Spokane council adopts transportation-fee, Good Neighbor and 'Home Starts Here' code changes in 7-0 votes
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Summary
Council adopted a package of ordinances on Feb. 9 including changes to transportation impact fees (C36842), Good Neighbor agreements (C36828), and the 'Home Starts Here' initiative (C36830) to streamline design review for housing and childcare; all recorded 7-0.
The Spokane City Council on Feb. 9 approved a series of ordinances intended to update fee structures, refine neighborhood agreements and streamline design review processes intended to reduce housing and childcare costs.
Ordinance C36842 amended the transportation impact fee provisions in the Spokane Municipal Code; Miss Farnsworth announced the measure passed 7-0. Council members said there was no public comment on the item.
Council also adopted Ordinance C36828, which modifies the terms of Good Neighbor agreements and amends SMC section 12.05.0.005. Council member Dylan thanked neighborhood stakeholders and subcommittees for input and said the update elevates neighborhood council roles and clarifies outreach. "These updates really came out of discussions with the neighborhood subcommittee," Dylan said. Council member Cathcart said the changes are necessary improvements but added he does not believe they go far enough.
The chamber also adopted Ordinance C36830, implementing the "Home Starts Here" initiative to reduce housing and childcare costs by streamlining design review requirements and revising multiple SMC sections. Council members described the change as one lever among several to address a childcare shortage and housing affordability concerns; Council member Dylan cited families facing high childcare costs and long waitlists. The ordinance passed 7-0.
Public comment on that item included a critical statement from Sunshine Wigan/Wiggins, who praised parts of the ordinance for "cleaning out the criminals" but also said aggressive ticketing has harmed clients who rely on services. "Mass ticketing ... we will be getting them dropped," Sunshine said, describing clients’ experiences with multiple citations. Council members acknowledged enforcement and criminalization concerns while supporting procedural reforms intended to ease development of childcare facilities.
Other code housekeeping ordinances updating departmental titles and pretreatment provisions (Ordinances C36829, C36835, C36831) were adopted by the council as well, each recorded as passing 7-0. Several items were listed for first reading and future hearings, including interim zoning changes and alley vacatations with a Feb. 23 public hearing set for one item.
Votes at a glance: Ordinance C36842 (transportation impact fees) — adopted 7-0; Ordinance C36828 (Good Neighbor agreements) — adopted 7-0; Ordinance C36830 (Home Starts Here) — adopted 7-0; Ordinance C36829/C36835/C36831 — adopted 7-0.
