This cover page is not part of the draft Comprehensive Plan and is intended to only help with navigation of the drafts.
The chapter you see here is the result of months of
work by countless individuals throughout the
community. It represents a combination of inputs
generously provided by the public, Plan
Commission, City Council, and many others. This
updated chapter will eventually be considered by
the Plan Commission and City Council for inclusion
in PlanSpokane 2046.
Our teams have worked hard to create these
updated chapters. Each has been discussed at the
Plan Commission, by various Plan Commission
subcommittees, with City Council in general, and
shared with the public at various points along the
way. These chapters represent the efforts of many,
helping to describe the policy and guidance the
Comprehensive Plan can provide in each topic area.
Please note this version supersedes any previously
published versions, including the release of many
chapters last October. All prior versions should be
considered out-of-date from this point on.
As with prior versions, this chapter includes the
basic text, but might not match the visual look and
format of the final document (we're still working on
that). To help readers identify where updated
language has been provided, a series of icons are
shown at right along the way. These aren't part of
the final document--they're provided to help
readers understand where certain changes may
have come from, where past policies have been
combined, etc. A guide to those icons is provided
below. Each chapter will use the same set of icons
for consistency.
General information or
notation is provided, clarifying
overall changes to the text.
Language was streamlined or
condensed for readability
or clarity.
A new Goal or Policy was added,
not sourced from the currently
adopted plan.
Policy language was added to ensure
consistency with changes in law at the
State/Federal level.
USEFUL
ICONS
Multiple Policies from the currently adopted
plan were combined into one, usually done
to eliminate redundant language.
Text was added as a result of the City's
study of Racially Disparate Impacts and
Displacement.
A policy or text was added as recommended by the Climate Resilience and
Sustainability Board (CRSB).
A goal or policy was removed or moved to
another chapter. These are listed at the end of
each chapter and include a reason.
What's Next for PlanSpokane?
Because this is the first complete view of some
chapters (e.g. Growth Strategy, Transportation,
Capital Facilities), we anticipate one more release
of updated chapters and maps later this summer.
After that, Plan Commission will likely hold a
hearing to consider the overall document. We'd
love to hear from you along the way.
Document Version: August 5, 2026
If you have any comments on the chapters, please
engage with us at http://planspokane.org or by
email at planspokane@spokanecity.org. All
comments are considered and each will be
provided to the Plan Commission and City Council
for their consideration prior to any hearings on
the proposed document.
[Page 2]
Chapter 3: Growth Strategy
The growth strategy represents the community’s vision for how different
parts of a city should develop in the long-term. The guidance it provides
informs future decisions such as how zoning and development regulations
are crafted, making that vision a reality. Spokane has a long history of
planning for its future, including the establishment of the City Plan
Commission in 1917 and the first zoning ordinance passed in 1929. The first
Land Use Plan, a guide for future growth that included both maps and
policies, was adopted in 1968 as the official guide for development in
Spokane. Later, the first Growth Management Act (GMA) compliant
Comprehensive Plan was adopted by the City Council in 2001. Since then,
many updates and complementary plans have been adopted, helping guide
and shape future growth based on the evolving wants and needs of the
community.
While land use is the primary method by which the City of Spokane can
determine its growth patterns and strategies, it works together with the
other important topics found in the Comprehensive Plan to inform decision
making, help shape the city’s future, and support the community’s vision.
The following Chapter includes both a narrative description of the overall
growth strategy and specific Land Use Designations to be applied
throughout the city. Goals and policies build upon past plans, community
engagement, and the current and future needs of the community to inform
and guide decision making. Accordingly, both the descriptions and policies
should help inform decision makers and the public.
Capacity to Accommodate Growth
To create and implement a growth strategy, the City must understand its
capacity for growth and the actual growth in population, housing units, and
jobs expected over the 20-year planning horizon. A detailed analysis of the
City’s allocated 20-year growth has been conducted as part of the
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) adopted alongside this plan.
Furthermore, certain detailed analyses and studies were undertaken to
ensure that the proposed vision and strategies are sufficient to
accommodate and serve that expected growth. A Land Capacity Analysis
details the City’s capacity for physical development, while additional analysis
was done to identify the capacity to accommodate both permanent and
emergency housing at different affordability levels.
Overall, the City has sufficient capacity to accommodate the expected
population growth through 2046. The Comprehensive Plan has been crafted
towards accommodating that growth and housing affordability for all
income brackets, ensuring consistency with the community’s vision for the
future.
Review notes
The title of the chapter has changed
from Land Use to Growth Strategy to
better relay the content of the chapter
and more easily cross reference the
impact of other chapters on this
chapter, while also making the topic
more understandable for the general
public. The highlighted Growth Strategy
aligns with the Growth Management Act
(GMA) intent of planning for future
growth, while also supporting current
residents and environments. As a result
of the name change, goals and policies
in this draft use “GS” (Growth Strategy).
References to existing policies use the
“LU” (Land Use) indicator.
The original introduction has been
replaced with a broader discussion of
the setting for this chapter, avoiding
outdated terms and concepts, and
emphasizing the overall growth
strategy, which is helped through the
land use discussion but not only about
land use.
Much more detailed data on capacity
and growth will be included in a
technical appendix to this Chapter.
[Page 3]
The overall Growth Strategy was developed through deep engagement with
the community to help discern and understand the community’s land use
vision; an understanding and exploration of previous strategies; and careful
study and analysis of various topics like how growth is concentrated and
ways to improve prior strategies. The land use strategy, which highlights a
mix of uses and types of development important to meet the City’s future
vision, includes five focus areas:
Infill Development
Infill development is typified by new construction on vacant or
underutilized lots in developed areas. It can occur at all scales of
development, from backyard cottages in residential neighborhoods to
large new apartment buildings on former parking lots.
Infill development is beneficial for many reasons. Building in already-
developed areas reduces the need for new, expensive infrastructure,
while also supporting environmental stewardship and community
resiliency through reduced sprawl. Additionally, infill provides greater
potential for vibrant and connected neighborhoods with housing and
services in close proximity to one another, better meeting the diverse
needs of the whole community.
Transit-Oriented Development
Transit Oriented Development (TOD) is defined by concentrated activity
and a diversity of opportunities within easy walking, biking, and rolling
distance of high-performance transit lines. TOD is most successful when
it focuses on a fixed point of concentrated activity. Key characteristics of
TOD include active street frontages with housing, shopping, and
employment opportunities near transit stations. TOD enhances
Review notes
New section outlining the growth
strategy for the City, including the five
major focus areas that work together to
achieve the community’s vision for the
future.
This graphic is still under development.
It is intended to symbolize how the five
focus areas all work together to achieve
the community’s vision.
[Page 4]
neighborhood access to resources, provides safe streets, expands
transportation options, and fosters local economic growth and
resiliency.
Mixed-Use Development
Proximity to services, shopping, and other needs improves the quality of
life of residents and visitors alike and reduces how far people must travel
to access their daily needs. Allowances for mixed-use throughout the city
at a range of scales will support active and vibrant communities for all.
Neighborhood-scale commercial and retail uses such as small shops,
cafes, and community spaces help establish a sense of community and
place and serve neighbors who can easily access them. Mixed-use
development can also serve as activity centers for the larger community.
Urban Hubs, described in the next section, establish vibrant mixed-use
areas, where elevated intensity is paired with enhanced development
and design standards for people walking, biking, and rolling.
Employment and Services
In addition to housing, employment and services are important
contributors to a healthy community, supporting both residents and
visitors. Sufficient capacity and intensity must be accommodated to
ensure the city’s residents have a place to work and grow, and to access
the services and materials they need. By providing a mix of employment
opportunities throughout the city, residents can work closer to home,
improving their work/life balance while also reducing the need for
lengthy commutes.
A Vibrant Downtown
Downtown serves as the civic and commercial heart of the city, where
housing, business, employment, community resources, recreation, and
public spaces abound. Downtown is uniquely placed to serve both the
community in Spokane and the wider interstate region. Spokane’s
downtown should continue to grow and evolve throughout the next
twenty years and beyond, providing much needed opportunities for
development, services, commercial uses, community spaces, cultural
events, and housing in a growing, thriving city like Spokane.
The overall growth strategy seeks to address these five focus areas through
implementation of Urban Hubs and Corridors, the Future Land Use Map
(FLUM) and its Land Use Designations, and a range of goals and policies. All
of these work together, alongside the rest of the Comprehensive Plan, to
help the community achieve the vision it has laid out for the future.
Urban Hubs and Corridors
One way used to implement Spokane’s growth strategy is the designation of
Urban Hubs and Corridors throughout the city. Urban Hubs highlight where
mixed-use development paired with elevated intensity and a vibrant people-
Review notes
Urban Hubs are the next evolution in
Centers and Corridors, implementing
the recommendations of the Centers
and Corridors Update Study and
incorporating it into Spokane’s new
community vision.
[Page 5]
focused environment seamlessly integrate housing, commerce, and
community spaces to support residents and the local economy. Corridors
connect Urban Hubs and have long-term potential for more mixed-use
development and the ability to transition their orientation toward diverse
modes of transportation.
Urban Hubs and Corridors may be designated in previously developed areas
where existing infrastructure and the built environment contribute to a safe
and accessible environment. Other Urban Hubs highlight future potential,
and may take time to evolve into these important community assets.
Flexibilty should be provided in these areas, allowing for the reuse of existing
structures that can contribute to Urban Hub activity.
The success of Urban Hubs is a product of City investments in public
infrastructure and amenities as well as private investments in buildings and
attractions. The City should seek to balance the activity-oriented design
elements of Urban Hubs with investments and incentives that support the
feasibility of private development and redevelopment, ensuring that Urban
Hubs transform into their envisioned future.
<<The following text will be included as a
sidebar, outside the main chapter text>>
What is activity-oriented design?
Activity-oriented design focuses on providing a built environment that
supports people who walk, roll, and bike, while also encouraging the active
use of the area. When applied to structures, buildings, and public spaces,
activity-oriented design encourages community interaction and
socialization, commercial uses, housing, and well-being. Examples of
activity-oriented design include people-scaled signage and lighting,
amenities like bicycle racks and public plazas, and buildings, rather than
parking lots, directly accessible from public sidewalks.
<<End of Sidebar>>
Urban Hubs
Urban Hubs are unique from other areas designated for mixed-use
development by prioritizing people who walk, bike, roll, or take transit
through additional amenities, investments, incentives, and development
and design standards that support an activity-oriented environment.
Buildings in Urban Hubs are built towards the street, with people-scaled
signage and lighting to support a walkable environment. Public
amenities provided throughout the city should be enhanced to provide
additional opportunities within Urban Hubs, such as benches, bicycle
parking, urban canopy, landscaping, covered bus shelters, and universal
design to support all ages and abilities. Where possible, Urban Hubs
should also include gathering spaces such as parks, plazas, greenspaces,
Review notes
age 5
[Page 6]
or indoor community spaces, and encourage placemaking efforts such
as public art and pop-up vendors and events.
Urban Hubs reinforce neighborhood identity by focusing on activity
nodes, which are reflected through zoning designations, designed to
emphasize lively streets, a mix of uses, and people-oriented design.
Activity and vibrancy around focal points such as key intersections,
transit stations and stops, parks, and similar points of concentrated
activity should be reinforced through investment in public amenities and
targeted development standards.
Urban Hubs may encompass multiple blocks and their scale should be
determined by the context of the surrounding uses as well as the
potential for economic and community activity. All Urban Hubs shown
on the Urban Hubs and Corridors Map (Map GS-1) are representative of
general locations. The Map should not be used to determine the limits
of any Urban Hub, but instead Land Use Designations on the Future
Land Use Map (Map GS-2) and zoning districts will establish the locations
where hub activity and intensity is appropriate.
Urban Hub Designations are organized into two scales: Local Hubs,
which serve the needs of the residents in the surrounding
neighborhood, and Regional Hubs, which serve the needs of a larger
area.
Local Hubs
Local Hubs are intended to primarily serve the residents of the
surrounding neighborhood who can access the Urban Hub
without using a vehicle, while also recognizing that activity in an
Urban Hub – such as hosting community or cultural events – may
draw visitors from the larger area. Local Hubs are characterized by
Review notes
This graphic is still under development.
It is intended to symbolize how the
overall concept of Urban Hubs contains
two types of Hubs, plus corridors,
planned around certain focal points of
activity.
[Page 7]
an elevated scale of development and a greater range of uses than
are allowed in the surrounding residential areas, including higher
intensity housing and concentrations of retail, restaurants,
services, and community spaces catering to surrounding
residents.
Individual commercial buildings should be scaled to provide
neighborhood services, though bonuses may be provided for
buildings that include housing units. Local hubs should be located
where transit access is available and development should
encourage active transportation to and through the Urban Hub.
Regional Hubs
Regional Hubs are intended to serve both regional visitors and
local residents who may access the Urban Hub via a variety of
transportation modes, including active transportation, public
transit, and personal vehicles. Regional Hubs are appropriate
along major transportation and commuter routes where they
provide regional destinations for the high volume of visitors
already moving through the area and those specifically drawn to
the Urban Hub activity.
Regional Hubs encourage the greatest development intensity and
mix of uses outside of Downtown. Regional Hubs should include
high intensity residential development, along with expanded
concentrations of commercial, service, employment,
entertainment, and opportunities for social interaction through
community spaces and events. The built environment in Regional
Hubs should support the greater activity through increased public
amenities and additional people-oriented design elements.
Corridors
Corridors are connections between Urban Hubs, with current or future
transit access, where a range of uses may be appropriate. Pockets of
Mixed Use along these Corridors can create connections to daily needs
for residents in surrounding neighborhoods and those traveling along
them. While current development patterns and uses along Corridors
may be auto-oriented, future Mixed Use Designations can enhance and
reinforce the success of initial mixed-use development which in turn can
support future transit and active transportation. This can support their
transition towards serving the needs of all users, expanding a network
of connected housing, employment, and local services over time.
[INSERT URBAN HUB MAP]
Map GS-01
Review notes
Map can currently be found at the
end of this document. It will be
integrated into the Chapter once the
final template is available.
[Page 8]
Land Use Designations and the Future Land Use Map
To direct future growth, this plan establishes Land Use Designations and
descriptions, which are applied to land throughout the city in the Future
Land Use Map (FLUM). Overall, each Land Use Designation is:
General in scope. Each designation is intended to provide general
guidance, providing flexibility and adaptability to meet the intended
outcome for a wide area. Site specific requirements, restraints, and
other controls, are later established by the Spokane Municipal Code
or other instruments. Each description (later in this chapter) applies
generally to the overall area of that designation, not each individual
parcel or development within it. Not all characteristics of the
designation are found in every project and use.
Future focused. Land Use Designations are focused on the intended
future vision for the city. What is found in a location today may not
match the Land Use Designation. However, changes to zoning
should seek to align areas with the future vision in conformance with
Land Use Designations.
The descriptions below, as well as the FLUM, were informed by the selected
Preferred Alternative in the Final Environmental Impact Statement. The nine
Land Use Designations are described below.
<<The following text will be included as a
sidebar, outside the main chapter text>>
The Land Use Designations described here include the following
information:
Use Indicators: Provides general indicators informing the important
characteristics of intensity and mix of uses. Each is intended to be
general and intuitive, providing emphasis instead of direct
measurement. The values show how each designation balances various
needs in the city. These are not value judgments—one condition is not
‘better’ or worse’ than another. Also, the indicators are meant to be
general shades of grey—the ends of each scale are not absolute.
The values indicated are:
Development Intensity: Informs topics like building height, mass,
footprint, site coverage, and the comparative compactness of
development in the overall area.
Mix of Uses: Describes the relative variety of uses found across the
whole area. This mix of uses may occur across the entire area or
within a building or lot.
Review notes
A cross-reference to the Environmental
Impact Statement will be included here.
Intensity—a combination of density,
mass, spacing, etc., will be further
explained in the Glossary.
[Page 9]
Predominant Uses: A narrative description of the area, as well as a list
of various uses and other features that should be found throughout the
area.
Secondary Uses: A narrative description of the various uses and other
features that might not be found everywhere in the area but could be
appropriate to support the overall intent of the designation in specific
circumstances.
