Council OKs Grand District Plan

Over objections of nearby Rockwood and Manito neighborhood residents, the Spokane City Council this week approved the Grand District Center Plan designed to boost development in the center of the South Hill.

Developers had described the zoning changes between 28th and 38th avenues along Grand as the least that could be done to stimulate growth and comply with the Comprehensive Plan’s shift to the “centers and corridors” concept of development.

“It’s an opportunity for positive change in the neighborhood,” said Al Payne, who is working with a property owner on the southeast corner of 37th and Grand Boulevard. “It allows enough space to build something other than a strip mall.”

But nearby residents objected to the plan sent to the council by the Plan Commission, saying it would increase traffic, push development into residential zones and was different from the one that received the most votes from those involved in a two-year process to design the center.

Residents were opposed to commercial growth north of 29th Avenue on Grand, said John Prosser, vice chairman of the Rockwood Neighborhood Association.

“All four corners don’t need to be developed,” he said.

Planning Department staff acknowledged that the rezoning proposal was revised by the commission after a close vote between two competing plans, one favored mainly by residents and the other mainly backed by developers.

Plan 1, which allowed fewer changes to allow higher density or heavier uses, had one more vote than Plan 2 after nearly two years of off-and-on discussion and debate.

Plan 1 is the one the council should have received, residents contended.

“Dino Rossi did not become co-governor because the vote was close,” Prosser said.

The commission then came up with a third plan, which vice chairman Stanley Stirling described as a blend of the other two “with some of our own ideas.”

Planning Director Steve Frank acknowledged that “there’s acrimony about the voting issue,” and allegations of the democratic process “breaking down.” But he told the council that it was the body that has the authority to make the decision, while the neighborhoods and the commission make recommendations.

Councilman Al French said the overall plan didn’t seem to go far enough toward developing a key intersection.

“This is housekeeping stuff. This isn’t planning,” French said. “This is how we retain the status quo.”

Most amendments to the plan proposed by council members failed, but the council did pass a small amendment to reduce part of the area along the north side of 29th , keeping some lots that face Scott as single-family housing instead of down-zoning them to multifamily housing. Council President Dennis Hession abstained from voting on that because he lives in that area.

The council approved the overall rezone on a 6-1 vote, with Hession voting no.