ML commission recommends no change to comp plan

MEDICAL LAKE - Members of the Medical Lake Planning voted to recommend the City Council not approve a request to amend an individual parcel designation of a future land use map in the city's recently completed comprehensive plan from mixed-use commercial to multi-family at its regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday, Nov. 7.

At issue before the commission was a request by Spokane developer A&K Development, Inc. - made during an annual 45-day window allowing change requests - to amend the city's comprehensive plan designation of a specific parcel from a mixed-use zoning designation to multi-family.

The change would be the first of several steps in the development process that could eventually lead to construction of what A&K called in their land use permit application a "small apartment" that would "help the city meet its Affordable Housing demand."

The parcel is located north of State Route 902 behind the Rockwood Neighborhood Clinic and between North Stanley Street and the CW Branch of the Palouse River and Coulee City railroad system railroad tracks.

A 1.88-acre Class IV wetland - the lowest rating on the Washington State Department of Ecology rating system - located on the east side of the 3.59 acre parcel was the biggest point of contention identified by speakers during a pubic hearing on the application.

"That land has always been a habitat," Robert Kibling, who lives directly across from the parcel, told the commission. "I just don't see how you would put an apartment on that land, and not in some way interfere with the wetland."

Jeff Amistoso, owner of A&K, told the commission that the wetland would be preserved.

According to a biology report submitted with A&K's application, the wetland would require a 25-foot buffer zone if the parcel were developed. An attached map shows the wetland and buffer zone essentially blocking access to the western half of the parcel.

Other speakers expressed similar sentiments about the parcel.

"I don't see how there could be access to the back side of (the parcel)," Diane Nichols testified.

However, according to a 2006 DOE wetland rating system publication, although success cannot be guaranteed, a Class IV wetland can be replaced.

But City Attorney Cynthia McMullen noted several times during the meeting that wetlands, traffic impacts and other issues were not the focus of discussion. The only issue before the commission was the change in category to the comprehensive plan's future land use map.

"The concerns about the impacts on the wetlands, the schools, traffic, our utilities - both water and sewer - all of those things will be addressed in later stages of any development," McMullen told the commission.

In a Nov. 11 memo, city staff and the city's planning consultant, SCJ Alliance recommended to the commission approval of the amendment. Included in the meeting agenda packet was a pre-written resolution addressed to the City Council recommending approval.

That memo will need to be rewritten. On a close 3-2 vote, the commission instead voted not to recommend approval. Commission Chairman Mark Hudson and Wayne Ueda voted in the minority for approval, with commissioners Marye Jorgenson, Tammy Roberson and Judy Mayulianos voting against.

The vote is a non-binding recommendation - the council, as duly elected officials, has the final choice in amending the city's comprehensive plan.

Lee Hughes can be reached at [email protected].