Alton’s Appealing Zone Decision

(From For the Record, May 2, 1997:) Wrong date: A hearing before Spokane County commissioners over Alton’s Tire’s request for a rezone on the Newport Highway is scheduled for 5 p.m. May 13 in the Spokane County Public Works Building. A story in Thursday’s North Voice gave the wrong date.

Alton’s Tires, represented by Jim Craven, is appealing a decision by the Spokane County hearing examiner denying a request to rezone property for the tire store.

The hearing is scheduled for 5 p.m. Tuesday in the Commissioner’s Assembly Room in the public works building.

Alton’s wants to rezone eight acres along the Newport Highway from urban residential and community business to a regional business designation.

In his decision, county hearing examiner Michael Dempsey said the rezoning proposal doesn’t conform to the county’s comprehensive plan. He said conditions in the area haven’t changed substantially since the lot was last rezoned.

Neighbors are also concerned that changing the zoning would would clear the way for Wal-Mart, which is planning a store nearby. Wal-Mart is pursuing a similar zone change.

In the appeal, Craven argues that the zone change is consistent with with the comprehensive plan, that there have been substantial changes in the area since the property was last zoned and that the land is not suitable for residential development because of nearby traffic.

In other county planning news:

Jim Schofield of Nine Mile Falls is asking to rezone 56 acres along South Bank Road, south of Long Lake, to build 10 houses.

The property is now zoned for general agriculture. Schofield wants it changed to semi-rural residential for a Planned Unit Development.

A public hearing is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Monday in the Commissioners Assembly Room.

A 5 p.m. community meeting is scheduled tonight at the Five Mile Grange to discuss a proposed 19-home subdivision on the 9000 block of Cedar Road.

, DataTimes