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Staff outlines capital facilities requirements and DEIS schedule; draft plan expected in late 2026
Summary
Planning staff reviewed capital facilities plan requirements under the RCW, explained how the DEIS will affect levels-of-service and mitigation, and confirmed a tentative DEIS release in May (30-day comment period). The draft comprehensive plan is expected for commission review in Q4 2026 with board adoption targeted in December 2026.
Michael Weir, a county planner, told the Spokane County Plan Commission on March 26 that capital facilities planning for the comprehensive plan update involves three documents: the capital facilities chapter in the comp plan, a separate capital facilities plan (inventory and levels of service) and the six-year capital improvement program (CIP). He summarized what he called the five statutory requirements under the RCW for capital facilities planning: an inventory of existing facilities, a forecast of future needs tied to the land-use plan, proposed locations and capacity for needed facilities, a six-year finance plan to support the CIP and a reassessment procedure to address identified deficiencies.
Weir said the DEIS (draft environmental impact statement) will analyze land-use patterns and levels-of-service, identify deficiencies and inform mitigation measures; changes to levels-of-service and mitigation could mean adjusting proposed land uses or capital projects. On timing, staff clarified that the draft EIS is expected in May with a 30-day public comment period. Tate Andre, standing in for Planning Director Scott Chesley, told commissioners the draft comprehensive plan is expected for commission review in the fourth quarter of 2026 and the board adoption target is December 2026.
Staff also outlined upcoming public outreach and meetings: rural open houses (recently in Deer Park and scheduled in Valleyford and Cheney) and two major Plan Commission meetings on April 9 (critical areas ordinance and housing) and April 30 (DEIS workshop and continued critical-areas discussion). Commissioners noted the need to review Opportunity Zone maps as rural rules and investment programs evolve.
Votes and housekeeping: The commission adopted prior meeting minutes during the meeting; the transcript records the motion and the chair's announcement that the minutes were "hereby adopted," but does not include a complete roll-call tally by name.
