Commissioners Rule Against New Alton’s

Their ruling upholds a decision made earlier.

The Newport Highway may be one of the busiest roads in the county, but it’s no place for a tire store, Spokane County commissioners decided Tuesday.

Commissioners ruled that Alton’s Tires cannot build a store on eight acres adjacent to the highway.

Their ruling upholds a decision made earlier this year by hearing examiner Mike Dempsey. He ruled that conditions near the lot have not changed significantly since the land was zoned for houses or community businesses.

Alton’s had asked Dempsey to change the zoning to a category that is less restrictive. Company attorneys argued that the land no longer is suitable for houses, since traffic is so heavy nearby.

Neighbors said during a May hearing that they feared allowing the tire store would open the way for other, larger stores, such as Wal-Mart.

The store appealed to county commissioners after Dempsey denied the request.

, DataTimes