SPOKANE COUNTY, Wash. — Pasadena Park residents will cast ballots Tuesday in a special election to decide whether to annex a plot of land into their water district, a decision that could determine the fate of a proposed multi-home housing development.
The Cowles Company has owned the empty plot of land for many years, but earlier this year began preliminary plans to build single-family homes on the site. If the annexation passes, the group wants to purchase enough water rights to build 100 homes.
The controversy has divided the community, with many neighbors organizing to oppose the development they fear would strain local resources and eliminate green space they’ve enjoyed for decades.
“This is absolutely the first step,” said James Johnson, a Pasadena Park neighbor.
He spent the weekend distributing fliers as part of a campaign to keep the Cowles-owned land out of the irrigation district.
“It’s been my home for decades. I don’t know how many thousands of times I’ve taken advantage of that very nice piece of property to walk my dog or play with the kids,” Johnson said.
The land is zoned residential and could accommodate up to 400 homes, but Doug Yost with the Cowles Company said the developer only wants to build 100 houses.
“Change is not easy, but we’re in a growing area. We’re in Spokane and we need housing. We need single-family lots. We need the ability for everybody to have a dream of owning a home,” Yost said.
The housing development remains in early stages, but Yost said the company doesn’t intend to maximize density on the property.
“The Pasadena Irrigation District recommended that we be granted 100. We didn’t ask them for 400. We asked them what they were comfortable giving us,” Yost said.
Many Pasadena Park residents oppose any housing development on the land, citing concerns about straining local resources. Instead, they advocate for preserving the area’s natural beauty through conservation.
“The answer is a conservancy, and the Cowles legacy would make a huge difference for the north side of the Spokane Valley if they went that direction,” Johnson said.
Early renderings of the proposed development include green space that would provide residents access to the Centennial Trail. However, planning cannot move forward until water rights issues are resolved through Tuesday’s election.
Residents can vote from 1 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the irrigation district building (9227 E. Upriver Drive).
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