Spokane Valley studies permanent rules for emergency communications towers after interim ordinance for SHREK

The Spokane Valley Planning Commission held a study session on proposed code text amendment CTA-2025-0002 to consider permanent changes that would allow narrowly defined regional emergency-communications towers to exceed existing height limits.

Lori Barlow, senior planner in the Community and Economic Development Department, told commissioners the proposal responds to a request from the Spokane Regional Emergency Communications provider (SHREK) after staff determined the tower SHREK needs would exceed the city’s current height limits. The City Council previously adopted an emergency interim ordinance (Ordinance No. 25-013, adopted July 29, 2025) that temporarily allowed regional first-responder communications towers to have a support-tower height of up to 100 feet plus up to 20 feet for an antenna array (total 120 feet). The interim regulation expires in 180 days unless the council repeals, extends or modifies it.

Staff proposed folding the interim exception into the permanent code rather than leaving it as a standalone emergency clause.…