Residents Protest Two Subdivisions

People living near Sullivan and Saltese roads say two proposed subdivisions near them would generate too much traffic, too many homes and too much stormwater runoff.

Spokane County planners say they have received about 40 letters of opposition to Timberlane Terrace, a 163-home subdivision that would sit on 71 acres just east of Sullivan Road.

A second subdivision, Remington Hill, east of Timberlane Terrace, has also been proposed. That development would put 91 homes on 50 acres.

Both projects will go before the Spokane County hearing examiner on Wednesday.

Developer Jim Fox, whose family wants to build Timberlane Terrace, said they want to build the subdivision in conjunction with Remington Hill, which is owned by Rem-Rock Corp.

Timberlane Terrace would be developed over 10 to 12 years, he said.

Neighbors living west of the two developments say Timberlane Terrace would put more cars on already heavily traveled residential streets such as 24th Avenue and Timberlane Drive.

“If you try to get out of any of our subdivisions in the morning, it’s back to back cars,” said Debi Knudson, who lives on Timberlane Drive near Needham. “We all moved here because it was quiet. There was no through traffic. Our kids play in the street without worry of car traffic.”

Knudson also said the proposed developments east of her home would sit high on granite rock. Neighbors worry stormwater runoff would head down the hillside to their homes, possibly flooding the streets and their basements.

County planners have recommended approval of the projects, but not without stipulations.

They want developers to pay for road improvements along Saltese, 32nd and 24th avenues.

Those improvements would add curbs and sidewalks to roads. Improvements also could include a stoplight at Sullivan and Saltese or Sullivan and 24th.

Developers must also give nine acres to open space for wetlands in Timberlane Terrace.

And studies must be done as part of the Remington Hill project to see if basements are suitable in an area where there is such a high water table, Shaw said.

Neighbors, however, say they want to see answers to their concerns about traffic.

“We can’t stop progress,” Knudson said of the developments. “But I don’t think residential neighborhood should take the brunt of it.”

This sidebar appeared with the story: HEARINGS Public hearings for two proposed subdivisions near Saltese and Sullivan roads will be held Wednesday. A hearing on a 163-home subdivision called Timberlane Terrace will be at 9 a.m. A hearing on a 91-home subdivision called Remington Hill will be at 10:30 a.m. Both will take place in the lower level of the Spokane County Public Works Building, 1026 W. Broadway.