns this property, has owned it for a
long time and clearly it is zoned improperly because it is so close to big box retail. Typically in
good growth management standards you have a transitional zone between large scale retail centers
and single family homes or low density residential. And so this application is really for that whole
region adjacent to Kohls, Walmart and my client would not be interested in developing single
family because it is so close to that. There is too much activity in this particular case it is very close
to the bus lines and so I believe that rezoning this property and the surrounding properties adjacent
to the big box retail would help prevent urban sprawl and focus the growth that is going to occur in
Spokane Valley to those areas that are ready heavy, heavy retail.Thank you.
CAR-2015-0004-0009 — Addressed as 226 and 302 S. Sullivan and adjacent vacant lot; 15411 and
15423 E. 4th; and 15410 E. 2nd Ave.
Randy Tetter, 224 S. Newer Road: What they are showing on your map is showing just a small
section of what is there. We are in a neighborhood of 30 single family dwellings. Nobody in the
neighborhood knew when changed this to Multifamily. We are looking at the adverse effect from
apartment houses, basically is what they want to put in there. They want to put an entrance on 3rd
Avenue which is right in the heart of a. Looking at we had no complaint with having single height
one building office now they are trying to expand it and take more chucks out of our neighborhood
and force more multifamily down. They are trying to change the zoning on a piece of propriety on a
gentleman here who does not want it. We're like a I said a single family area. We've been there 32
years the only multiple family unit we have in our area is a duplex being built right now that no one
knew about. Or we would have been complaining about it. Looking since I've been there 32 years
we've watched crime,traffic all go up because of the apartment houses on the other side of Sullivan
we don't want those problems expanded over to our area. We have roving bands of kids coming
through. We have people tearing down 2nd to avoid the light on 4th or on Sullivan and Sprague. It's
not conducive to a single family neighborhood. I'm sorry the developer might lose some money.
It's not a very big chuck of property but how would you like apartments a hundred foot from your
door.That's all I have to say,thank you.
James Homer, 15410 E. 2nd Avenue: I'm tonight respectfully asking that my property at 15410 E.
2nd be removed from this application. And that this CAR application be excluded from further
analysis from the Comprehensive Plan Update. I oppose this application because the area most
affected houses all single families on 2nd, 3rd, and 4th joining north and south streets. The west side
of Sullivan that they show here is very different than the east side. The eastside has apartments and
businesses as shown the west side has one office on each corner of 2nd and 4th and all the rest of the
residences are single family houses. We don't oppose economic growth the zoning for Office or
Garden Office provides a good transitional buffer between needed economic growth and the
existing established neighborhood we have. This CAR application is just not in theme with our
adjoining properties and would significantly alter the essential character of our community. In
addition this application contains many glaring errors it included my property without my
knowledge or consent. This at the very least is unprofessional and disingenuous for an attorney. It
states commercial use is the best use for my property since that, he states that and that all the
05-14-15 Planning Commission Minutes Page 3 of 17
adjoining properties also. Well the best use for my property is probably for my family and every
house; every place that is adjoining that area is all housed by single families, every one of them. He
states that we simply don't need more office buildings, this is wrong again. A cursory trip up
Sullivan and down Sprague each way show no empty stand-alone offices and opening in almost
every multiunit commercial building. So I conclude that this rezone area is not as simple and none
impactful as the applicant asserts. It does impact many families, I've canvassed the area myself and
not one is for this. The rezone would be inconsistent with current zoning on the Westside of
Sullivan from the railroad right-of-way up to 4th. This rezone he says would not impact neighbors,
roads, or(Chairman request that speaker wrap up).Not one neighbor is for it. You would have to do
major traffic revision on Sullivan because you can't turn out of those properties without crossing a
left turn lane or illegally crossing double yellow line. Density would be affected. He also said that
Office is under performing. I content that his office is under performing due to poor property
management. The best example is S. 226 Sullivan with no front step, composting trash, dangerous
fencing and abandon appliances. So please remove me from application and exclude this CAR
application from further analysis. Help the families grow within reasonable development.
CAR-2015-0012 — Is a vacant lot which faces Skipworth just north of Sprague Ave. Requesting to
change from High Density Residential to Corridor Mixed Use.
Diane Tortorelli, 11309 E. Sprague Avenue: My business is just south of the proposed, easement
is what it used to be and O'Reilly is putting a warehouse in there. The only thing I'm concerned
about which I don't know anything about is the semi-trucks going through there, and idling all day,
doing the things that semi trucks do at these kinds of businesses. So I really don't know, I want you
to consider having a warehouse in the middle of Sprague with apartment buildings that children
play behind and businesses are in front of that if that is what they are going to use that ally way for.
That's all I needed to know.
Commissioner Scott stated she had a business which could be considered competitive and so would
be recusing herself from CAR-2015-0014-0015
CAR-2015-0015 — Addressed as 15316 and 15324 E Valleyway Ave. Requesting a change from
Low Density Residential to Community Commercial.
Brian Chavez, 15302 E. Valleyway: I am one of the two adjoining property owners requesting
this Comp Plan change. I'm here to reaffirm what I said in my original application that my property
under its current zone Low Density Residential is a poor fit for the neighborhood. My property is
long and narrow it would be difficult to do a residential development on along with its odd size and
shape the same reasons it is a poor fit for the Low Density Residential are good reasons for the
Community Commercial zone. Impacted by the Sullivan corridor its property line is adjacent to an
established tavern, the rear property is bordered by commercial development. Thanks for your
consideration.
Carla Marshall, 15311 E.Valleyway: I live directly across from Brian's property that he acquired
and I am just here to support him. And I agree with everything that he wants to do on that property.
Thank you.
Mark McManis, 15125 E. Valleyway: I'm a neighbor concerned about a commercial property
there. It seemed like we had a good buffering zone with the R-4 and if the whole parcel went to a
R-4 zoning I always believe that is good buffering to residential. We do have traffic problems on
Valleyway there are no exits, reasonable going west which evidently they left the west picture off
of these three, there is north, south and east. West is single family residential narrow roads and no
support with arterials and traffic would come that way especially if we had a large tavern or casino
on the property. We're all the up zoning that these people are asking for is affecting the neighbors.
