Title 03 Administrati on and Personnel
Chapter 03.01A Executive and Administrati ve Organizati on
Article II. Departments
Section 03.01A.365 Planning and Economic Development Services
The Planning and Economic Development Services department is responsible for preparati on and maintenance of the Comprehensive Plan to guide the community’s long-term physical, economic and social growth and for other matters of neighborhood and City planning, including regional coordinati on and urban design. The department supports plan implementati on measures using development regulati ons, capital improvement plans and annexati on programs; administers current planning activities such as rezoning, planned unit developments, subdivisions, environmental review, and variances; reviews development permits for compliance with land use codes; and promotes economic growth, redevelopment and developer incentives to enhance the quality of life in the community.
The department enforces land use regulati ons and works with various city, county and state agencies in the regulati on of property use requirements. The department addresses the community’s business needs and coordinates revitalizati on programs with an emphasis on sustainable economic growth. The department reviews transportati on and traffic planning, street improvement proposals and transportati on-related development issues.
Through the administrati on section, the department serves as staff to the Plan Commission Design Review Board Bicycle Advisory Board, and Transportati on Commission.
Any applicant offered the position of director of Planning and Economic Development Services for the City of Spokane shall meet or exceed the following qualificati ons at the time the offer of employment is made:
bachelor’s or master’s degree in urban planning, public administrati on or a related field;
American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certificati on;
minimum of eight years of progressively responsible planning experience;
minimum of four years of experience in a supervisory capacity, including significant experience managing complex projects and management experience related to long-range planning or land use planning;
demonstrated responsibility for budgets exceeding one million dollars;
demonstrated substantial coursework in land use and urban planning principles;
demonstrated knowledge of federal, state and local laws and regulati ons as they apply to urban planning, particularly with regard to of the State of Washington’s Growth Management Act;
demonstrated record of implementing projects consistent with a comprehensive plan or other adopted plans;
demonstrated knowledge of real estate terminology, laws, practices, principles, and regulati ons;
demonstrated knowledge of basic environmental function and values;
demonstrated skills in oral and written communicati on to individuals and groups in a public setting; and
demonstrated ability to work across departments and disciplines.
Equivalent combinati on of educati on and experience may substitute for the requirements 3-10.
The Planning and Economic Development Services director shall be appointed by the Mayor, with approval by a majority of the City Council, pursuant to section 24 of the Spokane City Charter.
Date Passed: Monday, June 24, 2024
Effective Date: Friday, August 2, 2024
ORD C36517 Section 1