[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6160832,"mediaKeyId","5447045-0ab2fcdc8dc74ec24efe35ed91648028","parentId",5447045,"title","Resident questions county permitting of second dwelling on single lot, cites covenants and plat restrictions","audioSeconds",137,"startMs",121000,"endMs",258000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5447045-0ab2fcdc8dc74ec24efe35ed91648028&start=121&end=258","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5447045-0ab2fcdc8dc74ec24efe35ed91648028/thumbnail_121000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6160832/Spokane-County/Washington/Resident-questions-county-permitting-of-second-dwelling-on-single-lot-cites-covenants-and-plat-restrictions","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6160832-0f591a0887a1c0808c9b1702ea261864/orig.mp4?Expires=1770729112&Signature=UVltbf~rvBrgMcAC6bpCDIBgDGVCoGD64E5E~kE3M0Wxu~BgzeuJsubWmWtpaF3~lfrtNybfAhHkx~4zbI4zltbsDa6mYRHlrsE1reV4I~TluzC3OOKa7OhF6IXk1mXAb5gNC78-zks1Ul8Z1ERddp4bM8ljTh8gZJUdH75Va5NJncG1-BkRpQ~oT8RwSz8GwrAlStZ0qfCZ22Nincioi8cm8c3Ke1lGos3rJSOh5WTsLTHZWuyvS9oGiGrBznCvn~p2X4ei~spn6tMhIpwaC0E10DnlEuGi8QkNIaPOVIg4Gql7RlstApWX5YxbVtAKr~s~JOS0q823FaZW8XDGww__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Spokane County, WA","date","2025-07-22T20:55:21Z","article","During the open public forum on July 22, resident Larry Eich asked Spokane County commissioners to explain why a permit was issued allowing a second dwelling‑type structure on a lot that already contains a house.

Eich said the structure was initially permitted as a shop with a bathroom, then the county inspected after neighbors complained and reclassified it as a sleeping unit, and later as a “2 bedroom, 2 bath, laundry room, great room, kitchenette, second floor” — language he said effectively describes a second home on the lot. Eich said he has repeatedly requested the codes or legal rationale that permit two houses on one lot but has not received an explanation.

He said the development conflicts with subdivision plat requirements and neighborhood covenants and that constituents would want to know why covenant language and plat notes appear to be ignored. Eich said the matter has been ongoing for about three months and that he has submitted a letter to the county.

Chair Cooney acknowledged receipt of the letter and said the commissioners would talk to the planning and building department to determine what is happening. No formal action or staff report was taken during the meeting; Eich said he can provide additional files on the case.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","2025.07.22 Legislative Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","A Spokane County resident told commissioners he is seeking an explanation after a building permit allowed a second dwelling‑like structure on a lot that already has a house; he said county staff changed the permitted use multiple times and that neighborhood covenants and plat notes appear to conflict with the permit.","taxTitle","Spokane County, Washington","taxId",2643,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6160837,"Advocates warn county purchase of Fairgrounds parcel could block future commuter rail staging",182,463000,645000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5447045-0ab2fcdc8dc74ec24efe35ed91648028&start=463&end=645","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5447045-0ab2fcdc8dc74ec24efe35ed91648028/thumbnail_463000.jpg","/articles/6160837/Spokane-County/Washington/Advocates-warn-county-purchase-of-Fairgrounds-parcel-could-block-future-commuter-rail-staging","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6160837-d4b8607fa18d4fe76e4dbbaad9980430/orig.mp4?Expires=1770729112&Signature=lFDKjzdsWTF3kaFsIfnF4EGc0FGyB7NRsED6d27e2pAF6B1ng34EN~ZNkGcneKvqHjF9GQpKAsAkr~fRWz3Hldk~6kjlWau~3VgRAHbDW7bd7K-ZH1yN38z9rZWK6XYXByHFwel2OiNZAcuXYI0zP1d0MK9KGGG2N1HwQKkbj26L4skjRpFaQFdvDPc-iAdRzRAv9Te819t5Qq5KFaLWh3gJBDHW0YRaBP56Xk06QM70v487-0CX-FskgNKO9geQC3EwNiImDkSeWmlQBIHbEkl4-U-BeQh~eCQl4kufujcFG5s-xPaU~3kNqOT~HWe30nY2LdfOX7S1J-ohmEIFLw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","During the July 22 open public forum, Eric Lowe, co‑executive director of Spokane Reimagined, urged the county not to purchase a parcel near the Fair and Expo Center for additional parking, arguing the parcel is better reserved for future regional commuter rail staging and maintenance.

Lowe said the Fair and Expo Center advisory board’s visualization showed the parcel as two‑thirds parking and that pursuing parking would “foreclose the opportunity for Spokane Transit Authority to eventually provide commuter rail service” between Cheney and Sandpoint over the long term. He described a cluster of STA‑owned parcels near Union Pacific rights of way and noted the strategic value of a parcel between the Fairgrounds and the rail yard for a staging and maintenance center.

