Plan Spokane 2046 draft EIS aims for December release and March preferred alternative; staff urges parcel-level work after EIS
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Summary
Planning staff said the draft environmental impact statement for Plan Spokane 2046 should be ready for the commission's Dec. 10 meeting, with a preferred alternative targeted for March and subsequent hearings; staff emphasized housing affordability targets, transit-oriented development and utility capacity analysis as next steps.
Tyrone, a city planning staff member, presented the outreach timeline and objectives for the Plan Spokane 2046 draft environmental impact statement (EIS). He said staff are "really trying hard to get it done by your meeting, the December 10," and outlined a schedule to move from draft EIS to a preferred alternative (targeted for March), a public hearing and final land-use map at parcel level to support council direction.
The draft EIS will include required objectives (housing, climate, transportation) and multiple alternatives that will be tested on topics including housing capacity, transit-oriented development opportunities and utility capacity across the city. Tyrone and commissioners discussed preliminary high-density acreage estimates and consultant input; staff provided a back-of-the-envelope number of roughly 200—400 additional acres for high-density housing scenarios, with discussion that 400 acres spread around the city would offer more market opportunity but is not a settled target.
Staff also described a geographically phased approach to outreach and analysis, suggesting district-based reviews and special focus areas (Division corridor, South/Grandview neighborhoods) to ensure detailed local analysis. Tyrone said once a preferred alternative is selected, staff will produce a parcel-level land-use map to support hearings and decisions.
Next steps: staff will aim to present the draft EIS Dec. 10, continue district-based outreach, refine utility-capacity information and seek a recommended preferred alternative by March before sending materials to council for direction.