Last week, the Spokane City Council voted 5-2 to approve an emergency moratorium that prevents car-centric businesses — such as drive-thrus, gas stations and car washes — from being built on major streets around the city over the next year.
Placed on the agenda less than a week before council members voted on it, the moratorium will prevent anyone from submitting permits for drive-thru and quick-vehicle servicing facilities through April 2027. It does not impact businesses already in operation, nor does it change any rules for businesses that had their permit applications approved before the vote on Monday, April 13.
The moratorium includes large portions of North Hamilton and Monroe streets, a stretch of Sprague Avenue and a handful of South Hill spots including the area where South Grand Boulevard intersects with East 29th Avenue, but most of the restriction on car-centric businesses is centered on North Division Street from downtown (including Ruby Street until the roadway joins again into Division) to East Hawthorne Road near Mead…