Post Falls duplex proposal draws concern

By BRIAN WALKER

Staff Writer

POST FALLS — A request to build 26 duplex buildings on 7 acres on the east side of Post Falls is among four public hearings before the Planning and Zoning Commission tonight.

Big Creek Land Company, LLC, is proposing the Maplewood Villas subdivision at the northeast corner of the intersection of Ross Point Road and Maplewood Avenue south of Capone’s Pub and Grill.

Tonight’s meeting starts at 6 at City Hall, 408 N. Spokane St.

The Maplewood property was recently annexed into the city. The subdivision would be constructed in a single phase.

"The proposed uses for the property are consistent with the zoning classification, the surrounding land uses and are in conformance with the … comprehensive plan," the project narrative states.

But neighbor Keith Johnson, who is against the proposal, said the project is "simply a rehash" of the original request that was earlier rejected by the commission.

"We are not against the development of this parcel," Johnson wrote to the commission. "However, we believe any development should be in keeping with the integrity of the existing neighborhood which consists of single-family residences. All along East Maplewood Avenue there are small (single-family) developments … ."

Johnson, a retired real estate appraiser, said the proposal is much larger than other recently-approved projects on the north side of Maplewood.

"If allowed to be developed as proposed, it will degrade the integrity of the existing neighborhood, reduce property values and greatly increase traffic flows to the detriment of all who already live in the neighborhood," Johnson wrote.

The other public hearings include:

- A request by the W.F. Murrell Trust for a special-use permit for 64-unit senior apartment complex on 6 acres at 3400 E. Third Ave. east of Spencer Street in a community commercial services zone. Surrounding uses include a railroad line, mobile home park, mini-storage facility and multi-family housing.

- A request by Lamb Storage LLC to change the zoning of 2.2 vacant acres in the 1100 block of East Third Avenue, formerly a mobile home park, from heavy industrial to commercial community services.

- An annexation request by Larry Guy for 12.8 acres at the intersection of North Guy Road and West Grange Avenue for a future single-family residential project.