Rezoning Request Before Hearing Examiner
Although he insists he would rather see his 100 acres along the Little Spokane River developed as a park than housing, Don Haynes continues efforts to rezone his property to allow 103 homes.
About a two dozen North Side residents spoke against the rezoning during a hearing Monday.
“I’m trying to make it into a park, but if that doesn’t happen, I want something to fall back on,” Haynes told hearing examiner Greg Smith, who is hearing the case for Spokane County.
Opponents cited a myriad of reasons why the rezoning request should be denied, including poor roads, overcrowded schools, lack of sewers, flooding potential, traffic and wildlife habitat.
The property, west of Leona Drive and south of the Little Spokane River, is now zoned for one house per five acres and one house per 3.5 acres. Haynes wants it zoned for one house per acre.
He’s also asking for bonus density, allowing him to cluster homes on smaller lots in exchange for leaving open space for a park or natural area.
John Pederson, senior planner for the county, recommended against granting the rezone.
He said the county has no plans to provide sewers to the area. He also noted surrounding zoning is one house per 3.5 acres, roads are poor and Mead District schools are overcrowded.
Haynes’ family has owned the land since the 1940s. He says the heavy tax burden is forcing him to sell the land.
He said he’s been negotiating with the trust for public lands in an effort to protect the property.
Former Spokane County Commissioner Steve Hasson testified that he recalls the commission telling Haynes long ago that sewer connection would be available for the property.
“He began this project with the belief that sewer would be available,” Hasson said.
The land is outside the county’s priority sewer area; there are no plans to provide sewer to the area. Nearby Pine River Estates isn’t scheduled for sewer connections until 2013.
“This is the last large amount of land available in this area and has all of a sudden taken on sacredness,” Hasson said.
“I want to do something with the property that is appropriate, something that is right for the community,” said Haynes.
In an interview after the hearing, Haynes said he’s meeting this week with Chris Rogers, project manager with the Trust for Public Lands.
“I want to do business with them in the worst way, but I can’t give the land away,” he said. “I hope it will go for a park.”
, DataTimes