Intensity Description: As a companion to the Development Intensity
Indicator (see above), this section provides additional commentary if
needed.
Location Criteria: This section, when available, provides specific
information identifying locations and characteristics that inform the
types of places a given Land Use Designation might be appropriate or
inappropriate.
Appropriate Zoning: This section lists the appropriate zoning districts
for each Land Use Designation. These indicate, generally, which zoning
districts implement the intended characteristics of each designation.
Which district is appropriate in specific parts of a designation will be
described in the Zoning Code.
<<End of Sidebar>>
Land Use Designations
Land Use Designations are shown on the Future Land Use Plan Map (Map
LU-2). The Land Use Designations and their general characteristics are as
follows:
Open Space (OS)
Predominant Uses: Areas designated as Open Space are intended to
preserve natural areas and provide opportunities for active and passive
recreation, allowing both residents and visitors to enjoy the wellness and
community benefits offered by these features. Open Space Designations
should prioritize parks or outdoor recreational facilities and opportunities,
especially where views and proximity to nature provide essential benefits to
the community, such as the Spokane River Gorge.
The Open Space Designation also identifies lands containing significant
natural, ecological, cultural, or scenic resources that warrant protection from
encroachment to enhance their long-term value. Examples include sections
Review notes
Because zoning is currently under
development by BUILDSpokane, the
zones appropriate in each designation
will be added later, prior to Plan
Commission’s hearing on the overall
plan.
The City’s current 19 Land Use
Designations have been condensed into
9. The intent is for each to allow for a
choice of possible zoning and
development standards depending on
location, use, and other factors. These
factors are informed by the text here
and the policies, but specifics will be
worked out by BUILDSpokane, the City’s
update to the Zoning Code.
[Page 10]
of the Spokane River, significant landforms and geologic features, sensitive
watersheds and drainage areas, areas of Tribal significance, and others.
While the Open Space Designation is the primary means to reflect areas with
more expansive green and open space, access to open space and green
infrastructure is encouraged throughout the city in all Land Use
Designations.
Secondary Uses: Limited continuation of legal non-conforming uses should
be accommodated, though the intent is for these uses to phase out over
time. Areas with existing development that are designated for future
conservation may maintain pre-existing zoning until such time as full
conservation is feasible. For areas identified for conservation, limited
facilities supporting community enjoyment of those features should be
allowed when appropriate, such as parking, trails, or other features.
However, development unrelated to the resource under protection should
be avoided.
Intensity Description: Intensity is generally very low in Open Space areas.
In the case of active recreation facilities (e.g. sports complexes), that
intensity may be elevated due to the structures and facilities required for
active operations.
Location Criteria: Open Space Designations may be used to rectify past
disinvestment or address a lack of open space in some areas of the city.
Consultation with the Parks Department and applicable plans (e.g. the Parks
Master Plan), as well as local Tribal Governments, Urban Native
Communities, and other local neighborhood and community organizations,
should inform selection of new or expanded Open Space Designations. Land
availability and interest by property owners are additional considerations.
Appropriate Zoning: <<This section will be inserted later, prior to Plan
Commission consideration, as part of BUILDSpokane.>>
Agriculture (AG)
Predominant Uses: Important pockets of agriculture remain within City
Limits, regardless of the City’s overall urban nature. These areas provide a
unique resource for the community, allowing local food and agricultural
operations that support the local economy and enhance food security.
Agricultural uses include open land farming or growth of agricultural
products, limited livestock, greenhouses (including aquaculture and
hydroponic operations), and other similar types of operation.
Review notes
10
[Page 11]
A wide range of agricultural operations are appropriate in Agriculture areas
so long as they limit health impacts and environmental harms. Agritourism
is allowed but should be limited in scope, design, and scale to avoid adverse
impacts to adjacent properties. Development standards should be sensitive
to the needs of agricultural operations.
Secondary Uses: Uses in the Agriculture Designation should prioritize
agricultural operations, limiting low-intensity residential and commercial
uses to those that support the agricultural uses.
Sales of agricultural products grown or produced on-site should be allowed
(e.g. farm stands) with limits on other types of commercial operation.
Intensity Description: While intensity should be low, allowing for
appropriate agricultural uses, individual operations may be more intense if,
for example, greenhouses or larger storage buildings are needed.
Residential uses should be strictly limited in the Agriculture Designation and
should not represent a significant amount of residential capacity.
Location Criteria: The Agriculture Designation is appropriate where
agricultural operations already exist. Generally, Agriculture Designations are
not expected outside their current areas, though any adjustment to this area
should consider whether agricultural operations are feasible in that location
and any potential impacts to surrounding uses.
Appropriate Zoning: <<This section will be inserted later, prior to Plan
Commission consideration, as part of BUILDSpokane.>>
Residential Low (RL)
Predominant Uses: Primarily residential in nature, single-unit and middle A c
housing types are expected everywhere within the Residential Low Cha
Designation. It is essential that a full range of housing types be available,
ensuring a diversity of housing scale, tenure, and affordability throughout
the city and limiting large homogenous areas of a single housing type.
Secondary Uses: These areas should also include opportunities for small
commercial spaces primarily serving people who live and work near them,
such as gathering spaces and community centers, coffee shops, corner
stores, childcare centers, schools, places of worship, and home-based
businesses. Infrastructure opportunities for people to walk, bike, or roll to
their daily needs should be provided, as well as green spaces and open
space for the enjoyment of residents and visitors. Connections to public
open spaces, parks, in other parts of the city should be provided in these
Review notes
ross reference to the Housing
pter will be included here.
[Page 12]
areas as well, including connections to and between neighborhoods. Noisy,
odorous, or otherwise impactful development should be avoided.
Allowances for larger development, with mitigation limiting surrounding
impacts, may be appropriate if they provide residential capacity or other
benefit to the local neighborhood.
Intensity Description: While remaining low, some variability and diversity
in intensity is encouraged. Greater intensity is more acceptable close to
significant amenities, where access and circulation is enhanced, or where
the more intense use also provides community or neighborhood benefit.
Areas of lowest intensity should exhibit at least six residential units per acre,
while elevated intensity areas might rise as high as 10 units per acre.
Location Criteria: The Residential Low Designation is appropriate in any
location where more intense or significant amounts of non-residential use
are either not warranted or cannot be supported due to constraints such as
infrastructure limitations. The designation should consider potential
environmental or other impacts, avoiding locations that would be more
appropriate for higher impact uses such as industrial.
Appropriate Zoning: <<This section will be inserted later, prior to Plan
Commission consideration, as part of BUILDSpokane.>>
Residential High (RH)
Predominant Uses: Areas designated for the Residential High designation
indicate where intense residential development is appropriate, such as
larger multi-unit developments (e.g. apartment buildings) alongside more
intense middle-housing types. Additionally, these areas should seek a range
of appropriately scaled neighborhood features like interconnected open
spaces, recreational opportunities, and a greater degree of design
considerations for those that walk, bike, roll, and take transit.
Secondary Uses: In addition to intense residential uses, Residential High
areas include provisions for retail and service uses that are appropriately
scaled for the overall area primarily serving the residents of the higher
intensity residential development, with some allowances for minor
regionally serving commercial uses. Generally, the intensity of these non-
residential uses may be higher than those found in Residential Low
Designations, but still less than in a Commercial or Industrial area. Open
space and green spaces should be included to some degree throughout,
scaled and designed for the higher residential intensity expected in these
areas.
[Page 13]
Intensity Description: Intensity in Residential High areas should naturally
be high, especially when adjacent to or near more intense areas that provide
amenities, services, public transit, or other elements that support residents
in these areas (e.g. adjacent to Mixed Use Designations). Residential density
should range between 15 and 40 units per acre on average. Somewhat
reduced intensity may be appropriate when adjacent to much lower-
intensity areas.
Location Criteria: Placement of Residential High areas should consider
topics like the availability of utilities and services, connections to other
essential parts of the city through transit or circulation features, and
whether sufficient nearby retail and employment opportunities exist. New
Residential High Designations should weigh the costs and benefits of impact
to existing uses and residents, limiting potential community displacement
when possible.
Appropriate Zoning: <<This section will be inserted later, prior to Plan
Commission consideration, as part of BUILDSpokane.>>
Institutional (INST)
Residential Density: 20-40 units/acre
Assumed Density for Planning Purposes: 30 units/acre
Predominant Uses: The Institutional Designation is intended for areas that
are located around significant public-serving operations such as colleges,
other large educational institutions, and medical centers. The Institutional
Land Use Designation allows for a wide range of uses and development that
serve the primary institution, while also leveraging the opportunities within
surrounding areas created by those same institutions. Allowances for the
mix of uses or zones in Institutional Designations should consider the type
and function of the related institution(s), as each institution can inform what
other uses either support it or benefit from its presence.
Secondary Uses: In addition to a mix of residential, commercial, and open
space uses, limited low-impact industrial uses may be appropriate in
Institutional Designations, especially where the related institution provides
a technical or mechanical service or need specific to that institution. As with
most Land Use Designations, green spaces, plazas, and small parks are also
desirable in certain areas.
Intensity Description: Intensity in each Institutional Designation should be
generally elevated, but also sensitive to the overall intensity of the vicinity in
which it is located (i.e. higher near Downtown, Industrial, and major activity
[Page 14]
centers or employers; lower near low-intensity residential areas). Related to
this somewhat elevated intensity, residential density in Institutional areas
should range between 20 and 40 units per acre on average.
Location Criteria: The presence of large, regional, public-serving
institutions is essential to this designation. This includes, but is not limited
to, colleges and universities, large trade schools, major employers,
laboratories, large medical centers and hospitals, and other public-serving
facilities.
Appropriate Zoning: <<This section will be inserted later, prior to Plan
Commission consideration, as part of BUILDSpokane.>>
Commercial (COM)
Predominant Uses: The Commercial Land Use Designation is intended for
areas of the city containing intense commercial development, large in both
building scale and intended customer base. This includes both retail and
service uses as well as significant office developments and other operations
that provide significant amounts of employment and/or commercial value.
This land use supports access for all modes, including auto-oriented uses.
Commercial uses generally serve the wider community and region.
Secondary Uses: Higher intensity residential is also appropriate in
Commercial areas, as those residents also benefit from locations where
circulation, utility, and service capacity exist to serve higher intensities of
development. Greater numbers of residents in and near these Commercial
Designations help support the businesses and services within them as well.
Limited open space or green spaces should be allowed as well, both for the
enjoyment of residents and visitors and for the benefits they provide to
climate and heat island effects that might result from large-scale
development in the Commercial Designation.
Intensity Description: In general, the intensity of Commercial areas should
be moderately high, but should also consider the location within the city and
nearby intensities. Increased intensity should be considered in areas where
vehicle access is high and significant transit capacity is available or planned.
Residential uses in Commercial Designations should range between 20 and
45 units per acre.
Location Criteria: Large new Commercial areas should avoid
predominantly lower-intensity residential portions of the city and, where
possible, include standards or other controls that buffer adjacent areas of
less intense development from negative impacts originating from
Review notes
age 14
[Page 15]
commercial uses and development. Adjacency to major automobile routes
should be considered.
Appropriate Zoning: <<This section will be inserted later, prior to Plan
Commission consideration, as part of BUILDSpokane.>>
Mixed Use (MIX)
Predominant Uses: Mixed Use Designations denote places with a wide
array of possible uses and development types. The mix of uses should be
broad, allowing for both a mix of uses on a single site as well as a range of
uses across the entire area. Accordingly, there may not be any single
predominant use. However, the mix of uses should seek to balance non-
residential opportunities and services with housing, open spaces, and public
amenities.
Some lighter industrial uses that aid in employment, education, or the
creative economy may be permitted, provided there is sufficient mitigation
for environmental safety and nuisance impacts (e.g. noise, odor, pollution).
Generally, Mixed Use areas should emphasize more intense development
types in new construction.
Secondary Uses: Mixed Use Designations will be served best by a diverse
mix of uses and development types throughout. Some areas with a Mixed
Use Designation may support auto-oriented development while others may
focus more on access through transit, walking, and rolling. Where possible,
areas designated for Mixed Use should also include green spaces,
vegetation, and open space serving the residents, visitors, and employees in
the Mixed Use Designation and surrounding uses.
Intensity Description: Intensity in the Mixed Use Designation differs widely
from location to location and should be informed by the intensity of
surrounding uses, as well as access to infrastructure. In areas where
adjacent uses are less intense, the Mixed Use intensity should also be less.
Conversely, higher intensity Mixed Use areas are appropriate in the vicinity
of other higher intensity use categories. Of additional consideration, Mixed
Use areas that are large and span many blocks should consider more
intensity overall than those that are geographically small. In areas where
significant transit opportunities exist or are planned, more intense transit-
oriented development is appropriate.
As intensity varies widely in Mixed Use areas, so too does residential density.
Units per acre in these areas should range between 10 and 45.
Review notes
ge 15
[Page 16]
Location Criteria: Mixed Use should consider opportunities for a wide
range of development options, including but not limited to circulation
capacity, cultural or social connections, potential development or
redevelopment, and any displacement that may occur as a result of
establishing a new Mixed Use area. The Mixed Use Designation is the
primary designation for implementing Urban Hubs, though the designation
is not restricted to those areas.
Appropriate Zoning: <<This section will be inserted later, prior to Plan
Commission consideration, as part of BUILDSpokane.>>
Downtown (DT)
Predominant Uses: Throughout the City of Spokane’s history, Downtown
has been the heart of the community, serving the need for essential services
and opportunity. While it represents similar features to Mixed Use, the
Downtown Designation acknowledges and continues this unique place in
Spokane’s story by allowing for the highest concentration of intensities and
densities, the largest scale of development, and the broadest range of
allowed uses.
Achieving a healthy mix of housing at all price points should be a priority, as
well as development of numerous non-residential uses that support a large
customer base and attract a diversity of services and retail operations.
Culture, arts, and entertainment opportunities are also encouraged, as
Downtown serves as the cultural center for the region. Downtown
commercial uses and services that support Downtown’s residents should be
prioritized, including grocery stores and other providers of basic needs.
Recreational opportunities are provided through open spaces, such as
plazas and playgrounds, public art, cultural spaces, and other public and
private amenities. Open space in the Downtown should include greenery
and vegetation, not only hardscape and paving. This includes Riverfront
Park, an essential regional feature, and the Spokane Falls.
Limited industrial operations should be allowed with mitigation of potential
negative impacts (e.g., noise, vibration, odor). As an example, a greater
population density coupled with an urban connected environment may
attract more artisans and craftspeople, uses sometimes considered
industrial in nature but perhaps warranted in the Downtown.
Secondary Uses: Downtown is intended to provide a mix of virtually all use
types which contribute to an activated and vibrant environment.
Review notes
ge 16
[Page 17]
Intensity Description: The Downtown Designation indicates the highest
intensities anywhere in the city. When residential uses are developed, they
should range between 40 and 60 units per acre. However, it is assumed that
not all of Downtown will exhibit the same level of intensity—some local
adjustment may be warranted due to open space, recreational uses along
the river, topography, utility/service capacity, nearby designations, and other
topics.
To match the high-level of public investment Downtown, it may be
appropriate to limit or prohibit low-intensity development.
Location Criteria: Areas with a clear circulation, community, or commerce
connection to Downtown may be appropriate inclusions in this designation.
Designating areas of predominantly single-unit or middle housing should
include consideration for potential displacement of existing residents.
Appropriate Zoning: <<This section will be inserted later, prior to Plan
Commission consideration, as part of BUILDSpokane.>>
Industrial (IND)
Predominant Uses: The Industrial Designation recognizes the changing
needs of industry in the city, providing flexibility to support current and
future employment opportunities. Industrial areas represent a range of
different use types, recognizing that industries can vary in scale, impact, and
the materials used. They can be a source of significant employment (large
operations) or provide materials or products unique to the city or region.
This designation is appropriate for those more impactful industrial
operations like chemical processing, manufacturing, and fabrication, but
also less impactful industries like tech hubs, small shop manufacturing,
maker spaces, and other small production and creative uses.
