Neighborhood Group, Developer, Iron Out Housing Plan Dispute

In/Around: Indian Trail

A neighborhood group in Indian Trail and a developer have been quietly working to achieve something sought by public officials for years: consensus on neighborhood development.

Developer and home builder Leif Sorenson called representatives of Citizens For Responsible Development after the group filed an appeal to McCarroll East, his plan for 257 singlefamily homes and 30 duplexes on 110 acres east of Farmdale and Indian Trail roads between Strong and Shawnee.

That telephone call initiated two meetings involving Sorenson, the neighborhood group, attorneys for both sides, and city officials.

Sorenson agreed to a series of conditions that, if approved by the city, would result in the dropping of the appeal by the group.

The project was approved by the city hearing examiner last November.

Resident Holly Swanson of Citizens for Responsible Development said Sorenson has gone out of his way to alleviate neighborhood concerns.

“This is a responsible developer. We’re looking at someone who wants to leave a good name when he leaves,” Swanson said.

Agreements by the group and Sorenson include a provision that he will phase in the project and limit construction to 10 homes a year for the first five years. The provision allows school officials time to prepare for the newcomers.

Sorenson is also agreeing to a maintenance provision with the city for stormwater management and green space, according to city plan engineer Eldon Brown. Residents pointed out in hearings that drainage basins, which are designed to absorb flood waters and direct them to sewers, sometimes get filled in with silt and garbage.

Brown said the agreement, if approved by the city’s legal staff, could serve as a model for new development. If approved, it would allow the city to collect an annual fee from the new homeowners for stormwater maintenance.

Bob Kingsley, an attorney for the neighborhood group, said the discussions were important but should have occurred before public hearings, decisions or the appeal.

MEMO: This is a sidebar that appeared with the story: Water-tank deal Developer Leif Sorenson has reached agreement with the city on the sale of land for placement of a 4.6 million-gallon water tank in northwest Spokane. The 1.7-acre parcel at Strong Road and Elizabeth Drive is currently zoned for singlefamily homes. Neither Sorenson nor city officials, citing ongoing negotiations, would reveal terms of the transaction. A special permit will be needed by the city for the reservoir. A hearing is set before the city hearing examiner for 10:30 a.m. March 28.