Falcon Ridge Development Ok’D

Thu., Sept. 2, 1999

By Kevin Blocker kevinb@spokesman.com

The Spokane County Hearing Examiner recently approved a developer’s proposal to construct nearly 300 new homes atop Five Mile Prairie.

Mike Dempsey gave the Falcon Ridge subdivision his blessing because it “is consistent with the urban residential zone,” as outlined by the county’s Comprehensive Plan.

Dempsey made his decision despite the fact the Five Mile Prairie Neighborhood Association adamantly opposed developer Bob Frisch’s proposal.

The 122-acre site is northwest of the intersection of Strong and Dorset roads and calls for the building of 286 single-family residences.

That plot sits near the home of Michael and Linda King who have lived near the 4200 block of North Strong for the last four years.

“We’re not happy about it at all,” Linda King said. “I don’t want to feel like we’re in the middle of downtown Spokane. We bought it because of the way it is now.”

The King’s nearest neighbor now is a half-mile away.

At a hearing in May, other prairie residents expressed concerns about increased traffic, lack of a prairie park, when the project was vested, housing density, flooding and wildlife.

In his decision, Dempsey acknowledged that the project will likely have some “adverse and unmitigated impacts” on elements of the public infrastructure.

However, he added that such impacts weren’t significant enough to torpedo the entire project, Dempsey wrote.

As for the residents’ request for a park, Dempsey said he was unable to require that one be built. But he did include a provision for a cash donation from the developers, a conglomerate of investors under the name “Five Mile Corporation.”

The preliminary plat for 286 homes took more than three years to be approved.

King said it was misleading for the developers to tantalize future residents with the idea of living in a rural setting in the midst of a housing development.

“Houses stacked on top of each other takes away any of that rural flavor the prairie has right now,” King said.

Frisch could not be reached for comment.

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