Secondary Uses: Residential uses in Industrial areas of high impact (such as
near Spokane International Airport) should be avoided. However, limited
residential uses such as live-work units and caretaker residences may be
appropriate near less impactful industry. These residential uses should be
strictly limited, not representing any measurable residential capacity.
Existing legal non-conforming low-intensity residential should be permitted
to remain but not expand.
Intensity Description: While the intensity of Industrial Designations is
generally high, when in close proximity to other designations, intensity may
be limited to avoid adverse impacts.
Review notes
ge 17
[Page 18]
Location Criteria: The Industrial Designation is warranted wherever more
traditional and impactful industrial operations should be allowed, especially
in areas with significant connection to freight networks and transportation
connections needed to serve them. Opportunities for less impactful new
forms of industry should consider the potential economic benefits that can
occur from proximity to other economically active designations like Mixed
Use, Downtown, or Commercial.
Appropriate Zoning: <<This section will be inserted later, prior to Plan
Commission consideration, as part of BUILDSpokane.>>
[INSERT FUTURE LAND USE MAP]
Map GS-02
Goals and Policies
The following goals and policies provide specificity for planning and
decision-making. Overall, they indicate the desired direction for the City of
Spokane’s growth and development.
Goal: GS-1, Uses of Land
Support a livable city by providing balanced opportunities for housing,
employment, recreation and access to nature, education, shopping, public
facilities and utility services, and cultural events throughout all parts of the city.
Policy: GS-1.1, Lower Intensity Residential Uses
Focus a range of lower intensity residential uses, including middle housing
and other small-scale dwelling units, as well as neighborhood-serving
commercial uses throughout the city while ensuring that development
complements the form and function of the area in which it is located.
Policy: GS-1.2, Higher Intensity Residential Uses
Focus higher intensity residential uses towards areas near high-frequency
transit, major roadways, Urban Hubs, commercial opportunities, and in
other areas where development intensity is consistent with development of
this type or sufficient capacity or need exists to warrant more intense
residential use.
Policy: GS-1.3, A Vibrant Downtown
Develop citywide plans and strategies designed to ensure a viable,
economically strong downtown area serving as the most intense, mixed-use,
and dynamic heart of the city, providing a mix of industry, retail, social,
cultural, and residential uses but also a high degree of public amenities like
open spaces, public plazas, and support for those that walk, bike, and roll.
Review notes
Map can currently be found at the
end of this document. It will be
integrated into the Chapter once the
final template is available.
Along with the Chapter name changing
to “Growth Strategy”, the goals and
policies now use “GS” (Growth Strategy)
instead of the previous “LU” (Land Use)
indicator. Only references to existing
policies will use “LU”.
Name of goal changed from Citywide
Land Uses to Uses of Land to indicate a
difference between Land Use
Designations and individual property
uses.
Language added to both lower and
higher intensity residential uses to
include different scales of commercial,
reflecting community engagement and
mixed-use development strategy.
High-frequency transit language was
added to conform with recent legislation
(HB 1491).
Language added to reflect the mix of
uses supported by Downtown.
[Page 19]
Policy: GS-1.4, Industry and Employment
Accommodate a variety of commercial, office, medical, educational, and
industrial uses at varying sizes and intensities throughout the city, respecting
the need for these essential services and products to provide employment
opportunities and industrial operations that support the regional economy
and employ the people of Spokane.
Policy: GS-1.5, Industrial Lands
Consider potential impacts on the City’s capacity for industrial uses and the
future need for employment and industrial services before redesignating
industrial lands within Spokane. Future eliminiation of industrial lands
should generally be avoided to support the local economy and community
resiliency.
Policy: GS-1.6, Urban Agriculture
Identify and designate areas that are suited for ongoing agricultural
production, while also permitting smaller-scale urban agricultural uses such
as community gardens, home gardens, and small livestock throughout the
city, recognizing urban agriculture as a community and economic asset that
supports food security, local resiliency, and public health.
Policy: GS-1.7, Parks and Open Spaces
Identify, prioritize, and develop funding mechanisms, incentives,
development requirements, and other methods to procure land for both
formal parks and/or natural open space throughout the city, especially in
areas of historic disinvestment or climate vulnerability, providing access to a
variety of outdoor recreation options for all.
Goal: GS-2, Land Use Context
Promote compatible and efficient use of land that meets the changing needs of
the community by consolidating supportive uses and mitigating potential
negative impacts.
Policy: GS-2.1, Airfield Influence Areas
Recognize and protect the status and operation of Spokane’s airports as an
essential community resource and economic benefit by prohibiting the siting
of land uses that are incompatible with aviation operations in Airfield
Influence Areas designated on Comprehensive Plan maps, such as by
curtailing increases in residential density in these locations and applying
limits on uses that might concentrate people or hazardous materials,
consistent with federal, state, and local laws, guidelines, and agreements.
Review notes
Policy combines concepts of existing LU
1.5 Office, LU 1.8 General Commercial
and LU 1.10 Industry to reflect the how
all uses support local industry and
employment. Direct references to
medical and educational employment
added based on public feedback.
Climate Resilience and Sustainability
Board (CRSB) recommended policy.
Language expanded beyond the Land
Use Designation to reflect a more
expansive definition of urban ag. and
incorporate community feedback.
Existing LU-6.2 consolidated into
proposed LU-1.7.
Goal name changed from Efficient Land
Use to Land Use Context to better reflect
the policies contained within. Language
from existing LU-3 goal and LU-5.5
policy added to consolidate related
concepts.
Language updated to clarify the reason
behind Airfield Influence Areas.
[Page 20]
Policy: GS-2.2, Public Facilities and Services
Ensure that public facilities and services are sufficient and will be in place to
accommodate proposed development before allowing new development to
occur, including necessary consultation and coordination with local service
providers and utilities.
Policy: GS-2.3, Displacement Risk
Consider displacement risk in land use and zoning decisions, infrastructure
projects, and public investments, ensuring these actions are informed of the
risk and identify potential steps to lessen that risk.
Policy: GS-2.4, Non-conforming Uses
Consider the scale of non-conforming uses that may occur as a result of
future land use and zoning decisions. Limit displacement by allowing existing
uses to continue where feasible.
Policy: GS-2.5, Coordinated and Efficient Land Use
Encourage coordinated and efficient growth and development through
infrastructure financing and construction programs, tax and regulatory
incentives, and growth focused in areas where adequate services and
facilities exist or can be economically extended before considering
development in new areas where provision of services is less feasible.
Policy: GS-2.6, Lot Sizes
Establish lot size standards that achieve the desired density and scale, allow
housing types at all price points, respect the City’s status as the urban center
of the region, increase housing options, provide homeownership
opportunities, and meet the requirements of growth management. Lot sizes
should be adopted with consideration for the potential exclusionary effects
of large lot sizes.
Policy: GS-2.7, Sub-Area Planning Framework
Undertake sub-area and neighborhood planning in collaboration with local
residents and impacted Neighborhood Councils and community members,
seeking to develop more detailed analyses and decisions by the City while
developing and implementing these plans consistent with the Comprehensive
Plan.
Policy: GS-2.8, Built and Natural Environment
Ensure uses consider and enhance the built and natural environment –
including impacts to air and water quality, groundwater quality and
quantity, wildfire risk, noise, traffic congestion, and public utility and service
capacity – requiring adequate mitigation to maintain and enhance quality of
life.
Review notes
Displacement policy added to conform
with recent legislation (HB 1181).
LU 2.4 Expanded to reflect existing
policies allowing for grandfathered
uses.
Language adjusted to move away from
only residential density and to
strengthen the homeownership and
affordability aspects. Additional
language was added to acknowledge
potential impacts of lot sizes.
Existing LU 5.1 Built and Natural
Environment combined with LU-5.2
Environmental Quality Enhancement.
[Page 21]
Policy: GS-2.9, Encouraging Infill Development
Prioritize infill development, including development and redevelopment of
vacant and underdeveloped properties, to leverage existing infrastructure
and investment, reduce urban sprawl, and support fiscal responsibility.
Policy: GS-2.10, Land Use Transitions
Utilize recognizable boundaries like major roadways, the Spokane River, and
other physical barriers as buffers between land uses with different intensity
and types of uses when possible and establish a transition in intensity
between more impactful uses like Industrial and less intense uses when
physical boundaries are not present.
Policy: GS-2.11, Neighborhoods
Recognize the value of neighborhoods as a reference for planning housing,
transportation, services, amenities, and placemaking at a scale appropriate
for the area.
Policy: GS-2.12, Connection and Accessibility
Establish an expectation of connected and accessible spaces throughout the
city, leveraging the interconnection of land use, transportation, design, and
development decisions to foster built environments that support walk- and
rollability and benefit community members of all abilities and ages.
Goal: GS-3, Accommodating Housing Capacity
Encourage a wide range of housing types across the city that meet the changing
needs of the community while ensuring residential uses are located near
supportive and complementary uses that provide employment, transportation,
recreation, daily needs, services, and educational opportunities.
Policy: GS-3.1, Addressing Housing Displacement
Balance investment in areas identified for future growth and the potential
for housing displacement, including anticipated demolitions or rising rents.
Ensure land use actions and patterns do not disproportionately harm
historically marginalized areas and communities.
Policy: GS-3.2, Access to Transportation
Encourage housing in areas of the city that provide easy access to public
transit and other efficient modes of transportation. Seek to reduce
household transportation costs, Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT), and
greenhouse gas emissions.
Review notes
New policy reflecting community
engagement and land use strategy.
New policy reflecting community
engagement while also acknowledging
the use of recognizable barriers as the
first layer of land use transitions.
Previously “natural” barriers--the
language change better reflects the
types of barriers being described.
Existing LU 1.1 relocated to relevant goal
with minor phrasing adjustments.
Placemaking added to reflect feedback
heard during community engagement.
New policy recognizing the impact of
land use, transportation, and
development decisions on how
accessible and connected the city can
become.
New goal reflecting the importance of
housing capacity as identified by recent
state legislation (HB 1220) and
community engagement. Language also
consolidates language from H 2.4
Linking Housing with Other Uses.
Displacement policy added to conform
with recent legislation (HB 1220).
Existing policy H 1.11 relocated to Land
Use Chapter. VMT added to reflect
climate and resilience language.
[Page 22]
Policy: GS-3.3, Reducing Sprawl
Plan for and accommodate diverse, affordable, and attainable housing types
to meet demand while avoiding sprawl in order to decrease emissions and
infrastructure costs and preserve open space.
Policy: GS-3.4, Infrastructure Investment
Prioritize transportation, utility, and public infrastructure improvements
in areas identified for higher housing capacity, in order to reduce
development barriers, improve safety, support economic development,
and facilitate future development of affordable housing and
homeownership opportunities.
Goal: GS-4, Mix of Uses
Encourage more flexible and dynamic land uses citywide, with the most intense
forms targeted in areas where transit ridership, walking, riding, rolling, and
biking opportunities exist or can be developed in an integrated active manner.
Policy: GS-4.1, Flexible Land Uses
Permit a compatible range of uses within each Land Use Designation,
supporting flexibility in development throughout the city, including expanded
allowances for developments providing housing.
Policy: GS-4.2, Neighborhood-Serving Retail
Allow and support neighborhood-serving commercial uses that help meet the
daily needs of residents in every neighborhood, including allowance for
corner and grocery stores, community gathering spaces, food service, and
small-scale mixed-use development within residential areas.
Policy: GS-4.3, Scalable Mixed-Use
Designate mixed-use areas at a range of scales throughout the city that
provide a compatible mix of housing, commercial uses, and activities to focus
growth, and support complete, walkable places.
Policy: GS-4.4, Mixed-Use Design
Establish common activity-oriented design and development standards for
all mixed-use areas such as buildings built to the street and people-scaled
signage and lighting.
Goal: GS-5, Urban Hubs
Guide growth in the city through vibrant Urban Hubs that serve the community
by seamlessly integrating housing, commerce, and services with activity-oriented
design focused on people who walk, bike, ride, and roll.
Review notes
Climate Resilience and Sustainability
Board (CRSB) recommended policy.
New policy since May 2026 draft release
based on community feedback. Policy
addresses infrastructure investment in
areas identified for potential new
growth.
This goal is new to reflect the growth
strategy expanding mixed-use
throughout the city.
New policy reflecting one of the goals of
PlanSpokane to provide flexibility for
development throughout the city.
New policy reflecting extensive public
feedback from residents wanting
neighborhood serving businesses they
could easily get to from home
throughout the city.
CRSB recommended policy.
New policy highlighting the need for
development and design standards
tailored to people in all mixed-use
areas.
This goal is new to reflect the growth
strategy, with some new policies and
other policies adjusted from existing
Center and Corridor policies.
[Page 23]
Policy: GS-5.1, Designate and Plan Urban Hubs
Identify, establish, and support Urban Hubs around nodes of community
activity through an inclusive public engagement process, and in consultation
with relevant City departments and operations. Designation of Urban Hubs
should be done with recognition of the equitable distribution of opportunities
for economic investment while considering the potential for displacement.
Policy: GS-5.2, Urban Hub Context
Scale Urban Hubs based on proximity to major roadways and transit service,
intensity of surrounding development, market opportunities, and potential
community draw, recognizing they may be implemented through a range of
sizes, shapes, and allowed uses based on their context.
Policy: GS-5.3, Focal Points
Reinforce activity and vibrancy in Urban Hubs through zoning districts that
support and center on key focal points such as transit stops, parks, and other
locations of concentrated activity.
Policy: GS-5.4, Elevated Standards in Urban Hubs
Promote activity-oriented design in Urban Hubs, pairing flexible standards
and enhanced public amenities with an emphasis on buildings and design
features that elevate the experience for those that walk, bike, and roll. To
ensure feasibility of private development, investments and incentives may be
required to balance the activity-oriented design elements in Urban Hubs.
Policy: GS-5.5, Transition and Reinvestment in Urban Hubs
Support the transition of Urban Hubs from their current form towards the
future vision of these areas through infrastructure and built environment
investments and incentives, while also allowing flexibility for the reuse and
reactivation of existing buildings.
Policy: GS-5.6, Corridors
Identify Corridors to connect Urban Hubs and establish a network of
increased multimodal connection throughout the city, encouraging mixed-
use development, neighborhood services, housing, public open space, and
employment along their length. The intensity of development along Corridors
should be scaled to the intensity of the roadway and transit service.
Goal: GS-6, Transit-Oriented Development
Coordinate land use and transportation planning so that an efficient pattern of
development is created supporting alternative transportation modes and making
significant progress toward reducing sprawl, traffic congestion, and air pollution.
Review notes
Policies GS-5.1 and 5.2, draw on existing
LU 3.2, 3.3, and 3.4 policy language,
while also reflecting the new Urban Hub
growth strategy.
New policy to reflect the need for
elevated standards at key locations
within hubs to ensure an active street is
achieved.
New policy reflecting activity-oriented
design in Urban Hubs and the need to
balance those requirements with
investments and incentives to ensure
development feasibility. Policy DP-1.7 in
Urban Design and Historic Preservation
also highlights the need to balance
design requirements with development
feasibility.
New policy to reflect that City
investments and incentives play a role in
these areas transitioning from their
current form toward meeting the future
vision of Urban Hubs.
New policy to connect Urban Hubs with
Corridors, allowing a range of uses
along their length, and creating a
network of connected housing, services,
and employment throughout the city.
Goal title updated to clarify the intent of
Transportation and Land Use
coordination. Goal language reflects
existing LU 4.1 Land Use and
Transportation policy language.
[Page 24]
Policy: GS-6.1, Transit-Oriented Development
Encourage transit-oriented development in areas of existing or planned high-
performance transit, encouraging higher intensity development, a mix of
employment, residential, and commercial uses, and appropriate
development design to provide access to active forms of transportation,
reduce automobile reliance and commute times, increase convenience and
accessibility for the public, and leverage the benefits of transit investment.
Policy: GS-6.2, Vehicle Miles Traveled Reduction
Encourage development of increased intensity and density as well as
provisions for public amenities and infrastructure useful for transit riders
adjacent to high-performance transit stops to encourage and provide
opportunities for transit ridership, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and
reduce per capita Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT).
Goal: GS-7, Resilient Land Use
Establish land use and development patterns that increase the climate resilience
of Spokane’s built environment, ecosystems, and communities.
