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What's New?

Updated May 11, 2012

The City of Spokane Comprehensive Plan has been updated to include all revisions through January 2012. The document now has functioning bookmarks for easier navigation. Please use the link below to view the document:



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NOTICE OF APPLICATION
Shoreline Substantial Development Permit Z1200008SSDP

May 22, 2012

Public Comment Period: May 11, 2012 to June 11, 2012

Project: Extension of Centennial Trail through a small section (approximately 180 linear feet) of shoreline jurisdiction.

Description of Proposal: A 12-foot wide asphalt trail that will be sloped to drain toward a five-foot landscape strip planted with native grasses on the north side (landward) of the trail. There will be a 2 foot minimum strip planted with native grasses on the south (water-ward) side of the trail. The trail will have a slope of 5% or less. Grading with some clearing and cutting is required to accommodate the trail on the existing trail rough grade. It is estimated that there will be approximately 500 cubic yards of excavated material that will be removed from the site. No fill is anticipated. Pine trees will be planted as mitigation and as part of the overall Habitat Management Plan recommendations for the extension of the Centennial Trail from Monroe Street west to Summit Blvd.

More Information:

How to Comment: Written comments may be submitted on this proposal by June 11, 2012, via email to tblack@spokanecity.org or via mail to Tirrell Black, Spokane City Hall, 808 W. Spokane Falls Blvd., Spokane WA 99201. Any person has the right to submit written comments on the proposal. Only the applicant and persons submitting written comments may appeal the decision of the Planning Director.



INFILL HOUSING ZONING CODE UPDATE PROJECT:
Plan Commission Public Hearing June 13, 2012

May 1, 2012

The City Plan Commission has set June 13, 2012 as the date for a public hearing on recommendations for revisions to the Spokane Municipal Code related to improving options for the development of infill housing.

Proposed amendments to the Spokane Municipal Code (SMC) include:

Please visit this website for updates on the time of the hearing and additional information or the Infill Housing Zoning Code Update Project website.

Additional information about the proposed amendment is also available by contacting Ken Pelton at (509) 625-6300 or kpelton@spokanecity.org.


NOTICE OF PLAN COMMISSION PUBLIC HEARING

April 25, 2012

Proposed Comprehensive Plan Amendment:

Notice is hereby given that there will be a public hearing before the City of Spokane Plan Commission on Wednesday, May 9, 2012, at 3:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, Lower Level of City Hall, 808 West Spokane Falls Boulevard, Spokane, Washington. The purpose of public hearing is to designate 44th Avenue, between Freya Street and Regal Street, as a Minor Arterial in order to proceed with the development of the street this spring. The Department of Engineering Services is proposing an Emergency Comprehensive Plan Amendment to amend the Planned Arterial Network Map TR3 of the City’s Comprehensive Plan on 44th Avenue between Regal Street and Freya Street from Local Access Street to a Minor Arterial; amending the City’s Comprehensive Plan Table TR 23 Capacity Improvements to add Project No. 201201, 44th Ave, Regal Street to Freya Street, $1,100; and amending the Spokane Municipal Code Section 12.08.040 Official Arterial Street Map.

Resources:


How to Comment:

Comments regarding this proposal may be made in person at the Plan Commission Public Hearing scheduled for May 9, 2012. Written comment to the Plan Commission may be emailed prior to the public hearing to tpalmquist@spokanecity.org or via mail to Plan Commission, c/o Tami Palmquist, Spokane City Hall, 808 W. Spokane Falls Blvd., Spokane WA 99201. Any person has the right to submit written comments to the Plan Commission and to appear at the Public Hearing of the Plan Commission to give oral comments on the proposal.

For additional information about the proposed ordinance, please contact Tami Palmquist, tpalmquist@spokanecity.org, (509) 625-6157. The official file is available at City Hall 3rd floor, 808 W. Spokane Falls Blvd, Spokane, WA 99201, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.


Proposed Legacy Business Restoration Ordinance

April 26, 2012

On May 9, 2012 beginning at 3:00 p.m. the Plan Commission will hold a Public Hearing in the Council Chambers, Spokane City Hall, 808 W. Spokane Falls Blvd.

All meetings and hearings will be conducted in facilities that are accessible to all members of the public. Addition information with regard to the accessibility of City Hall, or notification of an ADA accommodation should be made to Liane Carlson, Human Resources Specialist at (509) 625-6703.

