Council quashes proposed housing development

A proposed 24-home development in Liberty Lake met an official end with the City Council Tuesday night.

The development, which was to be built at the southern edge of town along Liberty Lake Road, was rejected by a hearing examiner in October. The council voted unanimously to uphold the hearing examiner’s decision.

Council members were quick in their decision, spending only about 10 minutes discussing the development.

Liberty Lake Mayor Steve Peterson said that he wished more governmental agencies would have taken the time to respond in full to the request for comments about the proposed development.

“It was disappointing to see other agencies not comment on this,” he said.

The hearing examiner denied the application because the housing density wasn’t high enough. Current regulations require at least four homes per acre in Liberty Lake, but developer Brian Main was proposing 2.38 lots per acre.

Main has said that he was only trying to provide some better quality housing with larger lots. He did not appeal the hearing examiner’s decision, and it is unknown if he will proceed with a plan to put more homes on the property.

Also during Tuesday’s meeting, council members took a look at a landscape architect’s proposed view of the city center and library complex under development.

The plans show plenty of trees lining paths, as well as grass hills and a miniature amphitheater for small performances.

The architect said he was looking to make sure he was headed down the right path.

“This is the direction we’ve been guided, and I think we’re getting there,” said city planning director Doug Smith.

The council gave a verbal approval to the plans, which continue to move forward. An estimated budget will likely come forward at the beginning of next year.

The council also approved a generic franchise agreement for utility companies, which will allow the city to use one piece of legislation to approve agreements with companies like Avista and Qwest.

Peterson also made two proclamations, one designating November as Youth Leadership Month and another setting Nov. 30 as the city’s official Christmas tree lighting date.