Letters To The Editor

Rezoning opposed

I was absolutely shocked to hear of a spot rezoning on the 13.73-acre parcel southwest of Dishman-Mica and 16th Avenue.

The developer has proposed rezoning from UR 3.5 to UR 22, which would be from the least (what the surrounding 40-year-old neighborhood is) to the highest density.

The UR 22 would allow 25-foot-wide lots to be developed adjacent to existing 150-foot wide lots. This would be totally inconsistent with the entire area surrounding this new proposed project, including the most recent developments in the immediate vicinity.

How can homeowners in this neighborhood expect to keep their current property values? I can’t even begin to imagine how the existing capacity-filled schools could handle this many more children. The added traffic will put a huge impact on 16th Avenue, as well as a safety issue for our children walking to school, since this is not a bussed area.

I would certainly hope that our county officials will see the tremendous inconsistencies with this rezoning of UR 22. Once UR 22 is in effect, our neighborhood will never be the same! Debbie L. Rausch Spokane

Rezoning a bad move

I am amazed to hear that the Spokane County Building and Planning Department is considering rezoning the 13.75-acre area located at Dishman-Mica and 16th Avenue.

This area is currently zoned at the lowest density rating (UR-3.5) in the county and they are reviewing a request to change it to the highest possible density (UR-22). This is totally inconsistent with the surrounding single-family houses and a shameless example of spot rezoning.

This would deal a huge blow to the quality of life in our neighborhood. This is an area that has quail families wandering through our yards. It is very close to the Dishman Hills Nature Area, which can not handle the strain of 170-plus families being placed on its doorstep.

I urge anyone who is concerned that something like this could happen to come to the rezoning hearing at 9 a.m. March 20 in the County Commissioners Assembly Room, located in the basement of Public Works Building (1026 W. Broadway), and make your feelings heard. If a change this radical is allowed in this kind of neighborhood, it can happen anywhere. Jeff A. Danner Spokane

Rezone unbelievable

My home is directly behind the proposed development of 13.75 acres at 16th Avenue and Dishman-Mica. Before my husband and I purchased our home 10 years ago, we did have concerns and checked the zoning of this property. We found it to be zoned UR 3.5, consistent with our lot of 180 feet wide.

It seems unbelievable to me at this time a spot-zone change to UR 22 be proposed. This would mean seven times as many people per acre. The proposed development would have over 100 apartments and cluster homes all squeezed into 23-foot to 40-foot lots. This is the highest available density one can request.

We love our neighborhood! Most families have lived in these homes for decades. A UR 3.5 development in this parcel would be consistent with the surrounding area. Unfortunately, my husband and I would feel forced to sell our home and move due to the impact that a UR 22 high density development of this magnitude would have.

It seems unfair that my property value be compromised so the greed of someone else may be satisfied. Terri L. Henry Spokane

Use land properly

Regarding the potential zoning reclassification on the corner of Dishman-Mica Road and 16th Avenue, I’m appalled the developers want to change the current Urban Residential 3.5 to the most intensive zoning of Urban Residential 22.

In comparison, the developers are requesting to go from the current zoning, which has been in existence for over 20 years to 22 houses per acre. Why would a developer want to put 25-foot width lots into an adjacent neighborhood where the average lots are over 100 feet?

In addition to developing a new neighborhood that doesn’t conform with the current neighborhood, there are other concerns:

Overcrowding of University Elementary, which was remodeled in 1996. If this rezoning is granted, special education, daycare and handicap programs could be lost due to needing all available rooms to house the nearly 200 additional families, or our children could be bused to the new Liberty Lake Elementary nine miles away.

Traffic. Let’s remember last summer’s bottleneck on l6th, when Dishman-Mica was closed. Do we want this to be an everyday event?

Has this section of town grown to warrant a reclassification as dramatic as this? Help us support the proper use of land. Ken A. Sanman Spokane