Apartment Project Proposed For Mission Near Pines Congested Intersection Would Likely Become Even Busier With Traffic From 316 Units

A developer wants to build a 316-unit apartment complex near one of the Spokane Valley’s busiest and most dangerous intersections.

John Sweitzer has asked the county for a zone change, so he can build the complex on 15 acres he controls on Mission Avenue east of Pines Road.

The property is currently zoned for single-family homes.

Mission and Pines has the notorious distinction of being one of the most dangerous intersections in Eastern Washington.

More than 37,000 cars travel through the intersection each day, according to figures provided by the state Department of Transportation.

Between 1990 and 1994, DOT officials recorded 54 accidents at the crossroads. That’s more than at other intersections regulated by DOT in Eastern Washington, spokesman Al Gilson said.

Figures for this year are not available.

“It has the highest intersection accident rate in our region,” Gilson said last year.

Sweitzer’s project surely would pump several hundred more cars each day into the intersection.

To offset potential traffic impacts at Mission and Pines, Sweitzer has agreed to pay $36,000 for improvements at the intersection, Gilson said.

DOT officials are considering a plan to add more turn lanes on Pines Road and improve the exit ramps at the nearby Interstate 90 interchange, Gilson said.

The county’s hearing examiner committee, which decides on land-use projects in the unincorporated areas, will consider Sweitzer’s zone-change request at a hearing Oct. 19.

That meeting begins at 9 a.m. in the downstairs meeting room of the county public works building, 1026 W. Broadway.

Three other Valley projects also are on the agenda.

William Knowles of Spokane is seeking a zone change on 1.6 acres on the southwest corner of Pines and Valleyway.

The land is currently zoned for single and multi-family residential uses.

Knowles wants it changed to a business zone.

Donald and Mariann Heinemann and A.J. Gerard want a change of zoning on nearly 3.5 acres they control on the south side of Sprague, just east of Adams Road.

The land is now zoned for apartments. They want it changed to a business zone.

Dick Davis of the Worldwide Group is requesting a zone change on just more than 2 acres on the northeast corner of Pines and 8th.

The land is now zoned for single- and multi-family uses.

Davis is seeking a community business zone for an office building that currently sits on the site.

, DataTimes