POST FALLS - Changes are being proposed for the Tullamore project west of Highway 41 in Post Falls.

The Post Falls Planning and Zoning Commission will hold a public hearing tonight at 6 at City Hall on Whitewater Creek and Panhandle State Bank's request to change the plan for an 11-acre site from single-family lots to a 51-unit apartment complex, semi-assisted living duplexes, an assisted living facility and a Dirne Community Health Center building.

The property is currently vacant and is north of Poleline Avenue and south of Early Dawn Avenue.

Todd Prescott of Whitewater Creek is the applicant, while Panhandle State Bank is the owner of the property.

The request is being made due to changing market conditions.

"Current market demands call for multi-family and duplex-style housing and assisted living facilities, as well as a medical care facility in this area," Craig Andersen, planner for AHBL wrote in a proposal to the city. "The primary reason for these three projects is a large pent up demand.

"This demand, combined with Tullamore's excellent location, proximity to transit and services and the existing facilities and infrastructure make it very attractive for development."

Plans call for two semi-assisted group living duplexes that will house four to six residents per unit. The single-story buildings will be for rent, fully furnished and next to an assisted living facility planned for the future.

The apartments - called Tullamore Commons II - will be similar and adjacent to the existing Tullamore Commons and Seniors projects.

In the multi-family section, four apartment buildings will have a mix of one- to three-bedroom units. There will also be a community building and 110 parking spaces, half of which will be covered.

Dirne, a nonprofit, has explored expanding its reach into Post Falls for several years.

"Access to affordable, high-quality health care is vital to the health of the community," Andersen wrote.

The request will also be considered by the City Council.

The recession slowed growth in Tullamore, originally approved in 2006, and modifications to the plan and ownership changes to the property have been made as a result.