Blackwell Battle Heads For Council Chambers Some Fear Project Will Lead To Further Annexations Across River

Neighboring residents contend a proposed 291-pad recreational vehicle park on Blackwell Island is a “ruse” designed to ease further city expansion.

Mayor Al Hassell agrees city boundaries someday might cross the Spokane River. The RV project, however, will be considered on its merits, he said.

The city council tonight will hold a public hearing on the project.

It’s the first annexation request since the Legislature defeated a proposal to legalize impact fees. City leaders recently considered banning future annexations until they find another way to pay for services associated with growth.

“It should be an extremely interesting debate,” Hassell said.

The project calls for building the RV sites below the floodplain on the old city landfill. The land currently is vacant.

Planning commissioners in February vetoed the annexation request and the required change in zoning. Commissioners said an RV park might be the best use of the site, but said there were still too many unanswered questions.

Residents had complained approval would make taxpayers liable for flood damage and would add too many cars and people to an undeveloped wildlife-rich area.

Residents and members of the Rural Kootenai Organization for months have battled the controversial project for 40 acres south of U.S. Highway 95, fearing it will lead to higher taxes and a loss of their rural lifestyle.

If the city provides services across the river for this project, that will make it easier for other developers south and west of the river to request expansion of city limits, residents say.

As evidence, they point to internal city documents of meetings between city officials and developers during a three-year period.

“Some residents view such secret negotiations as leading to binding agreements and question the meaning of the public hearing process,” RKO members said in a written statement.

Hassell argued city staff members are paid to meet with developers to answer questions. City council members, meanwhile, have never committed to expansion, he said.

“Nothing is binding until the Council takes action,” he said.

A decision on the project is expected tonight, he said. The meeting begins at 7 p.m. in City Hall, 710 Mullan Ave.