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Dear Community Member,
At their public hearing on April 14, 2026, the Spokane Plan Commission voted to approve the PlanSpokane 2046 draft Preferred Alternative, making a recommendation to City Council. More information about the draft Preferred Alternative, including maps and details about the expected types of growth, can be found on the Preferred Alternative StoryMap page.
City Council is scheduled to hold a hearing on Monday, May 18, to make a final decision on the Preferred Alternative, which will guide growth prioritization over the next 20 years.
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Members of the public can submit written comments to City Council by emailing PlanSpokane@spokanecity.org. It is recommended that comments be as descriptive as possible. Intersection names, maps, specific proposed changes, and other details will help City Council understand how your comments relate to the proposed growth strategy. Verbal testimony is accepted at the City Council meeting, with sign-up open the hour preceding the legislative session. More details will be available on the City Council agenda once available.
You can learn more about PlanSpokane 2046, the engagement that has led to the proposed growth strategy, and other details of the project at PlanSpokane.org.
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City Updating Critical Areas Ordinance Through PlanSpokane 2046
The City of Spokane is in the process of updating its Critical Area Ordinance (CAO) as part of the PlanSpokane 2046 periodic update. The City’s current CAO can be found in Title 17E of the Spokane Municipal Code. The Growth Management Act (GMA) requires all cities and counties in Washington to adopt regulations protecting critical areas to preserve the natural environment, wildlife habitats, and sources of fresh drinking water. There are five types of critical areas:
- Wetlands
- Areas with a critical recharging effect on aquifers used for potable water
- Fish and wildlife habitat conservation areas
- Frequently flooded areas
- Geologically hazardous areas
The GMA requires that cities and counties update their CAOs once every 10 years, coinciding with the comprehensive plan periodic update cycle. The City’s current CAO is largely consistent with the requirements of State law, though some updates will be necessary for the inclusion of best available science and consistency with updated State laws and regulations.
The Department of Commerce has a helpful webpage on critical areas that includes a checklist for updating critical areas.
| | PlanSpokane 2046 at Urban Experience | |
At the April 20 Urban Experience Committee, City Council heard a presentation on the PlanSpokane 2046 periodic update. The presentation included an update on the selection of the Preferred Alternative and how community input helped shape its development.
Watch the full City Council Committee Meeting.
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Tentative May Release of Draft Comprehensive Plan
A full draft of the Comprehensive Plan is expected to be available for public review at the end of May.
Draft non-technical chapters have been previously available. These chapters have undergone updates based on feedback from the community and the Spokane Plan Commission. Additionally, this will be the first time the Transportation, Housing, Growth Strategy (formally known as Land Use), and Capital Facilities chapters will be out to the public.
The updated drafts will be uploaded to the Chapter Review webpage once available.
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Code Modernization Update: Moving into the Drafting Phase
Work to update Spokane’s development code is moving into its next phase.
Over the past several months, the consultant team has evaluated the current code to identify areas that create confusion, delay, or unintended barriers to desired development. A draft assessment has been completed and will be finalized and posted to the City’s website soon.
At the same time, the team has been preparing a full rewrite of the City’s development procedures, including how applications are submitted, reviewed, and approved. A draft of these procedures is expected in May.
The Spokane Plan Commission recently held a workshop to discuss key policy questions that will shape the updated code. Topics included how to provide clearer standards, when flexibility is appropriate, how to improve certainty earlier in the process, and how to address existing development.
While no decisions were made, the discussion emphasized the importance of a system that is easier to use, more predictable, and aligned with how development occurs today. The Commission also highlighted the value of providing clearer direction earlier in the review process to reduce uncertainty later on.
Following the release of draft procedures, the project will shift to zoning districts and allowed uses, core components that determine what can be built and where.
This work is part of a broader effort to align development regulations with Spokane’s updated Comprehensive Plan and create a more consistent and understandable framework for growth.
