1. Purpose. To ensure public safety and a consistent development of skywalk structures in the public right of way, the following development standards must be met.

2. Skywalk Development Standards

1. Street Clearance

1. Skywalks must have a minimum of sixteen and one-half feet clearance above the existing street grade in the center lane, and must have a minimum of fifteen feet clearance above the street pavement at the curb and over alleys.

2. Circulation

1. Ramps within the skywalk structure should be distributed continuously, uniformly, and symmetrically at an incline not exceeding one foot vertically for every twelve feet of horizontal distance (approximately eight and three-tenths percent).

2. There should be no steps within a skywalk structure or in walkways associated with skywalks.

3. Street Access

1. 1. 1. Skywalks must have adequate pedestrian access to and from the street level, such access to be available at, at least, one of the termini points of each skywalk.

1. 1. 2. Each one-block area should have at least one street level pedestrian access point for every two skywalks that enter the subject block. This street level pedestrian access may be through stairways or by mechanical means and such access may be internal or external to the structure.

1. 1. 3. In the case of existing structures into which a skywalk is built, existing access systems at the property perimeter may be counted for this access to and from the street if it is well marked, accessible, and within fifty feet of the skywalk terminus.

1. 1. 4. Skywalks outside the central business district shall be provided with such street level pedestrian access as deemed warranted by the city council, acting with the advice and recommendation of the design review board.

4. Glazing

1. For impact resistance, all exterior glazing in the skywalk structure shall be not less than one-quarter inch thickness tempered glass set in metal frames.

2. The use of double-paned insulated glazing and of metal frames with thermal breaks is encouraged.

5. Drainage

1. Skywalks must have internal, controlled, year-round drainage to adjoining building systems or to the storm sewer, constructed and maintained to the satisfaction of the City of Spokane.

Date Passed: Monday, May 9, 2022

Effective Date: Sunday, June 19, 2022

ORD C36205 Section 9

All projects must address the pertinent design standards. A determination of consistency with the design standards will be made by the planning director following an administrative review process. Design standards are in the form of Requirements (R), Presumptions (P), and Considerations (C). Regardless of which term is used, an applicant must address each design standard. For design standards that are designated Requirement (R) an applicant may apply to the Design Review Board pursuant to the procedures set forth in chapter 17G.040 SMC, and the board may recommend approval of alternatives to strict compliance, upon a finding that the alternative satisfies the decision criteria for a design departure in SMC 17G.030.040.

1. Requirements (R).

Requirements are mandatory in that they contain language that is not discretionary, such as “shall,” “must,” and “will.” Requirements must be satisfied by any plan prior to building permit approval. Requirements are listed with an (R) after the standard.

2. Presumptions (P).

Presumptions are standards that are meant to be applied, but with some flexibility. Presumptions indicate that the City is open to design features that are equal to, or better than, that stated – so long as the purpose is satisfied. A submitted plan is incomplete and will be rejected if it does not demonstrate that the presumptive elements have been in some way incorporated or overcome. Presumptions are listed with a (P) after the standard.

1. Overcoming a Presumption.

A presumption that may be unsuitable for a given project may be waived if an applicant can demonstrate to the planning director that there is a good reason why the presumption is inappropriate. The director may approve an alternative that achieves the intent of the presumption. At the discretion of the applicant, or in rare cases the director, may refer the permit to the design review board. A referral from the director would be in those cases where the complexity of the project and/or the cumulative impacts of deviations result in the project no longer meeting the overall intent of the design standard and the comprehensive plan.

2. Appropriate ways to overcome a presumption include:

1. 1. demonstrating that for a specific project the underlying design principle will not be furthered by the application of the presumption;

1. 2. showing that another design principle is enhanced by not applying the presumption;

1. 3. demonstrating an alternative method for achieving the intent of the presumption;

1. 4. explaining the unique site factors that make the presumption unworkable, such as lot size and shape, slope, natural vegetation, drainage, or characteristics of adjacent development, which are identified through their use of materials, colors, building mass and form, and landscaping.