You're supposed to be helping us. They it was designed the Comp Plan was designed with
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buffering and the Medium Residential it buffer between commercial because builders want to make
gross profits we shouldn't be punished. You're here to protect us from that. I think all those should
be thrown off this agenda. Thank you.
Cindy McManis, 15125 E. Valleyway: I am a brand new resident at 15125 E. Valleyway. I've
been in the home maybe two weeks and was caught off guard to see that you want to put a
commercial business at the end of my street. I took a look at some of the other businesses not
necessarily understanding all the codes but knowing that just because we have a business down the
street that was grandfathered in many, many years ago. That has RV storage on it doesn't mean that
is all that is ever going to be on it be down my street. I bought my home to retire in. I don't want to
have five houses down from me a night club or according to what the codes say somebody can go
grow a field of pot down my street if they want. I've got seventeen grandchildren in this town and
they come and visit all the time. My street is barely wide enough for two cars to go down one in
each direction. I think adding more commercial to my single family residence is an inappropriate
thing for the City to approve. Thank you for your time.
Bruce Kempe, 15301 E. Valleyway: I'm actually here I'm I live across the street. I support the
decision that Brian is trying to do there on the property. I think it would bring in less traffic. I don't
see any kind of big structure being built there. So, I support him one hundred percent.
Adam Merifield, 15308 E. Valleyway: I currently am living right beside the grandfathered in RV
storage unit and right in between the newly purchased property to the east. I am currently a
proponent for the plan that Brian has in place. I feel that it would be better, more suitable use to
have that added onto the storage facility and become a better buffer between my current house and
a big field and a huge bar that gets partied at every night.That's all I have to say.
Kay Herlbet, 15205 E. Valleyway.: I live right next to Cindy,we built that home 57 years ago it's
single family. I'm concerned because yes, it is a very narrow lane and people go bat out of hell
down that street, because they are avoiding the big streets Broadway and Sprague. There is
absolutely no way I want more traffic down my street. Now if he keeps it a storage unit that would
work. But I'm concerned about the young children on our street as it is there are multiple signs,
saying 'slow down kids playing.' I'm concerned also because right kitty corner, they keep talking
about that bar there. Well remember where Yoke's went belly up? Or went under that's going to be
the brand new Preschool that's going to be the Learning Center for Spokane Valley. They are going
to bring in preschool kids there and I'm concerned increasing that traffic is going to possibly cause
more heartache than it's worth. Thank you.
Geraldine King, 15324 E Valleyway: I'm the one that's with Brian on this we have the joint
properties and my house, we've been there for 30 years. And it has been surrounded, slowly
creeping in all this businesses. I've got a Pizza Hut, I've got a carwash, I've got a Wendy's, I've got
a bar. There's just no reason not to. I mean we are completely surrounded by businesses already and
it's not that big of a lot. It's not like a casino could fit in there you know? Anyway that's my
proposal. I'm for it. Thank you for your time and I'm sorry I was late and didn't get to sign up.
Thank you.
Mark McManis: Again and I thought we were going proponents, opponents and I'm hearing
people talk about it'd be great if it was a storage unit. Which I'm assuming Mr. Chavez sold to his
neighbors that's not what the zoning says. He could have a storage unit and have it zoned much
lower than what he is asking for please check that out.
Commissioner Scott rejoined the Commission.
CAR-2015-0017 — Addressed as 807 N. Argonne Rd. Requesting to change from Office to
Neighborhood Commercial.
05-14-15 Planning Commission Minutes Page 5 of 17
John McCollum, 5719 S. Cree Drive.: My wife and I are owners of McFreeze Corporation. We
bought that property 21 years ago. And when we bought it we rezoned from standard residential to
commercial B-2. When you folks rezoned the City in 2007,you reduced it to Garden Office. And it
doesn't really comply with what we are doing now and what we would like to do in the future. We
prefer to upgrade it to Neighborhood Commercial.
Tim Castell, 601 W. Main Avenue: I've been familiarized with the property from John and Bert
McCollum, who have employed my help to find the best and highest use for this property. And I
think you'll find if you take a look at the allowable uses are in the zone that they are requesting it's
a much better fit for that property. Probably play a role in bringing more businesses to the Valley
and providing a better service for the area. Thanks for your time.
CAR-2015-0020—Addressed as 12717, 12725, 12803, 12815, 12823 and 12903 4`h Ave. Requesting
to change from Medium Density Residential to High Density Residential.
Charlie Cox, 422 S. Vercler Road: I'm 67 years old and have lived my entire life in Spokane
Valley, except the three years I was in the Marine Corp. The appeal of living in the Valley has been
rural where the word neighbor meant something more than just the person living next to you. When
these apartments come in we are destroying that integrity of that rural atmosphere we've had. And
it is sad to see. I also was a teacher in the Spokane Central Valley School District for 41 years. I
watched the schools become overcome with students, over population. And when you let these
apartments in, you're going to put a burden on the school districts, with students, with gas prices to
bus them because you're going to have to bus them. I would just like to see the Valley stay rural
with the single family homes.Thank you.
Dwight Hume, 9101 N. Mountain View Lane: I'm here on behalf of my client who owns the
westerly two lots of that series of six running east and west. There are five houses out there and a
vacant lot on the east end. Tentatively we have a little bit more than seven acres in that situation.
My client has rented these houses ever since he purchased them years ago and they were zoned MF-
1. We request MF-2 for that full series for the reason as I mentioned earlier when I was at the
podium is the fact that most of these lots are occupied individually with houses and the MF-1 zone
and the size of the site are not sustainable or cost effective is a better word for implementation of
the MF-1 zone. MF-2 on the other hand is a something that is probably doable, certainly it is the
only other option you have for density. It doubles it. Is it suitable for that area? Yes, you have in a
bird's eye view of all of that on the Appleway Corridor, the Milwaukee right-of-way and 4th
Avenue. You have over and over again High Density Residential and Medium Density Residential
the reason being you have amenity of the corridor, trail system, walk to commercial on the other
side of that. Trying to fit a population which you have an obligation to do in Growth Management
Plan, in fill of High Density Residential is one of your easiest ways of accommodating the
population submitted to. You have that under the MF-1 on an individual lot home bases. So
presumably and that's all this is, that a developer would then look at the attractiveness of a seven
acre site as High Density Residential and could afford to buy out those houses and develop at twice
the density. (Chairman informed that need to wrap up).That's it thank you.