Policy: GS-7.1, Climate Considerations
Incorporate climate hazard risk and environmental justice criteria and
mitigation into land use and infrastructure planning before major land use
plan or policy changes, or when siting, replacing, or relocating community
assets, such as transportation, civic facilities, and parks.
Apply resilience-focused development standards and best practices in high-
risk zones, including the Wildland–Urban Interface (WUI) and flood-prone
areas.
Policy: GS-7.3, Wildland-Urban Interface Outreach
Provide residents living in Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) areas information
about fire prevention and Firewise best practices while applying WUI best
practices to new development such as building code, ventilation, and
landscaping provisions.
Policy: GS-7.4, 100-Year Floodplain
Coordinate with federal and state agencies in the reassessment of the 100-
year floodplain and adopt standards and mitigation that provide adequate
protection in areas where flooding is more likely, discouraging development
and redevelopment within the 100-year floodplain.
Review notes
Consolidation of existing policies LU 4.2
Land Uses That Support Travel Options
and Active Transportation and LU 4.6
Transit-Supported Development.
Supportive of Climate Resilience and
Sustainability Board (CRSB)
recommendation.
New policy recognizing the connection
between VMT and land use, added to
reflect climate and resilience language.
New goal and associated policies to
reflect Climate Resilience and
Sustainability Board (CRSB)
recommendations.
Consolidation of NE-19.2 and NE-19.4 in
Natural Environment Chapter, relocated
here because topic is best addressed in
Growth Strategy.
[Page 25]
Policy: GS-7.5, 500-Year Floodplain
Coordinate with federal and state agencies to explore and understand the
500-year floodplain and its effects on potential future limitations on land use
and development, with an eye towards being prepared to consider the 500-
year floodplain if regulations come forward concerning that area.
Policy: GS-7.6, Floodplain Awareness and Education
Develop a public awareness and education program for residents living
within or near floodplains, highlighting the associated risks and ways to
mitigate their risk.
Policy: GS-7.7, Impervious Surfaces
Reduce impervious surfaces throughout the city, prioritizing areas of
drainage concern mapped by the City, to address urban heat island
mitigation, and promote groundwater recharge and infiltration.
Policy: GS-7.8, Food Access
Incentivize and enable uses that provide healthy, affordable, and locally
produced food in parts of the city with limited food access, including by
amending land use and zoning designations, as well as updating code
requirements.
Policy: GS-7.9, Tree Canopy
Maintain and expand the City’s tree canopy through incentives, zoning
regulations, permitting processes, or other efforts for existing and new
development, including infill, throughout the city.
Goal: GS-8, Adequate Public Lands and Facilities
Ensure the provision and equitable distribution of adequate public lands and
facilities throughout the city, incorporating different levels of public review
depending on facility scale and location with an eye towards efficiency and high
responsiveness to opportunities.
Policy: GS-8.1, Advanced Siting
Identify, in advance of development, sites for parks, open space, wildlife
habitat and corridors, police stations, fire stations, major stormwater
facilities, schools, and other lands useful for public purposes to support the
ability to develop those resources efficiently.
Policy: GS-8.2 Coordination and Partnerships with Providers
Continue to build and expand close working relationships with service and
utility providers as well as City departments that plan and install utilities and
services, to ensure that land use expansion and growth is considered through
the lens of facility and utility capacity.
Review notes
Policy NE-17.3, a new policy found in
the early Chapter Review edits,
relocated from Natural Environment
Chapter.
Policy NE-19.5 relocated from Natural
Environment Chapter.
Climate Resilience and Sustainability
Board (CRSB) recommended policy.
CRSB recommended policy.
CRSB recommended policy. Cross
references are anticipated here to
policies around maintenance and
incentives.
New policy noting the importance of
coordination in providing public
facilities and services.
[Page 26]
Policy: GS-8.3, School Locations
Work with all local school districts that serve Spokane’s students to identify
future school sites throughout the city, ensuring land use and transportation
decisions reduce exposure to environmental harms from noise, air, and
climate impacts for students and staff and support accessible and safe
routes to the sites for those that walk, bike, roll, and ride transit.
Policy: GS-8.4, Siting Essential Public Facilities
Utilize a process for locating and expanding essential public facilities,
meeting state and regional standards, balancing the necessary
establishment and continuation of these facilities with potential community
impacts, with explicit consideration of equity and avoidance of
disproportionate impacts on overburdened communities, and engaging
directly with impacted community members.
Policy: GS-8.5, Public Facility Compatibility and Context
Ensure the use, scale, and location of public facilities are compatible with the
surrounding area and are designed with the scale of development in the
vicinity, to the maximum extent possible, without affecting the use or
function of the facility.
Policy: GS-8.6, Surplus City Property
Establish a process and funding mechanism to lease, sell, or otherwise
dispose of appropriate unused city-owned buildings and/or property that
has been determined surplus to non-profit organizations for community
benefit and neighborhood revitalization.
Goal: GS-9, Urban Growth Area
Participate and coordinate in the regional process for designating and managing
the Urban Growth Area (UGA), seeking to ensure Spokane’s services and utilities
that extend beyond City limits are sufficient to accommodate, but not exceed, the
region’s allocated growth, including the accommodation of institutional,
industry, and service facilities necessary to serve such growth.
Policy: GS-9.1, Role of Urban Growth Areas
Limit urban sprawl by requiring more density and intensity of development
in urban areas where adequate public facilities already exist or where such
facilities can be more efficiently provided, considering both physical and
financial impacts.
Policy: GS-9.2, Joint Planning in Urban Growth Area
Coordinate with Spokane County and adjacent jurisdictions to plan for
orderly and efficient services and development and long-term resiliency in
the unincorporated portions of the Urban Growth Area.
Review notes
Language around safe routes to schools
to reflect community engagement
feedback, while consolidating
collaboration language from LU 6.4.
Additional language added to address
environmental justice and safety.
Language added to include expansion of
public facilities, recognition of regional
standards, and clarify who should be
engaged. Language around considering
equity and avoidance of dispropor-
tionate impacts added based on an
Environmental Justice Review of the
Land Use Chapter.
Language expanded to focus on use,
scale, and location, not just design.
Policy relocated from current Social
Health Chapter (SH-1.7) with phrasing
update to broaden process beyond
specific funding mechanism.
Language updated to reflect the
importance of regional collaboration as
well as the role of the City within the
UGA outside of City Limits.
Language added for the consideration of
physical and fiscal impacts.
Language updated to recognize regional
collaboration beyond Spokane County,
while clarifying what should be
considered in joint planning efforts.
[Page 27]
Policy: GS-9.3, Urban Growth Areas and Regional Growth
Review and consider the Urban Growth Area boundary through the lens of
population and housing allocations as well as community resiliency for the
City of Spokane and the region, consistent with the Countywide Planning
Policies and the Growth Management Act, seeking to ensure the Urban
Growth Area is sized correctly for future growth.
Policy: GS-9.4, Consistent Development Standards
Coordinate with Spokane County and other adjacent jurisdictions to ensure
utilities, roads, services, and land uses in the adjacent Urban Growth Area
are compatible with City standards, reducing eventual costs and conflicts
when portions of the unincorporated Urban Growth Area are annexed.
Goal: GS-10 Annexation
Consider annexations of lands that, where possible, would enhance effective and
efficient government, evaluating all annexations on the basis of their short and
long-term community benefits and potential fiscal impacts while also limiting
sprawl and infeasible growth at the edges of the city.
Policy: GS-10.1, Annexation Boundaries
Ensure the area of any future annexation results in logical boundaries and
reasonable service areas, while also considering the existing and planned
capacity to provide public services and avoiding potential negative fiscal
impacts.
Policy: GS-10.2, Peninsula Annexation
Encourage and assist with annexation of unincorporated peninsulas of
Urban Growth Area or in areas already surrounded by the City of Spokane,
so they can be part of the community surrounding their property and benefit
from the services and facilities offered by Spokane.
Policy: GS-10.3, City Utilities
Require property owners outside the city yet served by City utilities or services
to either annex to the City or sign a binding agreement not to contest a future
annexation if such an action is proposed.
Policy: GS-10.4, Land Use and Zoning Designations upon Annexation
Honor the intent of adopted county plans and ordinances for previously
developed or vested areas annexed into the city, provided the City has not
adopted specific policies and standards for those areas by some other means
or agreement.
Review notes
Language updated to clarify what is
planned for in relation to regional
growth and the intent of the UGA.
Community resiliency added as a point
of consideration.
Policy relocated from existing Goal
LU 10 Joint Planning and updated to
reflect the City’s role in regional
standards while adding the reason
behind City involvement.
Existing policy LU 9.4 Community
Impacts added to goal language to
provide a reason and potential impacts
of annexations.
Concepts in existing policy LU-9.5
Funding Capital Facilities in Annexed
Areas consolidated into policy language.
[Page 28]
Policy: GS-10.5, City Bonded Indebtedness
Require property owners within an annexing area to assume a proportionate
share of the City’s bonded indebtedness, as would be required of any
property owner inside the city at the time of bonding, while identifying
strategies to mitigate disproportionate financial impacts on low-income
residents.
Policy: GS-10.6, Special Purpose Districts and Adjacent Jurisdictions
Confer and consult with any impacted special purpose districts when
considering or planning annexations, as well as other jurisdictions
encompassing or adjacent to the area to be annexed, identifying and
considering impacts that would result as part of the overall decision to
annex.
Policy: GS-10.7, Weighing Fiscal Impacts of Annexation
Analyze the fiscal impacts of annexation prior to considering approval,
measuring potential tax base, business, and employment growth against the
cost of services and infrastructure resulting from annexation, ensuring that
the fiscal cost does not exceed the other community benefits of annexation.
[INSERT AIRFIELD INFLUENCE AREAS MAP]
Map GS-03
LAND USE GLOSSARY
Many terms that were either in the discussions of this chapter or have
been newly introduced will be located in the Glossary, e.g. neighborhoods.
POLICIES REMOVED FROM THE TEXT:
The following policies in blue have been removed from the text, largely due
to redundancy, unclear goals/success, and similar factors.
Policy: LU-1.16, Mobile Home Parks
Designate appropriate areas for the preservation of mobile and manufactured
home parks.
Goal: LU-2, Public Realm Enhancement
Encourage the enhancement of the public realm.
Review notes
Language added to acknowledge that
this is not unique to annexed properties
but is ensuring equal share of costs.
Additional language around mitigating
disproportionate financial impacts
based on an Environmental Justice
Review of the Land Use Chapter.
Existing policy relocated from Goal 10,
Joint Planning. Language expanded to
include adjacent jurisdictions and not
just special purpose districts.
New policy focused on understanding
the fiscal impacts of annexation,
expanding on the existing community
impacts language.
Map can currently be found at the
end of this document. It will be
integrated into the Chapter once the
final template is available.
Note that the original LU label for these
policies is used to help readers find
those policies in the previous plan.
LU-1.16 proposed to be removed due to
displacement intent captured by
proposed policy GS-3.1, and a
manufactured home policy in the
Housing Chapter.
LU-2 and associated policies proposed
to be removed or consolidated into the
Urban Design and Historic Preservation
Chapter as they focus on design.
[Page 29]
Policy: LU-2.1, Public Realm Features
Encourage features that improve the appearance of development, paying
attention to how projects function to encourage social interaction and relate to
and enhance the surrounding urban and natural environment.
Policy: LU-2.2, Performance Standards
Employ performance and design standards with sufficient flexibility and
appropriate incentives to ensure that development is compatible with
surrounding land uses.
Policy: LU-3.8, Shared Parking
Encourage shared parking facilities for business and commercial establishments
that have dissimilar peak use periods.
Policy: LU-4.3, Neighborhood Through-Traffic
Create boundaries for new neighborhoods through which principal arterials
should not pass.
Policy: LU-4.4, Connections
Form a well-connected network which provides safe, direct and convenient access
for all users, including pedestrians, bicycles, and automobiles, through site
design for new development and redevelopment.
Policy: LU-4.5, Block Length
Create a network of streets that is generally laid out in a grid pattern that features
more street intersections and shorter block lengths in order to increase street
connectivity and access.
Goal: LU-5, Development Character
Promote development in a manner that is attractive, complementary, and
compatible with other land uses.
Policy: LU-5.3, Off-Site Impacts
Ensure that off-street parking, access, and loading facilities do not adversely
impact the surrounding area.
Policy: LU-5.4, Natural Features and Habitat Protection
Ensure development is accomplished in a manner that protects significant
natural features and wildlife habitat.
Policy: LU-6.5, Schools as a Neighborhood Focus
Encourage school officials to retain existing neighborhood school sites and
structures because of the importance of the school in maintaining a strong,
healthy neighborhood.
Review notes
LU-3.8 proposed to be removed as it is
more of an implementation action, with
supportive policies already in the
Transportation Chapter.
LU-4.3 proposed to be relocated to the
Neighborhoods or Transportation
Chapter, as appropriate.
LU-4.4 proposed to be removed or
consolidated into existing
Transportation Chapter policies.
LU-4.5 proposed to be removed or
consolidated into existing
Transportation Chapter policies.
Goal LU-5 and associated policies
proposed to be removed or
consolidated into the Urban Design and
Historic Preservation Chapter as
appropriate.
Policy LU-6.5 proposed to be removed
as school siting collaboration is already
addressed in policies.
[Page 30]
Policy: LU-6.6, Shared Facilities
Continue the sharing of city and school facilities for neighborhood parks,
recreation, and open space uses.
Policy: LU-6.7, Sharing and Programming Planning
Develop a joint plan for the city and school districts serving Spokane for sharing
and programming school sites for common activities.
Goal: LU-7, Implementation
Ensure that the goals and policies of the Comprehensive Plan are implemented.
Policy: LU-7.1, Regulatory Structure
Develop a land use regulatory structure that utilizes a variety of mechanisms to
promote development that provides a public benefit.
Policy: LU-7.2, Continuing Review Process
Develop a broad, community-based process that periodically re-evaluates and
directs city policies and regulations consistent with this chapter’s Vision and
Values.
Policy: LU-7.3, Historic Reuse
Allow compatible residential or commercial use of historic properties when
necessary to promote preservation of these resources.
Goal: LU-10, Joint Planning
Support joint growth management planning and annexation requests which best
meet the Comprehensive Plan’s development goals and policies.
Policy: LU-10.1, Land Use Plans
Prepare land use plans in cooperation with Spokane County for the Urban
Growth Area to ensure that planned land uses are compatible with adopted city
policies and development standards at the time of annexation.
Policy: LU-10.4, Long Range Urban Growth Area Planning
Establish a forty-year planning horizon to address eventual expansion of UGAs
beyond the twenty-year boundary required by the Growth Management Act.
Review notes
Policy LU-6.6 proposed to be removed
as similar language exits in the
Community Health Chapter.
Policy LU-6.7 proposed to be removed.
School siting collaboration already
addressed in other policies.
Goal LU-7 and associated policies
proposed to be removed as there will be
an Implementation Chapter.
Additionally, several policies are
covered by other policies.
Goal LU-10 proposed to be removed as
all remaining policies were relocated
under the UGA or Annexation goals.
Policy LU-10.1 proposed to be removed
as there are existing joint-planning
policies related to the UGA.
Policy LU-10.4 proposed to be removed
as it exceeds the state-mandated
planning horizon and is not standard
practice, as it cannot predict changing
needs.
[Page 31]
City of Spokane Comprehensive Plan | Map GS-01 Urban Hub Map
[Page 32]
City of Spokane Comprehensive Plan | Map GS-02 Future Land Use Map (FLUM) Part I D
Review notes
ue to the large area represented and the amount of information shown, readers are recommended to visit http://planspokane.org and view the official online maps in greater detail.
[Page 33]
City of Spokane Comprehensive Plan | Map GS-02 Future Land Use Map (FLUM) Part II
Review notes
Due to the large area represented and the amount of information shown, readers are recommended to visit http://planspokane.org and view the official online maps in greater detail.
[Page 34]
City of Spokane Comprehensive Plan | Map GS-03 Airport Influence Areas
Chapter 3 - Growth Strategy
PlanSpokane 2046 draft
Aug 7, 2026
[Page 1]
This cover page is not part of the draft Comprehensive Plan and is intended to only help with navigation of the drafts.
