Lots of good information in the DEIS. I am very concerned that the City of Spokane intends to eliminate Environmental Review of developments to encourage infill in all parts of the city. I hope that there is more analysis and consultation with neighborhood councils.
Support Tree and Natural Land Inventory: Spokane has a tree canopy goal of 30% and strong support for natural land protection without adequate codes. An inventory of trees, natural areas, wildlife habitat is necessary to inform the critical areas code. The Growth Management Act requires protection of critical areas, forests, habitat and natural lands. I don’t see much in the DEIS that addresses natural lands.
Support an enforceable critical areas ordinance is required to protect critical areas, trees, habitat, water quality, etc. There are unprotected natural lands throughout the City as shown in Exhibit 3.3-3
Oppose the blanket Environmental Review exemption in order to protect critical areas such as wetlands, forests, wildlife habitat and riparian areas in neighborhoods. Exhibit 7 below shows all neighborhoods will be exempted from environmental review in two phases.
Support environmental review exemption only if 100% disturbed and impervious as identified in the Draft EIS Exhibit 3.1-3. Existing Hard (Impervious) Surfaces included below. I also support bonus density for development on 100 percent impervious and bonus density within ¼ mile of the corridors identified.
Support the Climate Resilience and Sustainability Board’s recommended Policy Land Use & Zoning 2-4 [“Protect, restore, acquire, and maintain urban agricultural lands, urban forests, critical areas, shorelines, habitats, and open spaces as interconnected natural systems that provide flood protection, heat reduction, and carbon sequestration benefits, including through codes, capital investments, and regional partnerships.”]
Use your own words, or just copy the talking points and Comments must be submitted via email to PlanSpokane@spokanecity.org by 5 p.m. on February 18, 2026.
Jeff Lambert
Feb 18, 2026
Local Resident
[PDF page 1 of 5]
Dear Tirrell Black,
Lots of good information in the DEIS. I am very concerned that the City of Spokane intends to eliminate Environmental Review of developments to encourage infill in all parts of the city. I hope that there is more analysis and consultation with neighborhood councils.
Support Tree and Natural Land Inventory: Spokane has a tree canopy goal of 30% and strong support for natural land protection without adequate codes. An inventory of trees, natural areas, wildlife habitat is necessary to inform the critical areas code. The Growth Management Act requires protection of critical areas, forests, habitat and natural lands. I don’t see much in the DEIS that addresses natural lands.
Support an enforceable critical areas ordinance is required to protect critical areas, trees, habitat, water quality, etc. There are unprotected natural lands throughout the City as shown in Exhibit 3.3-3
Oppose the blanket Environmental Review exemption in order to protect critical areas such as wetlands, forests, wildlife habitat and riparian areas in neighborhoods. Exhibit 7 below shows all neighborhoods will be exempted from environmental review in two phases.
Support environmental review exemption only if 100% disturbed and impervious as identified in the Draft EIS Exhibit 3.1-3. Existing Hard (Impervious) Surfaces included below. I also support bonus density for development on 100 percent impervious and bonus density within ¼ mile of the corridors identified.
Support the Climate Resilience and Sustainability Board’s recommended Policy Land Use & Zoning 2-4 [“Protect, restore, acquire, and maintain urban agricultural lands, urban forests, critical areas, shorelines, habitats, and open spaces as interconnected natural systems that provide flood protection, heat reduction, and carbon sequestration benefits, including through codes, capital investments, and regional partnerships.”]
Use your own words, or just copy the talking points and Comments must be submitted via email to PlanSpokane@spokanecity.org by 5 p.m. on February 18, 2026.
Jeff Lambert
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ATTACHMENT / ADDITIONAL PAGES
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[PDF page 2 of 5]
Exhibit 7. Phased Environmental Review Exemption
Exhibit 3.1-3. Existing Hard (Impervious) Surfaces
[PDF page 3 of 5]
Exhibit 7. Phased SEPA Proposed Infill / Categorical Exemption Area
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[PDF page 4 of 5]
Exhibit 3.1-3. Existing Hard (Impervious) Surfaces
[Map-based page. See the original page in the slide viewer.]
[PDF page 5 of 5]
Exhibit 3.3-3. Land Cover Types in the Study Area
[Map-based page. See the original page in the slide viewer.]
[Personal contact details omitted from the reading text.]