Concerns over traffic and infrastructure dominated the Spokane Valley Hearing Examiner meeting on June 5, 2025, as residents voiced their apprehensions regarding a proposed development project. Carolyn Coleman, a local resident, highlighted significant traffic issues in the Barker Buckeye area, stating that getting in and out of the neighborhood has become increasingly difficult due to congestion, particularly during peak hours.

Coleman expressed her worries about the impact of the new development on local traffic, noting that the Barker Corridor seems to have been designed primarily for commercial interests, such as Amazon, rather than the needs of the community. "If you can't get out of your darn neighborhood anytime that you need to," she lamented, underscoring the frustration felt by many residents.

The proposed project plans to include duplexes, which raised questions about access points. Coleman inquired whether the development would allow entry from both Euclid and Buckeye avenues. Chad Riggs, the city’s development engineering manager, confirmed that while the primary access would be from Euclid, there would still be a connection to Buckeye, with the developer responsible for off-site improvements.

The meeting concluded without further public testimony, but the concerns raised by Coleman and others reflect ongoing tensions between development and community needs in Spokane Valley. As the city moves forward with planning, residents will be watching closely to see how their concerns are addressed in the final project design.