City Delays Decision To Vacate Shawnee Developer Is Asked To Meet With Residents To Discuss Concerns

A proposal to vacate a section of Shawnee Avenue to a developer hit a snag Monday when Indian Trail residents raised objections.

Spokane City Council members delayed until Jan. 26 making a decision on the proposal to vacate Shawnee from Wieber Drive to a block east. In the meantime, they asked that developer Robert Frisch meet with residents to talk about their concerns.

Frisch, president of the Five Mile Corporation, plans to develop 40 acres at Wieber and Shawnee into single-family homes. He told the council he plans to use the vacated section to build an entryway into the subdivision.

But Denise Arnold, who lives on Shawnee west of the proposed development, said she worries the added traffic would make her street unsafe.

“If they’re talking about the number of homes I think they’re talking about, they’re talking about a freeway in front of my home,” Arnold said. “And I have small children.”

Frisch - who owns land in both the city and county portions of Five Mile Prairie - hasn’t submitted his finalized plans to the city for approval, said City Manager Bill Pupo.

Indian Trail resident Merle Iverson said he - and the council - needed more information about Frisch’s plans before making a decision about the proposal.

Also Monday, the council:

Agreed to pay New Hope Christian Reformed Church $25,000 for right-of-way to improve the Indian Trail Road and Francis Avenue intersection.

Set a hearing at 2:30 p.m. on Feb. 3 to set final assessments for the paving of the alley between Monroe and Lincoln Streets from Rockwell to Longfellow avenues.

, DataTimes