City Reapproves Land-Use Change

Two years of heated battle should end when Walgreens breaks ground soon on its new drive-through pharmacy.

Spokane City Council members on Monday gave their approval - again - to a land-use change they OK’d more than a year ago.

Walgreens plans to begin construction almost immediately, said F.J. Dullanty, the pharmacy’s attorney.

“They’ve got a building permit and they’re ready to go,” Dullanty said.

The North Hill neighborhood appealed last year’s council decision allowing the Walgreens Rxpress, to Spokane County Superior Court, which recently ruled in the pharmacy’s favor.

Residents’ battles to keep the Walgreens at bay began two years ago, when the city’s Plan Commission refused to change the neighborhood’s land-use plan.

The land on the southeast corner of Maple Street and Garland Avenue was zoned for apartments or offices, not commercial development.

By a 4-3 vote, the council overturned the commission’s decision. Mayor Jack Geraghty and council members Phyllis Holmes and Chris Anderson dissented.

After that, city hearing examiner Greg Smith approved a permit for the new pharmacy - a decision the neighborhood appealed to the council.

The council again overruled the neighborhood, with Anderson and Holmes dissenting.

The neighborhood appealed that decision to Superior Court.

, DataTimes