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Spokane adopts strengthened Complete Streets ordinance to guide future projects
Summary
After a public hearing, the council approved updates to the city's Complete Streets policy, adding clearer performance measures and retaining council review for certain exceptions; vote was unanimous 6-0.
The Spokane City Council unanimously approved updated Complete Streets rules intended to prioritize safety, multimodal access and measurable performance for the city's transportation projects.
The ordinance update incorporates standards from national guidance and establishes performance measures that include annual counts of fatalities and serious injuries across all modes, vehicle miles traveled, transit boardings and construction of new active-transportation facilities. The hearing drew testimony from transportation advocates and residents who urged stronger implementation and clearer metrics.
"By utilizing best practices, as determined by the National Association of City Transportation Officials and American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, Spokane will ensure high quality and safe transportation facilities for all users," said Eric Lowe, a local transportation activist, during the public hearing.
Resident Dennis Flynn urged clarity and legislative oversight, recommending consistent terminology and caution about transferring decision-making authority from council to administrators. "Are you willing to sacrifice the proclamations and of concern for multimodal safety identified in this complete streets ordinance update by willingly giving up your right, just, and proper authority to the administrator engineer?" Flynn asked.
Council members said the ordinance strengthens the city's ability to pursue grant funding and implement safety-focused projects. Councilmember Dylan cited grant eligibility and an uptick in funding opportunities tied to complete-streets policies. Councilmember Klitschke said the update gives the policy additional "teeth" and that remaining definitional issues will be addressed through the comprehensive plan update.
The council closed the hearing and immediately moved to adopt the ordinance by a roll-call vote; the motion passed 6-0. Council discussion noted the importance of tracking implementation and agreed to watch annual performance reporting closely.
