Spokane Valley Planning Commission seeks zone change to allow hotel buildings in industrial zones

Spokane Valley city officials may allow hotels to be built in industrial zones through a change to city code.

The amendment would permit hotels up to 25,000 square feet to be constructed in a heavy industrial zone if they are facing a main arterial road. A hotel spanning more than 25,000 square feet could be permitted with a conditional-use permit.

Under Spokane Valley’s current zoning regulations, hotels are only permitted in mixed-use, regional commercial and industrial mixed-use zones.

The Spokane Valley planning commission voted 5-2 to allow hotels in industrial zones at an April 26 meeting and, in May, recommended the measure for approval by the Spokane Valley City Council. It was discussed Tuesday at a City Council meeting.

The planning commission stated hotel use in close proximity to industrial zones would add convenience to workers spending an abundance of time working in the industrial area.

Also, hotel and motel use provides economic incentives to businesses and citizens in Spokane Valley, according to the commission.

The city of Spokane allows hotels up to 20,000 square feet in heavy industrial areas with a conditional-use permit – which means the city’s hearing examiner makes the decision to allow development on a case-by-case basis that is based on neighborhood and environmental impacts.

Spokane County only permits hotels in light industrial areas.

There are three areas the zoning change would apply to: a small portion of Broadway Avenue west of Interstate 90, along Sullivan Road and on Barker Road north of the Spokane River – once plans to classify it as a principal arterial road are completed.

The zone change was initiated by Steve Schmautz, applicant and principal for a proposed project at the former ITRON site on Sullivan Road.

Schmautz is planning to develop 12 acres into 150,000 square feet of office space and 110,000 square feet of “high cube warehouse space,” with an extended stay hotel, he said at the April 26 planning commission meeting.

The City Council is scheduled to vote on the zone change at a June 19 meeting.