Hearing Examiner Decision Makes Way For Development

The Spokane County Hearing Examiner last week approved a rezoning request that makes way for 21-unit apartment complex overlooking the Little Spokane River.

The decision ends a contentious five-month battle over a 3-acre triangle on the Little Spokane River, which included threats to the land’s would-be developer and formation of a citizens conservation group.

The developer, Jim Markley, twice asked the county to change the property to a denser zoning standard. He originally asked for 48 apartments on the property, but down-sized plans after the hearing examiner rejected the initial bid.

The apartments will have sewers and parking. Few other details are available. Markley did not reply to requests for an interview.

But he said earlier that he wanted to open the lush, wild valley to lower-income residents.

“You shouldn’t have to be wealthy to live on the Little Spokane River,” Markley said last fall.

To build, Markley must widen Little Spokane Drive to make a turn lane and build sidewalks. He must also keep a 20-foot roadside buffer zone, reserved for future road widening.

The apartments will be connected to the county sewer system. The county planning department found no significant environmental impact.

The Mead School District objected to the development, noting adjacent elementary schools are at or above capacity.

The citizen’s group, Friends of the Little Spokane River, also opposed the development. It objected because the zoning is incompatible with the surrounding land.

“We made the decision to move out to a rural area because it’s rural,” said David Cherry, owner of two acres of Little Spokane River frontage. “But there is no real assurance in maintaining a rural environment.”

Dozens of Little Spokane residents testified at the first hear. Markley said his wife received threatening phone calls at home.

, DataTimes