Julie Lehman, 12605 E. 4th Avenue: I've lived there since 1994, I oppose this rezoning request.
For the following reasons there simply is no shortage in Spokane Valley of multifamily residences,
the need for additional new construction does not exist. As my neighbor already mentioned local
schools are currently filled to capacity. North Pines Middle School is currently absolutely bursting
at the seams and it continue to build ever more multifamily residences which will include families
with children and expecting the school system to just absorb all these new students is an
irresponsible attitude. But the most serious consideration in my opinion is this request to be denied
out of the six property owners that desire this change only three of them actually live in the
neighborhood and we have a long petition list of all the other neighbors who oppose this. So the
05-14-15 Planning Commission Minutes Page 6 of 17
desire of six owners, three of which do not even live there, to change the zoning is negated by the
desire of the multitude of the rest of the neighborhood who request that it not be rezoned. Thank
you.
Tom Dewer, 12621 E. 4th Avenue: The objection that I believe is going to show up most important
is the capacity of 4`'' Avenue it is right now, when I go to back out right now I might have to wait
quite some time, if we've got a large number of multifamily units on both sides maybe I'll not be
able to make it. 4th Avenue doesn't have enough land on each side to make it into a four or five lane
highway. Which I believe is going to be necessary if these things are done. Thank you.
Sara Powell, 12911 E. 3rd Lane: I'm also speaking for my neighbor across the street who was
unable to be here for physical reasons. They are Sandy and Duncan Brown at 12906 E. 31.d Lane.
The area is currently zoned at Medium housing which says is up to 12 units per acre. When we had
purchased the house that we currently live in we looked at the areas around us to see what they
were zoned at currently because we understood that with the open field that, that would be
developed so we figured that would be developed to single family or town houses or fourplexes.
And that's what its currently zoned at. That and I do feel that would be appropriate zone for what
should be built in those areas. With this High Density it would be plus 12 units per acre which I
think would be too large. We don't have sidewalks. It's only a two lane street at 25 miles per hour. I
am....I do not... So I protest the zoning because it would negatively affect the neighboring property
values. I for one, my property line is adjacent to the property so I feel that if I was next to
apartments that my housing would, the value of my house would go down. Without sidewalks I
think the extra traffic would be a threat to the safety of pedestrians and I do not feel that it is the
desire of the surrounding neighborhood to, have High Density housing. I think that the current
Medium Density housing is just great. Thank you.
Robert Durham, 12823 E. 4th Avenue: First of all I got no notification at all in the mail. I knew
nothing about this till some of my neighbors came over and talked to me about this. I'm one of
those houses and I don't want it. We already have an apartment building there. Sure they start out
nice but then they go downhill. I've had things stolen out of my vehicles, I followed the foot prints
in the snow. Where do they go? Right to the apartment building. 4th Avenue is horrible with traffic
as it is now. I mean 60 miles per hour is nothing up and down that street, all the time. It's
ridiculous, it can't go on. So I just oppose this.
Charles Kienholz, 421 S. Vercler Road: Just off of 4th. I definitely oppose what's going on here.
One of the safety concerns that I have is the access exit to 4th Avenue from these units, proposed
units. That will be going, supposable going in. There is not enough exits the only other possible
exit is 3rd to Pines and possibly over to Sprague and that would have to cross the new bike path over
there. So this is my concern, more congestion means less safety to pedestrians, bicyclists and
children exiting school buses. As somebody use said 4th Avenue has become a raceway track and
people running up and down that street 40, 50, 60 miles per hour. So this is a concern with other
people going in the area, these units going in. The added population would cause a burden to the
school district as someone else mentioned. And we would like to see this left at MF-1 or maybe
possible a 55+community of 62+community. Thank you very much.
Dick Grove,411 S Vercler Road: I feel very out of place and I have a stutter. So if I stutter please
feel, please accept it. Ok? I handed you my file three pages of residents who live on 4th Avenue that
is connected to the 4th Avenue. I have tried to reach every house on 4th Avenue to see if they were in
favor of having it rezoned multiple High Density dwelling and I was not able to reach I'd say six
people. I'm sorry 16 homes on the whole 4th Avenue. The list that you have are people who live in
the area and they would like our zoning to stay at the regular zoning and not be changed to the High
Density. Thank you very much.
05-14-15 Planning Commission Minutes Page 7 of 17
Teresa Evans, 12824 E. 4th Avenue: This empty lot is right across the street from me. And I
would rather you know have it just single family. I don't want more apartments in the neighborhood
at all. I've lived there all my life. Still live there. I want to remain living there. And that's it. Thank
you.
Les Bokanyi, 416 S. Vercler Road: I'm here to oppose this. I've got three primary reasons.
We've got a huge bottle neck on 4th between Pines and McDonald. I don't know if any of you have
come down that road before between 7:30 and 8:00 in the morning. It's next to impossible to get on
Pines Road or go across the street on either end McDonald or Pines. Second of all safety issue
we've got a bus stop there for children. Kindergarten, we've got three bus stops there and that
happens twice a day when get picked up and in the afternoon. Our road can't sustain any more
traffic then it's already got on there to start with. Adding those apartment complex or adding High
Density apartment complex will create more havoc for us.Not to mention, you know God forbid if
a child gets hit or something because of the excess traffic. The estimation is going to be anywhere
from 150 to 400 additional cars going down that road. That's ridiculous. I ask that the Commission
keep that in consideration when you are making your decision. Thank you.
James Johnson, 13224 E 4th Avenue: I apologies for not getting my name on the list. I obviously
haven't been paying attention well enough. I assure you that has changed and we are going to
become very close over the next couple of months. Having lived on 4th Avenue for 22 years, I've
kinda become a piece of the fabric of the Spokane Valley. During the time I lived in Pasadena Park
and while I lived there I was a member of the Pasadena Park Citizen Advisory Committee. We
wrote the long range plan for Pasadena Park that was later incorporated into the Comprehensive
Plan as we wrote it. One of the key considerations we had was to make sure whatever growth we
plan for, and growth has to be planned for, we know that growth has to be planned for, it's what a
strong community needs. But we were advised and spent a lot of time making sure that any growth
that was allowed blended with the existing development. I couldn't be where you had low density
of one side of the road and high density on the other side of the road. During our deliberations,two
years' worth, there were several developers that came and testified that if they didn't get the High
Density designation they wouldn't be profitable. They argued about it over and over again all the
way through the process till it was accepted into the Comprehensive Plan. Amazingly enough
immediately after that all that land was developed at the lower density that we designated it at. It's
not as profitable, people don't make as much money. But every penny that ends up in that
developer's hands came out of someone else's pocket. And that would be the neighborhood. 4th
Avenue as you've heard the testimony is very busy, if you allow these to move forward that traffic
flow is going to be insane. There is no way it is going to be a low density on one side of the road
and high density on the other side of the road and be compatible. Simply won't work. Thank you.
