County officials reviewed proposed revisions to countywide planning policies and discussed postponing action until October so local jurisdictions can finish 2026 comprehensive plan updates and weigh impacts on growth targets, urban growth boundaries and housing allocations.
Steering committee recommended pausing action on proposed countywide planning policy revisions until October to allow local jurisdictions time to finish 2026 comprehensive plan updates.
Proposals change how housing and population growth are tracked and create possible mitigation steps if jurisdictions miss assigned growth targets, including potential adjustments to urban growth boundaries or housing allocations.
Spokane County's Growth Management Steering Committee reviewed proposed revisions to the countywide planning policies at its September meeting and is considering a short delay before taking action. The Planning Technical Advisory Committee recommended postponing adoption or delaying the effective date until local jurisdictions complete their 2026 comprehensive plan updates.
What the proposed revisions would change
The draft policy revisions would alter tracking of housing and population growth and create a framework for mitigation when jurisdictions do not meet assigned growth targets. Mitigation ideas discussed include changes to urban growth boundaries or adjustments to population or housing allocations. Planning staff clarified that mitigation could involve reassigning population or housing allocations, while emphasizing that decisions within a jurisdiction's boundaries remain the authority of that jurisdiction.
The draft also permits jurisdictions to attempt "reasonable measures" before allocations are shifted elsewhere. Examples cited by planning staff include zoning updates, incentives, or other adjustments intended to encourage development.
Committee members debated language addressing affordability, displacement, and access to different housing types. Commissioner Chris Jordan urged the committee to account for housing options beyond rental apartments, specifically naming manufactured homes, tiny homes, and mobile home communities. Jordan said he had met with organizations working with low-income residents and argued apartments are not the only or always appropriate solution.
Public access to planning documents came up during the meeting. A public commenter, Paul Crock, said he supported the effort but could not find meeting materials online. County planning staff acknowledged the materials' availability gap and said they would ensure the missing documents are posted.
Urban growth area planning and next steps
County staff provided an update on urban growth area planning. A draft preferred alternative was expected to go before the Spokane County Planning Commission on Oct. 1, with additional discussion later in October. Staff are evaluating infrastructure capacity—water, sewer, transportation, schools, and fire services—when considering potential urban growth area changes. The steering committee could receive a recommendation in October, with possible action by the Board of County Commissioners in early December.
The steering committee is leaning toward a short, practical delay so local jurisdictions can finish 2026 comprehensive plan updates and evaluate how the proposed countywide policy changes would affect growth allocations, urban growth boundaries, and housing strategies. The draft policies offer a mitigation process that includes reasonable measures before allocations are shifted, but committee members want clarity on how those measures would work in practice and on preserving local decision authority.
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