Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

In brief: Airport officials: Plans should meet fed rules

Spokane International Airport officials don’t object to a 20-foot increase in a building height limit near the airport if it is tempered by federal rules.

In a letter to county planning officials Thursday, airport Operations Director Ryan Sheehan called for proposed structures in West Plains light industrial zones to be subject to airport-staff review.

Airport officials want building heights near the airport to comply with federal airspace regulations, which are different from those in the county zoning code.

The county Planning Commission agreed Thursday to suspend deliberation for a week so Fairchild Air Force Base and others may respond to requests for consultation.

County commissioners have asked the Planning Commission to consider raising the light-industrial height limit from 40 to 60 feet to accommodate a large distribution center that might be built on the West Plains.

Business group opposes new casino

A coalition of West Plains business owners has launched a website opposed to a proposed Spokane Tribe casino at the edge of Airway Heights.

Irv Zakheim, owner of Zak Designs, heads the business group, Citizens Against Casino Expansion. He contends the West Plains would be affected negatively by a second casino near the Kalispel Tribe’s Northern Quest Resort & Casino, and that it could encroach on future growth at nearby Fairchild Air Force Base.

The Spokane Tribe says its project would add jobs for West Plains residents and for tribal members. Its website says the Federal Aviation Administration has reviewed the proposed plan and found nothing that would impact Spokane International Airport or Fairchild Air Force Base.

Airway Heights Mayor Pat Rushing and the City Council have gone on record fully backing the tribe’s casino and resort plan.

The new website is www.citizensagainst casinos.com.

April snow showers blanket N. Idaho

North Idaho was blanketed with snow Thursday night, with 1 to 2 inches spotted by 9:30 p.m..

An Idaho State Police dispatcher, who said some areas are seeing “white-out conditions,” said they are bracing for traffic accidents as weather complicates travel. Fourth of July Pass is getting hit particularly hard, she said.

Meteorologist Jeffrey Cote said snow this time of the year is “not unusual at all.”

“We do have an area of low pressure centered right over the Idaho Panhandle and that will be edging out as we go into tomorrow morning,” he said. “Moisture wrapped up in that low pressure system is helping produce the scattered showers.”