SPOKANE, Wash. — Residents of Spokane’s Latah Valley are voicing concerns as the Victory Heights housing development progresses in an area with limited infrastructure and high wildfire risk.
“It’s going to ruin the rural way of life here,” said Michael Ross, a Latah Valley resident.
Traffic congestion is a primary concern. Thorpe Road, one of only two routes connecting to Highway 195, requires drivers to navigate through narrow railroad tunnels.
According to the traffic impact study, the development will add approximately 600 more vehicles to a road that already sees about 1,200 drivers each morning.
The limited access creates particular worry for emergency situations, especially wildfires.
“Wildfire is on all of our minds. We have been surrounded by wildfire,” said Mollie Marshall of Citizen Action for Latah Valley. “Two years ago, this neighborhood had to evacuate for the Russell Road, Finch Arboretum fire, and it was chaos.”
The group opposes new developments until infrastructure concerns are addressed.
Spokane’s Hearing Examiner has acknowledged these issues, and the city has begun the process to design a fire station approximately 1.5 miles from the development.
“We’ve got to solve this problem before there’s loss of life, and it could be loss of life from fire or the roads,” Marshall warned.
Developers plan to rely on future infrastructure projects, including an acceleration lane to Highway 195 and expanding Lindeke Street to connect with Thorpe Road.
4 News Now reached out to the developers for comment but received no response.
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