CHENEY – Planning commission voted unanimously for the recommendation to move an application to re-zone a parcel in north Cheney to city council at the next regular meeting.
The site which is being examined for re-zoning includes Presnell mobile home park and extends from 1st street to the train tracks, and from Bi-Mart to the Grocery outlet.
Previously, an application from Storehaug Engineering, based in Spokane, on behalf of the property owner, Todd Tarbert, was brought before the commission.
The application proposed an amendment to the comprehensive plan zoning map for the front half of the property.
This re-zoning, if approved, would redefine the front portion of the property to to mixed use. The back half would be converted to multi-family.
In attendance at the planning commission meeting were several residents of the mobile home park in who voiced concerns about being relocated in the future.
The presentation included examples of potential R-3 residential housing types which would be considered if the re-zoning were to pass.
Kenneth Kennedy, resident of the mobile home park, said “I have talked to Todd (Tarbert) a couple of time, and he has said to me that he wants to put something else where I live. I don’t really know what to do. I don’t really want to move, but I may be forced to move.”
Other residents commented on the rental costs to which they have become accustomed, an increase in which would cause difficulties for them.
“There is a humanitarian aspect to this that should be addressed as well.” Planning commission senior planner Brett Lucas, said.
“Some of these individuals are tenants and not home-owners. There are a lot of low-income folks who live there. The park provides low-income housing for some of these individuals, which is needed and there a number of concerns like relocation and income.”
The criteria which must be met to have a re-zoning application considered were met, and it was forwarded to council.
Lucas is a former Cheney Free Press managing editor. He is a nationally published author who contributes regularly to several publications across the country.
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