Councilman, neighborhood clash over downtown high-rise plan

The growing demand for condominiums in downtown Spokane has at least one City Council member looking up.

Councilman Al French, who campaigned last year as an advocate for economic growth, wants the city to consider easing building height restrictions for a corner of downtown – a piece of land bounded by Riverside Avenue on the south, the Spokane River on the north, Monroe Street on the east and Maple Street on the west.

He has proposed a resolution that would reopen a discussion about appropriate building heights in that area. The City Council will consider the resolution when it meets at 6 p.m. today in Council Chambers at City Hall.

Currently, height restrictions are in place for property more than 100 feet north of Riverside Avenue. The restrictions are intended to provide a buffer between any potential high-rise buildings along Riverside and the quaint residential neighborhood of Peaceful Valley along the river to the north.

Outside of the transition zone on the ridge adjacent to Riverside, the city allows buildings with heights of 150 feet or more.

Connie Grove, chairwoman of the Peaceful Valley Neighborhood Council, said the city should lower building height standards if anything.

“It’s disrespectful to the neighborhood,” she said of regulations that currently allow tall buildings above the quiet valley.

The potential clash comes as more condominium developers eye downtown Spokane for new projects.

Grove and other Peaceful Valley residents are gearing up for a fight against a proposed 17-story residential tower that would hug the hillside along Riverside and rise seven to eight stories above the level of Riverside Avenue.

Mick McDowell is asking the city to relax its height restrictions to allow the project, which includes 52 condominiums and lower-level parking accessible from Peaceful Valley streets. The project at 1404 W. Riverside would include a small group of townhouses along Riverside Avenue with a courtyard between the townhouses and the high-rise tower.

McDowell is seeking a type of zoning variance in which he adds amenities, such as the proposed courtyard, in exchange for a taller building.

McDowell said that his proposal seeks to be sensitive to the residential area while taking advantage of the views.

“This is the central business district,” McDowell said in reference to the zoning along Riverside. His project would be located just east of the Maple Street Bridge.

Grove said, “It’s a visual obtrusion.” She said the building would cast shadows over nearby homes.

At least one other residential high rise is under consideration to the east of McDowell’s proposed project.

French said the current height restrictions were approved several years ago without adequate public discussion. French’s proposal would send the issue back to the city Plan Commission for consideration before any vote by the City Council. That could take at least six months, he said.

French said he is sensitive to the need for new residential development, in part because the city’s strained general fund budget would benefit from increased property, utility and sales taxes generated by new condos.

McDowell’s project is estimated to be worth at least $18 million and maybe as much as $30 million.

To encourage new residential projects, the city offers a 10-year property tax exemption for residential development along the river.

“I think it’s critical we encourage residential development in the downtown area,” French said.