Cda Planners Approve Scaled-Down Rv Park

City leaders will consider a scaledback plan for a recreational vehicle park and retail center on Blackwell Island next month.

The city Planning Commission recommended Tuesday its elected bosses approve plans for the park across the Spokane River and south of U.S. Highway 95 on land that once was home to a city dump. The decision came after four hours of comments from about 30 residents and developers.

Developer Mark Hall wants 220 RV pads, a 10-acre retail center, a convention center and 4.6 acres of natural land on the 40-acre site. The same commissioners in February shot down a plan for 292 RV parking sites and two acres of natural area.

The City Council vetoed the plan in March on a split vote.

Dozens of residents had complained the project was environmentally unsound, was dangerous and would lead to unwanted expansion.

Residents made similar arguments Tuesday. But Hall, through environmental, building and traffic specialists, said fears that flooding would send sewage and built-up landfill gases into the river were unfounded.

They also argued traffic would be well-managed.

“Developers did a better job giving assurances and answering questions from commissioners that had been asked before,” said city planner Jean DeBarbieris.

Hall’s wife Anne told commissioners that the couple planned to live on the property to manage the RVs.

“If there were problems they wouldn’t do that,” Commission Chairman John Bruning said.

The City Council is expected to consider the controversial proposal June 20.