Jeremy Burg, 417 S. Leta: Just moved in to 417 S. Leta approximately the middle of March.
When we were looking for houses we had no idea that this was going to be considered. I lived in
the Cedar Properties off of Mission and McDonald for seven years to save up money to try and get
out of that situation. For anyone who has lived in an apartment that long you know the High
Density apartment complex there is crime, traffic, its loud, it's really a nightmare. We moved, we
moved in and a week later our neighbor brought us muffins, brought us muffins and we never
talked to our neighbors at the apartment complex. To find out this is happening is really infuriating
and depressing. I'm 29 years old, I don't make a lot of money but when I got into this neighborhood
its very nice. The folks around me the average age is a lot older than me probably but it's really
nice the way it is. That rectangle of property if you look to the east you can see the single family
homes, it's a nice development the road is paved nice the houses are all nice there. As a
compromise if that were to continue to the west for the people who don't want to move if they
would allow it that would be better in my opinion or to connect that trail to a park or something or
literally anything would be better than this High Density apartment. The space between Cedar
05-14-15 Planning Commission Minutes Page 8 of 17
Properties A, B, and the Whimsical Pig over there it, I mean there is a reason we left, you know. It
was a lot cheaper to live there but it was not fun, it wasn't a good experience. Thank you for your
time.
Commissioner Graham moved that a five minute break be taken. The vote on the motion was seven in
favor, zero against, motion passed.
CAR-2015-0010 and 0011 —Addressed as 13215 and 13313 E. 4th Ave. Requesting to change from
Medium Density Residential to High Density Residential.
Jim Fluegal, 13401 E. 4th Avenue: Thank you for letting me speak to you Commissioners. We are
the other side of 4th. You've already heard. I'm the actual development house that the development
sits next to and I've you can see by the stuff I'm going to talk about how much of a distraction for
better or words this is. Talk about property values, if you look I passed out everything you probably
won't get to read it tonight but I want you to try and keep in your mind. On page one and two is a
recent flyer of our listing. We had a house that was listed before he started development. It was
listed for 192,500 okay. On page three you're going to have an email from the County Assessor
Paula who said wow the pictures you provided me with those apartments there has definitely
decreased your value and tax, property tax will be adjusted accordingly next year. I had a recent
appraisal that I was going to refi my house my property value went down according to the appraiser
based off of some of the events of the new construction over$20,000. I've lost since this has started
okay? On pictures four and five on page four and five you'll see pictures of how my private life and
my wife's private life is completely destroyed in our backyard now. It is butted up right against my
backyard. I have put in $5,000 of trees to try and get some kind of blockage. Which are included in
the pictures. Okay? Diamond Rock is in compliance according to the Planning Department but
you'll see on pages six through ten some of the stuff that really isn't done. I have a hole in the front
of my property that wasn't there before. That some child is going walk in and break a leg or an arm
that hasn't been fixed. His edging that he did for the landscaping is over in my yard. So now every
time I cut the grass rocks fly everywhere. It would be nice if he was a good neighbor he would at
least put the edging up in the backyard where he put the (Chairman reminded him he needs to
close)Ok. So I'll go back fast. So you can look through those. I did a quick trip five mile radius, we
talked about High Density apartments, I actually went and asked there are a lot of vacancies. We
talked about traffic. All I would ask the committee to do is talk about zoning, talk about traffic
control, talk about emergency vehicles, talk about everything that needs to be done on 4th. You've
heard it from our neighbors both sides it doesn't matter it's the same. Thank you.
Allan deLaubenfels, 13120 E. 6th Avenue: You have a piece of paper with my name on the top of
it, you can follow along with what I'm going to say. Which is a little bit different that what others
have said. I will try to keep is short. I live at 13120 E. 6th Avenue which is about 800 feet south,
southwest of this property. I ask that the Planning Commission defer action on CAR-0010 until
after the completion of the Comprehensive Plan Update. The requested zone change to High
Density Multifamily will be possible right away after this CAR is approved because permanent
buildings quickly follow the grafting of zone changes this is a very practical issue. This is not
theoretical. On my block there is what the owner calls a hobby auto repair shop. That neighbor is
considerate and does not damage the quiet of our block a new owner could use the CAR procedure
to get incomprehensive change to the Comprehensive Plan so that a zone change will be possible to
make this hobby auto repair shop into a commercial auto repair shop. He would argue that the shop
has been present for years and that he is not proposing a substantial change I would say this would
be an end to our quiet neighborhood. Any incomprehensive change to the Comprehensive Plan is a
potential disaster for all the reasons that the Growth Management Act was considered and adopted.
The GMA was not the first or even the second planning enabling law for our state. It is the third
effort to get it right. Please do not approve CAR-0010 or related zone request until after the City
05-14-15 Planning Commission Minutes Page 9 of 17
wide Comprehensive Plan is finished. And then only if the rezone is not inconsistent with the
updated Comprehensive Plan to use the words of the growth management act. Thank you.
William Bergad, 13310 E.4th Avenue: I've lived in this Valley all my life. When 16th was a dirt
road and they had to put pickle juice on it to keep the dust from rolling. I've watched the Valley
explode with people. 4th Street has always been 20 feet wide, its 20 feet wide today. The population
has quadrupled or more. That street is a drag strip, the speeds people achieve on that street
including the police is mind boggling. It takes a good deal of arrogance for a developer to come into
an area and build High Density buildings on a Medium Density property. That he already knew was
Medium Density because he is assuming it is going to be High Density before his is done. That
calls my, his integrity into question in my book. Is it, so as it becomes to be about what's right and
what's legal? Is it legal to overload the neighborhood with, with a denser population, higher
probability of drug use, higher probability of domestic violence, crime, unsafe roads for our
children, to stand at bus stops, school class sizes, pedestrian signs, bicyclists the road is 20 feet
wide. Give us a break. Is that legal? Yes. Is it the right thing to do? No. Unenforced traffic speeds
that everyone knows that it can't be taken care of because the police force is already over extended.
