In brief: Commission votes against rezone bid

The Medical Lake Planning Commission on Oct. 25 unanimously voted to recommend rejecting a rezoning application that could have allowed for construction of a low-income housing complex.

The 5-0 decision met with applause from the approximately 80 residents who attended the commission meeting at Medical Lake Elementary School.

Chairwoman Joyce Callaway and other board members cited water supply and traffic concerns as reasons for the recommendation. The 7.5 acres along Stanley Road could also be used to set up businesses at a time when many companies are moving to outside town, she said.

The board’s recommendation will now go before the City Council.

Many residents had opposed the rezone, which would have changed the land from residential and commercial land to multifamily residential property. The corporate landowners, A & K Development Inc., have plans to build a 42-unit, low-income housing complex on the site.

Commission members said low-income housing probably could be developed at another location. Despite community support for preserving the open field and wetlands on the property, the site likely will see some sort of development in the near future, they said.

– Jacob Jones

Moran Prairie

Policy formation workshop planned

Spokane Regional Health District will present “Policy Development from the Ground Up,” a workshop, Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Moran Prairie Library, 6004 S. Regal St.

The workshop is for public employees or nonprofit staff members who want to be involved in policy development.

Participation is limited to 30 people, and the deadline to register is Friday. Admission is $15 to cover the lunch.

For more information, call Cindy Green at 324-1664, or e-mail cgreen@spokanecounty.org.

– Lisa Leinberger

Northwest

Volunteers sought for advisory panel

The city of Spokane is seeking volunteers to help determine how funds raised through a tax-increment financing district in northwest Spokane will be spent. About $2 million is expected to be generated from a taxing district being formed in conjunction with the Kendall Yards housing and commercial project on the north bank of the river.

A five-member West Quadrant TIF Advisory Committee is being formed to guide spending of money outside of the Kendall Yards property. The tax increment district uses a portion of increased tax collections created by the development to finance public improvements.

Anyone who wants to volunteer is being asked to fill out an application at the mayor’s office on the fifth floor of City Hall by Nov. 30.

– Mike Prager