Note: Increases in the cost of development will not be an acceptable reason to waive a standard or determine that a standard is inappropriate.

3. Considerations (C).

Design standards listed as considerations are features and concepts that an applicant should consider in preparing a plan. Their omission is not grounds for rejecting a plan, but their inclusion or recognition is encouraged and may assist in overcoming certain presumptions and in gaining acceptance for a plan. Considerations are listed with a (C) after the standard.

Date Passed: Monday, May 9, 2022

Effective Date: Sunday, June 19, 2022

ORD C36205 Section 9

The design standards found in SMC 17C.255.500 through SMC 17C.255.530 follow SMC 17C.255.015, Design Standards Administration. Design standards are in the form of Requirements (R), Presumptions (P), and Considerations (C). An applicant may apply to the Design Review Board pursuant to the procedures set forth in chapter 17G.040 SMC, and the board may recommend approval of alternatives to strict compliance, upon a finding that the alternative satisfies the decision criteria for a design departure in SMC 17G.030.040. All skywalks are subject to design review and are subject to a design review process and shall follow the skywalk design guidelines.

Skywalks must meet the design standards found in SMC 17C.255.500 through SMC 17C.124.530 and follow the skywalk design guidelines. To allow new development to better respond to the unique character of its surroundings, the design review board’s recommendations to the planning director may include flexibility from the design standards if the board determines that the proposal meets the intent of the design standards and the skywalk design guidelines. See the Skywalk Design Guidelines and the Design Review Application Handbook for an outline of the design review process.

Date Passed: Monday, May 9, 2022

Effective Date: Sunday, June 19, 2022

ORD C36205 Section 9

1. Purpose. A skywalk should achieve an open character to reveal pedestrian use of the structure.

2. Windows Implementation

1. A skywalk’s enclosing structure should have at least seventy percent transparent glazing, excluding structural framing members. (P)

2. Openings in a skywalk structure should be distributed evenly along the length of the skywalk. (P)

Date Passed: Monday, May 9, 2022

Effective Date: Sunday, June 19, 2022

ORD C36205 Section 9

1. Purpose. To ensure the year-round physical comfort of the pedestrian users of the skywalk.

2. Enclosure Implementation

1. A skywalk should be fully enclosed. (P)

Date Passed: Monday, May 9, 2022

Effective Date: Sunday, June 19, 2022

ORD C36205 Section 9

1. Purpose. The exteriors of skywalks will be noncompetitive with the character of the connecting buildings.

2. Articulation Implementation

1. The exterior of the skywalk structure should be contextually compatible with the connecting buildings. (P)

2. The exterior of the skywalk structure should be restrained and conservative in detailing. (P)

Date Passed: Monday, May 9, 2022

Effective Date: Sunday, June 19, 2022

ORD C36205 Section 9

1. Purpose. To convey a sense of structural stability to pedestrians and drivers, a skywalk structure should be as horizontal as feasible, and as orthogonal to the street grid as feasible.

2. Angulation and Slope Implementation

1. The horizontal angulation of the skywalk off the centerline of the right of way should not exceed five percent of the width of the right of way. (P)

2. The vertical slope of the skywalk structure should not exceed one percent of the width between the connecting buildings’ contact points. (P)

3. No skywalk’s structure should have an arch with a rise between the lowest end and the midpoint greater than a five percent slope. (P)

Date Passed: Monday, May 9, 2022

Effective Date: Sunday, June 19, 2022

ORD C36205 Section 9

1. Purpose. Skywalk structures must maintain adequate interior skywalk pathway dimensions, without unduly impacting the primary use of the skywalk and the liveliness of public sidewalks.

2. Dimensions Implementation

1. Skywalks must be no less than eight feet nor more than fourteen feet in width. (R)

2. Skywalks must be no more than fourteen feet in height, as measured from the bottom of the skywalk structure to its top. (R)

Date Passed: Monday, May 9, 2022

Effective Date: Sunday, June 19, 2022

ORD C36205 Section 9