Developer Sues To Overturn Rejection Of Project Stone Says Impacts On Busy Intersection Would Be Mitigated

A evelopment company that wants to build a 62-unit apartment complex in the Valley is asking a judge to grant the project the approval Spokane County officials refused.

Stone Development Co. filed suit against the county in Spokane County Superior Court last week.

The firm wants to build the apartments on nearly 7-1/2 acres near Nora and Wilbur, just south of Interstate 90.

Both the county hearing examiner committee and county commissioners rejected the project.

Members of both panels cited the same reason: the project would contribute too many cars to the already crowded intersections where Pines Road meets Mission Avenue and I-90.

County Commissioner Steve Hasson said Monday the plight of the Pines-Mission intersection made the decision easy.

“There was one reason and one reason only,” Hasson said. “We had to look no further than that intersection. It stands alone as the worst, most dangerous in this district.”

More than 37,000 cars travel through the crossroads each day.

The state Department of Transportation recorded 54 accidents at that crossroads between 1990 and 1994, making Pines and Mission the most accident prone intersection regulated by the department in Eastern Washington.

“Prudence dictated that we deny that project,” Hasson said.

Stone officials call that claim bunk in their lawsuit.

They say none of the state or county agencies that reviewed their plans for the apartments called the traffic impacts a fatal flaw.

Furthermore, the suit states, they agreed to pay fees that would be used to improve the intersections and help relieve traffic congestion.

The decision to deny was without merit, the company claims in the suit.

Stone Development wants a judge to overturn the decision and approve the project. It also is asking for attorney’s fees and “such other further relief as the court deems just and equitable.”

, DataTimes