News Briefs

Zoning vs. land use: What’s the difference?

The Cheney Planning Commission will host an open house to propose changes to the land use and transportation elements of the city’s comprehensive plan on Monday, Nov. 14, from 6 –7:30 p.m. at the Wren Pierson Building, 615 Fourth St. The comp plan is a policy-level document that will guide development decisions over the next 20 years.

The open house will provide an opportunity to review the “2037 Future Land Use Map,” which is a graphic representation of the comp plan’s land-use goals. The difference between land use goals and zoning policies will be addressed at the open house, and zoning map changes will be addressed at a future meeting.

Residents’ comments and opinions on the plan and future land-use map will help direct the city in guiding future development. Comments and questions may be directed to city planner Brett Lucas via email, [email protected]; by phone, (509) 498-9240 or by mail, Community Development Department, 112 Anderson Road, Cheney, WA 99004. Public comment will be accepted through Dec. 5, 2016.

BBB advises consumers to use caution when hiring a locksmith

Spokane’s Better Business Bureau has received numerous complaints regarding locksmiths who aren’t upfront about their fees.

The latest comes from a company out of California that serves as a referral service, which enlists contractors to do the actual work. Customers have complained that the price quoted is lower than what is actually charged.

While there are legitimate locksmith businesses, consumers should be mindful of pricing gimmicks that can trick them into spending more. The Society of Professional Locksmiths (SOPL) warns of fake locksmiths using phony websites to profit from desperate motorists and residents.

According to the BBB, when a person is locked out they go online and search “locksmith” in their service area. Often times they come across a legitimate looking website offering a small fee to unlock a door. But when the locksmith shows up they claim the job is bigger than initially thought and end up charging much more than originally agreed upon. In some cases, the “locksmith” isn’t properly trained and ends up damaging the door.

The BBB says consumers should do the following when hiring a locksmith: Ask the locksmith dispatcher the name of the company, its location and its business license so it can be looked up. Also beware if the locksmith is offering a fee for “$19 and up.” It is very rare to pay the lowest price.

Ask the locksmith for the final service fee. Don’t feel pressured to pay if you aren’t satisfied with the cost. 

Finally, a fake locksmith can be spotted if they arrive without proper identification or in an unmarked vehicle. Anyone who believes they may be a victim of a locksmith scam can report the incident to BBB Scam Tracker at bbb.org/scamtracker.