Building Project Opposed Glenrose Prairie Residents Ask County To Block Subdivision

A parade of Glenrose Prairie residents asked Spokane County commissioners Tuesday night to reject a proposed subdivision hailed by the builder as a model for rural development.

Morgan Murphy Estates already has the go-ahead of county planners and the county’s hearing examiner committee.

But the Glenrose Community Association used its last resort short of court - an appeal before the commission - to argue the upscale development would overwhelm the area around 25th Avenue, east of the Spokane city limits.

Commissioners set April 2 for a decision on Morgan Murphy Estates, a planned-unit development that would cluster 41 homes on one- to 2.6-acre lots.

Nearly 70 percent of the 208-acre subdivision would be left as open space and as a migration corridor for deer and elk.

The development is proposed by KXLY broadcasting company. Homes would start at about $250,000 to help pay for the extension of public water lines and pave surrounding roads.

“We’re very proud of this project,” said land-use consultant Cathy Ramm. “It kinda bothers me to hear this criticism when we feel we did the best we could.”

Neighborhood critics had four main points of contention:

Existing homes on the prairie draw their drinking water from wells. Morgan Murphy Estates would be served by East Spokane Water District No. 1. Extending public water lines would invite urban sprawl.

Storm water runoff cannot be adequately contained by the proposed subdivision, which sits above the prairie, and would erode hillsides during heavy rains and snow melts.

Each of the lots would have a septic system and drain field, threatening the aquifer.

25th Avenue would be inundated with new traffic, posing a safety hazard.

Experts hired by the developer said the neighbors’ concerns are unfounded, and that Morgan Murphy Estates exceeds county ordinances regulating development.

Carl Bernson, who has lived in the area all his 75 years, was one of the few neighbors to applaud the project.

He looks forward to the possibility of someday connecting to the public water system.

“In August, I’m pumping half water and half air,” he said. “In summertime, we’re hurting.”

Resident Dan Gates argued, however, that the developer’s pitch to the commission is not “aesthetic’ but “simply economic.”

Neighbor Carol Carpenter said tests show drinking wells already are out of compliance for nitrate levels. Permitting new development would compound the problem through runoff.

Commissioners will take written testimony on the proposal through March 19.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Map of area