Spokane council establishes Cannon Hill Park Local Historic District after neighborhood ballot

The Spokane City Council voted to create the Cannon Hill Park Local Historic District and adopt neighborhood-written design standards after a presentation from Historic Preservation Officer Megan Duvall and supporting neighborhood testimony.

Duvall told the council that the neighborhood-led nomination covers 191 residential properties, of which 179 are considered contributing to the district’s historical character. She said ballots were mailed to 193 property owners; 154 were returned and 135 of those were in favor. Duvall described the design review process as focused on street-facing exteriors using the Secretary of the Interior standards and said accessory dwelling units that do not touch the principal house would not require a certificate of appropriateness.

Neighborhood members who organized the nomination told the council the designation is intended to protect architectural character and the sense of place, not to block appropriate development. Nathan South, a neighborhood committee member, urged the council to support the nomination, saying the designation would protect what ‘‘makes Spokane great.’’ After public testimony the council moved, seconded and approved the ordinance by voice vote.

The ordinance amends the unified development code (chapter 17) to add the overlay zone and associated design standards; the Historic Preservation Office will publish designation details and notify affected property owners as part of implementation.