AIRWAY HEIGHTS — A tight and brief agenda, coupled with the idea that members of the Airway Heights City Council and city staff had some place else they wanted to be meant the April 5 meeting seemed to be over almost before it started.
While city business was the primary focus, the tug of a national college basketball title game between Gonzaga and Baylor was present as business finished in just a shade over 21 minutes — not including a brief executive session after regular business.
In front of council were second readings and adoption of changes to a variety of ordinances that included zoning allowing adult family homes to be placed in single family home (R-1) designated areas.
Another change sought to limit amending or changing the comprehensive plan to one time annually — each December — according to city planner Heather Trautman. Under changes made to Ordinance C-958, the city now defers to Spokane County in matters pertaining to public facilities such as prisons, hospitals and other major projects.
Manufactured homes will now be allowed to populate areas previously set aside in the R-1 Single Family areas.
“This corrects some language we have in our municipal code under the definitions that brings us into alignment with the state of Washington’s requirements which do require jurisdictions to allow for manufactured homes in the same zone that single family residences,” Trautman explained.
Another item for consideration sought approval for Ordinance C-960, which Trautman explained, “This is our growth management requirement for compatibility between communities that are adjacent to an airport facility,” in this case Spokane International.
This actually both repeals the existing ordinance that was adopted in 2008 and authorizes a new ordinance, Trautman added.
The intent is to be consistent with Spokane County in the city of Spokane that went through a joint planning effort with the International Airport in 2016.
A final item sought to repeal a portion of Ordinance C-961 pertaining to transportation impact fees. Each were passed with a unanimous vote, minus the absent Jennifer Morton.
Earlier in the meeting, City Manager Albert Tripp singled out 11 employees for their length of service to the city. They include:
• J.C. Kennedy (Parks & Rec Director) 20 years
• Detective Kelly Justice (Police Dept.) 20 years
• Sgt Jake Keith (Police Dept.) 10 years
• Amy Teeters (Police Dept.) 10 years
• Assistant Fire Chief Nate Whannell (Fire Dept.) 10 years
• Frank Dye (Water Rec. Plant) 5 years
• Jeremy Knox (Water Rec. Plant) 5 years
• Kevin Anderson (Public Works Director) 5 years
• Officer Ericka Rose (Police Dept.) 5 years
• Detective Eric Flavel (Police Dept.) 5 years
• Chuck Smith (Public Works Dept.) 5 years
Paul Delaney is a retired former Free Press Publishing reporter and can be reached at pauldelaney53@comcast.net
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