Incorporation helped lower residential density

In the 1990s, Washington state passed the Growth Management Act. This required counties to draw a line around developed areas and call it “urban.” No rural or suburban zones are permitted within this area – only urban zones. On Nov. 5, 2001, Spokane County complied by adopting its comprehensive plan.

However, when it drew its zoning map, the county changed residential areas in Rotchford, Ponderosa and North Greenacres from SR-1 (Suburban Residential, one dwelling per acre) to UR-7* (Urban Residential, 6 dwellings per acre). Even more egregious, it did not give individual notice to the land owners; it held public meetings on “The Comprehensive Plan” and placed legal notices in newspapers. As a result, residents woke to discover that someone could place a six-unit apartment building next to their single family residence. The county’s comp plan still permits “site multifamily homes … into small, scattered parcels throughout existing residential areas.”

Developers were quick to take advantage of these higher densities and many filed plans for developments. By state law, this freezes the zoning for the development.

On March 31, 2003, Spokane Valley incorporated, saddled with these land issues. Since that time, the city has reversed the zoning in both Rotchford and Ponderosa by creating a UR-1 zone (one unit per acre). In addition, it has rolled North Greenacres zoning back to UR-3.5 (four units per acre). By becoming our own city, we have been able to revert back to lower residential densities and reverse the county’s trend toward higher densities.

Bill Gothmann

Spokane Valley planning commissioner