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Council amends Cortera agreement to allow religious assembly; proponents say temple will lower traffic impact
Summary
Council approved an amendment to the Cortera development agreement changing a 10.91‑acre site designation from urban townhomes to religious assembly (applicant intends an LDS temple); multiple speakers and the school district supported the change and city departments reported no objection.
The City Council on Dec. 2 approved Amendment No. 3 to the Cortera (CORTAIR) annexation and development agreement to change a 10.91‑acre C‑17 parcel’s site designation from urban townhomes to religious assembly.
Planner Sean Holmes summarized department feedback: fire, police, parks, planning, streets, wastewater and water all reported no operational concerns and generally anticipated similar or lower calls for service compared with the previously allowed townhomes. The amendment would not change the underlying C‑17 zoning, which permits religious assembly by right; it modifies the site‑specific Exhibit E usage in the development agreement.
Representatives of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter‑day Saints and several community speakers emphasized that a religious assembly will generate fewer daily vehicle trips than a dense residential option, will offer publicly accessible open space and will serve local worshipers who currently travel to Spokane or other temples. School district staff said the district reviewed the amendment and supported it, noting potential partnership and evacuation advantages. Council moved, seconded and adopted Resolution 25‑0070 approving the amendment by roll call.
