City hires Clarion and Kimley Horn to modernize Spokane's development code, plans yearlong schedule
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Summary
Consultants Clarion Associates and Kimley Horn introduced a one-year code modernization project to update Title 17, improve usability and align regulations with the comprehensive plan; the team will start with administration and procedures then draft zoning and development standards, with public engagement and multiple updates to council.
Spokane officials introduced the consultant team selected to modernize the city's development code and outlined a one-year schedule to update Title 17.
Jenny Baker of Clarion Associates described the firm's national experience in zoning-code drafting and said the project will focus on making the code more user-friendly, aligning regulations with the updated comprehensive plan, removing outdated provisions, and streamlining permitting and service delivery. "One of the best ways to implement the plans, goals, and objectives is to have regulations and standards in your code that support that," Baker said.
Kimley Horn staff based in Spokane said they will focus on the legislative side, procedural streamlining and staff confidence in administering the code. The team also committed to robust outreach: stakeholder meetings this week with developers, builders and design professionals, engagement with neighborhood councils and a public version of the code for review.
The project calendar presented calls for a baseline issues assessment and stakeholder interviews now, drafting March through August, a public draft in the fall and adoption by October–November to meet a one-year state timeline. The consultants said they will return to the council at least three times to provide updates on administration, zoning and development standards and again during adoption.
Councilmembers asked about sequencing with the not-yet-adopted comprehensive plan; Clarion said it will start with administration and procedures (which are less dependent on the plan) to leave zoning districts and uses to align with the plan's future land use map. Members also raised outreach scope, geographic reach, the role of neighborhood councils and the project's cost; consultants said they intend broad, repeated engagement and that code updates are large, infrequent investments intended to set policy for decades.
No adoption vote took place; staff and consultants will return with the baseline assessment and subsequent drafts.