I am writing to you today as a concerned resident regarding the proposed development plans and environmental review exemptions currently under consideration. Our city’s slogan is "Near Nature, Near Perfect," yet the current trajectory of these policies suggests a move away from the very natural beauty that defines our community’s identity.
To ensure Spokane remains "Near nature, near Perfect," I am asking the Committee to address the following five critical areas:
COMPREHENSIVE INVENTORY FOR INFORMED POLICY
Spokane has an ambitious 30% tree canopy goal, yet we lack the adequate codes to reach it. We must prioritize a full inventory of our trees, wildlife habitats, and natural lands. Per the Growth Management Act, we have a duty to protect these critical areas, and we cannot manage what we have not measured.
ENFORCEABLE CRITICAL AREAS ORDINANCE
Our current protections are insufficient. As evidenced by the unprotected natural lands throughout the city (ref: Exhibit 3.3-3), we require an enforceable ordinance that specifically protects our water quality, habitat, and existing tree stands.
OPPOSITION TO BLANKET ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW EXEMPTIONS
I strongly oppose the proposed two-phase blanket exemption from environmental reviews for Spokane neighborhoods (ref: Exhibit 7). Removing oversight for wetlands, forests, and riparian areas puts our local ecosystems at significant risk.
TARGETED EXEMPTIONS ONLY
Environmental review exemptions should be reserved strictly for sites that are already 100% disturbed and impervious, as identified in the Draft EIS Exhibit 3.1-3. Protecting the remaining soft surfaces is vital for drainage and heat reduction.
COMMITMENT TO CLIMATE RESILIENCE
I fully support the Climate Resilience and Sustainability Board’s recommended Policy LU 2-4. We must treat our urban forests and open spaces as interconnected natural systems that provide essential carbon sequestration and flood protection.
If we continue to develop without transparency or rigorous environmental review, we risk losing natural areas that enrich the human spirit, wildlife habitat, clean air and water, which is our birth right! I urge you to uphold the spirit of our city’s slogan by strengthening, rather than weakening, our environmental protections.
[PDF page 2 of 2]
I look forward to your response and to seeing these protections reflected in the upcoming plans for our city!
Sincerely,
Jaime Koedding
Westview/Shadle neighborhood
Sent via the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, an AT&T 5G smartphone
Jaime Koedding
Feb 18, 2026
Local Resident
[PDF page 1 of 2]
Dear City Planning Committee,
I am writing to you today as a concerned resident regarding the proposed development plans and environmental review exemptions currently under consideration. Our city’s slogan is "Near Nature, Near Perfect," yet the current trajectory of these policies suggests a move away from the very natural beauty that defines our community’s identity.
To ensure Spokane remains "Near nature, near Perfect," I am asking the Committee to address the following five critical areas:
COMPREHENSIVE INVENTORY FOR INFORMED POLICY
Spokane has an ambitious 30% tree canopy goal, yet we lack the adequate codes to reach it. We must prioritize a full inventory of our trees, wildlife habitats, and natural lands. Per the Growth Management Act, we have a duty to protect these critical areas, and we cannot manage what we have not measured.
ENFORCEABLE CRITICAL AREAS ORDINANCE
Our current protections are insufficient. As evidenced by the unprotected natural lands throughout the city (ref: Exhibit 3.3-3), we require an enforceable ordinance that specifically protects our water quality, habitat, and existing tree stands.
OPPOSITION TO BLANKET ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW EXEMPTIONS
I strongly oppose the proposed two-phase blanket exemption from environmental reviews for Spokane neighborhoods (ref: Exhibit 7). Removing oversight for wetlands, forests, and riparian areas puts our local ecosystems at significant risk.
TARGETED EXEMPTIONS ONLY
Environmental review exemptions should be reserved strictly for sites that are already 100% disturbed and impervious, as identified in the Draft EIS Exhibit 3.1-3. Protecting the remaining soft surfaces is vital for drainage and heat reduction.
COMMITMENT TO CLIMATE RESILIENCE
I fully support the Climate Resilience and Sustainability Board’s recommended Policy LU 2-4. We must treat our urban forests and open spaces as interconnected natural systems that provide essential carbon sequestration and flood protection.
If we continue to develop without transparency or rigorous environmental review, we risk losing natural areas that enrich the human spirit, wildlife habitat, clean air and water, which is our birth right! I urge you to uphold the spirit of our city’s slogan by strengthening, rather than weakening, our environmental protections.
[PDF page 2 of 2]
I look forward to your response and to seeing these protections reflected in the upcoming plans for our city!
Sincerely,
Jaime Koedding
Westview/Shadle neighborhood
Sent via the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, an AT&T 5G smartphone