Church’s rezone plan a problem

I’m writing in response to the article in last Saturday’s Valley Voice (April 23) by Catherine Bonin.

She is approaching the issue from an emotional standpoint, much like the residents around the planned project. I live two houses down from the proposed build site and when I look at it from a zoning point of view, I don’t see how Catholic Charities can get away with what they’re planning on doing.

The lot they are building on is too small to be zoned for a 38-unit complex, so their answer to that is to rezone the adjacent lot (the church parking lot) and to build the structure right on the spot they can’t build it on now.

In my opinion, this completely undermines the whole zoning process. The purpose of zoning is to prevent structures from being built where they do not belong. By rezoning a lot next door to the proposed site, they are in effect getting “around” the zoning limitations. I was at their meeting, and I asked the question, “Do you plan on using the parking lot you’re rezoning to build the structure on?” and their answer was “no.”

The Planning Commission has already voted 4-2 to deny the zoning change. More than one of them drove by the lot and were able to see what everybody else is overlooking … this is a zoning issue and considering the current use of the land they are looking to rezone and the planned use of both lots, it shouldn’t be allowed.

George Birge

Spokane Valley