Lowe urged county leaders to prioritize transit service and said the purchase would not be for athletic facilities but would “foreclose that opportunity in the future.” The comment was offered as public testimony; commissioners did not take formal action on the matter during the meeting, and no county staff presentation on the parcel purchase was included in the transcript.","A Spokane Valley transit advocate told commissioners that buying county property adjacent to the Fairgrounds for parking could foreclose future commuter rail staging and maintenance opportunities; he urged prioritizing transit access over additional parking.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6160842,"Resident urges Spokane County to adopt 15/90 sales tax to fund housing construction",158,288000,446000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5447045-0ab2fcdc8dc74ec24efe35ed91648028&start=288&end=446","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5447045-0ab2fcdc8dc74ec24efe35ed91648028/thumbnail_288000.jpg","/articles/6160842/Spokane-County/Washington/Resident-urges-Spokane-County-to-adopt-1590-sales-tax-to-fund-housing-construction","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6160842-6f8de76dfeb3ae27de4114c128c119d4/orig.mp4?Expires=1770729112&Signature=Dx2U3SbMDj4C8R405uhi3pcXzph~Me5Dy3MrkbP5B6FKyL2eDH4HNtT12w7gBDYNegyIqkAImLYQ2RrCVPEUWGLNZ6Ho43yxQRwkKAw9GNIsuObn6LY3iewvRiq94uS2E1TaaybvC4suQXEwTHdeD72f6uNVu-vqnCyTlWsFfqCtSKUxiw8fFNwRniSpgKQlbNabANZYT5uVAclM0-PyuJGnVqmRFouIFd35zxtAozsWWCsD7eTdzX57D~B~EMbu6R2WOFKCx-z8MAey-tqp8Sl0ZSx2i0V~OAIHXBe7w0Q9lw9tEr9e0GzCz5xoVAVh6286Eq0CAcB6gZcojf8LOA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A community member urged Spokane County commissioners on July 22 to adopt a local sales-and-use tax under RCW 82.14.530 to fund housing construction and related services.

Becky Duckerhoof cited a 2021 white paper presented at a Spokane region housing summit, saying the region underbuilt roughly 32,000 housing units between 2010 and 2019 and that the area has seen a 66.8% rise in median home prices since 2015. She recommended the county enact the tax that allows a legislative authority to impose a sales‑and‑use tax not to exceed one‑tenth of 1 percent, with at least 60% of revenues used for housing construction and the balance for operations and services.

Duckerhoof referenced RCW 82.14.530 by number and described the local funding mechanism commonly called the 15/90 tax: “This ordinance, which amended RCW 82.14.530, allows the county legislative authority to impose a sales and use tax not to exceed 1 tenth of 1%... At least 60% of that money must be used for the construction of housing and related services,” she said.

The comment framed the proposal as a response to rising prices, low inventory and population growth projected through 2030; Duckerhoof also noted migration from larger West Coast markets and cross‑border construction activity in Idaho. Her remarks were offered during the meeting’s open public forum; commissioners did not take formal action on the proposal during the session.","A public commenter urged the Spokane County Board of Commissioners to enact a local sales-and-use tax under RCW 82.14.530 (the so‑called 15/90 ordinance) to finance housing construction and services, citing a regional housing shortage and economic impacts.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6160847,"Commissioners approve consent items including local agreement for Maddie’s Place",138,723000,861000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5447045-0ab2fcdc8dc74ec24efe35ed91648028&start=723&end=861","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5447045-0ab2fcdc8dc74ec24efe35ed91648028/thumbnail_723000.jpg","/articles/6160847/Spokane-County/Washington/Commissioners-approve-consent-items-including-local-agreement-for-Maddies-Place","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6160847-d44ad850ab4e72047342c7af8782912c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770729112&Signature=mMa8t0Bv1G2cx~TO1UTbbQquCtVXnwKdfZovAiCRHBBzI1MUlHaF4X-ignUJUwRK4hwBAveirmPEV0IQP~vVrwp6IyCWpvbpDbpI8ruwL73MlfpW791fqgyYeraVTHi26AafTku0SzKqfRdUfT-qNWOQbEmxcVyPNHdAN2cCGrapIhN0tpBSBMEKPlkx0L~h84jmyNYKieoBvHB2twqYF1CagpC-hrMSMdGo1LIWpNJ35hhVj~a~Qwi31ZQ1GhQkFCIIaeQRbVl0PgXY~omAd3pQu6BGyhs3UrjSxaMpIKYgG~LJW2KFlgNvyxPe1EUAqrOpnODxfveMQIOVDm9UgQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Spokane County commissioners unanimously approved items 3, 4 and 5 on the consent agenda during their July 22 meeting, including item 5(d), which executes a local agreement with the city for Maddie’s Place.

