SPOKANE--The Spokane City Council voted on an ordinance Monday night that calls for a limit on how the Spokane Tribe can build a proposed casino on the West Plains.
The ordinance changes the city’s comprehensive plan to include a new map called a “Military Influence Area.” This means zoning in the area would be changed to limit the building heights and sound around Fairchild Air Force Base.
The council says Monday’s vote is a step toward protecting the future of the Air Force base and will primarily restrict any future construction in the surrounding area.
The Spokane Tribe wants to build a casino, hotel and shopping center in the area.
Fairchild is the region’s largest employer and critics of the project are worried the casino would be a direct threat to the base.
The Spokane City Council recently passed a non-binding resolution voicing its opposition to the proposed casino.
The Spokane Tribe said in its defense that the FAA has approved heights for the project and poses no hazards to air navigation for Fairchild. The Tribe also said the City of Spokane's decisions on the casino have no bearing whatsoever on the future of the casino because the City of Spokane holds no jurisdiction in this case.
