Housing Update

Thursday, March 16, 2023

Dear Community Member,

It’s almost officially Spring, and that means more opportunities to find Planning staff out in the wild as we start to see warmer weather. 

With that in mind, stop by and visit Planning staff at El Mercadito on Saturday, March 25. El Mercadito is an outdoor cultural market from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Cannon Park. Chat with staff about Building Opportunity for Housing, ask questions, and learn about next steps in the project.

And of course, enjoy the community resources, vendors, and Zumba while you’re there!

Planning Director Spencer Gardner provided a presentation at the 2023 Real Estate Market Forum this month to help educate area professionals about the City’s housing efforts under Shaping Spokane Housing. Want to learn more about these efforts? Reach out to us at developmentcode@spokanecity.org!

A frequent comment we receive is that Building Opportunity for Housing will not solve all housing or other planning-related concerns in Spokane. And we couldn’t agree more. The Department of Planning and Economic Development is working on a variety of programs and projects to best serve our community. Some of our current programs and projects include…

Multi-Family Tax Exemption (MFTE)

The Multi-Family Tax Exemption program, now available to developments citywide adding four or more new units to the city, provides for essential property tax breaks and eases the financial difficulties for housing development. Depending on the project location, and whether it includes affordable units or not, the MFTE program can provide for an 8- to-12-year exemption from property improvement taxes. Reach out to the city to learn about the 20-year MFTE option. READ MORE ABOUT THE MFTE PROGRAMS

South Logan Transit Oriented Development (TOD) Project

The South Logan TOD Project aims to support more connectivity and livability in South Logan and the University District, taking advantage of the recently built STA City Line bus rapid transit route, opening July 2023. READ MORE ABOUT THE SOUTH LOGAN TOD PROJECT

Short-Term Rental Code Update

Under the Shaping Spokane Housing project, Planning Staff is working hard to update the short-term rental code. There has been a lot in the news of late about short-term rentals (e.g. Airbnb, VRBO) and their possible impacts on long-term housing supply in the City. Proposed changes seek to provide for the orderly and safe provision of both long- and short-term housing in Spokane. READ MORE ABOUT THE SHORT TERM RENTAL CODE UPDATES

Centers and Corridors Review and Assessment

The City’s vision for long term growth has been a part of our Comprehensive Plan since 2003. These designated Centers and Corridors are where mixed-use and higher intensity uses are concentrated in the City. The Centers and Corridors Review and Assessment project, using twenty years of history and lessons learned, will explore the concepts and development code for Centers and Corridors, generating specific recommendations to improve the designated areas. For more information, contact Colin Quinn-Hurst at cquinnhurst@spokanecity.org. 

City of Spokane

Plan Commission

Meeting Schedule

2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the Month in City Hall

WHAT HAPPENED?

• March 7, 2023 - Plan Commission went on a mobile tour of STA’s new City Line. 

WHAT'S NEXT?

• There are many exciting projects being reviewed by Plan Commission, from the proposed bike parking code update to the South Logan TOD Project. Expect to see Building Opportunity for Housing back at Plan Commission in April, when we will begin to report on the Building Opportunity for Housing survey results!

We want your feedback!

Provide written comment in email to DevelopmentCode@spokanecity.org. This email list will be notified regarding additional opportunities for participation.

Sign up for Shaping Spokane Housing email updates and announcements here.

Interested in requesting an outreach event? Email us!

Development Services Center is Open to Serve You!

Monday-Friday | 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

• In person - 808 W. Spokane Falls Blvd - 3rd Floor of City Hall
• 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

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 developmentcode@spokanecity.org.