I would like to submit a few concerns for the record. It is important to me as a citizen of Spokane to see that our plan for the future consider these goals/priorities:
1. Support for 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.
2. 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.
3. Oppose the blanket Environmental Review exemption in order to protect critical areas such as wetlands, forests, wildlife habitat and riparian areas in neighborhoods. All neighborhoods will be exempted from environmental review in two phases. I suggest we supportenvironmental review exemption only if 100% disturbed and impervious.
4. 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."]
Thank you for your consideration
Mari Bartoo Jacobson
[Personal contact details omitted from the reading text.]
Mari Bartoo Jacobson
Feb 23, 2026
Local Resident
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I would like to submit a few concerns for the record. It is important to me as a citizen of Spokane to see that our plan for the future consider these goals/priorities:
1. Support for 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.
2. 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.
3. Oppose the blanket Environmental Review exemption in order to protect critical areas such as wetlands, forests, wildlife habitat and riparian areas in neighborhoods. All neighborhoods will be exempted from environmental review in two phases. I suggest we supportenvironmental review exemption only if 100% disturbed and impervious.
4. 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."]
Thank you for your consideration
Mari Bartoo Jacobson
[Personal contact details omitted from the reading text.]