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Boundary Review Board to hear developers’ requests

By Tom Lutey toml@spokesman.com(509) 927-2179

Developers of a 271-unit apartment complex and a would-be subdivision of 800 homes, both in Spokane Valley, will be before the Spokane County Boundary Review Board on Monday trying to secure water services.

The projects, both north of Interstate 90, need to be annexed into water districts. The apartment complex, a $20 million project by Inland Construction Co. of Spokane, is already under way at 2900 N. Pines Road.

Irvin Water District is the would-be water provider for the apartment complex. Irvin manager Glenn Terry said the apartments could need water as early as February.

“It’s significant,” Terry said. “It would be the biggest apartment complex in the district. Valley 206, which has 206 units, would be second biggest.”

The apartments, consisting of 14 three-story buildings, will be called Pinehurst Apartments. Planning on the project predates the 2003 incorporation of the city of Spokane Valley. Typically development projects must secure services like water before being approved by a city or county, but the process got scrambled with the incorporation of the new city, according to Susan Winchell, Boundary Review Board director.

The second project before the board is a request for enough water to service 800 homes on 320 acres of land north of Trent and east of Flora Road. The land is owned by Jim Etter. The request for water is unusual because Etter’s 320 acres are currently located in an urban reserve area, meaning by law they cannot be developed at urban densities.

However, Etter also is petitioning Spokane County to have the status of his land changed so it can be developed, a move that could open the 320 acres to 1,120 home lots. The final decision on whether the land’s status will change belongs to the Spokane County Commissioners.

The Boundary Review Board will simply review the requests, unless the public or another government agency requests a hearing on the matters. The deadline for requesting a hearing on the Etter proposal is Wednesday. The deadline for the Pinehurst project is Dec. 22.