County seeking joint planning area with Airway Heights

County Commissioner Al French sees JPA as way to protect Fairchild while allowing limited development; Airway Heights not so sure

By RYAN LANCASTER

Staff Reporter

Spokane County wants to join with the city of Airway Heights in forming a Joint Planning Area near Fairchild Air Force Base, where any development would have to be agreed upon by both parties.

The land in question is part of a vacant 200-acre stretch between Craig and Rambo roads South of Highway 2 that the county purchased in 2008 to facilitate the Geiger Spur rail line relocation project. It is also part of an “urban growth study area” the county is looking at incorporating into their Urban Growth Area this fall as part of a 10-year review.

County Commissioner Al French proposed the JPA to Airway Heights officials last month, characterizing the move as a way to protect the base while driving development that would support the city's economy.

“Both the county and Airway Heights share the common goals of good quality development with no negative impact on the base or traffic in the area,” French said in an interview last week. “We're looking at what future development looks like while trying to respect everybody's interests.”

Airway Heights Mayor Patrick Rushing, however, said the city has long opposed the land's inclusion into the county's urban growth area, which allows it to be linked with public sewer and water services for development. While any JPA discussions are still in the early stages, Rushing said he believes City Council would probably back him in opposing the move.

“Nothing should go in there, it should remain protected for the future of Fairchild,” he said. “There's no reason for a JPA unless you want development.”

The county has been looking to attract business to an area of land within their current UGA that is located nearby the proposed JPA. French said county stakeholders “have made their best pitch” to a company that is looking to site a distribution center in the region, and the as yet unnamed enterprise is in the process of choosing between the West Plains and Hayden, Idaho.

“We've been fighting hard to land it in the county but now we just have to wait and see what their final decision will be,” French said.

Several other companies are also looking at the land, French said, including an energy conversion company and an internal handling business. “From my standpoint, we've made changes to make the area more attractive and now we're getting a good response,” French said. “We're trying to make sure everybody knows that the West Plains is open for business.”

Ryan Lancaster can be reached at [email protected].