Commissioner Kearns said she was “excited to support this item” and praised Maddie’s Place for its work helping newborns exposed to substances and supporting parents. Kearns noted the county has committed opioid settlement dollars and cited additional bridge funding from the state legislature this session.

Kearns thanked Justin and his team in community services for regional leadership on opioid response and said she expects continued collaboration with the city and the state health department to secure operational funds. A county press release on the item was scheduled for the same day.

The motion to approve the grouped consent items was made and seconded on the record; commissioners voted “aye,” and the chair declared the motion passed unanimously.","The board unanimously approved consent agenda items 3, 4 and 5, including execution of a local agreement with the city for Maddie’s Place, a program serving newborns exposed to substances; commissioners praised regional partnerships and opioid settlement funding.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6160850,"Spokane County approves higher per‑acre assessment to bolster noxious weed program",937,871000,1808000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5447045-0ab2fcdc8dc74ec24efe35ed91648028&start=871&end=1808","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5447045-0ab2fcdc8dc74ec24efe35ed91648028/thumbnail_871000.jpg","/articles/6160850/Spokane-County/Washington/Spokane-County-approves-higher-peracre-assessment-to-bolster-noxious-weed-program","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6160850-a4e6d097ea38246ee5a60c9356edfd85/orig.mp4?Expires=1770729112&Signature=m6LT8ta5uZUyW-fq3TTSCB3-PvErPF9u~B8Ctts6FyKitjMKVJFwv6DBRx2HYK-G5uokmjYz7GYnp9qd5fsT4SdiJ5b6OpoPKrGJNTAoH-Ie6SYtAz7UPDjkB0QeI19Dot6dfl~DVJvRixooi~YNpMD3DVdNWdlPZtaSnIiK6GR~8ji-rHFPQbhXdnNT1N503wVvs~Lu00qKyYA0NwMXpQLHMZS-q~rzV9tLXU4wwoo-DtnzXwk8jGTGolXfyWpCMpHLHjFaNNVWsp6shaMVrBFtEF9DO4W-qYTxf0E9Sji~uum4dU9WQVNkd05Z3UeeXejDEur98qAUNktkjlV6Jw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Spokane County commissioners on July 22 voted unanimously to amend Spokane County Code section 1.14.0.03 to raise assessment levels used to fund the county’s noxious weed program.

The change increases the Class 1 assessment from $0.12 to $0.15 per acre, maintains Class 2 at the proposed level discussed in the hearing, and leaves Class 3 (government-owned parcels, cemetery and irrigation districts) at $0.00 per acre. The board approved the amendment after a public hearing and a presentation from the Spokane County Noxious Weed Control Board.

David Mundt, coordinator for the Spokane County Noxious Weed Board, told commissioners the board pursued the change to make the assessment “as equitable as possible across the county” and that the rates had not been updated since 2014. Field specialist Thurman Johnson said the program can no longer sustain current service levels at the existing rates and emphasized the need to retain qualified staff year round: “Having staff year round is entirely necessary,” Johnson said, adding that year‑round staff allow projects “to completion, A to Z.”

Johnson and Mundt also told the board that dedicated program funds would allow the office to provide match for larger outside grants and to buy or share specialized tools and equipment. Paul Pulett, chairman of the Noxious Weed Board, said the board wants the office to be “a resource for our community” by coupling enforcement with outreach and partnerships.

Commissioners and staff clarified an item in the presentation: the proposed cents figure on a slide refers to a per‑acre rate, not a per‑parcel rate. Commissioner Jordan noted the public notice correctly listed the assessment as per acre.

The presenters described specific risks the program addresses, including invasive plants that damage infrastructure and pose health risks. Johnson cited myrtle spurge and leafy spurge as examples whose sap can cause severe skin burns and blindness if it contacts eyes; he also cited poison hemlock as a plant that can be lethal if consumed in sufficient quantity.

The board’s action on July 22 approved the code amendment as presented. The hearing record indicates the assessment structure and the county’s decision, but the transcript did not specify an effective date for the change.

For residents seeking details of the rate schedule and the board’s presentation, staff noted the Weed Board previously briefed the commissioners on June 24 and submitted recommendations on July 15.","The Spokane County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved an amendment to county code to raise certain noxious weed assessment rates, increasing Class 1 rates from $0.12 to $0.15 per acre and keeping Class 3 parcels at $0.00, to support year‑round staff, equipment and grant matching.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Resident questions county permitting of second dwelling on single lot, cites covenants and plat restrictions

Advocates warn county purchase of Fairgrounds parcel could block future commuter rail staging

Resident urges Spokane County to adopt 15/90 sales tax to fund housing construction

Commissioners approve consent items including local agreement for Maddie’s Place

Spokane County approves higher per‑acre assessment to bolster noxious weed program