Apartment project proposed off Highway 41

By BRIAN WALKER

Staff Writer

POST FALLS — A Liberty Lake developer is proposing to build a 68-unit multi-family project off Highway 41 behind Wendy’s and next to Spokane Teachers Credit Union.

Public hearings on Rundeen Development’s Plaza 41 proposal will be held tonight at 6 before the Post Falls Planning and Zoning Commission at City Hall, 408 N. Spokane St.

The developer is seeking to change the zoning from industrial to commercial and also needs a special-use permit to construct the 3.8-acre project. Separate hearings will be held on each request.

"The community will consist of a mixture of 11 buildings inclusive of apartment buildings, a clubhouse and a detached garage," a project narrative states.

The zone change request is for half of the overall site and next to STCU.

Mike Aagesen, owner of Aagesen Millworks on Covington Avenue near the site, said he opposes the proposals because of traffic concerns.

"As a business owner who spends every day with a full view of the streets and traffic patterns in this very narrow corridor, I can quite confidently say that these streets cannot support or facilitate any additional traffic," Aagesen wrote to the planning commission.

Aagesen said he doesn’t buy the argument that the existing amenities in the area can handle the multi-family project.

"Sorry, this is not Riverstone where you have access to tranquil lake views and can jog along the river," he wrote. "Yes, you can get to the Centennial Trail if you’re not the faint of heart. All you have to do is navigate your way across Highway 41 and then dodge the freeway traffic going on and off at Seltice. Beyond that, there is nothing conducive to foot traffic anywhere in the vicinity."

Existing housing in the area is sparse, so he doesn’t believe the multi-family project would be a good fit for the area.

The commission will also hold a public hearing on Copper Basin Construction’s request to change 9.3 acres at the southeast corner of Prairie Avenue and Charleville Road from commercial to residential. The property is north of the Tullamore development.

A subdivision request for 40 single-family lots is being submitted concurrently with the zone change request as an extension of Tullamore. Construction is expected to start in the spring and be completed in two phases.

The fourth public hearing will be held on the city’s Transportation Master Plan update.

The planning commission will make recommendations to the City Council after each of the public hearings.