Council Approves Alley Paving

Plans to pave a North Side alley are moving forward - despite the fact fewer than half the residents bordering the block want it paved.

The City Council earlier this week unanimously approved the paving that will cost abutting property owners about $43,000.

Twelve of 25 property owners along the alley between Howard and Stevens streets, from Queen to Everett avenues, want it paved.

Brad Blegen, Spokane’s director of construction services, said the city plans to go ahead with the paving unless opponents come forward with a petition to block it.

Petition signatures from more than 60 percent of the property owners affected by the alley paving - in this case, 14 - are needed to grind the project to a halt.

Blegen said the past council had a policy that pavings couldn’t move ahead unless 50 percent of property owners favored the plan. This council hasn’t set a policy but plans to soon.

Officials would like to see all the city’s alleys paved because such projects reduce dust, increase access and improve storm drainage.

On Monday, the council also:

Set a public hearing before the hearing examiner for July 9 at 3 p.m. in City Hall for paving, curbing and sidewalk construction on Walnut Street from Maxwell to Mission avenues.

Relinquished public ownership of Standard Street from Jackson to Buckeye avenues.

Relinquished public ownership of Van Gorp Place from Sharp to Boone avenues.

, DataTimes