Wal-Mart Project Subject Of Rezoning Hearing

Traffic, air quality and the Spokane County Comprehensive Plan are some of the issues that will be brought before county hearing examiner Michael Dempsey on Jan. 7 when he considers a zone change for the North Side Wal-Mart project.

“Wal-Mart is being built on the edge of the community, encouraging people to drive farther and farther, exactly what discussions on the new comprehensive plan are trying to discourage,” said Karen Barniol, co-founder of Citizens For Neighborhood Preservation.

Wal-Mart is the centerpiece of 40-acre Pinewater Plaza, planned just north of the Division Street Y on the Newport Highway, north of Hawthorne Road.

The project was proposed almost two years ago but was slowed down for rezoning, air quality and traffic studies and because of neighborhood opposition.

Nelson Landscape previously occupied part of that location. The property is owned by Pente Limited.

Wal-Mart has applied to change the zoning from urban residential and community business to a regional business zone.

“It’s more than Wal-Mart; it’s 40-acres of commercial build-out,” said Barniol.

There are no details about which other businesses will join Wal-Mart on the site.

HomeBase was originally planning a project in conjunction with Wal-Mart, but its plans were put on hold when the Wal-Mart project bogged down earlier this year. There is also space for a fast food restaurant and acres of parking.

“Right now, I think it feels so nebulous to people,” said Barniol. “The 40-acres of trees haven’t been cut down yet. I don’t think anyone can really envision what that’s going to look like.”

Project opponents envision a Saturday-morning disaster at the Y. Traffic is already heavy and will become unmanageable with the combined impact of Home Depot, already under construction, and Pinewater Plaza.

The well-organized neighborhood group already squashed plans for an Alton’s Tires not far from the proposed Wal-Mart project.

Duane Alton asked to rezone an eight-acre triangle for his tire business. Citing traffic, location and noise problems, neighbors persuaded the hearing examiner to deny the project. Alton appealed, but the denial was upheld.

It was a victory for the neighbors, who were concerned that if the smaller plot won the rezone for regional business, it would pave the way for Wal-Mart’s rezoning.

The planning department file is swollen with letters from neighbors opposing the project.

Although the vast majority of neighbors and the surrounding community are opposed to the giant shopping center, a few welcome it.

“Wal-Mart is a nice, clean, well-lit business,” said neighbor Judy Manning in a letter to county planners.

“Life and progress do go on,” she wrote.

, DataTimes MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: MEETING SCHEDULED A hearing on the proposed rezoning of 40 acres along the Newport Highway to allow construction of Wal-Mart and Pinewater Plaza is scheduled for 9 a.m., Wednesday, Jan. 7 in the commissioners hearing room, lower level of the Public Works Building.