Property Owners Appeal Preliminary Plat’S Ok In/Around: Five Mile Prairie

Thu., Jan. 28, 1999

By Kristen Kromer kristenk@spokesman.com

Mark your calendar: Another fight over a proposed Five Mile Prairie development is coming soon.

Last month, Scott and Frank Thompson, backed by the Five Mile Prairie Neighborhood Association, filed an appeal of Hearing Examiner Greg Smith’s decision to approve a preliminary plat application.

The appeal before the City Council will be held March 1 at 6 p.m. in the Spokane City Council Chambers in City Hall.

The area, known as Kosta’s Addition, is located along Strong Road, just west of Austin Road. Owner Konstantin Vasilenko hopes to divide 18.75 acres into a 34-lot subdivision for single-family houses.

The Thompsons own property next to the proposed development.

And though he said he is not anti-development, Scott Thompson said he just wants the hearing examiner to uphold the rules.

“Guidelines in the (Growth Management Act) say the person doing the development gives property to the city for city streets,” he said. “And they are responsible for paving, curbing and sidewalking.

“I’m appealing because the hearing examiner has not made (the developer) do that.”

Thompson interpreted Smith’s decision as stating that whoever needs the land for development should pave, curb and sidewalk the roads - meaning that responsibility would fall on Thompson.

But Thompson said he has no intention of ever developing his property.

“I just ask that he keep in line with the housing guidelines,” Thompson said of Smith. “The city set them up for a reason.”

During the appeal, no new evidence may be presented. Also, oral arguments are limited to the parties of record.

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