February 6, 2025

Dear Community Member,

As part of the Periodic Update to the Comprehensive Plan, the City of Spokane is hosting community visioning workshops in March to help scope out potential needs and wants that will inform future work.

These in-person workshops will include community discussion, mapping exercises, and feedback opportunities related to various aspects of the Comprehensive Plan so we can learn from you and start envisioning Spokane into 2046. No RSVP is required. These are drop-in events, so please attend when your schedule allows. Families are welcome! Kids activities will be available at each workshop.

• District 1 (NE Spokane) Periodic Update Visioning Workshop: Wednesday, March 5 from 5:30-7 p.m. at the Northeast Community Center, LL Main Room
• Community-Wide Periodic Update Visioning Workshop: Wednesday, March 12 from 12-1:30 p.m. at the Central Library, Events A Room
• District 2 (South Spokane) Periodic Update Visioning Workshop: Tuesday, March 25 from 5:30-7 p.m. at the Liberty Park Library, Events Room  
• District 3 (NW Spokane) Periodic Update Visioning Workshop: Thursday, March 27 from 5:30-7 p.m. at the Shadle Park Library, Events Room

The district-specific workshops will focus on the geography of each district but are open to all community members. Don’t know what district you live or work in? View the City of Spokane District Map. 

Community Climate Planning Survey

Thank you to the over 1,500 people who completed the Community Climate Planning Survey! The survey closed on January 31 and the Planning staff is hard at work analyzing the results. A survey report will be shared once available. 

Climate Planning Memos Recently Published

How is Spokane impacted by changing weather conditions and how can we address those impacts? Those two questions were asked to develop two key deliverables of the City of Spokane’s Climate Planning efforts that are now available to the public. A Spokane Climate Impacts and Climate Justice Memo identifies climate trends affecting Spokane, as well as the vulnerable populations and overburdened communities that are impacted first and worst, while the Spokane Climate Policy Audit analyzes and summarizes existing climate-related plans, policies, and regulations. 

Read more about the newly published memos. 

Spokane Vision Board

As we embark on the Periodic Update to the Comprehensive Plan, due in 2026, we are asking the community to help us envision Spokane’s future over the next 20 years. Share images and words that represent your vision for Spokane through Engage Spokane, an online community space that allows you to offer input and help shape the future of our vibrant city. More information and directions can be found at the link below. 

Determination of Significance Issued 

The City of Spokane has taken a first step towards updating its Comprehensive Plan to reflect visions, goals, and legislation to support Spokane’s growth into 2046. 

Before larger projects or major plans, regulations, or programs are put in place in the state of Washington, an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is required under the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA). The first step in creating an EIS is the Determination of Significance, issued by the jurisdiction, noting that additional analysis is required. The City of Spokane issued a Determination of Significance earlier this week, kicking off the visioning and scoping process for future work. 

Learn more about the Environmental Impact Statement process, including how to submit comments, with the EIS Scoping Fact Sheet. 

Over the past several months, the Hillyard Subarea Plan project team has been finishing work on the key components of the Plan, including the Urban Framework Plan, Market Analysis, Catalyst Sites - Conceptual Redevelopment Scenarios, and possible updates to the Land Use Map.

Based on community and participant feedback, several common themes emerged to enhance the quality of life for the community: 

• Improve property conditions, amenities, parks/open spaces, and walkability
• Add commercial services
• Address crime and infrastructure
• Provide more housing options 

In short, community priorities include a safe, clean, and captivating neighborhood. The project team is finalizing recommendations and strategies to achieve this vision.

The Urban Framework plan and associated infrastructure analyses identified current and planned improvements along with system deficiencies. The project team is compiling a list of capital improvement projects that would address deficiencies, and our project team consultants are working to identify and analyze various funding strategies for future infrastructure investment within the Hillyard neighborhood. This is one of the last and most critical components of the Subarea Plan, helping ensure the Plan can become a reality. 

Once the funding strategies are complete and all data has been compiled, a draft subarea plan document will be available for public review and comment. It is anticipated the final document will be adopted in mid-2025. For more information, please see the Hillyard Subarea Plan Project Page.

Building Opportunity for Housing Follow-Up Code Updates 

Updates to housing regulations found within the Spokane Municipal Code were unanimously approved by the Spokane City Council at their public meeting on January 27, 2025. Watch the full hearing. 

You can find all of the proposed amendments on the Building Opportunity for Housing Follow-Up project webpage. 

Have questions about the new regulations? You can contact the Middle Housing Support Team at MiddleHousing@spokanecity.org. 

What Happened?

• January 22 Public Workshop: The Spokane Plan Commission heard an update to the Climate Planning efforts related to the 2026 Periodic Update to the Comprehensive Plan. Watch the workshop here.

What's Next?

• Wednesday, Feb. 12 Public Workshop: The Spokane Plan Commission will hear updates to the Hillyard Subarea Plan and 5th Avenue Subarea Plan and discuss the honorary naming of the Post Street Bridge. 
• Wednesday, Feb. 26 Public Workshop: The Spokane Plan Commission will hear a presentation on updates to Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) regulations in line with HB 1337, as well as an update on the Land Capacity Analysis related to the Periodic Update for the Comprehensive Plan. 

Development Services Center is Open to Serve You!

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday | 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; Wednesday | 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

• In person - 808 W. Spokane Falls Blvd - 3rd Floor of City Hall (Office closed Wednesday mornings from 8-11 a.m. through the near future to allow staff to focus on permit load and reduce wait times. Calls will be forwarded to voice mail during this time.)
• Online - Skip a trip to City Hall with online permitting, an email to permitteam@spokanecity.org or Electronic Document Review 
• Phone - A representative can assist you at 509.625.6300

Provide written comment in email to PlanSpokane@spokanecity.org 

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