Kendall Yards given qualified approval for first phase of development plan

Spokane Hearing Examiner Greg Smith on Friday approved the first phase of the revised development plan for Kendall Yards – but with a lengthy list of conditions.

He also called for a public hearing on changes new owner Greenstone Corp. proposed in January.

Although the revised plan significantly reduces the density of the project compared with the plan put forth by prior owner Marshall Chesrown, Smith said, the changes “may not be significant in an adverse way but they are significant as to the development of this property.”

The visibility of the Kendall Yards site on the north bank of the Spokane River also makes it important that neighborhood residents and others understand what will happen as the project unfolds, he said.

Phase 1 and subsequent phases 2-6 will progress west from Maple Street. The approval did not address plans for developing the area between Maple and Monroe streets.

A hearing date should be arranged with the city’s Planning Department, Smith said.

Phase 1 will include a 40-unit multifamily housing structure, 68 townhouses and single-family homes, and 20,000 square feet of commercial space.

Among the conditions attached to the approval are:

•100 percent Greenstone financing of improvements to the Monroe Street-Bridge Avenue intersection, including installation of a traffic light.

•Construction of the Centennial Trail from Monroe to the development’s west end.

•Capture of all storm water runoff on the site, along with a drainage report.

•Best efforts to achieve Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification.

Greenstone officials could not be reached for comment Friday.