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Spokane County outlines 'neighborhood' zoning to steer infill and preserve neighborhood character
Summary
County planners previewed three new zone types — Neighborhood Residential 1 and 2, and Neighborhood Business — designed to channel infill into walkable, mixed‑use forms while protecting existing low‑density areas and providing design standards such as setbacks, connectivity and small‑scale commercial.
Spokane County planning staff used the draft EIS forum to preview a proposed zoning framework that would introduce 'neighborhood' zones to shape how infill and mixed uses occur near existing urban growth areas.
Scott Chznik said the county's proposal would create three primary zone types: NR1 (neighborhood residential that largely preserves existing low/medium density and allows limited neighborhood‑oriented businesses), NR2 (a master‑planned mix of single‑family, townhomes and modest multifamily with integrated sidewalks, green space and village‑scale amenities), and Neighborhood Business (commercial corridors or parking lots that could absorb residential above retail to reduce pressure on nearby single‑family blocks).
"Neighborhood business is in a sense it's a flip of scale from neighborhood residential two," Chznik said, describing examples where malls or large parking lots were redeveloped with residential and liner retail that restored street‑facing building edges. He showed examples — including Madison, Wisconsin — where structured parking and townhomes reused surface parking while preserving anchor retail.
Planners said the zoning package would also adjust dimensional standards (setbacks, building heights and lot coverage) and consider eliminating minimum lot sizes in some contexts while adding design criteria to preserve neighborhood character. Chznik emphasized the intent is to require amenities be incorporated into new projects rather than merely being located 'near' them.
Policy context: staff framed the zoning work as a local implementation strategy that also anticipates state law changes (for example, policies that require cities to allow fourplexes on residential lots). The county said it will refine code language after agency reviews and public comment.
