1992, 11-10 Rezone County Commissioner DecisionNo.
92 1563
BEFORE THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
OF SPOKANE COUNTY, WASHINGTON
IN THE MATTER OF ZE-36-92,
URBAN RESIDENTIAL-3.5 TO
URBAN RESIDENTIAL-7,
APPLICANT: GORDON HURST
DECISION
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Madam Chair:
This evening is the date which the Board of County
Commissioners has set to render its decision on ZE-36-92, a rezone
request from Urban Residential-3.5 (UR-3.5) to Urban Residential-7
(UR-7). The applicant is Gordon Hurst.
The proposal consists of a rezone request which would allow
conversion of a single family residence into a triplex, at a site
located along the south side of Broadway Avenue about 750 feet east
of Evergreen Road, in the Spokane Valley.
The file reflects that the Spokane County Hearing Examiner
Committee previously denied the reclassification request by a 3-0
vote. The applicant appealed the Hearing Examiner Committee's
decision to the Board of County Commissioners, contending that the
proposal was consistent with the County's Comprehensive Land Use
Plan and filled a need for quality rental units in the Spokane
area.
After considering the file and all public testimony submitted
at the public hearing held on October 27, 1992, I hereby move that
the appeal filed by Gordon Hurst and the rezone request to allow
conversion of a single family residence into a triplex be denied.
In denying the rezone request, I first would note that there is no
PAGE - 1
presumption of validity in favor of rezone requests, and that the
proposal fails to meet the guidelines set by the courts for
approving such requests.
The proposal is not consistent with the density or character
of surrounding land uses, which consist of single'family residences
on all sides of the proposal. Widespread opposition to the
proposal was expressed by the owners of adjacent single family
homes. While consistent with the densities and many of the
objectives recommended by the Urban category of the Comprehensive
Plan, the proposal does not appear to accomplish objectives of the
Urban category that approval of multifamily housing in residential
areas enhance the residential character, aesthetics, and
residential values of the area, nor does the proposal provide
transition between single-family residential uses and more
intensive land uses. The applicant has not demonstrated that
conditions have substantially changed since the original zoning was
adopted. Nor can I find sufficient evidence that the rezone will
promote the public health, safety and welfare of the area.
Finally, I note that the lot involved is large enough to
accommodate a duplex, which the structure on the lot can be legally
converted to under the existing zoning.
I would request that Planning Department staff prepare
Findings of Fact and Decision reflecting this motion and other
issues raised at the public hearing for execution by the Board at
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a subsequent public meetin
DATED this //9 day of
ATTEST:
WILL DONAHUE
Cl r .f the Board
By
Deputy Clerk
PAGE - 3
1992.
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
OF_S, OKANE COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Patricia Mummey, Chair
John R. M
ride