Council Postpones Vote On Depot

Tue., Feb. 8, 2000

By Oliver Staley olivers@spokesman.com

The Spokane City Council voted Monday to wait another week before weighing in on a controversial railroad refueling depot proposed over the Rathdrum aquifer.

The council was scheduled to vote on a resolution that would urge Kootenai County commissioners to reject the proposal, as a hearing examiner has recommended.

Burlington Northern and Sante Fe Railway hopes to build a 500,000-gallon refueling depot on the Rathdrum prairie.

Kootenai County commissioners will hold public hearings on the plan starting Feb. 16, continuing through Feb. 17 and 18 if necessary.

The Spokane City Council postponed its vote on the advisory resolution after hearing presentations from both BNSF and from the Friends of the Aquifer, which opposes the depot.

Seventy-five speakers signed up to offer public testimony during the council meeting, but far fewer were able to be heard in the 30-minute time limit.

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Council Postpones Vote On Depot

Jesse Tinsley

Jim Meehan

Molly Quinn

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