City, Five Mile developer agree on storm water solution

The Spokane Parks Department and a developer on Five Mile Prairie are about to enter an agreement for allowing some storm water from the development to pass across Sky Prairie Park in exchange for 80 trees to be planted at the park.

In addition, a 6-foot-high fence with concrete mowing strip would be erected along the boundary between the park and the Prairie View Planned Unit Development, which is planned for 79 new homes on 19.25 acres.

The city Park Board earlier this month gave a go-ahead to city staff to develop a formal agreement between the city and Flagstone Development Group, the developer.

A portion of the park lies at the head of Austin Ravine, a natural drainage way that carries storm water off the prairie. City development regulations require that new developments not add to the natural runoff from pavement, roofs and other impermeable surfaces.

As a result, Flagstone is planning to install an underground chamber filled with rock to collect storm water from the surface, along with lawn areas that also would hold storm water. Excess water would be metered out from a retention structure and allowed to drain into the park, where trails, lawn, irrigation and grading would have to be restored if disturbed during construction.

The proposed agreement will require that the development not leave any standing water in the park.

Taylor Bressler of the city Parks Department said the agreement may set a standard for future agreements with other developments bordering city park land.

Clay Hatch, a manager at Flagstone, said his company was pleased with the Park Board’s willingness to allow an agreement. “I think it’s a great solution,” he said.