Council Oks Five Mile Prairie Subdivision Despite Access Problems

The Spokane City Council on Monday gave the go-ahead for a 29-lot subdivision on Five Mile Prairie despite problems with access.

Developers of the 12-acre Rock Ridge Addition said they’ve worked for two years to resolve a conflict with neighboring landowner Jim Greenup, who plans a four-acre subdivision.

Horizon Avenue, which would pierce Rock Ridge, would clip a small corner of Greenup’s property. He and the Rock Ridge developers have not agreed on the value of that corner.

The city Plan Commission gave the developers authority to jockey Horizon around Greenup’s land, a move that would put a kink in the road.

Some City Council members said it would be better to delay the project and try one more time to reach an agreement. Councilman Orville Barnes offered to mediate a meeting.

Greenup asked the council to delay its decision for two weeks.

“I’m sure this can be resolved,” he said.

Earl Engle, part of the extended family that plans Rock Ridge, said talks are going nowhere.

“I have, frankly, little optimism that another meeting and another delay is going to solve this issue,” he said.

Councilwoman Bev Numbers said the family had waited long enough for approval.

“It would appear to me that even one week is a punishment,” she said.

Barnes and council members Chris Anderson and Phyllis Holmes voted for the delay, which required a majority vote. Numbers, Councilman Mike Brewer and Mayor Jack Geraghty voted against it.

Councilman Joel Crosby was absent.

Rock Ridge Addition was one of two subdivisions that were exempted from a moratorium on new Five Mile Prairie development. That moratorium, which the council installed last May, ends this month.