Even though we need to, even though we need a stop sign on 4th and Blake desperately to slow this
traffic down all in the name of to make a for-profit business function in our neighborhood is not in
the best interest of the neighborhood. Is it legal?Yes. (Chairman reminded to wrap up). No, it's not
the right thing to do. Yes, I will close up. Sorry my No came out at the wrong time there.
Frank Meland, 3905 S. Union Court: I admire, respect, and appreciate what you have to go
through in planning. I worked for a utility for 30 years, in the construction area and I worked with
developers quite a bit over time so I've really seen, you know both sides of the spectrum. I see
some time when developers get aggressive and then I see other cases when there's a lot put on
them, you know and they're expected to meet expectations that you know aren't always reasonable.
So, in this case I happen to know the Fluegals, I visited them recently. And listen to them start
listening to their concerns, they live on the southeast corner of this property or adjacent to it. At
first I thought I'm going to have to show them the balance here and describe that to them and the
more I looked at this. This project is really disturbing. The back property line, I've dealt a lot with
swales and drainage. I've never seen a swale against a fence at a one-to-one sloop. It's being
undermine,you know it's fallen in,that's not right. On the west side, excuse me,yeah the west side
of their property there is no buffer there. I mean you go in the backyard and these things are right
up against the property line. There should have been a buffer provided there and as a utility worker
I notice that the power pole and the guy wire in their front yard that serves this project, is placed for
that project is in the asphalt approach that cuts across the front of their property and that can't stay
like that. Can it? You can't have a power pole and a guy wire in the asphalt it has to be, that span
should be eliminated as a utility designer I know that is going to cost between $15,000 and$20,000.
So I oppose this project based on those things. Thank you.
Lyle Bartle, 13209 E. 6th Avenue: I grossly oppose this development. I try to get across 4th several
times a day and it is almost impossible. It is getting quite congested. There are several school bus
stops, along 4th if they add another 80 units that would be 160 cars added. They just finishing up a
40 well 30 some unit apartment complex on what I would say is less than an acre. I don't know how
they got the permits to do that because I don't think that fits the current zoning. Cannot allow them
to build and then rezone. This isn't going to work. We don't want High Density zoning in and this
close to our neighborhoods. It's going to add fire trucks, have to add schools, there is going to be
street lights there is going to be lots of taxing that we have to pay for so some developer can make a
bundle of money. I'm not opposed to making money but I think if its already Medium Density let's
keep it as such and keep it under control.
James Johnson, 13224 E. 41h Avenue: I've lived there since 1993 you're going to hear a lot of
people testify tonight literally centuries of people who have lived in this area, centuries. They are
05-14-15 Planning Commission Minutes Page 10 of 17
the fabric of what is the Valley and why we incorporated. I'd like to point out in your meeting
minutes that you approved earlier today page 3 of 7 when it discusses the CAR there is a statement
that Commissioner Anderson questioned whether or not a person who does not own the property
may apply for the division. And there was a statement that says one of the parcels is owned by the
requester and the other is not but the requester has an option to purchase the other piece of property.
I don't know if you've checked with Lee the owner of the property but there is no agreement. He
was surprised to see the sign pop-up in his yard. He's talked to the man but it hasn't been all that
cordial. It's pretty much the same if you look at the map there is one lot that is kind of completely
surrounded that homeowner was contacted by the developer, nice way to put it. The developer and
again there was conversations to buy the offer was turned down. The meeting was not cordial. I
think you guys have dealt with this gentleman before, I think you have an issue out at Shelly Lake.
He doesn't seem to care about his neighbors too much, like the rest of us do. In your narrative for
this proposed change several times it talks about how an MF-2 designation can act as a proper
buffer between the Commercial and the Low Density per the statutes. And I quote MF-1 the current
designation provides a transitional zoning between High Density land use such as Commercial and
Office to lower density single family neighborhoods. In other words there already is compliance.
There is no need to change, unless you want line the pockets of one guy. At the expense of
everyone who lives there.
Lars Lunneborg, 13209 E. 4th Avenue: I'd just like to say that I'm strongly opposed to this zone
change. It's going to be right up next to my place. And you've seen if you drive down there what it
has done to other neighbors. I don't need to talk about the traffic. You've gone down 4`" you've
seen the traffic. They come down there at 50 miles an hour. And I've called the Sherriff many a
time this is just going to increase all of that. I'm not opposed to growth, but there is other places
better than a little bedroom neighborhood to build big three story structures and this is in the plan.
So I would just like to say, I'm opposed to this and I don't want it.Thank you.
Dennis Crapo, 2602 N. Sullivan Road: Good evening staff, Planning Commissioners. I just want
to stand and face my neighbors. My name is Dennis Crapo and I own Diamond Rock Construction.
I have no intention of getting into a, I've taken some personal attacks which is their right but I just
want to say a little bit about myself. I'm a Spokanite. I've lived in Spokane since I was three years
old. I grew up in East Valley out in Otis Orchards and I love Spokane. I love Spokane Valley, I love
the people, I love all you people regardless of any personal issues or innuendos you want to throw
out. I'd just like to say that a lot of people were involved in the project here at the Blake it is
beautiful project a lot of people have an opportunity to live in a nice neighborhood. A lot of people
would like to share and live in nice neighborhoods and be able to enjoy nice schools. There are
some concerns that have been brought up and I've been here many, many times and I respect the
opinions of those who brought up their opinion. Traffic as an example we built the apartments there
on the bottom side of Central Valley High School, 248 units in. 4`'' Avenue there is traffic analyst
who have analyzed it we don't have a traffic problem per just as an example there is two sides, and
I realize that both sides can be never ending but per capita according to the Sherriff s Department
Officer Johnson who is the officer, that's his beat, we have less crime per capita in our apartment
complex than the rest of the area. If you look at our, we have people out there every morning
picking up trash, so on and so forth. There is nothing I'm going to say that is going to make people
happy about the fact that we are building apartments here. But the reality is in our economy there is
there are not a lot of single family homes being built, people are renting that's the way it's going. If
there wasn't a demand for it, it wouldn't happen. We have a very low vacancy rate. I and many I
would venture to say take hundreds of people are very proud of the product we've built and I'd just
like to thank you all for your time and consideration.
