Spokane Valley

Hearing will allow comment on zoning

Spokane Valley residents can comment on the city’s new zoning map at a public hearing tonight.

The city is rewriting the rules on how land can be used and what can be built where. While most areas will retain the same land use – such as residential, commercial or industrial – the proposed zoning will permit smaller lot sizes than are allowed now in many neighborhoods.

Among the zoning changes, the map would allow new multifamily housing between Fourth Avenue and an empty right of way that could extend Appleway Boulevard, as well as an area near the corner of Eighth Avenue and Tschirley Road.

Additionally, the neighborhood generally bounded by Pines Road, Trent Avenue, the town of Millwood and the Spokane River – including the riverfront Coyote Rock project – would be zoned mixed-use. Stretches of Sprague Avenue also would be zoned mixed-use, and most land along Pines between Sprague and I-90 would be zoned for offices.

The hearing takes place at 6 p.m. in City Hall, 11707 E. Sprague Ave. The map is available online at www.spokanevalley.org.

– Peter Barnes

Build-a-Bear opening Saturday at Valley Mall

The Build-A-Bear Workshop will open at the Spokane Valley Mall tomorrow at 10 a.m. Area Camp Fire Girls will help kick off the grand opening festivities by making bears to donate to the Children’s Home Society of Washington. There also will be a ribbon cutting led by the Build-A-Bear Workshop mascot Bearemy.

On Saturday, the first 200 guests to the workshop will be able to make a free bear to donate to the Children’s Home Society as well. Also on Saturday, guests to the shop will be able to participate in the Stuffed with Hugs program, an organization designed to give children a chance to help others. The Stuffed with Hugs program provides bears to childrens’ agencies and causes.

Bearemy will also be present at the Stuffed with Hugs event, and each participant will be given a coupon worth $3 off a $15 purchase.

– Maggie Capwell

Liberty Lake

Legislative open house will be held Wednesday

The City of Liberty Lake is presenting an open house legislative reception Wednesday from 1 to 3 p.m. at the City of Liberty Lake City Hall, 22710 E. Country Vista Drive.

Federal, state and local representatives will be available to discuss issues and concerns before the 2008 legislative session.

Congresswoman Cathy McMorris-Rogers is scheduled to attend.

For more information, call city hall at 755-6700.

– Lisa Leinberger