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Spokane County proposes 'neighborhood' zoning to allow mixed-use, smaller lots and by-right housing types
Summary
County staff previewed draft neighborhood zoning that would replace some LDR/MDR/HDR categories with flexible 'neighborhood' types, allow smaller or zero minimum lot sizes in parts, and permit a wider mix of housing and small businesses by right.
Spokane County Planning staff described a draft neighborhood-zoning concept intended to replace portions of current low-, medium- and high-density residential and lower commercial zones with three primary, more flexible categories (neighborhood residential 1, neighborhood residential 2/master-planned, and neighborhood business).
Scott Chesney said the zoning draft (posted as a proposed chapter of the zoning code) is designed to let mixed uses and a broader set of housing products be built by right in appropriate places, reducing the need for frequent comprehensive-plan amendments. He gave density examples: a neighborhood-infill zoning test that can achieve an effective density near 13 units per acre contrasted with current LDR densities that on paper read 6–8 units per acre (up to 10 with duplexes). Chesney noted the county is considering lowering minimum-lot sizes in some categories (he referenced moving from historical 6,000-square-foot minimums toward 3,000 square feet and, in some R2 elements, removing minimum-lot-size requirements).
The draft zoning also lists design standards — trails, apartment design compatible with neighborhoods, transparency for ground-floor retail — and several illustrative national and local examples were cited (Kendall Yards, Liberty Lake River District, Meadworks behind Costco). Chesney said the neighborhood code will live in the zoning code (chapter 14.61 or similar) rather than the comp plan. He encouraged feedback; the zoning draft is posted on the project website.
