Multi-Family Housing Project Ok’d In/Around: Indian Trail

Thu., May 11, 1995

Bruce Krasnow Staff Writer

City hearing examiner Greg Smith has approved a multi-family housing project for an area of Indian Trail that was zoned in 1980 for higher density housing. The 110 units would be built on Pamela Street between Lowell Road and a future Barnes Road. The project would be on 18 lots using two-, four- and six-unit buildings with 186 parking spaces.

Although there is a moratorium on new subdivisions in the neighborhood, this proposal by Western Real Properties was filed before that gained City Council approval. Additionally, the land is essentially zoned for the proposed density and the hearing was for a special permit to allow the grouping of structures.

The hearing examiner pointed out that most R3 zones in the city allow for one unit every 2,000 square feet. The proposal had a density that was 60 percent less than that.

Though concerns were raised by neighbors over the lack of recreation land, classroom space and road capacity, there were no requests by the city that the developer help pay for park land or improvements to Indian Trail Road.

The Indian Trail neighborhood is finalizing a land-use plan with the city. Among its provisions is that a design committee review projects to ensure conformity with the neighborhood.

Some of the residents behind that process spoke at the hearing and requested that the hearing examiner require peaked roofs, certain building materials and garages instead of carports. Though Smith urged the developer to abide by neighborhood guidelines and covenants, he stated it could not be mandated.

In approving the project, construction was prohibited until a water and hydro project is completed by the city. Access to Barnes Road was not allowed until it is improved to arterial status.

Local journalism is essential.

Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. Gifts processed in this system are tax deductible.

Meet Our Journalists

Jesse Tinsley

Meet Jesse Tinsley. As a certified drone pilot, this veteran Spokesman-Review photographer often can be seen capturing beautiful aerial photographs of our region. Sometimes though, the job requires getting down with the dogs.
Jim Meehan

Jim Meehan is no stranger to Zag Nation. As the lead writer covering the Gonzaga men’s basketball team, he tells the stories behind the game and gets fans a bit closer to their favorite players.
Molly Quinn

There is no artist in Spokane like Molly Quinn. Her whimsical style is instantly recognizable to readers of The Spokesman-Review. She has painted gorgeous illustrations that instantly elevate the journalism accompanying it. She brings to life the stories that defy photography. She makes our pages better.
Rob Curley

Spokesman-Review editor Rob Curley loves to talk with people and learn about their lives, whether it's a best-selling author or a stranger he meets downtown on his walk to lunch. It's that inquisitive nature combined with a playful sense of storytelling that helps make our newspaper different than most.