
KENNEWICK, Wash. – A new multi-use building on 24th Street in Kennewick is causing concern among local residents. The building includes apartments and businesses, and overlooks a nearby neighborhood, prompting safety worries from those living in the area.
Karolina Cole, a resident affected by the new building, expressed her unease about the building’s impact on her home.
“We just don’t feel safe in our house anymore,” she said.
The original building plans included a six-foot wall to provide privacy and protection for the neighborhood. However, according to Steve Donovan, the City of Kennewick‘s planning manager, the wall was mistakenly removed from the final plans.
“And there was a misunderstanding between the applicant and staff on a phone conversation, and the wall got taken out of the plans, unbeknownst to us, and the plans got approved,” Donovan said. “So then when we went back to try to talk about that, they (the developer) had an approved set of plans that didn’t have a wall on it.”
A line of trees was added in place of the wall, but residents feel this isn’t enough. The city is now working with the developer to add a four-foot wall, which is two feet less than initially promised.
Cole and other residents have attended city council meetings seeking answers on how their safety will be ensured. Cole fears that without a taller wall, her home remains at risk.
“People are going to climb out of the car, and they’re going to look at me, look at my family,” Cole said. “They’re still going to be seeing us on a ground level. So we were happy with that six-foot wall, but at this point, that’s not even going to be acceptable anymore. We need something taller. That’s not enough to protect us height-wise and visual-wise.”
Donovan emphasized that the city is attempting to address the issue.
“I think the main thing is there was a misunderstanding and we’re trying to rectify it the best we can,” Donovan said. “We’re going to follow through and try to get everything to the best we can for the residents and for the developer.”
The developer has not yet received a certificate of occupancy for the building from the city, and there is no timeline for when the building can be used or when the wall will be built.