Controversial Moran Prairie Apartment Plan Approved

Wed., July 26, 1995

By J. Todd Foster toddf@spokesman.com

It took a year and a half, but a Spokane developer Tuesday finally got the go-ahead for 48 apartments on Moran Prairie.

County commissioners voted unanimously to rezone an area just north of the Palouse Highway and east of Freya Street to allow for a project by Riverside Development Co. and owner Dennis Swartout.

Several residents oppose the complex because they fear more problems with storm water runoff. The neighborhood already suffers flooding from a high water table and runoff from Browne Mountain.

Three county planning commissioners denied the project in June 1994. The firm then appealed to county commissioners.

“I find that the applicant has submitted a viable plan with respect to drainage,” County Commissioner Steve Hasson said.

But just what that drainage plan is appears to be a heavily guarded secret.

Company consultant John Konen mentions detention ponds and re-irrigation as part of a “unique” new system, but didn’t have time to answer specific questions.

County officials were not available Tuesday to describe what drainage measures will be installed.

“Quite frankly, it was a very hard sell to the county engineers,” Konen said.

Flooding on Moran Prairie is a perennial problem. Two recent July rainstorms on Sunday afternoons toppled a retaining wall, flooded basements and washed away landscape at homes on nearby Browne Mountain.

County engineers have said the prairie’s topography is not conducive to development, although some lots were platted as far back as 1906. New development continues virtually unfettered.

“If you check, some of those (rain) events were well in excess of 100-year storm events,” Konen said.

The half-dozen opponents who spoke against the Moran project July 11 could not be reached for comment.

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