Despite numerous objections from neighbors, the Spokane City Council on Monday cleared the way for construction permits for the controversial Mission Springs apartment project.

Council members voted 4-1 to lift a temporary ban on the permits. Councilman Orville Barnes dissented, and Councilman Chris Anderson abstained.

The 790-unit Mission Springs project in southwest Spokane would be the city’s largest apartment complex.

The council blocked the permits in June so the impact on two narrow railroad tunnels crossing Thorpe Road could be studied.

Although the tunnels are “undesirable” and a “significant traffic constraint,” they shouldn’t delay plans for the project, the traffic report says. , DataTimes