Rezoning Issue Back On Agenda Developer Wants To Build Housing Near Kaiser Plant

A proposal to rezone 46 acres of industrial land near the Kaiser Aluminum plant for apartments is once again being considered by the City Council.

Council members are expected to announce their decision Feb. 22.

Spokane developer Harlan Douglass owns the property near Crestline Street and Lincoln Road that is part of his 209-acre Grayhawk development.

On Monday, Cliff Cameron, who represents Douglass, unveiled a slightly different plan addressing some of the transition or buffering concerns previously expressed by Kaiser.

In the new plan, St. Thomas Moore Way slices through the north end of the project. A mobile home park is proposed as a buffer south of the road, between the industrial land and the proposed apartments.

Mobile homes are generally allowed in industrial zones if the developer is granted a special permit. “There is an 80-acre industrial park between them and us, it doesn’t get any better,” said Cameron.

Kaiser objected to the new version Monday, noting it hasn’t been reviewed by the plan commission.Attorney Stan Schultz, representing Kaiser, renewed a previous complaint about building housing so close to industrial property.

He said as many as 20 rail cars haul coal daily to the area.

“It’s not a nice operation to have in a newly developed residential area,” Schultz said.

Another issue raised Monday is the need for industrial land versus residential property.

Some speakers reminded council members of the economic benefits of providing locations for new industries within the city limits.

Kaiser Aluminum has been operating on its current site for more than 50 years, said spokeswoman Susan Ashe.

She said the Douglasses were aware the land was designated industrial when they purchased it.

Douglass bought the adjacent property soon after it was annexed into the city in 1994. When the land was in the county, it was zoned residential. It was changed to industrial after becoming part of the city.

Douglass has been trying to change the zoning on the 46 acres since 1996.

The plan commission denied the request in February 1997. Douglass appealed to the City Council in July 1997. The council cast a tie vote. Without a majority, the zone change was denied.

Douglass filed a lawsuit against the city, claiming he bought the land after being told by the city he would be allowed to build his project. The lawsuit is still pending, said Cameron.

When the council heard the original appeal almost two years ago, Councilman Orville Barnes abstained because of a possible conflict. He withdrew from the hearing again this time.