Large building projects proposed in Post Falls

By BRIAN WALKER

Staff Writer

POST FALLS — Two large project proposals in Post Falls that require special-use permits to proceed will be considered by the Planning and Zoning Commission on Tuesday at 6 p.m.

The Pointe Partners LLC is requesting a permit that allow both a truck terminal and a warehouse distribution facility on 24 acres at the southeast and northeast corners of Beck Road and Expo Parkway near Walmart and the state line.

While the application doesn't provide detailed information on the companies that would occupy the site, the construction timeline and the estimated number of jobs the project would create, the name of the proposed project is "Crown Enterprises and UPS."

Two real estate developers listed on the application did not return messages seeking comment.

"The proposed development enhances the area by adding additional industrial to an area that already includes this use along with the retail, multi-family, affordable, single-family area all within walking distance," the project narrative states.

"The balance of commercial and industrial uses has been recently skewed by the retail uses developed within industrial zones. This proposed use helps to re-balance uses within the community."

The narrative states that the project would be a good fit for the location and is in the public's interest because of job creation and support service provided to other businesses.

"These are shipping and receiving uses and not manufacturing facilities that create excessive noise, odor, air pollution or visual pollution."

The city in August approved a temporary 7,071-square-foot UPS sorting facility in the parking lot of the Greyhound Park and Event Center. The pre-manufactured metal building is slated to be removed by June, according to the site plan review application.

"The special-use permit will allow for a new permanent facility," City Administrator Shelly Enderud said.

Enderud said the city has not heard detailed information about the two uses.

"The company is working to get the special-use permit approved before we move forward with looking at the full picture," she said.

The planning commission makes the final decision on special-use permit requests. Those decisions can be appealed to the city council.

The other proposal that requires a special-use permit is Whitewater Creek's high-density North Spencer Seniors, which would include 72 townhomes for seniors, a community building and carports on 5.2 vacant acres at the northeast corner of Spencer Street and Third Avenue.

The site is in a commercial zone south of Seltice Way west of the Highway 41 and Ross Point Road interchange.

The applicant, Todd Prescott of Whitewater Creek, didn't return messages seeking comment.

The land uses to the north and east of the site on the city's future land-use map are commercial and industrial, while properties to the south and west are residential.

The proposal comes on the heels of another high-density development in the Seltice Way corridor to the west of the North Spencer Seniors site. Woodland Meadows is a 265-unit apartment complex east of Idaho Veneer that's under construction.

The planning commission will also consider Villa Point North, a request by Jeff Melchert to subdivide 0.44 acres at the northwest corner of Mullan Avenue and William Street into eight lots.