A new student housing development is proposed in Cheney

By DAVID TELLER

Staff Reporter

A new development is being proposed in Cheney and the Community Development Department wants the public to comment on it.

The proposed project would be a 9,375-square-foot site between 105 and 121 N. Ninth St. The finished project would be a two-story, multi-family residence that would have standard and studio apartments. The building will have a daylight basement that the owner, Premiere Student Living LLC., wants to leave as an option to convert to a fifth apartment.

Cheney planner Elisa Rodriguez said the announcement from the city is an environmental review, which she said has no real criteria the developer needs to meet. She added there is no public hearing required, but encourages citizens to share their comments.

“I would love to have feedback,” she said.

She said the state required review is for environmental element checklist from the State Environmental Policy Act SEPA for developments of less than 4,000 square feet of living space. She said the project applicant only needs to get approval of the Planning Department to obtain a permit. Residents within close proximity could also raise concerns. Rodriguez said the PUBLIC NOTICE is done as a courtesy.

Rodriguez said the project would be reviewed under the current city code, which is under revision. The approval criteria evaluates project against the Cheney code. Exceptions to the code can be made if certain conditions apply.

An example Rodriguez used is if a structure is being proposed on a narrow property, the owner could apply for a variance to get the required 10-foot setback adjusted.

Rodriguez said the development looks like a routine project. She added the atypical design is not advised but she said the owner is within his legal rights. She added that the fifth apartment might never be built.

Rodriguez can reached at 498-9240 or email at [email protected].

The project applicant, Premiere Student Living, was unavailable for comment on the design specifics.

According to their website, Premiere Student Living currently has developments at Michigan State University in Lansing, Mich., and Harvard University in Cambridge, Mass.

David Teller can be reached at [email protected]