The city of Spokane is reviewing new plans for a 106,300-square-foot agricultural retail center proposed on its western edge, with a public hearing set for today, May 24.

The envisioned retail development, proposed for the northeast corner of Deer Heights Road and U.S. 2, is near Spokane’s border with the city of Airway Heights. The site is in a light industrial zone and is larger than 60,000 square feet, so a conditional use permit is required, which makes the request subject a public hearing before the city’s hearing examiner Brian T. McGinn.

Although the permit applicants are listed as Flamingo Links LLC and Flint 2 Properties LLC, the city’s online planning files identify the project as a North 40 Outfitters center.

Representatives for Great Falls, Mont.-based North 40 couldn’t be reached immediately for comment.

Flamingo Links LLC is owned by Max Kuney and Daniel Kuney, both of whom are principals in Max J. Kuney Co., a Spokane contracting company.

Dick Edwards, a principal in Flint 2 Properties LLC and a commercial real estate broker with Hawkins Edwards Inc., of Spokane, says the current ownership group controls about 64 acres of vacant land at that intersection, and plans to sell 16 acres of that for the new retail center.

Edwards also says a roundabout will be needed at the U.S. 2 and Deer Heights Road intersection.

Site plans show 65,500 square feet of the center would be indoor retail space, 15,000 square feet would be retail space, 6,800 square feet would be office and administrative space, and 19,000 square feet would be reserved for future expansion.

Site plans also show the project would include about 141,700 square feet of outdoor retail space and 471 parking stalls, although a maximum of 1,240 parking spots could be allowed.

In February 2017, Drew Steinberger, a North 40 spokesman, confirmed the company was eyeing a potential store site at that intersection, but the decision wasn’t final at that time.

Around then, Coeur d’Alene-based Young Construction Group of Idaho Inc. submitted a predevelopment application to the city of Spokane that envisioned a $6.2 million, 87,000-square-foot building for “farm, ranch, hardware, hunting, and fishing” retail sales.

North 40 operates 10 stores in Washington, Idaho, and Montana.

The company’s Spokane-area outlets include a 55,600-square-foot Mead store at 15228 N. Newport Highway and a 32,100-square-foot Spokane Valley store at 8703 E. Trent.

In addition to farm and ranch supplies, North 40’s western-lifestyle inventory includes sporting goods, automotive products, and clothing.