Blue Heron Estates Developer Suing County Pete Rayner Petitions Rezone Disapproval

Thu., June 22, 2000

By Isamu Jordan isamuj@spokesman.com

A number of lawsuits are pending against Spokane County concerning a proposal for residential lots and a golf course on Indian Trail Road.

Since 1995, Pete Rayner has tried to get county approval to develop 418 acres into a golf course and housing development called the Blue Heron Estates. The site runs along Rutter Parkway near the Little Spokane River Natural Area.

In 1996, Rayner was involved in a property-line dispute with a neighboring property owner, which he eventually won.

On Feb. 7, 1997, Rayner filed a request to rezone the area from agricultural to residential.

Rayner claimed that county Planner Jon Pederson assured him the rezone application would be approved with a few modifications, according to legal documents.

County planners refused Rayner’s application, saying it was a new request because of changes made in the proposal. The planning department also said the area could not be developed because it is outside the interim urban growth boundaries established on Feb. 11, 1997.

Pederson could not be reached for comment.

Rayner appealed that decision and was denied, and has since filed a suit against the county.

“Step after step after step, they have violated the rules they are employed to operate under,” Rayner said.

Rayner also has filed a land-use petition act, a kind of lawsuit against the county, claiming his land was vested for development before growth boundaries were set.

Last August, the county hearing examiner denied another request by Rayner for the same zone change.

Rayner appealed the examiner’s decision, which was upheld by county commissioners in February.

Rayner is now petitioning that decision, which should be heard in Superior Court within 60 days.

In his complaint, Rayner claims county commissioners improperly admitted more evidence during a closed-record appeal.

Rayner, represented by attorney Frank Conklin, is also disputing boundaries set by county planning, and the existence of a small pond on the property.

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