Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Use And Preservation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council holds first readings of housing code fixes, language-access rules and preservation changes; public comment questions preservation limits
Summary
Councilors heard first readings of three ordinances to implement BOH code fixes, language-access recruitment and historic-preservation review changes, and heard public comment warning that demolition-replacement rules could unduly limit redevelopment.
Spokane City Council held first readings on three ordinances that would amend local development and preservation rules and add language-access recruiting measures.
The council introduced Ordinance C36629, which would make follow-up code fixes tied to the Building Opportunity for Housing (BOH) package and amend multiple sections of the Spokane Municipal Code addressing definitions, density, setbacks, open space, parking and other development standards. The clerk read the ordinance text as presented and noted it had been amended during an Jan. 6 agenda review session.
Council members also heard Ordinance C36630, intended to improve language access and the recruitment of bilingual and multilingual applicants to the city, and Ordinance C36633, which would amend preservation review procedures to add “centers and corridors” to historic-preservation review and bring local review into compliance with Washington House Bill 1293 (2023) by implementing clear and objective design standards. During the meeting, the council deferred further action on C36633.
Matthew Hurd, a member of the public who identified himself during the hearing, supported historic preservation generally but urged that replacement development should be governed by the site’s underlying zoning rather than being constrained by the height or form of a demolished historic structure. Hurd said: “I believe that it's bad policy to hold hostage new developments to the ghosts of the past when the city needs to look to the future,” and used the Inland Auto Freight Depot and the Jensen Bird building as examples when urging flexibility.
The ordinances were presented for first reading; no final votes on the ordinances were taken during the meeting. The council noted that further action, detailed amendments and additional public review could follow at later meetings.
