23_-_2021-8-4_Kathy_MercerPainted Hills PRD DEIS 8/03/2021 Lori Barlow Senior Planner/SEPA Official City of Spokane Valley, WA 99206
Dear Lori Barlow:
I am writing regarding the development of the Painted Hills golf course. I am very concerned with this development as I live “upstream” from the location and I know what the water in this area can do when it can’t flow where it is supposed to. It is very concerning that the city and developers would want to fill in this natural area where the
flowing water supports an array of purposes for our community. The water ways need to
be maintained and kept up for the water to do its job. Building on the wetlands directly
tampers with the natural flow of the environment by blocking the water passages
which were naturally instituted by the free flow of the water. Because wetlands are an ecosystem, they play an essential role in the environment. The
amount of wildlife that use this area is unreal. Why is this area marked as a natural
wetland/flood plain in the beginning? Because it is! The golf course was a great addition
to the area and a more natural way to keep the land doing its job. When wetlands are
filled, the water that makes them wet has to go somewhere. Where will that be?
The development just southeast of there on Madison is adding homes to the claimed
“housing shortage”. Is that extra traffic and head count added into what will be residing in the area?
Also, what about the proposed development just south on Dishman Mica. More houses, more people, more traffic, more strain on services. I really hope the city considers all the reasons this area can not support 500+ more homes and another 1300 people with police protection, schools, current road systems and destruction of our natural filter for our most valuable resource…WATER.
Sincerely, Kathy Mercer