Plan Spokane 2046: Commission reviews three growth alternatives, EIS scoping and SEPA exemption options

Spokane Plan Commission members on May 28, 2025 heard a detailed briefing on Plan Spokane 2046 growth alternatives, the companion programmatic environmental impact statement (EIS) and potential changes to the city—s SEPA (State Environmental Policy Act) thresholds and infill exemptions.

The briefing was led by Terrell Black, City of Spokane planner, and Lisa Greeter, consultant with Bird Consulting. Greeter said Bird Consulting will lead the non-project EIS, "which just means it's an environmental review of a plan, as opposed to a project," and listed subcontractors the city has engaged for air-quality, greenhouse-gas, tribal engagement and natural-environment analyses.

Why it matters: The periodic update must demonstrate how Spokane will accommodate population, housing and employment growth over the comp-plan horizon and must satisfy state EIS and new housing reporting requirements (housing units by income band). The alternatives the commission reviews now will shape zoning, infrastructure priorities and potential incentives for housing and job growth.

Commissioners were shown three alternatives: a no-action alternative based on the city—s current land-use plan; a corridor- and mixed-use alternative that focuses new housing and commercial uses along frequent-transit corridors; and a centers-focused alternative that concentrates growth in larger urban centers including downtown, the northeast/airport areas and established job centers. Black emphasized the alternatives are distinct analysis tools but the "preferred alternative" chosen later can mix elements from any option.

Key technical and policy points raised

- Growth numbers and housing need: Staff said the county-derived population allocation to the city is about 23,357 people. The city—s housing analysis (in preparation) shows an underproduction of units and new state requirements to break housing need down by income bands; staff noted a large need for units serving households at or below 80 percent of area median income.

- Jobs projections vary: Commissioners and staff discussed different employment forecasts. The regional transportation council projection cited in the presentation shows roughly 34,850 new jobs in the city; other county or state projections are lower (staff said a figure near 21,000 reflects past two-decade trends). Staff said alternatives will be tested against a range of job scenarios to understand infrastructure and land‑use implications.

- EIS scoping and environmental topics: Greeter summarized the scoping record (Feb. 5–Apr. 7) and agency/tribal input. Commenters included the Spokane Tribe of Indians, Washington State Department of Transportation, Spokane Transit, Spokane Riverkeepers and the University District Development Association. The EIS will analyze natural resources (critical areas, wetlands, groundwater), cultural and historic resources, air quality and greenhouse gases, transportation (multiple modes and state facilities), population/employment/housing and utilities.

- SEPA facilitation tools and infill exemptions: Staff presented options that would raise categorical exemption thresholds (for example, larger small-project exemptions allowed under state law) or create an area-based infill exemption tied to frequent-transit corridors or a targeted infill area. Black said the city—s codes and protective ordinances (stormwater, critical areas) would still apply even if categorical SEPA thresholds are raised. He described the proposed change succinctly: "it really is just striking the word 'with the exception of' to change it to say 'including' and then striking the word 'separate' to say 'additional.'" That edit restores decision criteria the city had intended to retain when an earlier code re-organization inadvertently narrowed the language.

Commission discussion and concerns

Commissioners pressed for clarity on several recurring topics: how job-sector differences (medical, R&D, manufacturing, warehousing) factor into land-use and infrastructure needs; the degree to which transit service (current ridership and frequency) should drive higher-density mixed-use decisions; and how alternatives would relate to the South Hill, Lincoln Heights and other existing commercial corridors that already attract development.

Multiple commissioners suggested the maps used to communicate alternatives lack a clear legend or gradations showing that change is possible outside the highlighted nodes; several asked that staff add layers or alternative boundaries so the public understands that the white areas on the maps are not necessarily preserved single-family neighborhoods but may allow some additional change. A commissioner urged the team to show infrastructure deficits (water, sewer, roads, electrical capacity) in the EIS — staff replied the EIS "affected environment" chapter will document existing deficiencies.

Process and next steps

Staff said the project has completed scoping and visioning and expects a draft EIS in October 2025, a preferred alternative selection in January 2026 and a final package mid-year 2026. The EIS analysis is intended to support: (1) meeting state periodic update requirements; (2) informing plan commission and city council hearings; and (3) evaluating whether code changes (for example, SEPA thresholds or an infill exemption) are appropriate and defensible.

Votes at a glance

- Approval of the May 14, 2025 meeting minutes: motion and second taken; outcome recorded as approved on voice vote (exact roll tally not specified in the transcript).

- Approval of the agenda: motion and second taken; outcome recorded as approved on voice vote (exact roll tally not specified in the transcript).

- Emergency ordinance (plat correction) reported: staff advised the City Council adopted the emergency ordinance on Monday (adopted unanimously, per staff report); the ordinance number was not specified during the presentation.

Ending: Staff asked commissioners to continue to provide written feedback and said the consultant team will return with refined maps, an affordability analysis for the current plan baseline, and additional data on transit ridership, infrastructure capacity and employment-sector projections.