September 4, 2025

Dear Community Member,

From vision to adoption, the PlanSpokane 2046 Periodic Update journey has many “destinations” along the way. We’re currently busy conducting analysis and understanding different ways to meet the community’s vision for the City of Spokane’s future. Later this year, that information will be presented to the public for feedback on growth options and other ways to support a resilient, connected, and livable city now and for the next 20 years. 

We thank everyone for staying engaged with our community’s future. 

Thank you for taking the Community Climate Policy Survey!

Thank you to the over 1,400 people who took the time to complete the Community Climate Policy Survey! The survey closed on August 31 and Planning Staff are hard at work analyzing the results. A survey report will be shared once available, and your feedback will soon be integrated into proposed climate policies to support local resiliency right here in the City of Spokane. 

Clean Air Starts with Clear Voices, Speak Up for Spokane in Ecology Survey

Have a few minutes? Take Ecology’s Air Quality Survey and tell us what you think about the air where you live. If you notice smoky days or air quality concerns – Ecology wants to hear about it. Your feedback helps guide future decisions to keep our air clean and healthy. It’s quick, easy, and actually makes a difference. The Department of Ecology survey closes at the end of the month. 

PlanSpokane 2046 Video Series

The PlanSpokane 2046 Video Series is now launched! This education series will be your quick guide to key concepts and updates related to the ongoing Periodic Update to the Comprehensive Plan. These brief, informative videos hope to enhance your understanding of the planning process so you can stay engaged with helping shape the City of Spokane’s future. 

Three videos are currently available!

• What is the City of Spokane’s Comprehensive Plan
• Community Feedback Identifies Themes for City of Spokane’s Future,
• How does Spokane’s Comprehensive Plan Shape our Community?

Visit the PlanSpokane 2046 Video Series webpage and stay tuned for future videos to be added throughout PlanSpokane 2046. 

Housing Needs Webpage Now Available

As part of the PlanSpokane 2046 Comprehensive Plan Periodic Update, the City of Spokane is seeking to better understand how to support existing housing while also addressing future housing needs. With that goal in mind, the City has undertaken several directed projects analyzing the local housing situation. Many of these are mandated and guided by changes to the Growth Management Act adopted by the State Legislature in recent years.

Visit the City’s Housing Needs webpage to learn more about the Land Capacity Analysis, accommodating affordable housing, racially disparate impacts and displacement risks, and emergency housing capacity. 

ReFIVE: A Community Plan for 5th Avenue

The City of Spokane is embarking on a planning process to create the 5th Avenue Community Plan to reflect community vision and priorities. The 5th Avenue Community Plan builds on ongoing community-led efforts to create an inclusive vision for the 5th Avenue corridor in East Central and develop actions that shape a healthy, safe, and thriving community. Through a codesign process that shares power between the City and community, the ReFIVE Plan will establish a framework for integrated and equitable development, honoring the history and diversity of the area, community, and businesses, and planning for the future. 

More information about the effort can be found on the project page.

Do you live, work, or visit the 5th Avenue area? Share your ideas for opportunities and improvements in the neighborhood through the online interactive map at spokane5thavenue.com. 

Community Efforts Taking Shape in Hillyard 

The City of Spokane, in partnership with the Northeast Public Development Authority and community members, has been hard at work on the Hillyard Subarea Plan. This Plan brings together past planning efforts and proposes a series of strategies to stimulate economic growth and area revitalization. The Hillyard Subarea Plan is currently scheduled for a public hearing before the Spokane Plan Commission on Wednesday, Sept. 10. 

At the same time, community members spent more than a year on another effort to bring recognition to the neighborhood. In early August, the board of the Washington State Arts Commission approved Hillyard as the City of Spokane’s first certified creative district. Learn more about the community effort. 

Millions Awarded to Affordable Housing Projects Across Spokane

The City of Spokane has allocated $7.5 million to fully or partially fund nine local affordable housing projects and programs. These funds will increase and preserve affordable rental housing inventory, increase affordable homeownership inventory, and support vulnerable populations in locating and procuring housing. 

Learn more about these housing investments. 

What Happened?

• August 13 Public Workshop: The Spokane Plan Commission heard a presentation on the PlanSpokane 2046 Chapter Review, Hillyard Subarea Plan, 2026-2031 Capital Improvement Plan, and proposed noticing requirement updates. [watch 8.13.25 recording]
• August 27 Public Workshop: The August 27 Spokane Plan Commission workshop was cancelled for summer break.  

What's Next?

• Wednesday, Sept. 10 Public Workshop: The Spokane Plan Commission is tentatively scheduled to hear presentations on the PlanSpokane 2046 Chapter Review and Division Transit-Oriented Development. 
• Wednesday, Sept. 10 Public Hearing: A Spokane Plan Commission public hearing is tentatively scheduled on the Hillyard Subarea Plan. 
• Wednesday, Sept. 24 Public Workshop: The Spokane Plan Commission is tentatively scheduled to hear presentations on the PlanSpokane 2046 Chapter Review and the Citywide Capital Improvement Program. 
• Wednesday, Sept. 24 Public Hearing: A Spokane Plan Commission public hearing is tentatively scheduled on the Cannon Hill Park Addition Historic District. 

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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