Developer appeals ruling for road between two proposed subdivisions on Five Mile

Developers of two proposed subdivisions on Five Mile bluff are asking the Spokane City Council to rule on street access through the adjoining developments.

The City Council has set a hearing for July 12 on the issue.

Five Mile Heights LLC is seeking to overturn a ruling in March by the Spokane hearing examiner requiring east-west access between the two subdivisions, and has appealed the issue to the City Council. Hearing Examiner Greg Smith did not specify a location for the cross street but made it a condition of the preliminary plat approval for the Five Mile Heights West subdivision, owned by Five Mile Heights LLC, including developer Rod Plese.

At the same time, the owner of the adjoining proposed subdivision has filed a separate appeal seeking to require the connecting street at the southern ends of the two preliminary plats.

James Greenup of the proposed East Horizon plat wants a street to improve circulation. City planners also are supporting the addition of a street to enhance neighborhood traffic movement.

City staffers said Plese is opposing the street connection between the East Horizon plat and his 28-lot Five Mile Heights West subdivision, in part because it would eliminate land for one lot.

Both plats are north and east of Five Mile Road near the top of the Five Mile bluff.