Electric Guard Dog, LLC sought an amendment to the Spokane City fence code in 2015 to allow business owners in commercial and industrial zones to install electric fence security systems. The Plan Commission forwarded a recommendation to City Council to allow these fences in Light (LI) and Heavy Industrial (HI) zones. The amended code adopted by City Council in May, 2016 permitted electric fence installation in Heavy Industrial (HI) zones only.
A new request for an electric fence was received for a business in a LI zone in mid-2017. In response to this request, the City Council sought a recommendation from the Plan Commission regarding expanding the use of electric fence security systems within Light Industrial zones (the "Proposal").
The Plan Commission held workshops, open to the public, on February 28, 2018 and March 14, 2018 to study the existing code and the Proposal, which would amend the City’s development regulations to establish the conditions for permitting electric fences in Light Industrial Zones. These workshops were followed by a hearing on May 9th, 2018. After public testimony and deliberation the Plan Commission voted 10 to 0 to recommend approval of the Proposal including the use of electric fence security systems in Light Industrial Zones.
The Proposal amends the Industrial Fence code, permitting installation of electric fences in Light Industrial zones and amends conditions under which electric fences may be installed and operated including compliance with street frontage and screening when electric fence security systems are installed adjacent to or across a street or alley from a non-industrial zone, amends permitted hours of operation, and requires solid surface fencing when installed within five feet of a pedestrian connection.
There will be a public hearing before the City of Spokane City Council on June 25, 2018 at 6:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, Lower Level of City Hall, 808 West Spokane Falls Boulevard, Spokane, Washington, to receive public testimony on a proposed ordinance to amend Section 17C.130.310, Industrial Zone Fences, of the Spokane Municipal Code.
Written comments and oral testimony at the public hearings for these proposed actions will be made part of the public record. Only the applicant, persons submitting written comments and persons testifying at a hearing may appeal the decision of the City Council. Any person may submit written comments on the proposed actions or call for additional information at:
Planning & Development Department
Attn: Melissa Owen, Assistant Planner
808 West Spokane Falls Boulevard
Spokane, WA 99201-3329
Phone 509.625.6063
mowen@spokanecity.org
Melissa Owen
Assistant Planner
509.625.6053
mowen@spokanecity.org
