Examiner weighing project

Spokane Hearing Examiner Greg Smith has until Sept. 1 to approve or deny an 80-acre development proposed just north of downtown Spokane.

Smith held a public hearing Thursday on the proposed Kendall Yards development, which would bring 2,600 new residences and 1 million square feet of commercial space to land just north of the Spokane River.

At the hearing, Smith also considered John and Rachael Osborn’s appeal of the project’s environmental impact statement. The Osborns said the environmental study incorrectly concluded that the development wouldn’t affect the Spokane River and that it fails to study the traffic impact and the effect on low-income housing in the West Central neighborhood.

The Osborns asked Smith to remand the environmental study to the planning department to address the problems.

The city of Spokane’s planning staff and developer Marshall Chesrown have until Friday to respond to the Osborns’ appeal and show why they believe the environmental study is sufficient. After that, the Osborns have until Aug. 18 to respond, Smith said.

The hearing examiner then will take up to 10 working days – until Sept. 1 – to issue his decisions, both on the environmental appeal and on the development itself.

If Smith decides changes are in order as a result of the environmental appeal, a ruling on the development will be delayed while that work is completed, he said.

Smith’s decision on the development can be appealed to the Spokane City Council within 14 calendar days, he said. Anyone who submitted public comment for the record can appeal the decision.