Post Falls delivers permit for UPS facility
Post Falls Planning and Zoning Commission members on Tuesday night expressed concern that there is no covered parking or greenspace planned for the North Spencer Seniors project. However, the board unanimously approved a special-use permit for Whitewater Creek's 72 single-story townhomes for seniors with a community building on 5.2 vacant acres at the northeast corner of Spencer Street and Third Avenue. (Courtesy rendering)
Post Falls resident Sharon Alexander spoke on Tuesday night on behalf of her mother in opposition to the Villa Point North project, which will be eight lots on .44 acres at the northwest corner of Mullan Avenue and William Street. The Post Falls Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously recommended approval of the project. (BRIAN WALKER/Press)
By BRIAN WALKER
Staff Writer
POST FALLS — When industrial meets residential there's bound to be a rub.
Such was the case on Tuesday night when the Post Falls Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously voted to approve a special-use permit, with conditions, for a truck terminal and UPS warehouse distribution facility next to single-family homes on 24 acres at the southeast and northeast corners of Beck Road and Expo Parkway, near Walmart and Sysco Foods.
The commission approved the request of The Pointe Partners LLC after neighbors voiced concerns about noise, lighting and traffic the operation would generate.
"I'm all for UPS coming to Post Falls and being a part of the area, but I don't think where it is at (is appropriate)," said Sara Mitchell, a neighbor who spoke in opposition to the proposal. "I'd prefer retail and a shopping center than having trucks running all night long."
Resident Don Downing added that he doesn't believe a distribution center is the right balance for the homes in the area.
Applicant Kris Longson was asked multiple times whether he knew if the operation would run 24 hours, and he said he didn't. However, concerned residents and commission members said the nature of the business lends itself to being a 24-hour facility.
The special-use permit was approved with conditions, including a buffer berm, fencing around the entire site with the exception of the entrances and lighting that's pointed downward.
Commission members voiced frustration that the development of the city's westside has become a bit of a hodgepodge mixture of uses.
Longson said retail has been slow to develop, but there have been flickers of life with Panda Express and a Maverick gas station coming on. He said he believes more mixed uses will lead to overall improved interest on the west side.
Commission members said they hope the impacts of the truck terminal and warehouse can be mitigated through the city's site plan review process.
The other project that was unanimously approved for a special-use permit was Whitewater Creek's high-density North Spencer Senior ssite. It will include 72 single-story townhomes for seniors and a community building 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 to the west of the Highway 41 and Ross Point Road interchange.
Commissioner Nancy Hampe said she had concerns that there is no covered parking or greenspace on the site.
"It doesn't look very inviting to me," she said.
However, commissioners agreed that the project meets the criteria for a special-use permit.
Commissioner Ray Kimball said additional amenities may drive up the cost for living in the complex to where seniors on fixed incomes may not be able to afford it.
The commission also unanimously recommended approval of Villa Point North, a request by Jeff Melchert on behalf of owner Jeff Scott to subdivide .44 acres at the northwest corner of Mullan Avenue and William Street into eight lots.
"We believe this will be an upgrade for the community," said Melchert, adding that the two-story homes will have a modern look.
Resident Sharon Alexander, who spoke on behalf of her mother, who lives next to the site, cited concerns about the density, parking and compatibility with surrounding homes.