Zoning Change Rejected For Liberty Lake Project

Land use

Liberty Lake residents breathed a sigh of relief Thursday when a zoning change necessary for a new development was shot down.

“Oh, that’s good. I’m delighted,” said Liberty Lake resident Carol Martin, when she heard the zoning change had been denied.

A developer had requested that 2.5 acres of an 18.3-acre parcel of undeveloped land in the lakeside community be re-zoned to allow for multi-family housing units.

The land in question - southeast of the intersection of Liberty Lake Road and Sprague - is covered with grass, brush and deciduous trees. The land also provides drainage for the lake.

Residents expressed their concerns about the zone change at the Spokane County hearing examiner committee meeting, which makes decisions on land-use issues in the unincorporated area.

The committee did approve the subdivision of 15.8 acres into eight lots for single-family residences on part of the land. But the zone change for the remaining 2.5 acres of the 18.3 acre lot was denied.

Many residents expressed concern that an apartment building would be put in, which they said would create traffic problems, overuse of the water and sewer system and damage to the wetlands and wildlife habitat on the land.

“The traffic situation is so bad already,” said Sharon Howard, a Liberty Lake resident. “Any more would be ridiculous.”

“I understand the residents’ concerns,” said Rand Hatch, a marketing agent for the developer. “They just didn’t want a blank check for a UR-22.”

UR-22, or urban residential 22, indicates the zoning which would have allowed multi-family dwellings. Twenty-two housing units would have been allowed per acre.

The committee’s decision, however, does not end the issue.

Hatch said he will return before the committee with precise plans showing what the developer intends to put on the 2.5 acres - an assisted care home for senior citizens. He said he hopes that will alleviate some of the residents’ concerns.

“It just delays the whole situation,” Hatch said.

In other hearing examiner action:

William Evans’ request for a prelimary plat of 41 acres in the southeast Valley was denied. Evans wanted to build single-family houses on the property, which is east of Sullivan Road, between 24th and 32nd.

Harold Lundy received a three-year extension to develop Highland Estates, a subdivision in the hills north of Trentwood.

, DataTimes