Community center plan concerns residents
Millwood residents voiced concerns about a proposed Community Life Center and minipark during the opening public comments session of Monday’s Millwood Town Council Meeting.
“It is troubling they want to do this to our neighborhood,” Millwood resident Melissa Spivey said.
The proposed project, planned by Millwood Community Presbyterian Church, includes the construction of a new multipurpose community center. The Community Center would replace the existing Christian Education Building on Euclid, and backers envision it as a hub for children and youth ministry activities as well as community and church events.
“Millwood doesn’t have a gathering space to call its own,” Pastor Craig Goodwin said during a telephone interview. Goodwin was not present at the meeting.
The proposed minipark, located west of the church campus, requires Dale Road to be vacated between Euclid and Dalton avenues, along with the demolition of three existing homes on Dale.
In addition to vacating Dale, the plan requires a zoning change from residential to commercial. The church also requires town approval to combine two parcels to meet the facilities’ site requirements.
“As a citizen living on Dale road I just wanted to come voice my concerns about any project that would require a rezone,” Millwood resident Kevin Lehinger said. “I think rezoning would likely destroy the residential character of the neighborhood.”
On Jan. 28, a church-appointed design team presented preliminary conceptual drawings to the Millwood Planning Commission. The presentation met the requirements for requesting amendments to the town’s comprehensive plan.
Town officials hear proposed amendments once a year in January. There was no presentation to council about the project during Monday’s meeting.
During regular council business, Mayor Dan Mork announced receiving five applications for the council seat vacated by Joyce Kiphart. Karin Buck, Terry Jurey, Brian Ellingson, Tammy McQuaig and William Haney expressed interest in the position.
Council members Kevin Freeman and Doug Morton volunteered to interview candidates and present a recommendation at the March meeting.
The vacant seat is the result of James Bedard’s disqualification. Bedard was a candidate who ran unopposed last November and won a seat on the Town Council. The town statutes require a person holding an elected office be both a registered voter and a resident. Bedard is a Millwood business owner but not a resident of the town.
West Valley High School freshman Kelly Hansen presented a proposal requesting the formation of a separate Teen Council. The Town Council voted unanimously to approve the idea.
Councilman Glenn Bailey suggested making the Teen Council a regular agenda item along with appointing one representative from the group to present their concerns to the council.
“We would discuss issues pertaining to us (youth),” Hansen said. “It would give the council another perspective on how we feel about something.”
Ending a three-month discussion, the council approved the 2008 pet licensing fees: $5 for a spayed/neutered dog or cat and $25 for a nonspayed/neutered animal. The council approved the yearly interlocal agreement with Spokane County Regional Animal Protection Services for animal control services.
The town unanimously approved a request for 12-lot subdivision made by Barry and Lee Mork.
The property is north of Empire, east of Fowler, west of Davis and south of the Union Pacific Railroad tracks. Barry and Lee are the parents of Mayor Mork.