This week, the Spokane Valley City Council held a special workshop meeting to discuss the following non-action items.
#1 – Comprehensive Plan Periodic Update, Economic Development, Land Use and Natural Resources Elements
The Growth Management Act (GMA) requires that the City update the Comprehensive Plan and Development Regulations by December 2026. The purpose of the update, which is required every 10 years, is to bring cities up to date with changes to the GMA, recent case law, changes in land use and population growth. To streamline the update development process, the Council will review a portion of the draft elements of the plan over three different Council meetings. On March 10, staff reported on and Councilmembers discussed:
• Key features of the updated 20-year comprehensive plan, titled Valley 2046
• State requirements for comprehensive plan updates
• Plan development and implementation timeline
Key themes of the following elements:
• Economic Development
• Land Use (specifically Preferred Land Use Scenario)
• Natural Resources
• State parking regulations
At future Council meetings, information will be presented on the other six Comprehensive Plan Elements, Housing, Climate and Resiliency, Public and Private Utilities, Parks, Transportation and Capital Facilities.
#2 – Spokane County Housing and Community Development Grant Applications
The City participates in the Spokane County urban consortium for Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Entitlement Funds, including (1) Community Development Block Grant (2) Home Investment Partnership Program (HOME) and Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG). HUD provides entitlement funding to Spokane County annually. Deputy Mayor Hattenburg, Councilmember Ben Wick, City Services Administrator Gloria Mantz and Housing and Homeless Coordinator Eric Robison represent Spokane Valley’s interest on the committee. Staff reviewed the funding applications, deadlines, awards schedule, and current funding amounts available and presented their recommendations for the funding to be presented to the consortium. Spokane County received 16 applications for the Affordable Housing and Development funds with a total request of approximately $6.3 million.
About Spokane Valley City Council
City Council meetings occur most Tuesdays at 6 p.m. at Spokane Valley City Hall, 10210 E. Sprague Avenue, Spokane Valley, and online via Zoom. Meeting agendas and minutes are available at SpokaneValleyWA.gov/Agendas. Community members are invited to attend Council meetings to participate in action items or public comment periods in-person or online. Council meetings are broadcast on Comcast channel 14. Email the Council at CityCouncil@SpokaneValleyWA.gov or learn more at SpokaneValleyWA.gov/CityCouncil. Visit the city’s website at SpokaneValleyWA.gov.