In brief: Examiner approves Flora Road rezoning

GREENACRES – The Spokane Valley hearing examiner has ruled that slightly more than nine acres on the west side of Flora Road north of Mission Avenue can be rezoned single-family residential-urban and divided into 48 lots for homes.

The proposal meets the city’s requirements for minimum lot size, said hearing examiner Mike Dempsey, but another hearing must be held if the applicant makes substantial changes to the plan, such as increasing the number of lots.

Dempsey wrote in his decision that the proposed development “has a gross density similar to nearby subdivisions” and provides a buffer between higher density zoning to the south and the more restrictive single-family residential zoning to the north and the east.

The development application was filed by Landed Gentry Development Inc. The owners of the parcels involved are Joseph and Lynda House and Randall and Nan Shove.

Businesses garner awards of excellence

SPOKANE VALLEY – The Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce has announced the winners of its annual awards of excellence.

The winners are: Independent Wealth Connections, business of the year (tier 1); Greenstone Corp., business of the year (tier 2); The Grounds Guys – Kenny Smith, entrepreneur of the year; HUB Sports Center, human services award; and Avista, community caring award.