In brief: Development back on track

An 80-home Spokane Valley development stalled over floodplain concerns is back on track after planning department concerns were ruled insignificant by the city hearing examiner.

Examiner Michael Dempsey ruled Wednesday that the city’s concerns about a pond flooding at Brian Main’s South Terrace development didn’t warrant denying the project.

Main owns the nearly 17-acre South Terrace site, which slopes uphill from Carnahan to Willamette between the yet-to-be-constructed 13th Avenue and approximately Ninth Avenue. His project is the final phase of Woodland Terrace, a 180-home development just north and south of 14th Avenue, between Carnahan and Havana streets. South Terrace would feature 50 foot by 129 foot lots with a small pond as the development’s signature feature. The pond serves as a catch basin for storm water.

The city cited the need for onsite stormwater drainage planning and concern that properties located below the site could flood.

With Dempsey’s decision, the city will get the South Terrace paperwork back with specific instructions to either deem the project’s environmental consequences insignificant or allow the project to go through provided the plans are mitigated to reduce its impact on the area downhill from the pond.

– Tom Lutey

EDGECLIFF

Gothmann gave donation to Pratt

Councilman Bill Gothmann acknowledged this week that he is the individual who donated $10,000 to help fund a community center at recently closed Pratt Elementary.

Gothmann abstained and left the room when the City Council voted to commit $20,000 in city funds to the project last week. In an e-mail sent to council members explaining his abstention, Gothmann said he had promised the donation that council members were aware of as they considered funding the center.

Because he had a personal stake in the outcome, Gothmann said he did not want to vote or otherwise influence the council on the money for Pratt and other social services.

– Peter Barnes

LIBERTY LAKE

Kiwanis fundraiser planned Sept. 30

Liberty Lake Kiwanis will hold a wine-tasting fundraiser Sept. 30 from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Zephyr Lodge, 1900 S. Zephyr Road, near Liberty Lake County Park.

The event will feature wines from France, Italy, German, South Africa, Chile, Spain, Australia, Canada and the U.S. A silent auction will also be held.

Tickets are $25 per person. For more information call 995-4043 or 255-1403.

– Staff reports