 |
Many of the same criticisms were voiced from the over two dozen who offered comments at Tuesday’s public hearing on the Sprague-Appleway Revitalization Plan.
The SARP forces the “down zoning” of various properties along the busy arterials.
The city doesn’t have the oft-quoted “$40 million” to implement the plan during these tough economic times.
Those who travel to and from Spokane each day like the speedy commute on one-way Sprague and Appleway.
And, among the jabs that the council is being “totalitarian” at worst or “out of touch with reality” at best, a common refrain was mentioned several times.
“This issue should definitely be brought to the voters,” said city resident Mike Myers.
In the past, council members have indicated that while they would give final approval or disapproval to the plan itself and its overall scope, any portions that could require voter-approved bonds for funding would make their way to the ballot. The current City Council – and those in the future – could always alter the plan as necessary.
On Tuesday, council members – for the most part – remained silent as those who had comments made their way to the podium at the hearing. Scott Kuhta, senior city planner, reiterated that the SARP’s goal was to spark development on Sprague and Appleway for the next few decades by attracting new shops, allowing multifamily housing, improving landscaping, putting parking in the rear of new structures while moving stores and homes closer to the street, and encouraging growth around a new city center – complete with City Hall -- at Sprague and University.
“We’ve been told the city lacks an identity,” Kuhta said in his opening remarks. “The Sprague corridor has a part in that.”
Jack Riley, who owns the Plantation restaurant property at Vista and Sprague, was the first to mention the cost to implement the plan.
“My concern is, how are we going to spend $40 million of our tax dollars?” Riley asked.
While city officials did not respond Tuesday, they’ve noted previously that money for infrastructure improvements or land acquisition would only be spent as it became available. The $40 million figure also would include construction of Appleway east of University – something that cannot and will not happen, if it all, until the city acquires the right-of-way from Spokane County.
Susan Scott, who owns property on that right-of-way just east of Evergreen, gave some of the most stinging criticism and provoked a rebuke from Mayor Richard Munson when her comments began to target Kuhta and other city staffers. She said the plan favors some businesses over others by “down zoning” her land from commercial to residential space.
“I say scrap (the plan), cut your losses and go with your existing comprehensive plan,” Scott said, eliciting cheers from those in attendance.
While the council has previously agreed, when new development warrants and funds are available, to convert Sprague and Appleway back to two-way traffic between University and Dishman-Mica roads, that issue was still a bone of contention for some.
“I’d like to see Appleway stay the way it is,” said Bob Blum, who has sat on the city’s Planning Commission. “I’d like to see it extended all the way to Sullivan.”
There was also support for the plan, however. Phil Rudy, chairman of the Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce board of directors, said the group was in favor of the SARP. His only request is to allow a nonconforming business to remain vacant and keep that status for 36 months instead of the planned 12 before requiring adherence to the plan.
Terry Lynch, speaking on behalf of the Spokane Valley Business Association, said his organization also supports the plan and reverting Sprague and Appleway back to two-way status.
Others, like Jim Giles, said reversing the couplet would only create more accidents.
“It seems like it would create a lot of confusion,” he said.
Kurt Anderson added that the entire plan is “humungous” and that the public should be allowed a say on its whether it’s approved or not.
“Myself, I’m pretty happy with the way the Valley was,” he said. “Sprague is in a down period. But we’ve seen that.”
At this point the council’s SARP plans include:
- accepting written comments until today (Friday) at 5 p.m. They may be e-mailed to dgriffith@spokanevalley.org or dropped off at Spokane Valley City Hall, 11707 E. Sprague.
- next Tuesday, hearing an administrative report on the history and current status of the SARP.
- on May 19, deliberating on the plan.
- on June 16, voting on the first reading of the SARP ordinance.
Munson reminded those who were present at Tuesday’s hearing that they will have additional chances to speak at the ordinance readings.
|
|
By
Mike Huffman