The chapter you see here is the result of months of
work by countless individuals throughout the
community. It represents a combination of inputs
generously provided by the public, Plan
Commission, City Council, and many others. This
updated chapter will eventually be considered by
the Plan Commission and City Council for inclusion
in PlanSpokane 2046.
Our teams have worked hard to create these
updated chapters. Each has been discussed at the
Plan Commission, by various Plan Commission
subcommittees, with City Council in general, and
shared with the public at various points along the
way. These chapters represent the efforts of many,
helping to describe the policy and guidance the
Comprehensive Plan can provide in each topic area.
Please note this version supersedes any previously
published versions, including the release of many
chapters last October. All prior versions should be
considered out-of-date from this point on.
As with prior versions, this chapter includes the
basic text, but might not match the visual look and
format of the final document (we're still working on
that). To help readers identify where updated
language has been provided, a series of icons are
shown at right along the way. These aren't part of
the final document--they're provided to help
readers understand where certain changes may
have come from, where past policies have been
combined, etc. A guide to those icons is provided
below. Each chapter will use the same set of icons
for consistency.
General information or
notation is provided, clarifying
overall changes to the text.
Language was streamlined or
condensed for readability
or clarity.
A new Goal or Policy was added,
not sourced from the currently
adopted plan.
Policy language was added to ensure
consistency with changes in law at the
State/Federal level.
USEFUL
ICONS
Multiple Policies from the currently adopted
plan were combined into one, usually done
to eliminate redundant language.
Text was added as a result of the City's
study of Racially Disparate Impacts and
Displacement.
A policy or text was added as recommended by the Climate Resilience and
Sustainability Board (CRSB).
A goal or policy was removed or moved to
another chapter. These are listed at the end of
each chapter and include a reason.
What's Next for PlanSpokane?
Because this is the first complete view of some
chapters (e.g. Growth Strategy, Transportation,
Capital Facilities), we anticipate one more release
of updated chapters and maps later this summer.
After that, Plan Commission will likely hold a
hearing to consider the overall document. We'd
love to hear from you along the way.
Document Version: August 5, 2026
If you have any comments on the chapters, please
engage with us at http://planspokane.org or by
email at planspokane@spokanecity.org. All
comments are considered and each will be
provided to the Plan Commission and City Council
for their consideration prior to any hearings on
the proposed document.
[Page 2]
Chapter 3: Growth Strategy
The growth strategy represents the community’s vision for how different
parts of a city should develop in the long-term. The guidance it provides
informs future decisions such as how zoning and development regulations
are crafted, making that vision a reality. Spokane has a long history of
planning for its future, including the establishment of the City Plan
Commission in 1917 and the first zoning ordinance passed in 1929. The first
Land Use Plan, a guide for future growth that included both maps and
policies, was adopted in 1968 as the official guide for development in
Spokane. Later, the first Growth Management Act (GMA) compliant
Comprehensive Plan was adopted by the City Council in 2001. Since then,
many updates and complementary plans have been adopted, helping guide
and shape future growth based on the evolving wants and needs of the
community.
While land use is the primary method by which the City of Spokane can
determine its growth patterns and strategies, it works together with the
other important topics found in the Comprehensive Plan to inform decision
making, help shape the city’s future, and support the community’s vision.
The following Chapter includes both a narrative description of the overall
growth strategy and specific Land Use Designations to be applied
throughout the city. Goals and policies build upon past plans, community
engagement, and the current and future needs of the community to inform
and guide decision making. Accordingly, both the descriptions and policies
should help inform decision makers and the public.
Capacity to Accommodate Growth
To create and implement a growth strategy, the City must understand its
capacity for growth and the actual growth in population, housing units, and
jobs expected over the 20-year planning horizon. A detailed analysis of the
City’s allocated 20-year growth has been conducted as part of the
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) adopted alongside this plan.
Furthermore, certain detailed analyses and studies were undertaken to
ensure that the proposed vision and strategies are sufficient to
accommodate and serve that expected growth. A Land Capacity Analysis
details the City’s capacity for physical development, while additional analysis
was done to identify the capacity to accommodate both permanent and
emergency housing at different affordability levels.
Overall, the City has sufficient capacity to accommodate the expected
population growth through 2046. The Comprehensive Plan has been crafted
towards accommodating that growth and housing affordability for all
income brackets, ensuring consistency with the community’s vision for the
future.
Review notes
The title of the chapter has changed
from Land Use to Growth Strategy to
better relay the content of the chapter
and more easily cross reference the
impact of other chapters on this
chapter, while also making the topic
more understandable for the general
public. The highlighted Growth Strategy
aligns with the Growth Management Act
(GMA) intent of planning for future
growth, while also supporting current
residents and environments. As a result
of the name change, goals and policies
in this draft use “GS” (Growth Strategy).
References to existing policies use the
“LU” (Land Use) indicator.
The original introduction has been
replaced with a broader discussion of
the setting for this chapter, avoiding
outdated terms and concepts, and
emphasizing the overall growth
strategy, which is helped through the
land use discussion but not only about
land use.
Much more detailed data on capacity
and growth will be included in a
technical appendix to this Chapter.
[Page 3]
The overall Growth Strategy was developed through deep engagement with
the community to help discern and understand the community’s land use
vision; an understanding and exploration of previous strategies; and careful
study and analysis of various topics like how growth is concentrated and
ways to improve prior strategies. The land use strategy, which highlights a
mix of uses and types of development important to meet the City’s future
vision, includes five focus areas:
Infill Development
Infill development is typified by new construction on vacant or
underutilized lots in developed areas. It can occur at all scales of
development, from backyard cottages in residential neighborhoods to
large new apartment buildings on former parking lots.
Infill development is beneficial for many reasons. Building in already-
developed areas reduces the need for new, expensive infrastructure,
while also supporting environmental stewardship and community
resiliency through reduced sprawl. Additionally, infill provides greater
potential for vibrant and connected neighborhoods with housing and
services in close proximity to one another, better meeting the diverse
needs of the whole community.
Transit-Oriented Development
Transit Oriented Development (TOD) is defined by concentrated activity
and a diversity of opportunities within easy walking, biking, and rolling
distance of high-performance transit lines. TOD is most successful when
it focuses on a fixed point of concentrated activity. Key characteristics of
TOD include active street frontages with housing, shopping, and
employment opportunities near transit stations. TOD enhances
Review notes
New section outlining the growth
strategy for the City, including the five
major focus areas that work together to
achieve the community’s vision for the
future.
This graphic is still under development.
It is intended to symbolize how the five
focus areas all work together to achieve
the community’s vision.
[Page 4]
neighborhood access to resources, provides safe streets, expands
transportation options, and fosters local economic growth and
resiliency.
Mixed-Use Development
Proximity to services, shopping, and other needs improves the quality of
life of residents and visitors alike and reduces how far people must travel
to access their daily needs. Allowances for mixed-use throughout the city
at a range of scales will support active and vibrant communities for all.
Neighborhood-scale commercial and retail uses such as small shops,
cafes, and community spaces help establish a sense of community and
place and serve neighbors who can easily access them. Mixed-use
development can also serve as activity centers for the larger community.
Urban Hubs, described in the next section, establish vibrant mixed-use
areas, where elevated intensity is paired with enhanced development
and design standards for people walking, biking, and rolling.
Employment and Services
In addition to housing, employment and services are important
contributors to a healthy community, supporting both residents and
visitors. Sufficient capacity and intensity must be accommodated to
ensure the city’s residents have a place to work and grow, and to access
the services and materials they need. By providing a mix of employment
opportunities throughout the city, residents can work closer to home,
improving their work/life balance while also reducing the need for
lengthy commutes.
A Vibrant Downtown
Downtown serves as the civic and commercial heart of the city, where
housing, business, employment, community resources, recreation, and
public spaces abound. Downtown is uniquely placed to serve both the
community in Spokane and the wider interstate region. Spokane’s
downtown should continue to grow and evolve throughout the next
twenty years and beyond, providing much needed opportunities for
development, services, commercial uses, community spaces, cultural
events, and housing in a growing, thriving city like Spokane.
The overall growth strategy seeks to address these five focus areas through
implementation of Urban Hubs and Corridors, the Future Land Use Map
(FLUM) and its Land Use Designations, and a range of goals and policies. All
of these work together, alongside the rest of the Comprehensive Plan, to
help the community achieve the vision it has laid out for the future.
Urban Hubs and Corridors
One way used to implement Spokane’s growth strategy is the designation of
Urban Hubs and Corridors throughout the city. Urban Hubs highlight where
mixed-use development paired with elevated intensity and a vibrant people-
Review notes
Urban Hubs are the next evolution in
Centers and Corridors, implementing
the recommendations of the Centers
and Corridors Update Study and
incorporating it into Spokane’s new
community vision.
[Page 5]
focused environment seamlessly integrate housing, commerce, and
community spaces to support residents and the local economy. Corridors
connect Urban Hubs and have long-term potential for more mixed-use
development and the ability to transition their orientation toward diverse
modes of transportation.
Urban Hubs and Corridors may be designated in previously developed areas
where existing infrastructure and the built environment contribute to a safe
and accessible environment. Other Urban Hubs highlight future potential,
and may take time to evolve into these important community assets.
Flexibilty should be provided in these areas, allowing for the reuse of existing
structures that can contribute to Urban Hub activity.
The success of Urban Hubs is a product of City investments in public
infrastructure and amenities as well as private investments in buildings and
attractions. The City should seek to balance the activity-oriented design
elements of Urban Hubs with investments and incentives that support the
feasibility of private development and redevelopment, ensuring that Urban
Hubs transform into their envisioned future.
<<The following text will be included as a
sidebar, outside the main chapter text>>
What is activity-oriented design?
Activity-oriented design focuses on providing a built environment that
supports people who walk, roll, and bike, while also encouraging the active
use of the area. When applied to structures, buildings, and public spaces,
activity-oriented design encourages community interaction and
socialization, commercial uses, housing, and well-being. Examples of
activity-oriented design include people-scaled signage and lighting,
amenities like bicycle racks and public plazas, and buildings, rather than
parking lots, directly accessible from public sidewalks.
<<End of Sidebar>>
Urban Hubs
Urban Hubs are unique from other areas designated for mixed-use
development by prioritizing people who walk, bike, roll, or take transit
through additional amenities, investments, incentives, and development
and design standards that support an activity-oriented environment.
Buildings in Urban Hubs are built towards the street, with people-scaled
signage and lighting to support a walkable environment. Public
amenities provided throughout the city should be enhanced to provide
additional opportunities within Urban Hubs, such as benches, bicycle
parking, urban canopy, landscaping, covered bus shelters, and universal
design to support all ages and abilities. Where possible, Urban Hubs
should also include gathering spaces such as parks, plazas, greenspaces,
Review notes
age 5
[Page 6]
or indoor community spaces, and encourage placemaking efforts such
as public art and pop-up vendors and events.
Urban Hubs reinforce neighborhood identity by focusing on activity
nodes, which are reflected through zoning designations, designed to
emphasize lively streets, a mix of uses, and people-oriented design.
Activity and vibrancy around focal points such as key intersections,
transit stations and stops, parks, and similar points of concentrated
activity should be reinforced through investment in public amenities and
targeted development standards.
Urban Hubs may encompass multiple blocks and their scale should be
determined by the context of the surrounding uses as well as the
potential for economic and community activity. All Urban Hubs shown
on the Urban Hubs and Corridors Map (Map GS-1) are representative of
general locations. The Map should not be used to determine the limits
of any Urban Hub, but instead Land Use Designations on the Future
Land Use Map (Map GS-2) and zoning districts will establish the locations
where hub activity and intensity is appropriate.
Urban Hub Designations are organized into two scales: Local Hubs,
which serve the needs of the residents in the surrounding
neighborhood, and Regional Hubs, which serve the needs of a larger
area.
Local Hubs
Local Hubs are intended to primarily serve the residents of the
surrounding neighborhood who can access the Urban Hub
without using a vehicle, while also recognizing that activity in an
Urban Hub – such as hosting community or cultural events – may
draw visitors from the larger area. Local Hubs are characterized by
Review notes
This graphic is still under development.
It is intended to symbolize how the
overall concept of Urban Hubs contains
two types of Hubs, plus corridors,
planned around certain focal points of
activity.
[Page 7]
an elevated scale of development and a greater range of uses than
are allowed in the surrounding residential areas, including higher
intensity housing and concentrations of retail, restaurants,
services, and community spaces catering to surrounding
residents.
Individual commercial buildings should be scaled to provide
neighborhood services, though bonuses may be provided for
buildings that include housing units. Local hubs should be located
where transit access is available and development should
encourage active transportation to and through the Urban Hub.
Regional Hubs
Regional Hubs are intended to serve both regional visitors and
local residents who may access the Urban Hub via a variety of
transportation modes, including active transportation, public
transit, and personal vehicles. Regional Hubs are appropriate
along major transportation and commuter routes where they
provide regional destinations for the high volume of visitors
already moving through the area and those specifically drawn to
the Urban Hub activity.
Regional Hubs encourage the greatest development intensity and
mix of uses outside of Downtown. Regional Hubs should include
high intensity residential development, along with expanded
concentrations of commercial, service, employment,
entertainment, and opportunities for social interaction through
community spaces and events. The built environment in Regional
Hubs should support the greater activity through increased public
amenities and additional people-oriented design elements.
Corridors
Corridors are connections between Urban Hubs, with current or future
transit access, where a range of uses may be appropriate. Pockets of
Mixed Use along these Corridors can create connections to daily needs
for residents in surrounding neighborhoods and those traveling along
them. While current development patterns and uses along Corridors
may be auto-oriented, future Mixed Use Designations can enhance and
reinforce the success of initial mixed-use development which in turn can
support future transit and active transportation. This can support their
transition towards serving the needs of all users, expanding a network
of connected housing, employment, and local services over time.
[INSERT URBAN HUB MAP]
Map GS-01
Review notes
Map can currently be found at the
end of this document. It will be
integrated into the Chapter once the
final template is available.
[Page 8]
Land Use Designations and the Future Land Use Map
To direct future growth, this plan establishes Land Use Designations and
descriptions, which are applied to land throughout the city in the Future
Land Use Map (FLUM). Overall, each Land Use Designation is:
General in scope. Each designation is intended to provide general
guidance, providing flexibility and adaptability to meet the intended
outcome for a wide area. Site specific requirements, restraints, and
other controls, are later established by the Spokane Municipal Code
or other instruments. Each description (later in this chapter) applies
generally to the overall area of that designation, not each individual
parcel or development within it. Not all characteristics of the
designation are found in every project and use.
Future focused. Land Use Designations are focused on the intended
future vision for the city. What is found in a location today may not
match the Land Use Designation. However, changes to zoning
should seek to align areas with the future vision in conformance with
Land Use Designations.
The descriptions below, as well as the FLUM, were informed by the selected
Preferred Alternative in the Final Environmental Impact Statement. The nine
Land Use Designations are described below.
<<The following text will be included as a
sidebar, outside the main chapter text>>
The Land Use Designations described here include the following
information:
Use Indicators: Provides general indicators informing the important
characteristics of intensity and mix of uses. Each is intended to be
general and intuitive, providing emphasis instead of direct
measurement. The values show how each designation balances various
needs in the city. These are not value judgments—one condition is not
‘better’ or worse’ than another. Also, the indicators are meant to be
general shades of grey—the ends of each scale are not absolute.
The values indicated are:
Development Intensity: Informs topics like building height, mass,
footprint, site coverage, and the comparative compactness of
development in the overall area.
Mix of Uses: Describes the relative variety of uses found across the
whole area. This mix of uses may occur across the entire area or
within a building or lot.
Review notes
A cross-reference to the Environmental
Impact Statement will be included here.
Intensity—a combination of density,
mass, spacing, etc., will be further
explained in the Glossary.
[Page 9]
Predominant Uses: A narrative description of the area, as well as a list
of various uses and other features that should be found throughout the
area.
Secondary Uses: A narrative description of the various uses and other
features that might not be found everywhere in the area but could be
appropriate to support the overall intent of the designation in specific
circumstances.
