WEST RICHLAND, WA -- Khris Olsen isn't focusing on his grapes and vineyards right now.

"I work around here in the vineyard and I spray," Olsen said, Collins Road homeowner and West Richland wine-maker.

Olsen's now troubled by impending traffic. Despite a lot of backlash, West Richland city leaders approved preliminary plans to make Collins Road a main drag for new development for the Paradise Estates and Westwood Estates. The city's original plans called for Belmont Road to extend through Paradise to Van Giesen. But the amended plan has Belmont running right through the Collins Ridge Community instead.

The decision was final.

"They're definitely appeasing the developers wants," Richard Bloom said, another homeowner in the Collins Ridge Community.

But now, at least half-a-dozen homeowners who reached out to Action News may get a chance to revisit that decision. Leslie Hauer, a homeowner on Collins Road, is suing the city. She filed a civil lawsuit in Benton County Superior Court last week.

"That was the only option that was available," Bloom said. "Once a preliminary platt approved, it's good for five years."

Court documents show Hauer takes issues with four major "errors" she claims the city made, claiming the city's Preliminary Plat for the Paradise Estates Subdivision is inconsistent with the 10 Year Street Plan, city codes and state law. And she said, the city didn't provide enough evidence for why plan approved in the first place.

Bloom rallied against the plans from the beginning, both as a homeowner on Collins Road and a candidate.

"As I ran for city council, I went door-to-door and that's the message I got from people," Bloom said.

City Council members approved the amended plans by a close call: 3-2 vote. If the case goes to court and then is sent back to council, there could be a shift in power since last week's election.

"Two of the three members who voted for it will not be returning to the council," Bloom said.

Bloom is one of the newest faces on the council. He is councilman elect until results become official later this month.
Now as an impacted homeowner, and a voice of the people, Bloom said, he's concerned with finding a compromise.

"Growth will happen but there's an alternative rather than put burden on existing residences," he said.

Bloom would like the city to stick with the original plan that had Belmont traveling outside the Collins Ridge Community. If the case does make it's way back to the council, Bloom said he might have to recuse himself because of a possible conflict of interest.

Of course, we did try reaching out to the city for comment. The community development director said he did not want to make a statement on behalf of the city since there was a pending lawsuit.

*The street names of Collins Road and Paradise Drive were accidentally switched at points. It has been fixed. Our sincerest apologies.