Help Fund the Appeal against the Mansfield Convenience Store

Hello! My name is Clay Elliott, and I am a homeowner in the Emerson Garfield neighborhood, as well as a concerned educator. I am creating this GoFundMe on behalf of a collection of concerned neighbors near the proposed convenience store at 601 W. Mansfield Ave in Spokane WA. Our goal is to help raise funds for filing fees and legal fees related to our appeal of the city's approval of the Conditional Use Permit for a proposed convenience store within our residential area. The appeal is due on July 23rd, 2024.

Background: In late April/ early May of this year, some neighbors were notified of a Conditional Use Permit application for 601 W Mansfield Ave, which has been a Dental Lab, owned by Ron and Cheryl Miller for the last 50 years. According to the permit, the project was characterized as a Grocery Store by Ramka Properties and Dave Nagra. This was reinforced by a local news story on KXLY which also mischaracterized it as a grocery store.

Spokane City Permit Application

KXLY's Story Correction

It was later revealed that Mr. Nagra owns a chain of convenience stores that emphasize tobacco and alcohol sales. Conversations with both Mr. Nagra and the City made it clear that they were using a very broad definition of the term "Grocery store" which is not nationally recognized. This was of concern given that this proposed site is located on a residential intersection directly on major walking routes for students of two public schools. During the comment period, over 70 agencies and neighbors, including the Emerson Garfield Neighborhood Council, wrote letters of opposition for this permit being approved on various grounds, including improper property classification for permit type, public safety, crime, increased traffic, etc. However, on June 27th, Spokane City's Planning Director, Spencer Gardner, released his staff decision which summarily dismissed all concerns raised by the neighborhood (See decision via the above Spokane City Permit link).

Current Action Steps: This decision allows an opportunity to appeal, which requires a $250 filing fee. The initial due date for appeal was on July 12th, but due to procedural errors on behalf of Steven Bafus in the Planning Office, we were granted an extension to July 23rd. We have since received legal advice which stated that we have a strong legal basis by which to file an appeal and that our next best course of action is to engage an appellate attorney for its specific crafting. This of course will cost us.

Purpose: This GoFundMe page is dedicated to fundraising for the filing fee and any legal fees related to our appeal. Funds will only go to these purposes. However, In the case of excess funds, we will donate the remainder to a local neighborhood non-profit or sponsorship of a local neighborhood family event, to be chosen at a later date.