Intensity Description: As a companion to the Development Intensity
Indicator (see above), this section provides additional commentary if
needed.
Location Criteria: This section, when available, provides specific
information identifying locations and characteristics that inform the
types of places a given Land Use Designation might be appropriate or
inappropriate.
Appropriate Zoning: This section lists the appropriate zoning districts
for each Land Use Designation. These indicate, generally, which zoning
districts implement the intended characteristics of each designation.
Which district is appropriate in specific parts of a designation will be
described in the Zoning Code.
<<End of Sidebar>>
Land Use Designations
Land Use Designations are shown on the Future Land Use Plan Map (Map
LU-2). The Land Use Designations and their general characteristics are as
follows:
Open Space (OS)
Predominant Uses: Areas designated as Open Space are intended to
preserve natural areas and provide opportunities for active and passive
recreation, allowing both residents and visitors to enjoy the wellness and
community benefits offered by these features. Open Space Designations
should prioritize parks or outdoor recreational facilities and opportunities,
especially where views and proximity to nature provide essential benefits to
the community, such as the Spokane River Gorge.
The Open Space Designation also identifies lands containing significant
natural, ecological, cultural, or scenic resources that warrant protection from
encroachment to enhance their long-term value. Examples include sections
Review notes
Because zoning is currently under
development by BUILDSpokane, the
zones appropriate in each designation
will be added later, prior to Plan
Commission’s hearing on the overall
plan.
The City’s current 19 Land Use
Designations have been condensed into
9. The intent is for each to allow for a
choice of possible zoning and
development standards depending on
location, use, and other factors. These
factors are informed by the text here
and the policies, but specifics will be
worked out by BUILDSpokane, the City’s
update to the Zoning Code.
[Page 10]
of the Spokane River, significant landforms and geologic features, sensitive
watersheds and drainage areas, areas of Tribal significance, and others.
While the Open Space Designation is the primary means to reflect areas with
more expansive green and open space, access to open space and green
infrastructure is encouraged throughout the city in all Land Use
Designations.
Secondary Uses: Limited continuation of legal non-conforming uses should
be accommodated, though the intent is for these uses to phase out over
time. Areas with existing development that are designated for future
conservation may maintain pre-existing zoning until such time as full
conservation is feasible. For areas identified for conservation, limited
facilities supporting community enjoyment of those features should be
allowed when appropriate, such as parking, trails, or other features.
However, development unrelated to the resource under protection should
be avoided.
Intensity Description: Intensity is generally very low in Open Space areas.
In the case of active recreation facilities (e.g. sports complexes), that
intensity may be elevated due to the structures and facilities required for
active operations.
Location Criteria: Open Space Designations may be used to rectify past
disinvestment or address a lack of open space in some areas of the city.
Consultation with the Parks Department and applicable plans (e.g. the Parks
Master Plan), as well as local Tribal Governments, Urban Native
Communities, and other local neighborhood and community organizations,
should inform selection of new or expanded Open Space Designations. Land
availability and interest by property owners are additional considerations.
Appropriate Zoning: <<This section will be inserted later, prior to Plan
Commission consideration, as part of BUILDSpokane.>>
Agriculture (AG)
Predominant Uses: Important pockets of agriculture remain within City
Limits, regardless of the City’s overall urban nature. These areas provide a
unique resource for the community, allowing local food and agricultural
operations that support the local economy and enhance food security.
Agricultural uses include open land farming or growth of agricultural
products, limited livestock, greenhouses (including aquaculture and
hydroponic operations), and other similar types of operation.
Review notes
10
[Page 11]
A wide range of agricultural operations are appropriate in Agriculture areas
so long as they limit health impacts and environmental harms. Agritourism
is allowed but should be limited in scope, design, and scale to avoid adverse
impacts to adjacent properties. Development standards should be sensitive
to the needs of agricultural operations.
Secondary Uses: Uses in the Agriculture Designation should prioritize
agricultural operations, limiting low-intensity residential and commercial
uses to those that support the agricultural uses.
Sales of agricultural products grown or produced on-site should be allowed
(e.g. farm stands) with limits on other types of commercial operation.
Intensity Description: While intensity should be low, allowing for
appropriate agricultural uses, individual operations may be more intense if,
for example, greenhouses or larger storage buildings are needed.
Residential uses should be strictly limited in the Agriculture Designation and
should not represent a significant amount of residential capacity.
Location Criteria: The Agriculture Designation is appropriate where
agricultural operations already exist. Generally, Agriculture Designations are
not expected outside their current areas, though any adjustment to this area
should consider whether agricultural operations are feasible in that location
and any potential impacts to surrounding uses.
Appropriate Zoning: <<This section will be inserted later, prior to Plan
Commission consideration, as part of BUILDSpokane.>>
Residential Low (RL)
Predominant Uses: Primarily residential in nature, single-unit and middle A c
housing types are expected everywhere within the Residential Low Cha
Designation. It is essential that a full range of housing types be available,
ensuring a diversity of housing scale, tenure, and affordability throughout
the city and limiting large homogenous areas of a single housing type.
Secondary Uses: These areas should also include opportunities for small
commercial spaces primarily serving people who live and work near them,
such as gathering spaces and community centers, coffee shops, corner
stores, childcare centers, schools, places of worship, and home-based
businesses. Infrastructure opportunities for people to walk, bike, or roll to
their daily needs should be provided, as well as green spaces and open
space for the enjoyment of residents and visitors. Connections to public
open spaces, parks, in other parts of the city should be provided in these
Review notes
ross reference to the Housing
pter will be included here.
[Page 12]
areas as well, including connections to and between neighborhoods. Noisy,
odorous, or otherwise impactful development should be avoided.
Allowances for larger development, with mitigation limiting surrounding
impacts, may be appropriate if they provide residential capacity or other
benefit to the local neighborhood.
Intensity Description: While remaining low, some variability and diversity
in intensity is encouraged. Greater intensity is more acceptable close to
significant amenities, where access and circulation is enhanced, or where
the more intense use also provides community or neighborhood benefit.
Areas of lowest intensity should exhibit at least six residential units per acre,
while elevated intensity areas might rise as high as 10 units per acre.
Location Criteria: The Residential Low Designation is appropriate in any
location where more intense or significant amounts of non-residential use
are either not warranted or cannot be supported due to constraints such as
infrastructure limitations. The designation should consider potential
environmental or other impacts, avoiding locations that would be more
appropriate for higher impact uses such as industrial.
Appropriate Zoning: <<This section will be inserted later, prior to Plan
Commission consideration, as part of BUILDSpokane.>>
Residential High (RH)
Predominant Uses: Areas designated for the Residential High designation
indicate where intense residential development is appropriate, such as
larger multi-unit developments (e.g. apartment buildings) alongside more
intense middle-housing types. Additionally, these areas should seek a range
of appropriately scaled neighborhood features like interconnected open
spaces, recreational opportunities, and a greater degree of design
considerations for those that walk, bike, roll, and take transit.
Secondary Uses: In addition to intense residential uses, Residential High
areas include provisions for retail and service uses that are appropriately
scaled for the overall area primarily serving the residents of the higher
intensity residential development, with some allowances for minor
regionally serving commercial uses. Generally, the intensity of these non-
residential uses may be higher than those found in Residential Low
Designations, but still less than in a Commercial or Industrial area. Open
space and green spaces should be included to some degree throughout,
scaled and designed for the higher residential intensity expected in these
areas.
[Page 13]
Intensity Description: Intensity in Residential High areas should naturally
be high, especially when adjacent to or near more intense areas that provide
amenities, services, public transit, or other elements that support residents
in these areas (e.g. adjacent to Mixed Use Designations). Residential density
should range between 15 and 40 units per acre on average. Somewhat
reduced intensity may be appropriate when adjacent to much lower-
intensity areas.
Location Criteria: Placement of Residential High areas should consider
topics like the availability of utilities and services, connections to other
essential parts of the city through transit or circulation features, and
whether sufficient nearby retail and employment opportunities exist. New
Residential High Designations should weigh the costs and benefits of impact
to existing uses and residents, limiting potential community displacement
when possible.
Appropriate Zoning: <<This section will be inserted later, prior to Plan
Commission consideration, as part of BUILDSpokane.>>
Institutional (INST)
Residential Density: 20-40 units/acre
Assumed Density for Planning Purposes: 30 units/acre
Predominant Uses: The Institutional Designation is intended for areas that
are located around significant public-serving operations such as colleges,
other large educational institutions, and medical centers. The Institutional
Land Use Designation allows for a wide range of uses and development that
serve the primary institution, while also leveraging the opportunities within
surrounding areas created by those same institutions. Allowances for the
mix of uses or zones in Institutional Designations should consider the type
and function of the related institution(s), as each institution can inform what
other uses either support it or benefit from its presence.
Secondary Uses: In addition to a mix of residential, commercial, and open
space uses, limited low-impact industrial uses may be appropriate in
Institutional Designations, especially where the related institution provides
a technical or mechanical service or need specific to that institution. As with
most Land Use Designations, green spaces, plazas, and small parks are also
desirable in certain areas.
Intensity Description: Intensity in each Institutional Designation should be
generally elevated, but also sensitive to the overall intensity of the vicinity in
which it is located (i.e. higher near Downtown, Industrial, and major activity
[Page 14]
centers or employers; lower near low-intensity residential areas). Related to
this somewhat elevated intensity, residential density in Institutional areas
should range between 20 and 40 units per acre on average.
Location Criteria: The presence of large, regional, public-serving
institutions is essential to this designation. This includes, but is not limited
to, colleges and universities, large trade schools, major employers,
laboratories, large medical centers and hospitals, and other public-serving
facilities.
Appropriate Zoning: <<This section will be inserted later, prior to Plan
Commission consideration, as part of BUILDSpokane.>>
Commercial (COM)
Predominant Uses: The Commercial Land Use Designation is intended for
areas of the city containing intense commercial development, large in both
building scale and intended customer base. This includes both retail and
service uses as well as significant office developments and other operations
that provide significant amounts of employment and/or commercial value.
This land use supports access for all modes, including auto-oriented uses.
Commercial uses generally serve the wider community and region.
Secondary Uses: Higher intensity residential is also appropriate in
Commercial areas, as those residents also benefit from locations where
circulation, utility, and service capacity exist to serve higher intensities of
development. Greater numbers of residents in and near these Commercial
Designations help support the businesses and services within them as well.
Limited open space or green spaces should be allowed as well, both for the
enjoyment of residents and visitors and for the benefits they provide to
climate and heat island effects that might result from large-scale
development in the Commercial Designation.
Intensity Description: In general, the intensity of Commercial areas should
be moderately high, but should also consider the location within the city and
nearby intensities. Increased intensity should be considered in areas where
vehicle access is high and significant transit capacity is available or planned.
Residential uses in Commercial Designations should range between 20 and
45 units per acre.
Location Criteria: Large new Commercial areas should avoid
predominantly lower-intensity residential portions of the city and, where
possible, include standards or other controls that buffer adjacent areas of
less intense development from negative impacts originating from
Review notes
age 14
[Page 15]
commercial uses and development. Adjacency to major automobile routes
should be considered.
Appropriate Zoning: <<This section will be inserted later, prior to Plan
Commission consideration, as part of BUILDSpokane.>>
Mixed Use (MIX)
Predominant Uses: Mixed Use Designations denote places with a wide
array of possible uses and development types. The mix of uses should be
broad, allowing for both a mix of uses on a single site as well as a range of
uses across the entire area. Accordingly, there may not be any single
predominant use. However, the mix of uses should seek to balance non-
residential opportunities and services with housing, open spaces, and public
amenities.
Some lighter industrial uses that aid in employment, education, or the
creative economy may be permitted, provided there is sufficient mitigation
for environmental safety and nuisance impacts (e.g. noise, odor, pollution).
Generally, Mixed Use areas should emphasize more intense development
types in new construction.
Secondary Uses: Mixed Use Designations will be served best by a diverse
mix of uses and development types throughout. Some areas with a Mixed
Use Designation may support auto-oriented development while others may
focus more on access through transit, walking, and rolling. Where possible,
areas designated for Mixed Use should also include green spaces,
vegetation, and open space serving the residents, visitors, and employees in
the Mixed Use Designation and surrounding uses.
Intensity Description: Intensity in the Mixed Use Designation differs widely
from location to location and should be informed by the intensity of
surrounding uses, as well as access to infrastructure. In areas where
adjacent uses are less intense, the Mixed Use intensity should also be less.
Conversely, higher intensity Mixed Use areas are appropriate in the vicinity
of other higher intensity use categories. Of additional consideration, Mixed
Use areas that are large and span many blocks should consider more
intensity overall than those that are geographically small. In areas where
significant transit opportunities exist or are planned, more intense transit-
oriented development is appropriate.
As intensity varies widely in Mixed Use areas, so too does residential density.
Units per acre in these areas should range between 10 and 45.
Review notes
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[Page 16]
Location Criteria: Mixed Use should consider opportunities for a wide
range of development options, including but not limited to circulation
capacity, cultural or social connections, potential development or
redevelopment, and any displacement that may occur as a result of
establishing a new Mixed Use area. The Mixed Use Designation is the
primary designation for implementing Urban Hubs, though the designation
is not restricted to those areas.
Appropriate Zoning: <<This section will be inserted later, prior to Plan
Commission consideration, as part of BUILDSpokane.>>
Downtown (DT)
Predominant Uses: Throughout the City of Spokane’s history, Downtown
has been the heart of the community, serving the need for essential services
and opportunity. While it represents similar features to Mixed Use, the
Downtown Designation acknowledges and continues this unique place in
Spokane’s story by allowing for the highest concentration of intensities and
densities, the largest scale of development, and the broadest range of
allowed uses.
Achieving a healthy mix of housing at all price points should be a priority, as
well as development of numerous non-residential uses that support a large
customer base and attract a diversity of services and retail operations.
Culture, arts, and entertainment opportunities are also encouraged, as
Downtown serves as the cultural center for the region. Downtown
commercial uses and services that support Downtown’s residents should be
prioritized, including grocery stores and other providers of basic needs.
Recreational opportunities are provided through open spaces, such as
plazas and playgrounds, public art, cultural spaces, and other public and
private amenities. Open space in the Downtown should include greenery
and vegetation, not only hardscape and paving. This includes Riverfront
Park, an essential regional feature, and the Spokane Falls.
Limited industrial operations should be allowed with mitigation of potential
negative impacts (e.g., noise, vibration, odor). As an example, a greater
population density coupled with an urban connected environment may
attract more artisans and craftspeople, uses sometimes considered
industrial in nature but perhaps warranted in the Downtown.
Secondary Uses: Downtown is intended to provide a mix of virtually all use
types which contribute to an activated and vibrant environment.
Review notes
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[Page 17]
Intensity Description: The Downtown Designation indicates the highest
intensities anywhere in the city. When residential uses are developed, they
should range between 40 and 60 units per acre. However, it is assumed that
not all of Downtown will exhibit the same level of intensity—some local
adjustment may be warranted due to open space, recreational uses along
the river, topography, utility/service capacity, nearby designations, and other
topics.
To match the high-level of public investment Downtown, it may be
appropriate to limit or prohibit low-intensity development.
Location Criteria: Areas with a clear circulation, community, or commerce
connection to Downtown may be appropriate inclusions in this designation.
Designating areas of predominantly single-unit or middle housing should
include consideration for potential displacement of existing residents.
Appropriate Zoning: <<This section will be inserted later, prior to Plan
Commission consideration, as part of BUILDSpokane.>>
Industrial (IND)
Predominant Uses: The Industrial Designation recognizes the changing
needs of industry in the city, providing flexibility to support current and
future employment opportunities. Industrial areas represent a range of
different use types, recognizing that industries can vary in scale, impact, and
the materials used. They can be a source of significant employment (large
operations) or provide materials or products unique to the city or region.
This designation is appropriate for those more impactful industrial
operations like chemical processing, manufacturing, and fabrication, but
also less impactful industries like tech hubs, small shop manufacturing,
maker spaces, and other small production and creative uses.