Commissioner Graham recused herself due to being a vocal opponent of a similar development so not
to jeopardize the process.
05-14-15 Planning Commission Minutes Page 11 of 17
CAR-2015-0016 — Located at the intersection of Barker and Laberry. Requesting to change from
Medium Density Residential to High Density Residential.
Deb Farnsworth, 18808 E. Sprague Avenue: I'm here again to say I oppose, nothing has changed
there since we've been here last fall. We have no hospital, no doctor, no additional grocery stores
that have popped up. But what has increased again is traffic and the number of kids that would be
coming into the school district would,they are already bussing the kids out of kindergartens no less,
bussing these kids out of our schools for transit people to come in and where they might be there six
months, they might be there, their children might be in our schools for a year. I don't know. But
anyway I just want to say that you'll be seeing me throughout the whole process.Thank you
Shirley Milka, N. 205 Barker Road: I have a real concern about having a developed across the
street from me. I live directly across from there. The school bus stops not only on Barker just past
my house north of where this lot is and on the corner of Laberry and Valleyway is the school bus
for the elementary kids. They walk there they cross the street, it's very busy. At certain times of day
the traffic has increased not only from Turtle Creek but also the new housing past 11th up on the
hill. We have multiple vehicles we have heavy equipment going up and down the road. It's not
wide enough. We don't have sidewalks, the so called sidewalk that Turtle Creek did put in it is
paved level to the road. So that when the neighbor across the street goes to pull in his driveway the
cars are going around. We add more vehicles from apartments, you figure a two to three to four
hundred apartments that's like 800 more vehicles just right there on the corner of Appleway and
Barker. And the traffic already is too much. You know and I just I feel sorry that schools are
exploding just like the other lady said. You know we have kids that are getting bussed that live not
far from the schools are getting bused to a different school. That's crazy. You need to build more
schools before you need to build apartments. So I oppose this. Thank you.
Frank Roberts,N. 213 Barker Road: I am opposed to this and I've got too many things to say in
two minutes. I'll leave you with this when making your decision think about would you okay this if
you lived next door to the proposed apartment complex.
David Columbo, 18921 E. Valleyway: Thank you all for your time. First of all this is absolutely
no different than the last time any of us were here. I recognize several of your faces. And all the
same things apply to that and the reasons that did not go through all those same things applied that
time, the schools absolutely cannot take it. I've never been so opposed to anything in my life more
than this mainly because of the schools. I have a, I have two kids and I took them out of the schools
because the schools have already failed them. And they are failing many, many more children. And
that's the main thing. The next issues obviously is traffic until they start making plans on widening
the road or making Barker a north-south highway of some sort. The traffic absolutely cannot take, it
just can't. Fire and police they get confused trying to make it through there, let alone actually
making it to where they need to go. If you add even houses it is going to be difficult. But to add
three story apartment buildings is going to be impossible. I'll tell you that right now. Impossible not
to make those roads before they build anything, make those roads safer for kids, as well as traffic
and people are walking around. The next thing if you've notice any of your pictures that you guys
have there is absolutely nothing around that area for quite a few miles anyways that block the view
like these buildings will. There is no three story or whatever high rise apartment buildings
anywhere that are within my view of my house and you're about. You know if this goes through
there directly behind my house. They'll be looking into my backyard basically. So I oppose this and
I hope you guys are able to take everything into consequence and realize this is a horrible, horrible
idea. Thank you.
Stephanie Columbo, 18921 E. Valleyway Avenue.: I've got a couple of things to say. The
original time when this was rezoned the one next to it and what she's saying this was on the original
plans for filed number ZE-4-96 says it was suppose to be a retirement center. And so I feel like it is
05-14-15 Planning Commission Minutes Page 12 of 17
misleading that they can go in and get something rezoned as a retirement center and then go to
change it now 20 years later to something different. Because if it was a retirement center I feel like
that wouldn't burden the schools as much or maybe add as much traffic as an apartment building.
That makes me annoyed. In the notes it says it's not going to affect traffic at Barker and Appleway
but I don't understand how because now there is 17 single family homes and on that three and half
acre lot where they want to put 22 residences per acre that's 77 and increase of 60. Each one would
likely have more than one car all coming out at that intersection that's congested. There's not a lot
of distance before the light before Laberry there and also Valleyway there is a cul-de-sac so it just
seems like it's not even a real road to develop to High Density Residential and it says that to change
it to High Density provides a buffer. But when you look at the map as it is right here is what it is
already zoned as and then they are going to try and make this developed more. So I don't see where
the buffer is, cause you skipping over what is already there. It's in the middle, not as a buffer.
Doesn't make sense to me. And then so along with the schools that would be burdened, the traffic
that would be burdened. I personally use the post office quite often and as you leave Laberry to turn
onto Barker it's a hard intersection to see the way it's developed. I can't even imagine if there was
50 foot tall buildings. That would be very difficult. And also a very big concern for me (Chairman
reminded to wrap up) If they change HDR they could put transitional housing on that and I really
don't want that in my neighborhood and my kids.
Scott Jutte, 18722 E. Sprague Avenue: I live at 18722 E. Sprague Ave., which is two blocks
south of the property in question. Over the break Attorney Driskel told me that we are a city now
not a county and we need to start acting like it. And I agree with him. I feel like a city wouldn't
even consider putting High Density Residential on a county road. I feel like a city would build it
into a city road. I also feel like a city would consider the overcrowding in the schools, consider the
existing context of the neighborhood. I live on an acre and half and I've got one of the smaller
properties in that area actually, most of my neighbors have goats and chickens. That High Density
property that is just to the south of this property that's supposable the reason for all of this
happening is a big open field with cattle running on it right now and they run irrigation out there so
they can, they can cut hay and keep the cows feed. So I mean it is quite obvious for anyone who
goes out in that neighborhood you look around and you can't see its flat as a pancake you would
think if there were any three story apartment complexes around you'd be able to see them. You
have to drive for a long time before you find them. The application says something about it being
on a transportation hub it mentioned light rail which kinda made me giggle a little bit, but I don't
know what transportation hub they are talking about because Barker Road is just a county road, it's
a two lane road. Big trucks going down the road clap mirrors all the time. All of the other
applications that I saw here today with the exception of one or two you're talking about five lane
roads, you're talking about roads that are big that have the capacity to do this. Barker doesn't have
that. And I would submit that we have no business adding more people to this neighborhood till we
add the infrastructure to deal with it.Thank you.
