Traffic Concern Knocks Out Plan For Apartments Zoning Change Rejected For Complex Near Busy Pines, Mission Intersection

Seven of the eight developers who went before the county hearing examiner committee last week got their Spokane Valley subdivision proposals approved.

John Stone Development Inc. was the odd one out.

The company wants to build a 62-unit apartment complex on 7.4 acres near Nora and Wilbur roads, south of Interstate 90.

The three-member committee made up of county planning commissioners said no to the firm’s request for a zoning change.

Bryan Stone, a partner in the company, said the committee was concerned with the traffic impact the development could have on I-90’s Pines interchange.

The interchange is one of the worst in the county, with frequent traffic snarls.

“That seemed to be their only problem with the proposal,” Stone said.

Stone said he was a little miffed because the committee didn’t take into account the fact that a new interchange is likely to be built soon at Evergreen Road.

That interchange, which is expected to take pressure off Pines, is scheduled as part of the traffic improvements necessary to accommodate the Spokane Valley Mall at I-90 and Sullivan.

Just last month, the hearing examiner voted to approve a 316-unit apartment complex on Mission near McDonald - a project that will pump several hundred more cars into the I-90 Pines interchange than the Stone proposal.

Stone said company officials haven’t decided if they will appeal the decision to county commissioners.

Everyone else received the committee’s unanimous approval.

Richard Adams got the zoning change he needs to build a 72-unit apartment complex on six acres between Evergreen and Mamer Roads, just north of Boone.

Jim Mahar will be able to develop 12 single-family lots on 3.7 acres off Mission, just west of Center Road.

Larry Thompson got the OK for a dental office on Broadway near Pines.

Northwood Properties Inc., whose massive Northwood development dominates the hills above Millwood, received permission to expand the subdivision by 31 homes.

C.L. Bergland will be allowed to build a restaurant and mini-storage unit on Pines, south of Olive Avenue.

Dean Greer won the committee’s approval for his Celtic Addition, a 38-lot development on 12.5 acres off Sullivan Road, north of 32nd Avenue.

And Bryan Stone got the committee to cut him some slack on a project he proposes off Nora near Wilbur.

Stone, who plans a multi-family subdivision on 2.7 acres, won’t have to build a second driveway into the project or make improvements to Nora.

, DataTimes