CHENEY — The City Council voted 5-1 Tuesday, May 9, to rezone a parcel that includes the Presnell Mobile Home Park.
Ordinance Y-41modifies the city comprehensive plan and converts the parcel at 2225 First St. to mixed-use and residential. It is currently zoned for commercial use.
Todd Tarbert, owner of the property and rezoning applicant, addressed the council digitally.
“Our motivation is to create a long-term, positive impact on Cheney,” Tarbert said. “There has been a lot of talk about the dissolution of residents and the removal of affordable housing, when, in reality, our vision is to create a net increase in affordable housing in Cheney and in the broader community.”
Tarbert said the potential of this property to help address some of the systemic, community-wide issues of affordable housing is high, but downplayed the impact on current residents of the trailer park.
“I would venture a guess that all of my current tenants would qualify for the affordable housing resources that are available,” he said. “They are not going to end up on the streets. That is hyperbole; in fact, it is almost irresponsible hyperbole.”
The property owner said that any development of the property would take place in phases.
“There will be no surprises,” Tarbert said, adding that his goal is to maximize prosperity for the community.
Councilman Paul Schmidt said the council, acting as a quasi-judicial body, has no right to push the issue of relocation of current residents.
“For local government, land-use issues are legal issues, plain and simple. We only get to act on what is in front of us,” Schmidt said. “We can ask for relocation plans, but we have no authority to do anything if they choose not to give us one.
“The state gives us no authority.”
According to Schmidt, the city Planning Commission recommended approval of the rezoning and that city would be at risk if the council refused to approve the rezoning ordinance.
“I think we are going to make some progress to get an agreement with Cheney Outreach for referral services,” he said. “To be able to help anybody qualify for state commerce funding for relocation for this and any other situation is something we can help with and that is perfectly legal.”
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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