Learn more and stay involved:
Visit the project page for updates, draft materials, and upcoming opportunities to participate.
| | 2025 Division Annual Report Now Available | | 2025 was a foundational year for improvements in the Community & Economic Development Division. The Development Services Center, Code Enforcement, Parking Services, Arts, Culture and Historic Preservation Department, and Planning & Economic Development all worked hard to improve service delivery, strengthen internal systems, and support responsible growth in Spokane. Read the full 2025 Division Annual Report to learn more. | | ReFive Community Plan at Spokane’s Black Earth Day | | |
Spokane’s first Black Earth Day celebration focused on environmental health, food justice, and Black community land stewardship. The ReFive planning team shared environmental justice strategies in the draft ReFive plan and asked attendees to share one word on what a healthy East Central looks like, with contributions ranging from interconnected and revitalized to community gardens and native plants. The draft plan will be released in late May 2026, with a Plan Commission workshop set to happen on Wednesday, May 27.
Learn more about the draft plan and how to participate at upcoming engagement events.
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Provide Feedback on Opportunity Zone Nominations
The City of Spokane is preparing nominations of eligible census tracts for Opportunity Zones 2.0 and is seeking your input.
Opportunity Zones are federally designated census tracts meant to spur investment in underinvested communities. Nationally, the Opportunity Zone Program has already generated over $100 billion of investment in low-income communities, with designated census tracts having access to private investment funds that would otherwise not be accessible.
A revised program is being rolled out by the US Department of Treasury, referred to as Opportunity Zones 2.0, designating new opportunity zones for the next 10 years. As part of the process, the City is able to put forward eligible census tracts for consideration by the Governor’s Office, coordinating regionally with surrounding jurisdictions and community organizations. Currently, the City is considering nominations for census tracts in Logan, East Central, lower Cliff/Cannon, Riverside (downtown Spokane), Emerson/Garfield, West Central Neighborhoods, and the North Bank area.
Join City staff for a virtual public presentation and opportunity to provide input on the proposed Opportunity Zones 2.0 process TONIGHT.
Thursday, May 7, from 4 - 5 p.m. pm via Teams (Meeting link)
| | Spokane Bicycle Advisory Board at Spokane Bike Swap | | | | |
The Spokane Bicycle Advisory Board was out at the Spokane Bike Swap and Expo on April 18, talking to folks about bicycling in Spokane.
The Board meets on the third Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m., providing advice and direction on matters relating to bicycling and raising public awareness of bicycling issues. If you are interested in keeping up with what the Bicycle Advisory Board is doing, check out their webpage.
| | Latah Valley Community Open House Recap | | The City of Spokane held a community open house for Latah Valley and the surrounding neighborhoods on April 28. Representatives from the City of Spokane Planning, Development Services Center, Public Works, Parks, Fire, Emergency Management, and Office of Neighborhood Services, as well as the Spokane Transit Authority, were available at stations to provide information about relevant projects in the Highway 195 corridor. This drop-in event provided opportunities for conversations with attending staff. | | | Thank you to the over 50 community members who attended! | | |
What Happened?
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April 8 Public Workshop: This workshop was cancelled for Spring Break.
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April 14 Public Hearing: Special meeting for the PlanSpokane 2046 Preferred Alternative. Plan Commission recommended approval of the draft Preferred Alternative to City Council. [watch 4.14.26 recording]
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April 16 Study Session: A special joint meeting of Plan Commission with City Council. [watch 4.16.26 recording]
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April 22 Public Workshop: The Spokane Plan Commission heard presentations on the BUILDSpokane development code modernization update and transportation impact fees. [watch 4.22.26 recording]
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April 22 Public Hearing: The Plan Commission held a hearing on the 6-year Streets Program. [watch 4.22.26 hearing recording]
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What's Next?
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Wednesday, May 13 Public Workshop: The Spokane Plan Commission is tentatively scheduled to hear an update on the PlanSpokane 2046 Chapter Review process and discuss the Growth Strategy Chapter of the Comprehensive Plan.
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Wednesday, May 27 Public Workshop: The Spokane Plan Commission is tentatively scheduled to hear an update on the ReFIVE Draft 5th Avenue Community Plan and discuss the PlanSpokane 2046 Chapter Review release incorporating Climate Planning and Environmental Justice Review.
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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
Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up for the Plan Spokane newsletter here.
Interested in requesting an outreach event? Email us!
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You are receiving this email because you signed up via the Spokane Housing Action Plan website, have been identified as an individual or stakeholder in the discussion, or expressed interest in receiving planning project updates from the City of Spokane. Please feel free to share this email with others who are interested in receiving email announcements about this project. To unsubscribe, please email planspokane@spokanecity.org.
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