Secondary Uses: Residential uses in Industrial areas of high impact (such as
near Spokane International Airport) should be avoided. However, limited
residential uses such as live-work units and caretaker residences may be
appropriate near less impactful industry. These residential uses should be
strictly limited, not representing any measurable residential capacity.
Existing legal non-conforming low-intensity residential should be permitted
to remain but not expand.
Intensity Description: While the intensity of Industrial Designations is
generally high, when in close proximity to other designations, intensity may
be limited to avoid adverse impacts.
Review notes
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[Page 18]
Location Criteria: The Industrial Designation is warranted wherever more
traditional and impactful industrial operations should be allowed, especially
in areas with significant connection to freight networks and transportation
connections needed to serve them. Opportunities for less impactful new
forms of industry should consider the potential economic benefits that can
occur from proximity to other economically active designations like Mixed
Use, Downtown, or Commercial.
Appropriate Zoning: <<This section will be inserted later, prior to Plan
Commission consideration, as part of BUILDSpokane.>>
[INSERT FUTURE LAND USE MAP]
Map GS-02
Goals and Policies
The following goals and policies provide specificity for planning and
decision-making. Overall, they indicate the desired direction for the City of
Spokane’s growth and development.
Goal: GS-1, Uses of Land
Support a livable city by providing balanced opportunities for housing,
employment, recreation and access to nature, education, shopping, public
facilities and utility services, and cultural events throughout all parts of the city.
Policy: GS-1.1, Lower Intensity Residential Uses
Focus a range of lower intensity residential uses, including middle housing
and other small-scale dwelling units, as well as neighborhood-serving
commercial uses throughout the city while ensuring that development
complements the form and function of the area in which it is located.
Policy: GS-1.2, Higher Intensity Residential Uses
Focus higher intensity residential uses towards areas near high-frequency
transit, major roadways, Urban Hubs, commercial opportunities, and in
other areas where development intensity is consistent with development of
this type or sufficient capacity or need exists to warrant more intense
residential use.
Policy: GS-1.3, A Vibrant Downtown
Develop citywide plans and strategies designed to ensure a viable,
economically strong downtown area serving as the most intense, mixed-use,
and dynamic heart of the city, providing a mix of industry, retail, social,
cultural, and residential uses but also a high degree of public amenities like
open spaces, public plazas, and support for those that walk, bike, and roll.
Review notes
Map can currently be found at the
end of this document. It will be
integrated into the Chapter once the
final template is available.
Along with the Chapter name changing
to “Growth Strategy”, the goals and
policies now use “GS” (Growth Strategy)
instead of the previous “LU” (Land Use)
indicator. Only references to existing
policies will use “LU”.
Name of goal changed from Citywide
Land Uses to Uses of Land to indicate a
difference between Land Use
Designations and individual property
uses.
Language added to both lower and
higher intensity residential uses to
include different scales of commercial,
reflecting community engagement and
mixed-use development strategy.
High-frequency transit language was
added to conform with recent legislation
(HB 1491).
Language added to reflect the mix of
uses supported by Downtown.
[Page 19]
Policy: GS-1.4, Industry and Employment
Accommodate a variety of commercial, office, medical, educational, and
industrial uses at varying sizes and intensities throughout the city, respecting
the need for these essential services and products to provide employment
opportunities and industrial operations that support the regional economy
and employ the people of Spokane.
Policy: GS-1.5, Industrial Lands
Consider potential impacts on the City’s capacity for industrial uses and the
future need for employment and industrial services before redesignating
industrial lands within Spokane. Future eliminiation of industrial lands
should generally be avoided to support the local economy and community
resiliency.
Policy: GS-1.6, Urban Agriculture
Identify and designate areas that are suited for ongoing agricultural
production, while also permitting smaller-scale urban agricultural uses such
as community gardens, home gardens, and small livestock throughout the
city, recognizing urban agriculture as a community and economic asset that
supports food security, local resiliency, and public health.
Policy: GS-1.7, Parks and Open Spaces
Identify, prioritize, and develop funding mechanisms, incentives,
development requirements, and other methods to procure land for both
formal parks and/or natural open space throughout the city, especially in
areas of historic disinvestment or climate vulnerability, providing access to a
variety of outdoor recreation options for all.
Goal: GS-2, Land Use Context
Promote compatible and efficient use of land that meets the changing needs of
the community by consolidating supportive uses and mitigating potential
negative impacts.
Policy: GS-2.1, Airfield Influence Areas
Recognize and protect the status and operation of Spokane’s airports as an
essential community resource and economic benefit by prohibiting the siting
of land uses that are incompatible with aviation operations in Airfield
Influence Areas designated on Comprehensive Plan maps, such as by
curtailing increases in residential density in these locations and applying
limits on uses that might concentrate people or hazardous materials,
consistent with federal, state, and local laws, guidelines, and agreements.
Review notes
Policy combines concepts of existing LU
1.5 Office, LU 1.8 General Commercial
and LU 1.10 Industry to reflect the how
all uses support local industry and
employment. Direct references to
medical and educational employment
added based on public feedback.
Climate Resilience and Sustainability
Board (CRSB) recommended policy.
Language expanded beyond the Land
Use Designation to reflect a more
expansive definition of urban ag. and
incorporate community feedback.
Existing LU-6.2 consolidated into
proposed LU-1.7.
Goal name changed from Efficient Land
Use to Land Use Context to better reflect
the policies contained within. Language
from existing LU-3 goal and LU-5.5
policy added to consolidate related
concepts.
Language updated to clarify the reason
behind Airfield Influence Areas.
[Page 20]
Policy: GS-2.2, Public Facilities and Services
Ensure that public facilities and services are sufficient and will be in place to
accommodate proposed development before allowing new development to
occur, including necessary consultation and coordination with local service
providers and utilities.
Policy: GS-2.3, Displacement Risk
Consider displacement risk in land use and zoning decisions, infrastructure
projects, and public investments, ensuring these actions are informed of the
risk and identify potential steps to lessen that risk.
Policy: GS-2.4, Non-conforming Uses
Consider the scale of non-conforming uses that may occur as a result of
future land use and zoning decisions. Limit displacement by allowing existing
uses to continue where feasible.
Policy: GS-2.5, Coordinated and Efficient Land Use
Encourage coordinated and efficient growth and development through
infrastructure financing and construction programs, tax and regulatory
incentives, and growth focused in areas where adequate services and
facilities exist or can be economically extended before considering
development in new areas where provision of services is less feasible.
Policy: GS-2.6, Lot Sizes
Establish lot size standards that achieve the desired density and scale, allow
housing types at all price points, respect the City’s status as the urban center
of the region, increase housing options, provide homeownership
opportunities, and meet the requirements of growth management. Lot sizes
should be adopted with consideration for the potential exclusionary effects
of large lot sizes.
Policy: GS-2.7, Sub-Area Planning Framework
Undertake sub-area and neighborhood planning in collaboration with local
residents and impacted Neighborhood Councils and community members,
seeking to develop more detailed analyses and decisions by the City while
developing and implementing these plans consistent with the Comprehensive
Plan.
Policy: GS-2.8, Built and Natural Environment
Ensure uses consider and enhance the built and natural environment –
including impacts to air and water quality, groundwater quality and
quantity, wildfire risk, noise, traffic congestion, and public utility and service
capacity – requiring adequate mitigation to maintain and enhance quality of
life.
Review notes
Displacement policy added to conform
with recent legislation (HB 1181).
LU 2.4 Expanded to reflect existing
policies allowing for grandfathered
uses.
Language adjusted to move away from
only residential density and to
strengthen the homeownership and
affordability aspects. Additional
language was added to acknowledge
potential impacts of lot sizes.
Existing LU 5.1 Built and Natural
Environment combined with LU-5.2
Environmental Quality Enhancement.
[Page 21]
Policy: GS-2.9, Encouraging Infill Development
Prioritize infill development, including development and redevelopment of
vacant and underdeveloped properties, to leverage existing infrastructure
and investment, reduce urban sprawl, and support fiscal responsibility.
Policy: GS-2.10, Land Use Transitions
Utilize recognizable boundaries like major roadways, the Spokane River, and
other physical barriers as buffers between land uses with different intensity
and types of uses when possible and establish a transition in intensity
between more impactful uses like Industrial and less intense uses when
physical boundaries are not present.
Policy: GS-2.11, Neighborhoods
Recognize the value of neighborhoods as a reference for planning housing,
transportation, services, amenities, and placemaking at a scale appropriate
for the area.
Policy: GS-2.12, Connection and Accessibility
Establish an expectation of connected and accessible spaces throughout the
city, leveraging the interconnection of land use, transportation, design, and
development decisions to foster built environments that support walk- and
rollability and benefit community members of all abilities and ages.
Goal: GS-3, Accommodating Housing Capacity
Encourage a wide range of housing types across the city that meet the changing
needs of the community while ensuring residential uses are located near
supportive and complementary uses that provide employment, transportation,
recreation, daily needs, services, and educational opportunities.
Policy: GS-3.1, Addressing Housing Displacement
Balance investment in areas identified for future growth and the potential
for housing displacement, including anticipated demolitions or rising rents.
Ensure land use actions and patterns do not disproportionately harm
historically marginalized areas and communities.
Policy: GS-3.2, Access to Transportation
Encourage housing in areas of the city that provide easy access to public
transit and other efficient modes of transportation. Seek to reduce
household transportation costs, Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT), and
greenhouse gas emissions.
Review notes
New policy reflecting community
engagement and land use strategy.
New policy reflecting community
engagement while also acknowledging
the use of recognizable barriers as the
first layer of land use transitions.
Previously “natural” barriers--the
language change better reflects the
types of barriers being described.
Existing LU 1.1 relocated to relevant goal
with minor phrasing adjustments.
Placemaking added to reflect feedback
heard during community engagement.
New policy recognizing the impact of
land use, transportation, and
development decisions on how
accessible and connected the city can
become.
New goal reflecting the importance of
housing capacity as identified by recent
state legislation (HB 1220) and
community engagement. Language also
consolidates language from H 2.4
Linking Housing with Other Uses.
Displacement policy added to conform
with recent legislation (HB 1220).
Existing policy H 1.11 relocated to Land
Use Chapter. VMT added to reflect
climate and resilience language.
[Page 22]
Policy: GS-3.3, Reducing Sprawl
Plan for and accommodate diverse, affordable, and attainable housing types
to meet demand while avoiding sprawl in order to decrease emissions and
infrastructure costs and preserve open space.
Policy: GS-3.4, Infrastructure Investment
Prioritize transportation, utility, and public infrastructure improvements
in areas identified for higher housing capacity, in order to reduce
development barriers, improve safety, support economic development,
and facilitate future development of affordable housing and
homeownership opportunities.
Goal: GS-4, Mix of Uses
Encourage more flexible and dynamic land uses citywide, with the most intense
forms targeted in areas where transit ridership, walking, riding, rolling, and
biking opportunities exist or can be developed in an integrated active manner.
Policy: GS-4.1, Flexible Land Uses
Permit a compatible range of uses within each Land Use Designation,
supporting flexibility in development throughout the city, including expanded
allowances for developments providing housing.
Policy: GS-4.2, Neighborhood-Serving Retail
Allow and support neighborhood-serving commercial uses that help meet the
daily needs of residents in every neighborhood, including allowance for
corner and grocery stores, community gathering spaces, food service, and
small-scale mixed-use development within residential areas.
Policy: GS-4.3, Scalable Mixed-Use
Designate mixed-use areas at a range of scales throughout the city that
provide a compatible mix of housing, commercial uses, and activities to focus
growth, and support complete, walkable places.
Policy: GS-4.4, Mixed-Use Design
Establish common activity-oriented design and development standards for
all mixed-use areas such as buildings built to the street and people-scaled
signage and lighting.
Goal: GS-5, Urban Hubs
Guide growth in the city through vibrant Urban Hubs that serve the community
by seamlessly integrating housing, commerce, and services with activity-oriented
design focused on people who walk, bike, ride, and roll.
Review notes
Climate Resilience and Sustainability
Board (CRSB) recommended policy.
New policy since May 2026 draft release
based on community feedback. Policy
addresses infrastructure investment in
areas identified for potential new
growth.
This goal is new to reflect the growth
strategy expanding mixed-use
throughout the city.
New policy reflecting one of the goals of
PlanSpokane to provide flexibility for
development throughout the city.
New policy reflecting extensive public
feedback from residents wanting
neighborhood serving businesses they
could easily get to from home
throughout the city.
CRSB recommended policy.
New policy highlighting the need for
development and design standards
tailored to people in all mixed-use
areas.
This goal is new to reflect the growth
strategy, with some new policies and
other policies adjusted from existing
Center and Corridor policies.
[Page 23]
Policy: GS-5.1, Designate and Plan Urban Hubs
Identify, establish, and support Urban Hubs around nodes of community
activity through an inclusive public engagement process, and in consultation
with relevant City departments and operations. Designation of Urban Hubs
should be done with recognition of the equitable distribution of opportunities
for economic investment while considering the potential for displacement.
Policy: GS-5.2, Urban Hub Context
Scale Urban Hubs based on proximity to major roadways and transit service,
intensity of surrounding development, market opportunities, and potential
community draw, recognizing they may be implemented through a range of
sizes, shapes, and allowed uses based on their context.
Policy: GS-5.3, Focal Points
Reinforce activity and vibrancy in Urban Hubs through zoning districts that
support and center on key focal points such as transit stops, parks, and other
locations of concentrated activity.
Policy: GS-5.4, Elevated Standards in Urban Hubs
Promote activity-oriented design in Urban Hubs, pairing flexible standards
and enhanced public amenities with an emphasis on buildings and design
features that elevate the experience for those that walk, bike, and roll. To
ensure feasibility of private development, investments and incentives may be
required to balance the activity-oriented design elements in Urban Hubs.
Policy: GS-5.5, Transition and Reinvestment in Urban Hubs
Support the transition of Urban Hubs from their current form towards the
future vision of these areas through infrastructure and built environment
investments and incentives, while also allowing flexibility for the reuse and
reactivation of existing buildings.
Policy: GS-5.6, Corridors
Identify Corridors to connect Urban Hubs and establish a network of
increased multimodal connection throughout the city, encouraging mixed-
use development, neighborhood services, housing, public open space, and
employment along their length. The intensity of development along Corridors
should be scaled to the intensity of the roadway and transit service.
Goal: GS-6, Transit-Oriented Development
Coordinate land use and transportation planning so that an efficient pattern of
development is created supporting alternative transportation modes and making
significant progress toward reducing sprawl, traffic congestion, and air pollution.
Review notes
Policies GS-5.1 and 5.2, draw on existing
LU 3.2, 3.3, and 3.4 policy language,
while also reflecting the new Urban Hub
growth strategy.
New policy to reflect the need for
elevated standards at key locations
within hubs to ensure an active street is
achieved.
New policy reflecting activity-oriented
design in Urban Hubs and the need to
balance those requirements with
investments and incentives to ensure
development feasibility. Policy DP-1.7 in
Urban Design and Historic Preservation
also highlights the need to balance
design requirements with development
feasibility.
New policy to reflect that City
investments and incentives play a role in
these areas transitioning from their
current form toward meeting the future
vision of Urban Hubs.
New policy to connect Urban Hubs with
Corridors, allowing a range of uses
along their length, and creating a
network of connected housing, services,
and employment throughout the city.
Goal title updated to clarify the intent of
Transportation and Land Use
coordination. Goal language reflects
existing LU 4.1 Land Use and
Transportation policy language.
[Page 24]
Policy: GS-6.1, Transit-Oriented Development
Encourage transit-oriented development in areas of existing or planned high-
performance transit, encouraging higher intensity development, a mix of
employment, residential, and commercial uses, and appropriate
development design to provide access to active forms of transportation,
reduce automobile reliance and commute times, increase convenience and
accessibility for the public, and leverage the benefits of transit investment.
Policy: GS-6.2, Vehicle Miles Traveled Reduction
Encourage development of increased intensity and density as well as
provisions for public amenities and infrastructure useful for transit riders
adjacent to high-performance transit stops to encourage and provide
opportunities for transit ridership, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and
reduce per capita Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT).
Goal: GS-7, Resilient Land Use
Establish land use and development patterns that increase the climate resilience
of Spokane’s built environment, ecosystems, and communities.
