Will U-Hi’S Site Work?

Thu., Sept. 3, 1998

Central Valley School District voters will decide on Sept. 15 whether to tax themselves $78 million to build two new high schools.

Between now and then, the Valley Voice will publish answers to readers questions about the bond measure.

Question: Earlier this summer, Spokane County commissioners refused Central Valley School District’s request to change its zoning code to allow a high school to be built in all residential areas, including the site for the new University High School at 32nd and Pines. Does their refusal mean school officials have chosen an unworkable site for U-Hi?

Answer: No. Instead it means that the district will have to seek a non-conforming use permit for the new U-Hi. That is the same process that Mead School District went through for its new Mt. Spokane High School.

One reason the school district sought the change in the zoning ordinance was to clear up what is currently an inconsistency in the code, said Stan Schultz, attorney for the school district. High schools can be built in the next most dense residential zone, as well as in the next less dense zone. Just not in the UR3.5 zone.

“The way the code is written now, neither CV or U-Hi, nor any other high school that happens to be in those residential zones, should be there,” Schultz said.

County officials decided against rewriting the ordinance now, preferring to wait and consider changes as they complete the growth management plan.

Write, phone, fax or send your questions by e-mail.

Address your questions to Q&A editor. Write to: The Valley Voice, 13208 E. Sprague, Spokane, WA 99216. Phone: 927-2166. Fax: 927-2175. E-mail: Marnyl@spokesman.com.

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