Commission recommends Ephrata zoning change

Few attend public hearing on whether to allow apartments in commercial zone

The Ephrata Planning Commission recommended a plan to allow apartment buildings in the commercial zone, despite a paltry attendance at the public hearing.

Only three people and a reporter showed up at the Thursday night hearing at Ephrata City Hall. Commissioners had requested city planner Vivian Peterson to send out press releases to let people know about the hearing, and the Columbia Basin Herald and Grant County Journal printed stories about the meeting.

Two members of the public who spoke were in favor of the plan. Jack Patrick said there are no suitable sites to build assisted-living homes in town, and the zone changes would open up more areas.

Larry Lenssen, who is a local developer, said there are no spots in town to build multiple-family property unless they are for a federal agency. Lenssen added that he would like to develop some property on Basin Street.

Les Parr, a local realtor, said the zone-change plan came from city staff and not the people of Ephrata.

"It seems like the city staff is trying to spoon-feed us with things they'd like to see," he said.

Parr added that property he is trying to sell is available on Southeast Boulevard across from Wal-Mart.

Commission Chair Phil Borck said he received a letter from Ramona Kincaid, who lives in Las Vegas but owns property on Basin Street. She objected to the plan because she feared the apartment complexes would devalue her property, Borck said.

The plan recommended by commissioners would allow a minimum of seven dwelling units in the commercial zone, and the units may not extend higher than 35 feet or three stories.

The plan also requires parking space to be available, as well as interior landscaping.

The commission voted three to one to recommend the plan to the City Council. Borck, Rich Flanagan and Doug Meloy voted for the plan. Commissioner Jo Maedke voted against it. Commissioner Craig Jorgensen was not present.

Maedke said no property owners came to the city wanting this plan to be done, and she saw few property owners voicing their opinions on the matter.

Flanigan said he thinks there is a need for the change, but he was concerned about the way the plan came about. However, he said he does not feel as though a lot of people will suddenly be angry at the decision.

"If there was a real public outcry, they'd be here (at the hearing) in droves," he said.

With the commission's recommendation, the proposed zone change will come before the whole City Council, following another public hearing.

The next Ephrata City Council meeting will be held Wednesday, May 5, at 7 p.m. at City Hall.