North Greenacres Neighborhood

North Greenacres Neighborhood Zoning Rescinded/Final Denial

May 14, 2008

Spokane Valley City Council reconsidered the zoning
North Greenacres went through a process to address the loss of their 1 acre lots and after 8 months of hearings were granted 10,000 sq. ft. lot minimums now referred to as R-2. As a new city, they finished their zoning map in fall of 2007 and in a 4-3 vote rescinded the voting the neighborhood had paid $1,800 in fees in order to apply for the zoning. Councilman Steve Taylor, a salaried lobbyist for the Home Builder's Association, led the attack to strip the neighborhood of larger lots and pushed the R-3 zoning of 7,500 sq. ft. lots.

It is more insult since the Council voted to allow any property that touches any corner of a development that has a higher density to zone their property to a higher density as well. This means that there is not any predictable way to anticipate how land will be developed adjacent to your property.

Councilmembers Schimmels, Gothmann, Rose Dempsey, and Mayor Munson voted to bring the zoning up again to restore the injustice. The new majority would have voted in favor of larger lot sizes but unfortunately Councilman Schimmels became very ill and was unable to attend the meeting.

We are very thankful for the efforts of the majority of the Council.

It has also come to light that Councilwoman Diana Wilhite is running for State Legislator. She cast her vote against the neighborhood, ignored environmental hazards to our sole source aquifer and hs refused consistently to address perimeter fencing to protect existing property owners and has also ignored lighting of residential areas that would address the problem of light trespass. It is disappointing but we need to remember her voting record when election comes around.

There are two other candidates
Matt Shea and Tim Hattenberg that are running for this same position as State Legislative position.

There will be an opportunity to meet these candidates and also those running for County Commissioner at our next neighborhood meeting
on June 12, 2008, 6:30 p.m. at the Greenacres Christian Church 18010 E. Mission Ave.

It takes more than houses to make a neighborhood. It will take the commitment of all of us to reach across, know your neighbors, and lobby for high community standards.