Proposal:

The purpose of this proposed zoning code change is to allow existing neighborhood commercial structures that once housed a legal commercial use to be reused for low impact neighborhood serving businesses. This would apply to all residentially zoned areas within West Central. The current proposal further restricts these structures to be located on an arterial or on the Spokane Register of Historic Places at the time of application. Previous drafts stated the National Register of Historic Places but this language has been revised. It is anticipated that the ordinance will undergo some revisions during the legislative process. These will be posted on this webpage as they become available.

An Open House with the West Central Neighborhood was held on Wednesday April 11th and the West Central Community Center.

A Notice of Public Hearing and SEPA Determination of Non-significance (DNS) were issued on April 16, 2012. SEPA Comments will be taken until 5pm on May 10, 2012.

Resources:

For additional information about the proposed ordinance, please contact Louis Meuler, lmeuler@spokanecity.org 509-625-6096 or Tirrell Black, tblack@spokanecity.org, (509) 625-6185.

How to Comment:

Comments regarding this proposal may be made in person at the Plan Commission Public Hearing scheduled for May 9, 2012. Written comment to the Plan Commission may be emailed prior to the public hearing to tblack@spokanecity.org or via mail to Plan Commission, c/o Tirrell Black, Spokane City Hall, 808 W. Spokane Falls Blvd., Spokane WA 99201. Any person has the right to submit written comments to the Plan Commission and to appear at the Public Hearing of the Plan Commission to give oral comments on the proposal.


2011 Comprehensive Plan Amendments

April 13, 2012

A 60-Day Public Comment period was opened on March 30, 2012 for the two Comprehensive Plan Land Use Map Amendment Applications being processes for annual amendment cycle. The public comment period will close on May 30, 2012. This is your opportunity to make written comment to staff regarding the application or any environmental impacts this application may have. The applications can be viewed here:



Design Review Board Application Handbook Revisions

February 27, 2012

In 2009, the city council adopted by reference the design review application handbook. The City of Spokane Design Review Board and staff have proposed certain administrative clarifications to the handbook. Please view the proposed revisions here or contact Julie Neff, Urban Designer, Planning Services Department (509) 625-6082. Comments will be accepted through March 14, 2012.


JLUS Implementation Adopted!

May 18, 2012

Spokane County, Spokane City, Airway Heights, Medical Lake, the Spokane Tribe of Indians, the Kalispel Tribe of Indians, Spokane International Airport and Fairchild Air Force Base (FAFB) have been collaborating to draft model development regulations and comprehensive plan policy that implement the recommendations of the 2009 Fairchild Joint Land Use Study (JLUS). FAFB employees approximately 5,000 people and is an important part of our regional economy. However, because of noise, vibration and emissions impacts and safety concerns, some types of development are considered incompatible with Fairchild’s operations and should not be located in the areas surrounding the base. JLUS identifies strategies to protect the viability of current and future missions at Fairchild AFB while at the same time accommodating growth, sustaining the economic health of the region, and protecting public health and safety.

In order to implement the JLUS recommendations the City Council adopted changes to the zoning map to include the identified Military Influence Areas, adopted a new Military Influence Area chapter and associated amendments to the Unified Development Code and made emergency amendments to the Comprehensive Plan to include new Military Influence Area Maps and associated policy.

Documents:



Questions or comments can be directed to Kathleen Weinand at kweinand@spokanecity.org or (509) 625-6146.


Change of Use

December 5, 2011

Changing the use or occupancy type of a building can present many challenges. In a change of use, modifications may need to be made to the building or space to bring the area up to code for the particular occupancy classification for which it will now be used.(Grandfathering rules don’t apply for most sections of the building codes when the use of a building is altered.) For example, an old house that is to be used as an office building must comply with the most recent life safety code requirements, such as exiting, for a new office building.

Before you consider purchasing, renting or leasing a site for your business, we encourage you to contact the Development Services Departments listed below to help determine what modifications to the building or space may be required. An even better option would be to schedule a Pre-Development Conference to arrange a meeting with all of these departments at the same time.

  • Department of Building Services (509) 625-6114
  • Fire Department Construction Plan Reviewer(509) 625-7056
  • Department of Planning Services (509) 625-6300
  • Department of Engineering Services (509) 625-6700
  • Solid Waste Management Department (509) 625-7871
  • Spokane Regional Health District (509) 324-1560

Notes from the Pre-Development Conference that outline the general requirements will be compiled and sent to you usually within a week of your meeting.

For more information about the Change of Use process, please visit the Building Services Change of Use website.



