Wal-Mart May Drop Lawsuit

A 2-1/2-year dispute may be ending as Wal-Mart is considering dropping its lawsuit against Spokane County over the rezoning of a coveted North Side property.

With a brief due in its case in two weeks, the Arkansas-based retail giant may abandon its suit if it can find another acceptable property, said Spokane County deputy prosecutor Tim Durkin, who is handling the case for the county.

“They’re exploring a possibility for an amicable resolution,” said Durkin, who cautioned that the discussions remain preliminary.

Wal-Mart has long sought to build its second Spokane-area store on a 40-acre site off of the Newport Highway, on land zoned for residential use.

The effort to rezone the property was fought by neighbors, who objected to the size, lights and traffic generated by the planned 130,000-square-foot Wal-Mart store and another 100,000 square feet of retail.

The site is owned by Pente Limited Partnership, which includes the Nelson family, which operated a nursery on the land near Hawthorne Road. Pente joined Wal-Mart in the August lawsuit after its appeal of a February zoning ruling was denied.

“I think it’s good news for everybody,” said Karen Barniol, head of the neighborhood group that protested the rezoning. “I’m not trying to create good will for Wal-Mart, but if they have decided to move and look at other sites, it’s a good thing for the community.”

Wal-Mart representatives did not respond for comment Thursday.

While the county is prepared to go to court, Durkin said it would be in everybody’s best interest for Wal-Mart to find another site.