Verona Southern, 18421 E. Sprague Avenue: I am the owner of this property. I feel that I'm
asking for some fairness here originally this property was zoned UR-22 in 1996. It has remained, it
retained that zoning until 19..2006. I feel that it's an oversight on the City's part to have raised the
zoning of all the mobile homes around my area and downgraded my zoning. I spent considerable
amount of money in getting this rezoned. And I also provided for transportation by giving up
almost 500 feet on Barker Road as to allow them to widen the road to provide property, provide
transportation, facilitate transportation. I'm asking for the zoning that was taken away from me
which was now currently MF-2 to be replaced, to be given back to the property. I've lived in this
community for a long time. I've heard rumors that I'm going sell the property. I have not been
approached by anybody. I did not do this to sell the property. I feel like I have been deprived of my
money. I feel like you've taken my money away and given me nothing in return. While I have
given you considerable amount of money to rezone this. And I've also given a lot of frontage on
05-14-15 Planning Commission Minutes Page 13 of 17
Barker Road. (Chairman reminded to close up) So I would like to have this restored to its current,
MF-2. Thank you.
Clyde Smith, N. 16 Harmony Road: I've lived there since 1970. She just told you a little history
about this, you know she got the designation changed because she was going to build a senior
citizen place there. So they raised it to Multifamily. And the Hearing Examiner at that time put a lot
of restrictions on her project because he didn't want apartment buildings there. It some of the
restrictions were 25 feet high and nobody could leap frog on this and build apartments off her
designation that was in the Hearing Examiner's his report. Also we talked a little bit about the roads
and the Planning Commission came out to Greenacres Junior High about two months ago and
started the process on the corner about Barker and Sprague. Well this project they are discussing
roundabouts and different projects but we are at least four or five years away from any
improvement there. They don't have the money. By time they've got the money it's going to be out
dated. There is homes going, everyone who's got five acres out there is putting homes on it. They
are going up fast. You know probably the only thing that is going to solve this problem going down
the road ten years is we are going to need a four lane road. So we oppose changing her designation.
Matter-of-fact I think the piece she's got R-3 now probably should have been downgraded to R-2
when they downgraded her mobile home park. There is no reason that should be a three. It's out
there all by itself. Thank you.
Wayne Benson, N. 117 Barker Road.: And I agree with a lot of what Clyde said as far as the
nursing home that was supposed to been built there, and there was specifications because we had a
vote out in Greenacres. I've been here since '72 and we had a vote,the County Commissioners had
a vote of Greenacres lot size and heights of buildings in the neighborhood. I don't know if that still
applies here or not or whether it's still as far as we the people still have to vote to resend this or not.
I'm not failure with that or aware of that. And as far as well that's about all I have to say I agree,
I'm opposed to this also.Thank you.
Jackie Williams, 18903 E. Sprague Avenue: I wasn't going to speak tonight but I feel the need.
First off I would like to say that I hurried from work to get here so I could hear what is going on
and help my neighbors anyway I could. I find it high offensive and very disrespectful that we were
shoved to the very back of the agenda once again. This is a continued thing and it my time is just as
important as anybody else's. I want to say I oppose this rezoning for all the reasons you've heard,
that you will hear through this whole process. We spent many months last year fighting the
rezoning on Sprague, Sprague and Barker, I live directly next to. Once again nothing has changed.
And it's not going to change. So like I said we are here to battle once again same situation. Yeah,
different property, same players and same plan and with the same complications. I know that the
applicant spoke that she hadn't been approached by the developers or whoever but in the
application that there is an address of a spokesperson. And that address I'm pretty sure is Vikings
who also bought the property at Sprague and Barker. 305 something like that Sullivan because that
was their address last year on Barker and Sprague. Here nor there I just hope that you guys don't
think that we are naive enough to not recognize the attempt to rezone the trailer park is only a piggy
back to attempt to rezone the rest of that property. And that is a huge amount of property to put
apartment buildings and we will be surrounded. I just hope that you guys relook at it see why the
Planning Commission said last year no, we're not recommending it and why (Chairman reminded
to close up)and why the City Council and said no.
Charles Richardson, 18808 E. Valleyway Court.: You've heard from all the people who live
around the area, I live in the trailer park. When I came in I wasn't either for or against so I really
haven't changed that a whole lot. My concern is for the 16 residents in that park there has been no
communication as to what their plans are. Whether we're going to have to move? Whether they're
going to relocate us or what. Our concern is tell us what you're going to do before you do the
rezoning. We have not idea. Are we going to be, I'm 70 years old, I don't want to move. I've been
05-14-15 Planning Commission Minutes Page 14 of 17
in that park for 27 years. Like I say we have no communications from the family about what they
plan for that property around there. So that's my concern,what's going to happen?Thank you.
Peter Higgins, 20221 E. 8th Avenue: I'm here because I know people in the neighborhood and I
traffic flow and traffic issues are a curiosity of mine. Barker Road south of the Sprague Avenue or
Appleway well actually south of the freeway is leaves a lot to be desired. Went to the Planning the
traffic study meeting about Barker, four-way stop at Barker and Sprague, here a few months ago.
The Valley Planning Department or not the department the Engineering Staff said there are three
developments that they have, the county, I believe their all county but they empty onto Barker.
