Mayor: First veto might be South Hill big-boxes

Spokane Mayor Mary Verner’s first veto of City Council legislation might be blocking changes that would allow big-box retail stores in southeast Spokane - a stance concerned neighbors have lobbied for in e-mails since the decision late last month.

Verner has until Friday, and plans to take the full time, reports Jonathan Brunt. A mayor hasn’t vetoed since former Mayor Jim West in 2004 rebuffed a rule requiring bike helmets.

The council on a 6-1 vote approved new development rules that allow for construction of a Home Depot, another big-box store up to 105,000 square feet in size, and a 135,000-square-foot store that developers say could become a Target.

The council only needs five votes to override a veto. Still, Verner has a shot at having her veto hold because her concerns about the legislation focus on an amendment sponsored by Councilman Al French that passed on a 4-3 vote.

Assistant City Attorney Mike Piccolo said Verner can veto the whole ordinance or a section of it.

The Council vote followed several dialogues with concerned neighbors - meetings some residents have criticized. Read more about that here .

Read Brunt’s current story here .