Warmest wishes from the EGNC, we hope that all enjoyed a wonderful holiday season and that the start of 2025 has been going well. 😊
We often skip a meeting in January, but we will be holding a meeting this month. The EGNC meeting will be this Wednesday, January 8, 6:00 PM, at the Corbin Senior Center (827 W Cleveland Ave, Spokane, WA 99205) and also via Zoom.
As there is no crucial business on the agenda, this will be a light meeting and we will aim to keep it short. If you are unable to attend, please let us know (emerson.garfield@gmail.com) so we can mark an excused absence for you.
As was mentioned in the last EGNC meeting, there is currently an open position for a Transportation Commission Liaison. More information below, from Annie Deasy, City of Spokane staff liaison to the Liaison Committee.
At its meeting last week the Community Assembly authorized its available liaison position on Spokane’s new Transportation Commission.
Applications for this position will be accepted by the Liaison Committee until Friday, Nov. 22.
Neighborhood council members interested in this position can download the application and the reference material at this city web address on the right side under Items of Interest.
The Transportation Commission Liaison Committee Position application package includes these items: ~ Transportation Commission Liaison Application Information ~ 2024 Transportation Commission Liaison Position Application ~ Municipal Code Chapter 04.40 Transportation Commission
Help STA shape the future of public transit in the region by taking a survey to decide the final package of initiatives for Connect 2035’s 10-year strategic plan.
ACT NOW ~ The survey will be open until Monday, September 30, 2024.
EGNC would like to share the information below with the Emerson/Garfield community.
From the Spokane Regional Transportation Council – In partnership with Spokane County and Commute Smart Northwest, SRTC is currently updating the region’s Commute Trip Reduction (CTR) Plan. The CTR program is intended to help reduce drive-alone trips throughout the region and encourages the use of alternative transportation options such as public transit, biking, walking, and teleworking options.
As part of this effort, we wanted to invite you to our virtual open house, scheduled for Wednesday, August 21 at 6pm. During this time, attendees will learn more about Commute Trip Reduction and can share their commute experience and obstacles. If you’d like to join us, you can join via zoom at the link provided: https://bit.ly/CTR-OPEN-HOUSE
Your comments help inform planning strategies and investments throughout the region. Survey results will be shared between SRTC and a host of local planning agencies, such as Spokane County, the City of Spokane, Spokane Valley, Liberty Lake, Airway Heights, Cheney, and Medical Lake.
If you have any questions for us or would like more information, you can reach out to mredlinger@srtc.org and bkloskey@srtc.org – or contact the SRTC office at 509-343-6370.
Thank you for being a valuable part of this community, and we hope to see you at the virtual open house!
In May, the council approved a motion to write and submit a letter of opposition from the EGNC to the Spokane City Planning staff regarding the 601 W. Mansfield Conditional Use Permit. This permit would allow a new convenience store in the interior of the Emerson Garfield neighborhood. Many neighbors also submitted comments indicating opposition independently. City staff provided notice of approval of the Conditional Use Permit on 7/9/24. In part, the decision stated: “Staff received 76 public comments on the proposal: six during the agency review period and 70 during the public comment period. One comment was in favor of the proposed use. The remaining comments expressed apprehensions or opposition to the proposed use.”
At the EGNC July meeting, held 7/10/24, the council approved a motion to write an additional letter of objection in support of appealing the decision. A neighborhood member, of their own accord and not as a representative of the council, has been reaching out to lawyers and looking into the potential costs of the decision appeal process. This neighbor has set up a GoFundMe account to cover the anticipated fees for these efforts, including lawyer fees and the $250 appeal filing fee. Due to the consistently high level of engagement on this matter, we are sharing that information here so that those who are interested may choose to participate.
Survey link: 