AIRWAY HEIGHTS – As growth continues to move into the city and the housing market continues to spiral out of control, the concept of adopting land use alternatives has been crucial in developing the city’s comprehensive plan.
The planning department has been gathering and studying community input, and during the city council meeting on Feb. 22, Principal Planner Heather Trautman told all in attendance what she’s heard.
“We’ve been getting great feedback on our options,” Trautman said. “But we’re at a point of needing to make a decision so we can move on with a draft.”
A significant obstacle, according to Trautman, that hinders land development is the off-road park that is placed right in the middle of the city. Proposals suggest a land swap with several parcels of land identified in the comprehensive plan. A couple of potential plots lay along Craig Road. Two others would extend off of Hayford Road.
The land along Hayford Road lies outside the current water service area, so it would take some additional discussion to make that land swap happen. Councilman Sonny Weathers leans toward working with Spokane to make these plots a more tangible possibility.
“We need to put Spokane in the hot seat,” Weathers said.
He wasn’t the only member expressing those concerns either.
“I think we need to bring all the players to the table on this,” Mayor Bowman added.
Weathers’ main concern was expanding residential zoning further north into current industrially zoned areas. A company owns an area in the north end of the comprehensive plan. Weathers spoke of them possibly mining in the area slated for rezoning under the comprehensive plan. He said he doesn’t want to “force the hand” of a company that maybe planning to mine the area.
“I’m concerned we’re looking into properties unavailable for residential development,” Weathers said. “We may be taking opportunities from motivated landowners.”
Trautman responded and talked of developing the plan as is because most of the southern part of Airway Heights is zoned for heavy and light industrial, so it is not available for residential development. She pointed out that the only possible directions for growth are north and east.
Councilman Davin Perry asked if the proposals were amendable. Trautman told him they could remove specific parcels.
After a lengthy discussion, a motion to remove the mining area from the table and further discuss the land on the city’s eastern side was brought forth.
With two council members absent during the meeting, the motion was seconded and passed by a vote of 3-2 to move forward into the drafting stage.
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