A Spokane licensee of Dollar Rent A Car has received regulatory approval to open a car-rental lot on the downtown site currently occupied by the longtime Thadeus T. Thudpuckers restaurant, city planning department documents show.


Whether the proposed project will go ahead, however, is unclear.


Two weeks ago, the city hearing examiner paved the way for the rental facility when it reversed a decision by city planners that would have denied Dollar Rent A Cars bid to use that site, located east of Browne between Riverside and Sprague avenues, for that purpose. Dollar Rent A Car currently has rental outlets at the Spokane International Airport, on North Division, and at First and Stevens.


The companys proposal to the city indicates it would consolidate its non-airport operations at the new location, thus putting all rental, accounting, sales, and leasing in one place.


Thudpuckers co-owner Bob McCurdy, however, says his restaurant is staying put, and the restaurant buildings landlord, Ron Van Damme, says that although buyers representing Dollar Rent A Car are still pursuing the property, at this point a sale isnt likely.


McCurdy adds that the restaurant is not in danger of closing, and would simply move if the building it leases there is sold for another purpose.


Rick Manfred, local franchise owner for Dollar Rent A Car, couldnt be reached for comment.


Earlier, city Planning Director John Mercer ruled that the proposal to build a rental lot on that property was inconsistent with zoning ordinances, because Dollar would be selling some vehicles there, planning department documents show. In that area, which is situated east of the downtown core, nearly all uses are allowed, but industrial and auto-oriented uses are specifically prohibited.


Dollar appealed the decision, contending that it only sells vehicles that it can no longer rent, that auto sales make up only about 3 percent of its business, and that the proposed business has much more in common with a public parking lot, which is allowed in that zone, than with an automobile dealership, say appeals documents.


The hearing examiner interpreted the term auto oriented to mean businesses that cater to people who are in their cars, such as drive-through banking, fast-food, or espresso stands, but not car-rental businesses, documents say. The examiner also found that because car sales are an accessory and incidental part of Dollars business, the use would be allowed.


Thudpuckers has been doing business at that location for 17 years, McCurdy says. The Spokane landmark is well-known for its country-fried steak and other down home cooking.