Spokane County Urban Growth Area Review

Updated February 28, 2011

Spokane County and its cities and towns are collaborating on a ten-year regional review of the Urban Growth Area (UGA)  to determine its ability to accommodate growth and development for the next 20 years. A land quantity analysis has been completed and has found that the current Urban Growth Area is sufficient in size to accommodate the population growth projected by the State Office of Financial Management.

Three map update scenarios have been developed by the Planning Technical Advisory Committee. The Board of County Commissioners have also developed a map update scenario. Additionally, individual requests for map changes have also been collected and mapped.

The City Council has passed a resolution regarding the City's preference on the UGA update. The resolution is available here.

For more information about the City of Spokane resolution, please call (509) 625-6146. For more information on the UGA update call (509) 477-7224 or see the Spokane County Building and Planning website.


Citizen Resource Page

November 17, 2011

A new website has been created and is intended to be an easy-to-understand summary of planning and land use within the City of Spokane. Included are frequently-asked questions (coming soon), informational presentations, and information about the application and public hearing processes. It is meant to be a tool of wide-ranging information for the public and should not be used as a replacement for the complete text when exact regulations and detailed information are required.

Please visit the site and, as always, if you have any comments or questions, please call or email us by clicking the "Contact Us" tab at the top of the screen or clicking this link: Contact Us.


2011 Mayor's Urban Design Awards

Updated October 6, 2011

The Mayor’s Urban Design Awards recognize and thank people who contribute to Spokane’s quality of life and help implement the City’s Comprehensive Plan through good urban design. The awards will highlight the importance of creative thought, technical proficiency, and the relationship of good urban design to our city’s economic health and overall well-being. These bi-annual awards will be announced by the Mayor during a Spokane City Council meeting. Award winners will receive a Certificate of Recognition and be showcased on the City’s Urban Design website.


Parking Meter Pay Station Pilot

Updated September 21, 2011

In response to frequent pubic requests to be able to pay for parking by using credit cards or other means, the Downtown Spokane Partnership (DSP) in partnership with the City of Spokane is exploring ways to provide parking customers optional payment methods to pay for on street parking.

For more information please visit this site: Parking Meter Pay Station Pilot.


Schools and Churches - Proposed Municipal Code Changes

Updated September 12, 2011

During recent public hearings for other changes to the municipal code members of the public suggested that the City should require the more rigorous Type III conditional use permit process for new or substantial additions to schools and religious institutions in most residential zones instead of the Type II application that is currently required. A Type III application requires a public hearing by the Hearing Examiner whereas in a Type II process the Planning Director issues the decision to approve or deny the application for a conditional use permit.

This proposal and other related changes to the code, including limiting demolitions of residential buildings for non-residential parking are being explored and developed.

For information contact: Kathleen Weinand (509) 625-6146



West Plains Annexation Zoning and Airfield Overlay Zoning

Updated April 5, 2011

On April 4th, 2011 the City Council voted 6 to 1 to adopt zoning and Comprehensive Plan land use designations for the proposed West Plains Annexation. Spokane International Airport is to be included in the proposed annexation. In addition to standard zoning, Airfield Overlay Zoning and Airfield Influence Area Comprehensive Plan designations were also adopted. These measures seek to prevent development that is incompatible with aviation facilities in the areas surrounding Spokane International Airport as well as Fairchild Air Force Base and Felts Field.

Click here for more information on the adopted Land Use designations and zoning for the pending West Plains Annexation. Click here for more information on the adopted Airfield Overlay Zoning and Comprehensive Plan policy.

 


New Digital Flood Maps Adopted

Updated July 2010

The City of Spokane adopted an updated Flood Insurance Study (FIS) and Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) issued by FEMA. On June 21st the City Council voted unanimously to adopt the updated study and map which will be in effect starting on July 6th, 2010. Click here to see the new maps and study.


2010 Downtown Parking Study Update

Updated July 2010

The need for an updated Downtown Parking study was identified during the 2008-2009 Downtown Plan update. The 2005 study will be updated this spring and summer. For more information see the 2010 Downtown Parking Study Update page.


The Service We Provide:

The Planning Service staff facilitates public processes and provides technical assistance to the public and various boards and commissions. The department focuses on issues related to city growth and development applications. This often results in recommendations to the City Plan Commission, Hearing Examiner, Design Review Committee, or the City Council.

We measure our progress by:

  • the vitality of Spokane's economy,
  • the health of Spokane's physical environment, and
  • opportunities all citizens have to improve their quality of life.