Spokane Municipal Code

Title 17G Administration and Procedures

Chapter 17G.020 Comprehensive Plan Amendment Procedure

Section 17G.020.025 Initiation of Amendment Proposals

1. Amendment proposals initiated by the public or persons or entities other than the City.

   1. General. Members of the public or persons or entities other than the City Council and Spokane Plan Commission (hereinafter referred to collectively as “the public”) may initiate comprehensive plan amendment proposals subject to the provisions of this section. Amendment proposals initiated by the public are reviewed as part of an annual cycle and pursuant to a two-tiered process: a threshold review and a final review, as described below:

      1. Threshold Review. The threshold review process will determine those proposals that will be included in the Annual Comprehensive Plan Work Program and will determine their geographic scope.

         1. Review by Ad Hoc Committee.  Pursuant to the procedural provisions of this chapter, complete applications proposing an amendment to the comprehensive plan submitted during the time period set forth in section 17G.020.060 will be reviewed by an ad hoc committee comprised of three city council members and three plan commission members. This ad hoc committee will conduct a public meeting and make a recommendation to the City Council using the criteria set forth in SMC 17G.020.026, as to which amendment proposals should be included in the Annual Comprehensive Plan Amendment Work Program.

         2. Consideration of Geographic Scope.  The ad hoc committee shall review the geographic scope of any proposed amendments. The committee may recommend expansion of the geographic scope of a proposed amendment if nearby, similarly situated property shares the characteristics of the proposed amendment’s site. Expansion shall be the minimum necessary to include properties with shared characteristics.

         3. City Council Review. The City Council will hold a public hearing and will review the committee’s recommendation and the criteria set forth in section 17G.020.026, and determine which amendment proposals will be included in the Annual Comprehensive Plan Amendment Work Program, and their geographic scope. Those proposals included in the Annual Comprehensive Plan Amendment Work Program will then be referred back to staff and to the Plan Commission for the Final Review process.

         4. Alternative Disposition. Proposals not included in the Annual Comprehensive Plan Amendment Work Program may, at the City’s discretion, be considered as provided in subsection A.2 of this section.

      2. Final Review. The final review process will evaluate the proposed amendments included in the Annual Comprehensive Plan Amendment Work Program and culminate in Council action on the proposed amendments.

         1. Plan Commission Review. The Plan Commission will review the proposed amendments included in the Annual Comprehensive Plan Amendment Work Program, hold a public hearing, and make a recommendation to the City Council as to each proposed amendment, using the criteria set forth in SMC 17G.020.030.

         2. City Council Action. The City Council will review the Plan Commission recommendations and the criteria set forth in SMC 17G.020.030 and decide on each proposed amendment in the Annual Comprehensive Plan Amendment Work Program.

   2. Alternatives for Proposals Not Included in the Annual Comprehensive Plan Amendment Work Program.

      1. Ongoing Work Program. A proposal that is not included in the Annual Comprehensive Plan Amendment Work Program may, at the City’s discretion, be included in a previously established ongoing work program if it raises policy or land use issues more appropriately addressed by such ongoing work program.

      2. Comprehensive Plan Periodic Update. A proposal that is not included in the Annual Comprehensive Plan Amendment Work Program may, at the City’s discretion, be considered in the course of the City’s next Comprehensive Plan periodic update required by RCW 36.70A.130(5) if it addresses a matter appropriate to include in the Comprehensive Plan and is consistent with current policy implementation in the Countywide Planning Policies, GMA, and other state or federal laws and implementing regulations.

2. Amendment Proposals Initiated by the City Council or Plan Commission.

   1. City Council.

      1. Initiation. Proposals to amend the Comprehensive Plan may be made by the City Council at any time. An affirmative vote of not less than a majority of the total members of the City Council is required to initiate consideration of an amendment.

      2. Review. Amendment proposals initiated by the City Council will be reviewed by the Plan Commission and acted upon by Council as set forth in subsection A.1.b of this section, Final Review.

   2. Plan Commission.

      1. Initiation. Proposals to amend the comprehensive plan may be made by the Plan Commission at any time and submitted to the City Council for consideration for inclusion in the Annual Comprehensive Plan Amendment Work Program.

      2. Review. The Council will review the Plan Commission proposals and determine which will be included in the Annual Comprehensive Plan Amendment Work Program. Those proposals included will be referred back to the Plan Commission and Council for review as set forth in subsection A.1.b of this section.

   3. Subarea Plan Review. The City Council may initiate a review of a subarea plan in accordance with the procedure specified in subsection B.1 of this section when it concludes that the issues arising in a subarea are of sufficient magnitude and complexity to merit review through a subarea review process. Prior to review of a subarea plan, the Council shall approve a public involvement program that has the goal of effectively and efficiently soliciting a broad spectrum of public viewpoints.

Date Passed: Monday, August 21, 2017

Effective Date: Saturday, October 7, 2017

ORD C35536 Section 3