April 3, 2025

Dear Community Member,

Thank you to everyone who attended our community visioning workshops in March! These in-person events provided an opportunity for great community discussion and feedback on various aspects of the Comprehensive Plan as we begin to envision Spokane’s future through 2046. We appreciated the chance to hear your thoughts and ideas, which will help guide the planning process. Stay tuned for more opportunities to get involved as we continue this important journey together!

If you missed the in-person workshops, don’t worry! An online survey is now available that asks the same questions about your vision for Spokane’s future. Take the survey by Friday, April 18 to help direct the scope of the PlanSpokane 2046 efforts. 

April is here, and we're excited to celebrate Earth Month with all of you! Throughout the month, there will be plenty of opportunities to get involved in local community events and environmental celebrations. This includes opportunities to talk with the Climate Planning team, learn more about Spokane’s climate and resiliency work, and share your thoughts on how we can build a more resilient future. More details on how to be involved below! 

Earth Day Community Workshop

You are invited to the City of Spokane Earth Day Community Workshop to learn more about ongoing Climate Planning efforts and provide input on future actions to shape a sustainable future. This drop-in workshop at the West Central Community Center provides an in-person opportunity for community members to engage in the development of the City of Spokane’s climate and resiliency policies. 

Not only will you have the chance to contribute to a brighter future, but attendees who visit all workshop stations will be entered into a raffle for exciting prizes. 

This family-friendly event will also feature activities for kids. Food from Feast World Kitchen will be provided. 

Learn more about the Earth Day Community Workshop on Tuesday, April 22. 

Spot the Climate Planning Team Out in the Community 

The Climate Planning team will be out in the community throughout the month, including three events on one day! Stop by to say hello to Maren, Logan, and KayCee and learn more about Spokane’s efforts to grow community resiliency. 

• Riverfront Spring Market - Wednesday, April 9, 12 - 6 p.m. at Riverfront Park 
• Friends of the Library Book Sale and Spring Plant Swap - Saturday, April 26, 10 - 2 p.m. at Shadle Park Library
• Arbor Day Celebration - Saturday, April 26, 11 - 2 p.m. at Finch Arboretum
• ReCraft Fair and Earth Day Block Party - Saturday, April 26, 2 - 5 p.m. at West Central Abbey

Provide Feedback on Climate Vulnerability

The Climate Vulnerability Index (CVI) was developed to better understand Spokane’s unique climate considerations. The CVI is a mapping tool that helps the Climate Planning team identify areas, residents, and infrastructure in the City of Spokane that are more at risk from climate hazards like extreme heat, wildfire risks, and health issues caused by heat and smoke. The CVI uses data from local, state, and national sources, and also allows for comments from the public to improve our understanding of how existing and future climate hazards affect our community.

Learn more about the Climate Vulnerability Index.

Community Climate Planning Survey Results Now Available 

Spokane’s community shared their experiences and concerns about climate hazards impacting our city through the Community Climate Planning Survey. With 1,573 responses, this survey provides valuable insight into how climate challenges, such as wildfires, extreme heat, and other environmental factors, are affecting our daily lives right here in Spokane. The results will play a crucial role in shaping future policies aimed at building a more resilient Spokane, ensuring that we are prepared locally to face climate hazards and extreme weather events. 

Learn more about the Community Climate Planning Survey Results. 

The survey results were recently presented before the Climate Resilience and Sustainability Board. Watch the CRSB recording to learn more. 

Earth Month With the Community

Celebrate Earth Day across Spokane! Check out all of the City of Spokane community events and learn more about how to engage with community initiatives to make every day Earth Day! Go to spokanecity.org/earthday to learn more.

The Spokane River Forum collected a resource for Earth Day events throughout the community. Read their list and find an event for you! 

City leads coalition to amend statewide workforce housing incentive

The City of Spokane is partnering with the cities of Vancouver, Tacoma, and Kent, WA, to work with the office of Governor Bob Ferguson and the Department of Revenue on administration of the statewide housing incentive “Parking 2 People” (Chapter 82.92 RCW). 

Parking 2 People is an incentive designed to encourage property owners to redevelop underused parking lots into housing. 

Committed to encouraging and supporting the construction of workforce housing, the City of Spokane is still the only municipality in the state to have leveraged this tool to encourage housing development. Projects that have been approved under the program have highlighted useful amendments to the program to make it more effective for statewide use and support the legislature’s intent of encouraging more housing on underused property. With the guidance of Mayor Lisa Brown, Spokane is using its experience with the incentive to coordinate with other cities to request amendments to state regulations in order to streamline the Parking 2 People process. 

You can learn more about the incentive on the Parking 2 People program page.

What Happened?

• March 12 Public Workshop: The Spokane Plan Commission heard an update on the Division TOD Study and an introduction to the PlanSpokane 2046 Comprehensive Plan Chapter Review, and discussed a potential Cannon Hill Addition Historic District. [watch 3.12.25 recording]
• March 26 Public Workshop: The Spokane Plan Commission heard a summary of results from the Community Climate Planning Survey and discussed Accessory Dwelling Unit updates and addressing standards. [watch 3.26.25 recording]
• March 26 Public Hearing: The Spokane Plan Commission held a hearing on proposed Bike Priority Network updates. [watch 3.26.25 hearing recording]

What's Next?

• Wednesday, April 9 Public Workshop: The Spokane Plan Commission and the Spokane Transportation Commission will hold a joint meeting to discuss an update to the Six-Year Streets Capital Improvement Plan.  
• Wednesday, April 23 Public Workshop: The Spokane Plan Commission will workshop a Development Agreement related to the Excelsior Wellness Comprehensive Plan Amendment. 

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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