Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Reaction topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Residents praise neighborhood concepts but warn changes to Division Street and parking could spark backlash
Summary
Public forum attendees offered both support for walkable 'neighborhood' approaches and sharp opposition to proposals they fear will reduce car convenience; residents pressed staff on green‑space requirements, school capacity, and outreach.
After the presentation, multiple residents asked questions and offered comment that ranged from supportive to strongly opposed.
One longtime Spokane resident who praised the neighborhood concept told staff she appreciated the emphasis on walkability and local gathering places: "That's just my wish...there's nowhere to walk. There's no green space. There's no place to gather," she said, and added she welcomed the county's increased coordination with school districts.
Other commenters warned the proposals could feel "cookie‑cutter" or externally imposed and said plans to shift street designs and accommodate bikes or transit on corridors such as Division Street would anger drivers. One attendee said, "I don't want this lifestyle to disappear. I don't want to be Berlin. I want to be Spokane," and warned that reduced car amenity and added bike lanes without adequate outreach would provoke backlash.
Chznik responded to concerns by clarifying county jurisdiction: the county's proposals affect unincorporated areas and lands outside city limits; Division Street sections inside the city are a city responsibility, though the county coordinates where jurisdictions meet. He also said the county meets regularly with school superintendents and will continue that engagement as the EIS and zoning concepts are refined.
Public comment provided staff with immediate local reactions the county will incorporate into the 30‑day comment summary. The session remained informational; no votes or formal policy changes were taken.
