As part of the PlanSpokane Periodic Update to the Comprehensive Plan, the City of Spokane will be preparing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). A Draft Environmental Impact Statement identifies and analyzes a range of alternatives that describe different ways the City could grow and develop, known as growth alternatives. The City of Spokane Draft Environmental Impact Statement is out for public comment from December 18, 2025 to February 18, 2026. Comments are due by 5:00 p.m., February 18.
The public is encouraged to review the PlanSpokane 2046 Draft EIS StoryMap to learn more about the Draft Environmental Impact Statement and compare the potential growth alternatives for the City of Spokane’s next twenty years.
The City of Spokane is requesting comments from residents, agencies, Tribes, and all interested parties on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement from December 18, 2025 to February 18, 2026.
Comments are due by 5:00 p.m., February 18.
Submittal of comments by email to PlanSpokane@spokanecity.org is preferred. Please include in the subject line "PlanSpokane 2046 Draft EIS Comments".
All written comments should be directed to:
Tirrell Black, Assistant Planning Director
City of Spokane
808 W Spokane Falls Blvd.
Spokane, WA 99201
Questions and comments can be sent to PlanSpokane@spokanecity.org or you can call the Planning Department at (509) 625-6185.
This virtual lunch and learn will provide information on what the Draft Environmental Impact Statement is, key details about the growth alternatives, and how to provide feedback.
Join the meeting online
Meeting ID: 278 491 067 418 65
Passcode: N3Yf9eH6
Dial in by phone
+1 424-566-7556,,33771344# United States, Beverly Hills
Find a local number
Phone conference ID: 337 713 44#
Join on a video conferencing device
Tenant key: cityofspokane@m.webex.com
Video ID: 116 048 494 4
City Planners will be out in the community to answer questions about and discuss the Draft Environmental Impact Statement. These are drop-in hours with no formal presentations.
The City of Spokane is requesting comments from the public, agencies, Tribes, and all interested parties on the Draft EIS from December 18, 2025 to February 18, 2026. Comments are due by 5:00 PM, February 18, 2025.
Per RCW 43.21C.229 (3) (b) (ii), the City of Spokane is also providing 60 days' notice to Tribes, relevant state agencies, other jurisdictions that may be impacted, and the public that the City intends to adopt an infill exemption. In addition, per WAC 197-11-800 (1) (c) and (d) the City of Spokane also anticipates raising SEPA thresholds for minor new construction. The infill exemption or minor new construction thresholds could vary by geographic area.
An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is an informational document that provides the City, public, Tribes, and agencies with environmental information to be considered in the decision-making process. An EIS is required under the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) for larger projects, such as significant updates to Comprehensive Plans. An EIS describes potential environmental impacts, reasonable alternatives, and ways to avoid or minimize negative impacts that could result from implementation of policies, informing the Comprehensive Plan Periodic Update.
A Draft Environmental Impact Statement identifies and analyzes a range of alternatives that describe different growth strategies to help the City of Spokane prepare the Periodic Update to the Comprehensive Plan.
After public feedback and the selection of a preferred alternative, a Final Environmental Impact Statement will be written that analyzes the chosen path forward. The Final EIS will also respond to comments received on the Draft EIS.
The Draft EIS presents three alternatives to test different growth patterns and policies. The City of Spokane will then create a "preferred alternative" based on public input and the Draft EIS evaluation of the range of the alternatives. The preferred alternative may include any features of the studied alternatives, including a combination of various elements from all of the alternatives. The preferred alternative will be evaluated in the Final EIS, which will also respond to comments received during the Draft EIS public comment period.
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City of Spokane
Department of Planning Services
808 W. Spokane Falls Blvd.
Spokane, WA 99201
climateplanning@spokanecity.org
509.625.6500
In Spokane
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