Chapman Road in the County plan of years ago was to flow onto Chapman Road would become the
new arterial. 32nd and Chapman to Barker and the four-way stop would be an arterial with no stop
signs, no nothing. Now what states that's in I have no idea. But anyway Chapman is the new
arterial going on to Barker. You have a major church with major plans south of in the County south
of 8th. You have a high school that empties in theory empties onto Barker south of 8th. 8th Avenue or
Barker Road has an awful lot of traffic on it that is going to appear overnight. It's not going to be
staged in, it's just going to be there. Just like it is right now. So anything in curiosity now between
four-way stop and a traffic light. North bound in the morning you can fill up from stop sign to
traffic light. And south bound in the evening you can fill up from traffic light to stop sign. So
Barker has a long way to go before any large any traffic flow particularly that close to the stop
light. You're going to add traffic onto Barker Road in the near term without an awful lot of
planning and an awful lot of money. Thank you.
Jan Southern,5523 S. Conklin Road: And just as a way of trying to communicate I wanted to say
that the piece of property next to the one you are questioning now is my piece of property. I own it
with my husband, we are the only two owners. And we have no plans for it. We do not plan any
developments what-so-ever at this time. Who knows tomorrow if we are alive or dead but we do
not have any plans right now for that piece of property. However, I do not understand how the other
piece that was rezoned with it at the time was just arbitrarily changed and overturned. And I'm just
here in support of my mother-in-law as she had spent considerable time and effort in having that
rezoned. I would like to support her in that. Again to alleviate anybody's fears we have no plans.
And not in the near future at all.
Harvey Brown, 1505 S. Barker Road: We've lived out about a mile from what I'll refer to as
ground zero to the south. I'm tempted to quote a planning guru sounds like déjà vu all over again
seems like we went through this before and what I'm seeing is oh roughly 40 people who like us
had other things that were important to do tonight but this is important enough to us to come out
here to see what we can do. We've gone through the problems with the infrastructure. We've gone
through anyway but the other thing you are seeing with the 40 people this is a neighborhood and
both a family is not this neighborhood. You're significantly changing that character if you allow
this. I've been trying to come up with a way to summarize it with something that hasn't been said
yet. But the only words I came up with was blocking, block busting and stocking horse. So I'll
leave you with that.
Dene Turnbow, 11 S. Barker Road.: I just bought a house on 11 S. Barker Road. I just moved
there. I'm really young. I worked really hard to get my house. I planned on moving and there and
planting myself here in Spokane so I could raise a family. And raise good people and that's going to
be our future. Those are the people who are going to be moving into this area. If we put housing
and people who don't work hard for their money and their future and plan it out. They are going to
be taking things away from me, things I worked hard for. I'm scared to keep my garage open right
now because I'm right off Barker Road. I have a hard enough time getting out of my driveway right
now; I have to wait two to three minutes for cars to stop to let me out to go to work. I'm completely
opposed to this. It's not fair. It's not fair to our future. It's not fair to the people who want to make
this their home. I'm sorry that's it.
05-14-15 Planning Commission Minutes Page 15 of 17
Rose Marie Bistar, 1505 S. Barker Road.: I am very acutely aware that the Barker Road and the
Greenacres area south of the freeway is busting at the seams without any other rezoning to higher
density. There isn't the infrastructure; we don't have the schools to handle the higher density. We
don't have the roads to handle higher density. I you know I've been there since 1995 I believe we
moved there and now to try and go across the street to pick up my Sunday paper. As my husband
says pack a lunch. You know I'll be back for lunch because its solid I kid you not it is constant
solid streaming traffic down there. And I know coming off the freeway if you come anywhere near
rush hour that intersection from the freeway to the very short block, block and a half to where the
post office is that gets totally backed up as it is with low density. With traffic coming off the
freeway. Or in the morning traffic trying to get onto the freeway. So we are already stretched thin.
And we live in the county and I feel very sorry for all you guys because it's our County
Commissioners that I feel are screwing the City of Spokane Valley because they illegally went
against the Growth Management Act which I when we first moved here was part of the citizen
group that tried to make some sense of all the how do you incorporate growth in the most sensible
way. And so I was very active in the Growth Management Act when it went through for the
County. And to see that our elected officials just disregard all the work that went into it and that did
become law and that later the state said they illegal made some changes. Hence, the growth, more
growth across the street from us to the south of us. We are already busting at the seams (Chairman
reminded to close up) Yeah this is just absurd to put higher density anything around there.
Infrastructure concurrency is important.
Karen O'Shogay, 105 S. Barker Road.: And I don't have anything new to say about any of it.
Other than I'm aware that we've voted on building four schools and we've worked on the traffic
problem at Barker and Sprague. I know there are committees going and I know that the City is
aware that there is issues. I haven't actually heard personally that there is any plans for that
property for growing it or use of the higher zoning. I would just like to say at the very least consider
deferment. I'm strongly opposed to it but at very least until we have businesses to support more
people and transportation improvement and school improvements or more room for them. At the
very least deferment. Thank you.
Bill Currier, 110 N.Barker Road: Kinda well some of the you remember the island property from
last year. I just find it a little peculiar that after no changes for so many years this comes up a year
after the corner of Barker and Sprague and there is no connection. We were told as the island
property that if the corner of Barker and Sprague was changed that the City would try and change
our property. That we wouldn't even have to request you know that it wouldn't be up to us and they
would try and change our property to high density. Because they don't like to leave island
properties and I think that the cow pasture that is high density has been left an island property and I
would strongly like to see that changed. I'm not sure why it wasn't changed when the other piece of
property was changed I'm also sorry that Mrs. Southern feels like you guys have deprived her of
money but everything isn't about money. We have a beautiful community right there and to change
this to R-2 I guess my question is to what end? Why? Does changing it make her more money? Or
does changing it allow her to sell it to a company who gets to make a lot more money? So that's it.
Thank you.
Stephanie Columbo, 18921 E. Valleyway: Mrs. Southern came up and she was talking about the
adjacent property that is already zoned saying that they have no plans trying to reassure the
audience but in the actual application in the narrative from the original Mrs. Southern 'my
intentions has always been to develop this property to its fullest density in conjunction with the
adjoining acreage. So they say they don't have plans but their application says they have plans.
Commissioner Graham rejoined the Commission.
Having no one else who wished to testify, Chairman Stoy closed the public hearing at 8:57 p.m.
05-14-15 Planning Commission Minutes Page 16 of 17
GOOD OF THE ORDER: Nothing was offered for the Good of the Order
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m.
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Joe Stoy, Chairperson Date signed
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1,
Deanna Horton, Secretary
05-14-15 Planning Commission Minutes Page 17 of 17