Call to Action - Victory Heights Public Hearing Mar 19th @9am
Author: Adam Marshall -
uncategorized -
March 14, 2025
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Spokane and Latah Valley are NOT READY for Victory Heights & WSDOT agrees!
Victory Heights Public Hearing Wednesday March 19th, 2025 at 9:00AM in Council Chambers, Spokane City Hall, 808 West Spokane Falls Blvd., Spokane, WA.
THIS IS THE LAST TIME THE PUBLIC may submit written comments on the proposal and/or appear at the public hearing.
Send written comments for the Hearing to Donna deBit, EMAIL: ddebit@spokanecity.org or send to 808 West Spokane Falls Boulevard Spokane, WA 99201-3329 Phone: (509) 625-6637
*WSDOT has appealed the SEPA decision on Victory Heights* Significant roadway/tunnel projects were not included in this SEPA decision which failed to address Levels of Service (LOS) on Thorpe Rd and US 195. Without these mitigation projects as WSDOT details, the risk will substantially increase for all daily commuters on US-195. More importantly, Victory Heights will significantly affect EMERGENCY RESPONSE and EVACUATION for Latah Valley residents.
Talking Points for Victory Heights Victory Heights should not be granted a building permit for even a single unit until conditions are improved in the Latah Valley/US-195 corridor.
Numerous problems and public safety issues currently exist in the Latah Valley relating to a lack of planning, infrastructure and funding, additional development prior to rectifying these will only exacerbate these factors. The current building moratorium is in place for the Latah Valley is based on wildfire risk and inadequate fire protection however this development is not subject to the current moratorium as it was under review prior to the adoption of the moratorium on 5/20/24. That does not eliminate the growing risks for the community. The current roads (US 195) cannot handle traffic loads safely (WSDOT) which affects other services like fire and police protection. Response times are increased by the congestion of traffic and limited by low bridges and tunnels, precisely like the ones collocated on Thorpe. Fire response is inadequate specifically in this wildland urban interface zone identified for Victory Heights development. Temporary Fire Station 5 is out of compliance. A permanent station was to be in place by 2020 per hearing examiner. Fire Station 4 response increased/limited by Sunset Bridge restrictions and Thorpe tunnels. Geographic realities and limited access points to the area around 2929 W Thorpe Ave epitomize why, infrastructure was never put in place, and we now find ourselves operating in an overstressed environment on the cusp of more tragedy. There are no schools in the Latah Valley, our children are bussed using this unsafe corridor. There is no public transportation, public libraries or community centers and no safe walking/biking route connecting to the city. Here is the information page for Victory Heights https://my.spokanecity.org/projects/victory-heights-preliminary-long-plat-pud/
