Farmhouse worth protecting

The City/County Historic Landmarks Commission agrees with The Spokesman-Review that sentimentality is not a good basis for decision-making (“Development opponents must prove their case,” July 7). The commission disagrees, however, with the view that the Landmarks Commission intended to freeze West Plains development.

Instead, the commission was following Spokane County process when it called for Wemco to follow a county hearing examiner’s decision intended to guide development of property adjacent to the historic Sarsfield Farmhouse. Careful review and consideration led the commission to recommend that a permit not be issued until the appropriate review required by the hearing examiner had been conducted.

There is a sentimental aspect of the history of the Sarsfield Farmhouse. But facts and evidence are what led the commission to conclude that the Wemco project should follow the binding conditions imposed on the property by the Spokane County hearing examiner more than 10 years ago.

As a result, actions to minimize impact to the Sarsfeld Farmhouse have been proposed and will be considered by the county before permits are issued for the project. Rather than misguided, the Landmarks Commission sees this as consistent with the thoughtful process called for in your editorial.

Jim Kolva

Spokane