Policy: GS-7.1, Climate Considerations
Incorporate climate hazard risk and environmental justice criteria and
mitigation into land use and infrastructure planning before major land use
plan or policy changes, or when siting, replacing, or relocating community
assets, such as transportation, civic facilities, and parks.
Policy: GS-7.2, Wildland-Urban Interface Standards
Apply resilience-focused development standards and best practices in high-
risk zones, including the Wildland–Urban Interface (WUI) and flood-prone
areas.
Policy: GS-7.3, Wildland-Urban Interface Outreach
Provide residents living in Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) areas information
about fire prevention and Firewise best practices while applying WUI best
practices to new development such as building code, ventilation, and
landscaping provisions.
Policy: GS-7.4, 100-Year Floodplain
Coordinate with federal and state agencies in the reassessment of the 100-
year floodplain and adopt standards and mitigation that provide adequate
protection in areas where flooding is more likely, discouraging development
and redevelopment within the 100-year floodplain.
Review notes
Consolidation of existing policies LU 4.2
Land Uses That Support Travel Options
and Active Transportation and LU 4.6
Transit-Supported Development.
Supportive of Climate Resilience and
Sustainability Board (CRSB)
recommendation.
New policy recognizing the connection
between VMT and land use, added to
reflect climate and resilience language.
New goal and associated policies to
reflect Climate Resilience and
Sustainability Board (CRSB)
recommendations.
Consolidation of NE-19.2 and NE-19.4 in
Natural Environment Chapter, relocated
here because topic is best addressed in
Growth Strategy.
[Page 25]
Policy: GS-7.5, 500-Year Floodplain
Coordinate with federal and state agencies to explore and understand the
500-year floodplain and its effects on potential future limitations on land use
and development, with an eye towards being prepared to consider the 500-
year floodplain if regulations come forward concerning that area.
Policy: GS-7.6, Floodplain Awareness and Education
Develop a public awareness and education program for residents living
within or near floodplains, highlighting the associated risks and ways to
mitigate their risk.
Policy: GS-7.7, Impervious Surfaces
Reduce impervious surfaces throughout the city, prioritizing areas of
drainage concern mapped by the City, to address urban heat island
mitigation, and promote groundwater recharge and infiltration.
Policy: GS-7.8, Food Access
Incentivize and enable uses that provide healthy, affordable, and locally
produced food in parts of the city with limited food access, including by
amending land use and zoning designations, as well as updating code
requirements.
Policy: GS-7.9, Tree Canopy
Maintain and expand the City’s tree canopy through incentives, zoning
regulations, permitting processes, or other efforts for existing and new
development, including infill, throughout the city.
Goal: GS-8, Adequate Public Lands and Facilities
Ensure the provision and equitable distribution of adequate public lands and
facilities throughout the city, incorporating different levels of public review
depending on facility scale and location with an eye towards efficiency and high
responsiveness to opportunities.
Policy: GS-8.1, Advanced Siting
Identify, in advance of development, sites for parks, open space, wildlife
habitat and corridors, police stations, fire stations, major stormwater
facilities, schools, and other lands useful for public purposes to support the
ability to develop those resources efficiently.
Policy: GS-8.2 Coordination and Partnerships with Providers
Continue to build and expand close working relationships with service and
utility providers as well as City departments that plan and install utilities and
services, to ensure that land use expansion and growth is considered through
the lens of facility and utility capacity.
Review notes
Policy NE-17.3, a new policy found in
the early Chapter Review edits,
relocated from Natural Environment
Chapter.
Policy NE-19.5 relocated from Natural
Environment Chapter.
Climate Resilience and Sustainability
Board (CRSB) recommended policy.
CRSB recommended policy.
CRSB recommended policy. Cross
references are anticipated here to
policies around maintenance and
incentives.
New policy noting the importance of
coordination in providing public
facilities and services.
[Page 26]
Policy: GS-8.3, School Locations
Work with all local school districts that serve Spokane’s students to identify
future school sites throughout the city, ensuring land use and transportation
decisions reduce exposure to environmental harms from noise, air, and
climate impacts for students and staff and support accessible and safe
routes to the sites for those that walk, bike, roll, and ride transit.
Policy: GS-8.4, Siting Essential Public Facilities
Utilize a process for locating and expanding essential public facilities,
meeting state and regional standards, balancing the necessary
establishment and continuation of these facilities with potential community
impacts, with explicit consideration of equity and avoidance of
disproportionate impacts on overburdened communities, and engaging
directly with impacted community members.
Policy: GS-8.5, Public Facility Compatibility and Context
Ensure the use, scale, and location of public facilities are compatible with the
surrounding area and are designed with the scale of development in the
vicinity, to the maximum extent possible, without affecting the use or
function of the facility.
Policy: GS-8.6, Surplus City Property
Establish a process and funding mechanism to lease, sell, or otherwise
dispose of appropriate unused city-owned buildings and/or property that
has been determined surplus to non-profit organizations for community
benefit and neighborhood revitalization.
Goal: GS-9, Urban Growth Area
Participate and coordinate in the regional process for designating and managing
the Urban Growth Area (UGA), seeking to ensure Spokane’s services and utilities
that extend beyond City limits are sufficient to accommodate, but not exceed, the
region’s allocated growth, including the accommodation of institutional,
industry, and service facilities necessary to serve such growth.
Policy: GS-9.1, Role of Urban Growth Areas
Limit urban sprawl by requiring more density and intensity of development
in urban areas where adequate public facilities already exist or where such
facilities can be more efficiently provided, considering both physical and
financial impacts.
Policy: GS-9.2, Joint Planning in Urban Growth Area
Coordinate with Spokane County and adjacent jurisdictions to plan for
orderly and efficient services and development and long-term resiliency in
the unincorporated portions of the Urban Growth Area.
Review notes
Language around safe routes to schools
to reflect community engagement
feedback, while consolidating
collaboration language from LU 6.4.
Additional language added to address
environmental justice and safety.
Language added to include expansion of
public facilities, recognition of regional
standards, and clarify who should be
engaged. Language around considering
equity and avoidance of dispropor-
tionate impacts added based on an
Environmental Justice Review of the
Land Use Chapter.
Language expanded to focus on use,
scale, and location, not just design.
Policy relocated from current Social
Health Chapter (SH-1.7) with phrasing
update to broaden process beyond
specific funding mechanism.
Language updated to reflect the
importance of regional collaboration as
well as the role of the City within the
UGA outside of City Limits.
Language added for the consideration of
physical and fiscal impacts.
Language updated to recognize regional
collaboration beyond Spokane County,
while clarifying what should be
considered in joint planning efforts.
[Page 27]
Policy: GS-9.3, Urban Growth Areas and Regional Growth
Review and consider the Urban Growth Area boundary through the lens of
population and housing allocations as well as community resiliency for the
City of Spokane and the region, consistent with the Countywide Planning
Policies and the Growth Management Act, seeking to ensure the Urban
Growth Area is sized correctly for future growth.
Policy: GS-9.4, Consistent Development Standards
Coordinate with Spokane County and other adjacent jurisdictions to ensure
utilities, roads, services, and land uses in the adjacent Urban Growth Area
are compatible with City standards, reducing eventual costs and conflicts
when portions of the unincorporated Urban Growth Area are annexed.
Goal: GS-10 Annexation
Consider annexations of lands that, where possible, would enhance effective and
efficient government, evaluating all annexations on the basis of their short and
long-term community benefits and potential fiscal impacts while also limiting
sprawl and infeasible growth at the edges of the city.
Policy: GS-10.1, Annexation Boundaries
Ensure the area of any future annexation results in logical boundaries and
reasonable service areas, while also considering the existing and planned
capacity to provide public services and avoiding potential negative fiscal
impacts.
Policy: GS-10.2, Peninsula Annexation
Encourage and assist with annexation of unincorporated peninsulas of
Urban Growth Area or in areas already surrounded by the City of Spokane,
so they can be part of the community surrounding their property and benefit
from the services and facilities offered by Spokane.
Policy: GS-10.3, City Utilities
Require property owners outside the city yet served by City utilities or services
to either annex to the City or sign a binding agreement not to contest a future
annexation if such an action is proposed.
Policy: GS-10.4, Land Use and Zoning Designations upon Annexation
Honor the intent of adopted county plans and ordinances for previously
developed or vested areas annexed into the city, provided the City has not
adopted specific policies and standards for those areas by some other means
or agreement.
Review notes
Language updated to clarify what is
planned for in relation to regional
growth and the intent of the UGA.
Community resiliency added as a point
of consideration.
Policy relocated from existing Goal
LU 10 Joint Planning and updated to
reflect the City’s role in regional
standards while adding the reason
behind City involvement.
Existing policy LU 9.4 Community
Impacts added to goal language to
provide a reason and potential impacts
of annexations.
Concepts in existing policy LU-9.5
Funding Capital Facilities in Annexed
Areas consolidated into policy language.
[Page 28]
Policy: GS-10.5, City Bonded Indebtedness
Require property owners within an annexing area to assume a proportionate
share of the City’s bonded indebtedness, as would be required of any
property owner inside the city at the time of bonding, while identifying
strategies to mitigate disproportionate financial impacts on low-income
residents.
Policy: GS-10.6, Special Purpose Districts and Adjacent Jurisdictions
Confer and consult with any impacted special purpose districts when
considering or planning annexations, as well as other jurisdictions
encompassing or adjacent to the area to be annexed, identifying and
considering impacts that would result as part of the overall decision to
annex.
Policy: GS-10.7, Weighing Fiscal Impacts of Annexation
Analyze the fiscal impacts of annexation prior to considering approval,
measuring potential tax base, business, and employment growth against the
cost of services and infrastructure resulting from annexation, ensuring that
the fiscal cost does not exceed the other community benefits of annexation.
[INSERT AIRFIELD INFLUENCE AREAS MAP]
Map GS-03
LAND USE GLOSSARY
Many terms that were either in the discussions of this chapter or have
been newly introduced will be located in the Glossary, e.g. neighborhoods.
POLICIES REMOVED FROM THE TEXT:
The following policies in blue have been removed from the text, largely due
to redundancy, unclear goals/success, and similar factors.
Policy: LU-1.16, Mobile Home Parks
Designate appropriate areas for the preservation of mobile and manufactured
home parks.
Goal: LU-2, Public Realm Enhancement
Encourage the enhancement of the public realm.
Review notes
Language added to acknowledge that
this is not unique to annexed properties
but is ensuring equal share of costs.
Additional language around mitigating
disproportionate financial impacts
based on an Environmental Justice
Review of the Land Use Chapter.
Existing policy relocated from Goal 10,
Joint Planning. Language expanded to
include adjacent jurisdictions and not
just special purpose districts.
New policy focused on understanding
the fiscal impacts of annexation,
expanding on the existing community
impacts language.
Map can currently be found at the
end of this document. It will be
integrated into the Chapter once the
final template is available.
Note that the original LU label for these
policies is used to help readers find
those policies in the previous plan.
LU-1.16 proposed to be removed due to
displacement intent captured by
proposed policy GS-3.1, and a
manufactured home policy in the
Housing Chapter.
LU-2 and associated policies proposed
to be removed or consolidated into the
Urban Design and Historic Preservation
Chapter as they focus on design.
[Page 29]
Policy: LU-2.1, Public Realm Features
Encourage features that improve the appearance of development, paying
attention to how projects function to encourage social interaction and relate to
and enhance the surrounding urban and natural environment.
Policy: LU-2.2, Performance Standards
Employ performance and design standards with sufficient flexibility and
appropriate incentives to ensure that development is compatible with
surrounding land uses.
Policy: LU-3.8, Shared Parking
Encourage shared parking facilities for business and commercial establishments
that have dissimilar peak use periods.
Policy: LU-4.3, Neighborhood Through-Traffic
Create boundaries for new neighborhoods through which principal arterials
should not pass.
Policy: LU-4.4, Connections
Form a well-connected network which provides safe, direct and convenient access
for all users, including pedestrians, bicycles, and automobiles, through site
design for new development and redevelopment.
Policy: LU-4.5, Block Length
Create a network of streets that is generally laid out in a grid pattern that features
more street intersections and shorter block lengths in order to increase street
connectivity and access.
Goal: LU-5, Development Character
Promote development in a manner that is attractive, complementary, and
compatible with other land uses.
Policy: LU-5.3, Off-Site Impacts
Ensure that off-street parking, access, and loading facilities do not adversely
impact the surrounding area.
Policy: LU-5.4, Natural Features and Habitat Protection
Ensure development is accomplished in a manner that protects significant
natural features and wildlife habitat.
Policy: LU-6.5, Schools as a Neighborhood Focus
Encourage school officials to retain existing neighborhood school sites and
structures because of the importance of the school in maintaining a strong,
healthy neighborhood.
Review notes
LU-3.8 proposed to be removed as it is
more of an implementation action, with
supportive policies already in the
Transportation Chapter.
LU-4.3 proposed to be relocated to the
Neighborhoods or Transportation
Chapter, as appropriate.
LU-4.4 proposed to be removed or
consolidated into existing
Transportation Chapter policies.
LU-4.5 proposed to be removed or
consolidated into existing
Transportation Chapter policies.
Goal LU-5 and associated policies
proposed to be removed or
consolidated into the Urban Design and
Historic Preservation Chapter as
appropriate.
Policy LU-6.5 proposed to be removed
as school siting collaboration is already
addressed in policies.
[Page 30]
Policy: LU-6.6, Shared Facilities
Continue the sharing of city and school facilities for neighborhood parks,
recreation, and open space uses.
Policy: LU-6.7, Sharing and Programming Planning
Develop a joint plan for the city and school districts serving Spokane for sharing
and programming school sites for common activities.
Goal: LU-7, Implementation
Ensure that the goals and policies of the Comprehensive Plan are implemented.
Policy: LU-7.1, Regulatory Structure
Develop a land use regulatory structure that utilizes a variety of mechanisms to
promote development that provides a public benefit.
Policy: LU-7.2, Continuing Review Process
Develop a broad, community-based process that periodically re-evaluates and
directs city policies and regulations consistent with this chapter’s Vision and
Values.
Policy: LU-7.3, Historic Reuse
Allow compatible residential or commercial use of historic properties when
necessary to promote preservation of these resources.
Goal: LU-10, Joint Planning
Support joint growth management planning and annexation requests which best
meet the Comprehensive Plan’s development goals and policies.
Policy: LU-10.1, Land Use Plans
Prepare land use plans in cooperation with Spokane County for the Urban
Growth Area to ensure that planned land uses are compatible with adopted city
policies and development standards at the time of annexation.
Policy: LU-10.4, Long Range Urban Growth Area Planning
Establish a forty-year planning horizon to address eventual expansion of UGAs
beyond the twenty-year boundary required by the Growth Management Act.
Review notes
Policy LU-6.6 proposed to be removed
as similar language exits in the
Community Health Chapter.
Policy LU-6.7 proposed to be removed.
School siting collaboration already
addressed in other policies.
Goal LU-7 and associated policies
proposed to be removed as there will be
an Implementation Chapter.
Additionally, several policies are
covered by other policies.
Goal LU-10 proposed to be removed as
all remaining policies were relocated
under the UGA or Annexation goals.
Policy LU-10.1 proposed to be removed
as there are existing joint-planning
policies related to the UGA.
Policy LU-10.4 proposed to be removed
as it exceeds the state-mandated
planning horizon and is not standard
practice, as it cannot predict changing
needs.
[Page 31]
City of Spokane Comprehensive Plan | Map GS-01 Urban Hub Map
[Page 32]
City of Spokane Comprehensive Plan | Map GS-02 Future Land Use Map (FLUM) Part I D
Review notes
ue to the large area represented and the amount of information shown, readers are recommended to visit http://planspokane.org and view the official online maps in greater detail.
[Page 33]
City of Spokane Comprehensive Plan | Map GS-02 Future Land Use Map (FLUM) Part II
Review notes
Due to the large area represented and the amount of information shown, readers are recommended to visit http://planspokane.org and view the official online maps in greater detail.
[Page 34]
City of Spokane Comprehensive Plan | Map GS-03 Airport Influence Areas