Council Will Fight Bridge Ruling City Will Challenge Ecology Decision That Project Violates Shoreline Plan

The Spokane City Council plans to challenge the Department of Ecology’s ruling that the Lincoln Street bridge violates the city’s own shoreline protection plan.

On Monday, council members voted 4-2 to appeal to the state Shoreline Hearings Board, saying they need to understand how Ecology’s decision might affect other bridge projects.

Two weeks ago, Ecology officials turned down an application for the shoreline permit needed to build the bridge over the Spokane River gorge. Their decision cites a provision in the city’s shoreline plan that forbids any activity that “will tend to lessen or obliterate in part the falls and rapid areas.”

“This, to me, has far-reaching implications,” Councilwoman Roberta Greene said on Monday, adding the decision could affect “every single bridge that crosses water that’s moving rapidly.”

“I want clarification,” said Councilwoman Phyllis Holmes.

Mayor John Talbott and Councilwoman Cherie Rodgers cast dissenting votes.

“I don’t favor appealing this. We’ll lose,” Rodgers said. “I think the bridge project is dead.”

Talbott said he worries building the bridge threatens the city’s ability to pay for street repair projects. If the city can’t afford both, appealing the decision would be unnecessary, he said.

Several council members began questioning the affordability of the project last month.

City Manager Bill Pupo currently is drafting a financial plan that details how the city can pay for the Lincoln Street bridge and surrounding road repair projects, including repairs to the Monroe Street Bridge.

Council members originally wanted the plan this month. But they since decided they need a complete study of the Monroe Street Bridge, which won’t be done until late spring or early summer.

If the council decides later to withdraw the appeal, all it’s lost is a filing fee, said City Attorney Jim Sloane, adding the appeal must be filed within 21 days of Ecology’s written decision.

The city also plans to ask Ecology to reconsider its ruling.

Both decisions could take several months.

During Monday’s forum, attorney Steve Eugster asked that Pupo be put on administrative leave while the city investigates events leading up to Ecology’s decision.

The city has spent $9 million buying land and designing the bridge, only to be stumped by a shoreline permit, Eugster said. He argued the city should have applied for the permit back in 1993, after the type, size and location study was completed.

Eugster said he warned the city about the shoreline issue at that time.

Sloane said the city couldn’t apply for the permit until the design was nearly completed.

Also Monday, the council approved a plan to expand the Chase Youth Commission into a joint city-county effort.

Currently, only city residents are allowed to serve on the commission.

Under the proposal approved last week by county commissioners, the commission will be expanded from 11 to 15 members. Eventually, seven members will come from the county and seven from the city, with the 15th member appointed by the council and county commissioners.

The county will contribute $30,000 a year toward the city’s Youth Department spending plan.

, DataTimes