Spokane council approves interim daycare zoning, shelter operational change and speed‑sign purchase; Cedar street vacation deferred

Councilmember Michael Cathcart, who represents Northeast and Downtown Spokane, summarized actions taken this week by the Spokane City Council, saying the council approved an interim zoning ordinance to allow day-care and child-care facilities in any residential or commercial zone, approved a resolution to convert the Cannon Shelter into a daytime center and to direct street-medicine funds to Catholic Charities, and approved a resolution to buy "neighbors drive 25" signs using the city’s traffic-calming fund.

The interim zoning ordinance is intended to increase day‑care capacity across the city by allowing day cares and child cares in all residential and commercial zones, the council summary said. The council also reviewed supplemental budget ordinances (SBOs) that would revise some non–general fund budgets, including changes to the Criminal Justice Assistance Fund; those SBOs were discussed but the recap did not specify a final vote on them.

Councilmembers heard from multiple constituents about a proposed street vacation on Cedar in Northwest Spokane; the council did not decide on that measure this week and scheduled final action for Oct. 22, Michael Cathcart said. The recap said the council majority passed the resolution changing operations at the Cannon Shelter to a daytime center and allocating some street‑medicine dollars to Catholic Charities.

In addition to the zoning and shelter items, the council approved use of the traffic‑calming fund to purchase "neighbors drive 25" signs (details about quantity and cost were not specified in the recap).

Votes at a glance: the recap identified three formal approvals taken this week (vote tallies and mover/second were not specified in the summary): the interim zoning ordinance (approved), the Cannon Shelter operations and street‑medicine allocation to Catholic Charities (approved), and the traffic‑calming fund purchase of "neighbors drive 25" signs (approved). The supplemental budget ordinances revising non‑general fund budgets, including the Criminal Justice Assistance Fund, were discussed but the recap did not report a final disposition.

The council summary did not provide vote counts, motions, or the names of members who moved or seconded the measures. It also did not include dollar amounts for the traffic‑calming purchase or the amount of street‑medicine funds redirected to Catholic Charities.

Councilmember Cathcart concluded the recap by noting the Cedar street‑vacation matter will return to the council for final consideration on Oct. 22.

Details recorded in this summary are drawn from Councilmember Michael Cathcart’s weekly council recap statement to constituents; the recap paraphrases council actions and public comment rather than providing full meeting minutes or vote records.