Developers May Ask For Zone Change

If approved, two new shopping centers could dramatically change the appearance of a block of Division Street between Francis and Dalke avenues.

In separate meetings before the city of Spokane hearing examiner on Tuesday, Bob Evanson and Tombari Enterprises are both expected to ask for zone changes.

The corner was a hodgepodge of older and dilapidated buildings, including Arnold’s Motel.

Neighborhood Observation Patrol volunteers called the alley running though the block “scary.”

Evanson and Tombari both promise quality buildings.

“We aren’t going to build something that’s going to be a big eyesore,” said Terence Tombari, vice president of Tombari Properties.

Evanson, the owner of Northwest Bedding, wants to build a 9,823-square-foot bedding store and 4,512-square foot retail center next to it.

The bedding store that stood there for nearly 30 years was torn down last week to allow widening of Division Street and Francis Avenue.

Evanson will also ask hearing examiner Greg Smith to reduce the rear and side yard setbacks from the street to zero, and eliminate some of the required rear and side yard landscaping.

Landscaping around the perimeter of the project and 46 parking spaces are also proposed on the lot.

Next door to the bedding store, Tombari Enterprises is also asking for a rezone to allow a 19,600-square-foot retail building, with an attached 5,160-square-foot strip of small shops.

Tombari said they have no tenants lined up for the building yet.

The proposed project includes three loading spaces and 110 parking spaces. There are six driveways on the property, three on Division, three others on Dalke and Atlantic.

Landscaping and screening will be provided along Dalke and Atlantic, Tombari said.

In a meeting with neighbors Monday, Tombari said his family tends to develop and hold properties for a long time, and are committed to quality developments.

He pointed to newly built Valley Plaza in the Spokane Valley as a recent Tombari project.

“It’s subtle, there’s nothing flashy to it,” he said.

They also own the Tombari Center, which includes Toys R Us across from the current project.

Three North Hill neighborhood representatives meeting with Tombari mentioned concerns about too-bright lighting, increased traffic through the neighborhood, and thoughtful landscaping.

Tombari said they are experimenting with new types of lighting at their other centers.

“Centers are raising their light levels to be brighter and cheerier,” Tombari said.

, DataTimes