Ackerman project will add eight home sites in Colfax

Members of the Colfax Planning Commission Sept. 9 approved a proposal from Scott Ackerman for River Pointe Development. The plan calls for eight home sites north of Railroad Avenue along where the South Fork of the Palouse River flows into the North Fork. Seven of the home sites would be along the South Fork and an eighth site would face the North Fork.

The project was presented to the planning commission as a planned development which can be placed in city zones with a variation in requirements.

The site, which is west of Bellinger, was formerly occupied by mobile homes. Ackerman said the development would be under the control of a homeowners’ association which will determine what type of homes could be built. Ackerman said present plans call for one-story homes with two-car garages.

The association will also be responsible for the access road into the eight sites. The road will be parallel to Bellinger Street. Plans call for the water service line to be increased from two to six inches. Owners of homes in the development would be required to pay monthly fees for upkeep.

Ackerman said one hangup on the project at this point is acquiring official access to the property. At present the River Pointe property is officially land locked because city ownership of Railroad Avenue ends at the Bellinger intersection. Former residents of the mobile homes actually used segments of Railroad Avenue which belonged to the railroad.

City Administrator Carl Thompson after the meeting explained the railroad property dates back to Union Pacific ownership. The UP line was subsequently purchased by Watco and then by the state Department of Transportation. He said they now are trying to ascertain if the Railroad Avenue property was included in those sales.

City Building Inspector Andy Burgard said the application process for State Environmental Protection Act and Shoreline Management have not yet been completed, but he doesn’t anticipate any delays.

Howie Leinweber, who resides on Bellinger, said neighborhood residents appreciate the park-like surroundings of the neighborhood, and he was concerned about the number of trees which will be removed.

Planning commission members opted to approve the project and recommend it to the city council. They decided to put their decision on record although a continued problem with access or other permits could make it moot.