Developer plans four new Browne’s Addition homes on slope above Peaceful Valley

Steep slopes, views and a “high potential” for disturbing Spokane Tribe burial remains tend to attract attention when a developer proposes building four new homes in a forested area just above Peaceful Valley and just below the rim of Browne’s Addition in Spokane.

Developer Asher Ernst said he is aware of neighbor concerns but is working with the Spokane Tribe to do an archeological survey of the land to make sure everything is done correctly with 1.7 acres that only have access from the corner of Poplar Street and First Avenue.

Ernst said neighbors who were opposed to the development started spreading letters last summer indicating the site would include a six-story apartment building.

“The truth is we are building three houses and maybe a fourth in the future,” Ernst said. “There is a view easement on the property. We couldn’t block people’s views if we wanted to.”

Attorney Scott Miller represents more than 100 members of the Condominium Ridge Association in Browne’s Addition and said many of his clients raised concerns about building on the steep slope, potential cultural conflicts and obstruction of views.

After initially planning to skip the archeological survey, Ernst said he changed his mind after talking with Randy Abrahamson, who is the Spokane Tribe’s historic preservation officer. Absent the study, Ernst could have faced a felony charge if project excavations unearthed human remains.

“My hope is that we are able to honor the Spokane Tribe well and find a way to work well together,” Ernst said.

Miller, the attorney, took a softer tone when he was told that Ernst promised to work with tribal officials.

“I’m pleased to hear that the tribe is being invited in,” he said. “That would be really unfortunate if something was disturbed.”

Miller said some of his clients also don’t want to lose a natural area that is popular for walking their dogs.

“City Council members have been contacted,” he said. “But it’s private property, so he’s entitled to develop it within the parameters.”

Ernst said he’s taken pains to do just that.

Kirstin Davis, a city spokeswoman, said Ernst has been approved only for a grading permit that allows moving a certain amount of dirt for a driveway.

Ernst had a meeting with city planners Sept. 19, and they went over conceptual drawings and required Ernst to follow urban forestry rules to make sure large construction vehicles can pass by and under existing trees.

“At this time, there have been no other building permit applications submitted,” Davis said.

Ernst said that’s coming. He’s already had engineering plans and intends to use existing land benches and plateaus to avoid building on steep slopes. He hopes to start building in March.

“We did a geotechnical survey and hired a civil engineer,” he said. “We reached out to (neighbors) about what we are doing. They had their lawyers give us a call.”

The developer said he understands that neighbors would prefer to keep the property in its seminatural state. “But when you have a neighborhood that is adjacent to downtown, that’s not a reasonable position going forward,” he said.