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Dear Community Member,
Draft Chapters of the Comprehensive Plan are now out for public review. These drafts have been updated based on legislative requirements, community engagement, public comments, and direction from the Spokane Plan Commission.
The Comprehensive Plan is made up of 14 Chapters covering a wide range of topics that support the community’s growth for the next 20 years. Topics include transportation, community health, the natural environment, neighborhoods, economic prosperity, and the City’s growth strategy.
Members of the public can submit comments at any time to PlanSpokane@spokanecity.org. The public is encouraged to include the Chapter name and Goal/Policy number(s) as applicable.
An additional release is expected later this summer, which will include all Chapters and their relevant maps and graphics, along with potential language updates based on feedback received from now until that release.
Visit the Chapter Review webpage for more information, including the draft Chapters.
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Capital Facilities Plan Under Development
Capital facilities and utilities are essential to a community and its ability to grow. These include things like water, sewer, and stormwater services, schools, parks, and public safety along with electrical, telecommunication, and natural gas lines and service.
As the city plans for growth over the next 20 years, it’s important to ensure that public services and utilities are available to serve that growth. To do just that, an update to the Capital Facilities Plan is underway.
This document will contain an inventory of existing and proposed capital facilities, establish level of service (LOS) standards, identify long-range facility service capacities and projected deficiencies, and outline the actions necessary to meet such deficiencies.
The current Capital Facilities Plan, last updated 2016, can be found in Appendix C of the current Comprehensive Plan.
Keep an eye out for the updated Capital Facilities Plan in future releases of the Comprehensive Plan.
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City Council Approves Preferred Alternative
The PlanSpokane 2046 update to the City’s Comprehensive Plan has reached a significant milestone: the selection of a Preferred Alternative.
On May 18, 2026, City Council approved the Preferred Alternative for PlanSpokane 2046, making minor amendments in the north of the City, with RES 2026-0035.
More information about the approved Preferred Alternative, as well as other aspects of the PlanSpokane 2046 project, can be found on the Preferred Alternative StoryMap page.
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Development Code Modernization Moves Into Drafting Phase
BUILDSpokane, the City of Spokane’s development code modernization initiative, continues to make significant progress as the project moves from assessment and analysis into development of draft code language.
The consultant team, led by Clarion Associates, recently finalized the project Development Code Assessment, which is now available on the project website. The assessment summarizes existing conditions within the City’s development regulations and identifies opportunities to improve clarity, organization, consistency, and overall usability as the project moves into the drafting phase.
Current work is focused on Module 1: Administration and Procedures. This portion of the project centers on the processes used to review and approve land use and development applications, including application submittal requirements, review procedures, decision-making processes, public noticing requirements, coordination between departments and agencies, and ultimately the implementation of future zoning and development standards. The intent is to help create a more transparent, efficient, and predictable development review process aligned with current state requirements, best practices, and the PlanSpokane periodic update to the Comprehensive Plan.
Over the coming weeks, the City and consultant team will begin sharing and discussing the draft procedures module with community members, development professionals, City staff, and other interested parties. These meetings are intended to introduce the proposed framework and provide an overview of the recommended approach before the draft module is released for broader review on the project website. Additional opportunities for review and feedback will be available following release of the draft module.
Future phases of BUILDSpokane will focus on zoning districts, allowed uses, development standards, and related implementation measures.
Learn more and stay involved:
Visit the project page or use the QR code below for updates, draft materials, and upcoming
| | ReFive Community Plan: Public Review Draft Now Available | | |
After nearly a year and a half of community engagement, partnerships and coordination, the Draft ReFIVE Community Plan is released for public feedback and input. The City is hosting a virtual workshop on Thursday, June 11, at 6 p.m., and will be attending community events and launching a survey to gather your feedback.
The draft plan honors the history and resilience of the community and aims to refresh, restart, and revive investments in community building with an eye toward the future. It focuses on what identity, connectivity, livability, stability, and wealth mean for the 5th Avenue Community today and in the future. The completion of this plan is a key component of the 5th Avenue Initiative completed in 2021 and advances the work forward with a coordinated framework and action.
Learn more about the draft plan and how to participate in upcoming engagement events.
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City Council Approves Moratorium on Drive-Thrus Near Frequent Transit
At their June 1 public meeting, City Council approved a moratorium on building permit applications for Drive-Through Facilities and Quick Vehicle Servicing uses near existing and planned frequent transit stops (ORD C36865). This moratorium does not apply to any pending building permit applications that were counter-complete before the effective date of the ordinance. The Planning and Economic Development Department will continue to study, conduct additional public engagement, and implement regulations for these uses in areas supporting transit-oriented development as part of the PlanSpokane 2046 Periodic Update to the Comprehensive Plan and the BUILDSpokane code modernization project.
Drive-Through Facilities and Quick Vehicle Servicing uses are defined in Chapter 17C.190 of the Spokane Municipal Code.
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Spokane City Council Changing Meeting Days
Spokane City Council is changing meeting days! If you have ever attended, watched, or planned to speak at a Spokane City Council meeting, this affects you. Starting July 13, Spokane City Council meeting days change.
- Council Agenda Review Meetings will be on Tuesdays at 11 a.m.
- Council Committee Meetings will be on Tuesdays at 1 p.m.
- Council Legislative Sessions will be on Wednesdays at 6 p.m.
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What Happened?
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May 13 Public Workshop: The Spokane Plan Commission heard an update on the PlanSpokane 2046 Chapter Review process and discussed the Growth Strategy Chapter of the Comprehensive Plan. [watch 5.13.26 recording]
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May 27 Public Workshop: The Spokane Plan Commission heard an update on the ReFIVE Draft 5th Avenue Community Plan, discussed the PlanSpokane 2046 Chapter Review release incorporating Climate Planning and Environmental Justice Review and Spokane Transit Authority Wellesley Corridor Development Plan, and were introduced to the Future Land Use Map development for PlanSpokane 2046. [watch 4.22.26 recording]
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What's Next?
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Wednesday, June 10 Public Workshop: The Spokane Plan Commission is tentatively scheduled to hear an update on the BUILDSpokane code modernization project, discussing the administration and procedures module review.
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Wednesday, June 24 Public Workshop: This workshop of the Spokane Plan Commission is cancelled.
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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 is 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 voicemail 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
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Provide written comment in email to PlanSpokane@spokanecity.org
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Interested in requesting an outreach event? Email us!
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