County Denies Blue Heron Project

The Blue Heron won’t be landing in northern Spokane County, at least not without a bypass through Superior Court.

County commissioners decided Tuesday that the development project - a golf course and 95 houses - would be incompatible with surrounding land uses.

On a 2-1 vote, they decided to deny the development.

The county hearing examiner reached the same conclusion last year. Developer Pete Rayner appealed that decision to commissioners, setting up Tuesday’s decision.

“It was a difficult decision, but I can find no reason to reverse the hearing examiner’s decision,” Commissioner Kate McCaslin said.

Her colleague, John Roskelley, agreed, citing a staff report that showed the project to be inconsistent with the county’s comprehensive land-use plan and zoning code.

The area is deemed rural in the comprehensive plan.

Rayner can appeal Tuesday’s decision to Superior Court or submit another proposal for the land.

He had hoped to build the development on 417 acres on Indian Trail Road near the Little Spokane River Natural Area.

Rayner had applied to the county for a zoning change necessary to build the project.

He had promised to cluster most of the homes on the south side of the land, not far from the Spokane city limits, to buffer the development from the natural area.

Hearing Examiner Mike Dempsey denied the project, saying it was incompatible with the neighborhood. Dempsey also expressed concerns about the project’s impact on Indian Trail Road traffic and potential danger to the aquifer.

Commissioner Phil Harris supported Rayner’s plan.

“Changes have occurred in that area,” said Harris, pointing out that sewer lines have been extended and roads widened in the area. “This would serve as a buffer.”