KayCee Downey

Feedback for the Future: Make Your Mark on Spokane

KayCee Downey, Planner II, 509.625.6500

Monday, November 3, 2025 at 9:59 a.m.

Feedback for the Future: Make Your Mark on Spokane

The City of Spokane is now seeking public comment on draft goals and policies to support a thriving, resilient, and livable community. Seven non-technical chapters are now available; they have been amended based on legislative requirements, direction from the Spokane Plan Commission, and community engagement.

Read the draft chapters at the PlanSpokane 2046 webpage.

How does the Comprehensive Plan affect you?

The City of Spokane Comprehensive Plan is a document with goals and policies that help guide and prioritize future growth, investments, and city actions. Chapters such as Land Use, Housing, Neighborhoods, and Economic Prosperity provide direction for programs, policies, and regulations. This can include where your favorite café can be located, how street improvements and other investments are prioritized, and other ways the City can support its residents and visitors.

You can learn more with the PlanSpokane video series.

What is a “non-technical” chapter?

The extensive process of updating the City of Spokane Comprehensive Plan has been divided into three phases: Non-Technical Chapter, Technical Chapters, and Functional Chapters.

The Non-Technical Chapter category includes chapters that rely more on community feedback and policy direction than modeling or higher levels of analysis. This does not make the chapters any less influential or important, it simply allows us to identify key takeaways from community engagement while we continue to analyze other areas.

The Technical Chapter category includes chapters that rely on data analysis and more technical decision making. These chapters also rely on the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process and the selection of a Preferred Alternative before policy changes can be considered. Drafts are expected to be available to the public towards the beginning of 2026 and include Housing, Transportation, Land Use, and Capital Facilities.

The Functional Chapter category includes chapters that support the rest of the Comprehensive Plan. Edits to these chapters are largely dependent on the rest of the document, with drafts expected to be available to the public towards the beginning of 2026 and include the Introduction and Implementation.

What should you care about?

Community members are encouraged to read through all the draft Comprehensive Plan chapters to support the development of policies that will guide the City of Spokane’s next twenty years. However, we understand if there are specific topics that you are more interested in being involved with. To that end, the draft non-technical chapters have been divided into three categories: community, environment, and how we grow.

Community Chapters

The Community Chapter category includes chapters that help support community connection and collaboration.

  • Neighborhoods
    • This chapter contains goals and policies that set the direction for citywide neighborhood growth and development. Some policies also pertain to Neighborhood Councils.
  • Local Governance Through Civic Participation
    • This chapter focuses on leadership, governance, and civic participation to establish goals and policies that support community participation in City decision-making.
  • Community Health
    • Previously called Social Health, this chapter contains goals and policies that work together to support a healthy community.

Environment Chapters

The Environmental Chapter category includes chapters that address the City of Spokane’s natural environment and ecosystem.

  • Natural Environment
    • This chapter focuses on various aspects of Spokane’s natural environment, including rivers, urban forest, the aquifer, clean air, and wildlife.
  • Parks and Recreation
    • This chapter contains goals and policies that cover the parks and recreation facilities and opportunities throughout Spokane.

How We Grow Chapters

The How We Grow Chapter category includes chapters that inform how the City of Spokane grows and develops.

  • Urban Design and Historic Preservation
    • This chapter contains goals and policies that enhance Spokane’s unique sense of place with the tools of Urban Design and Historic Preservation.
  • Economic Prosperity
    • Previously called Economic Development, this chapter identifies goals and policies to support a strong economy, through development, services, incentives, and physical infrastructure.

All comments and recommendations can be sent to PlanSpokane@spokanecity.org. Please include the Chapter name and Goal/Policy number(s) as applicable.

Stay informed about the update and upcoming engagement opportunities by signing up for the PlanSpokane newsletter.

Learn more at the PlanSpokane 2046 webpage at planspokane.org.

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