Ash Court appeal rejected

A Spokane couple may proceed with plans for nine cottage-style homes on a Northwest Spokane bluff, a project contested by neighbors concerned about its density, increased traffic and harm to adjacent Drumheller Springs Park.

Property owners Wayne and Marcie Endicott, would be the first to take advantage of a two-year-old change in city zoning code allowing for clustered, cottage-style housing on single-family lots, according to news reports. Hearing Examiner Greg Smith found no cause to stop the project, stating there was not evidence it would “cause damage over and above building fewer but larger single family homes on this site which the Appellants seemed to favor.”

Each of the two-story homes would be built on 650 square feet of land. Residents voiced concerns the development would adversely affect the park, a natural area revered as a gathering place for Native Americans.

Ash Court Development LLC hopes to start construction this summer, said Dan Wolf, an engineer with Mountain Crest Enterprises Inc., of Mead.

The cottage-home change is meant to encourage infill. Read past coverage here .