Crash landing

County moves to limit development near Fairchild and Spokane airport

By MIKE HUFFMAN

Staff Reporter

In a rare Friday afternoon gathering – though Todd Mielke attended via speakerphone – Spokane County commissioners closed a zoning loophole that allowed for building near Spokane International Airport and Fairchild Air Force Base.

The move keeps development from occurring in “crash zones” around both airfields. And, in the case of Fairchild, removes one more possible reason for the federal government to close the Air Force base.

“We are certainly trying to find a solution,” Mielke said. “We need...