SPOKANE, Wash. — The property on Spokane's South Hill that could become a Chick-fil-A remains vacant. But we learned the developers are taking steps to ensure the property can still be used for a fast-food chain.
Last winter, Spokane City Council designated a .66-mile stretch of 29th Avenue from Martin to Fiske Street as a "pedestrian street." It's meant to make the area more pedestrian friendly. And it prevents the development of new drive-thru restaurants.
What does that mean for the vacant lot that Chick-fil-A has been eyeing as a future new location? Developers of the property at 29th and Regal street started taking steps to protect its planned use for the site.
They worried the new regulations would prevent plans for the potential Chick-fil-A from going forward.
In fact, court records in the civil case against the city of Spokane claims the "pedestrian street" designation was, "adopted in reaction to the proposed Chick-fil-A location."
In the complaint, attorneys representing the owner of the property are seeking a ruling that the building application is not subject to the new zoning restrictions. Even requested a declaration that the ordinance establishing a portion of 29th Avenue as a "pedestrian street" as unlawful.
But the City of Spokane said these steps weren't necessary.
In a statement, the City said the developer could have continued with their permit application under the argument they were vested. In other words, the developers were grandfathered in under the previous regulations:
"The City of Spokane maintains that the developer in this case could have continued with their application under the argument that they were vested. Of course, they would have still had to comply with all applicable City regulations, resolve the issues pending in their lawsuit, and have their application approved. The City is glad we are able to work with the developer to explore settlement discussions and alternative solutions, which is evidenced by their two actions have been stayed by mutual agreement."
Right now, the City and developers are in ongoing conversations about the property. Meanwhile, developers are exploring new uses for the site, which may come to light by December.