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Short Land Use Study on North Monroe – Volunteers needed

Short Land Use Study on North Monroe – Volunteers needed

The City of Spokane is initiating a short land-use study process regarding the North Monroe Corridor and the residential uses around it which is being led by Kara Mowery and Kevin Freibott at the City Neighborhood and Planning Services Department.

At this point, the North Monroe Corridor has been designated and planned, and the City has updated its Comprehensive Plan and Municipal Code policies accordingly.  However, when the City considers the transition between the Corridor and the surrounding Emerson-Garfield neighborhood, as well as the current extreme need for housing in the City and the opportunities presented by unique centers like North Monroe, the City Council and the planning staff feel it might be worthwhile to explore changing some of the land uses and zoning around the corridor.  That might mean more medium-density residential zones in the immediate vicinity of the Corridor or it might mean another more specialized solution.

The City of Spokane looking to convene a stakeholder committee, a small group (~10) of dedicated individuals willing to meet three or four times to discuss the issues and develop possible solutions.  The City of Spokane is in a bit of a bind because the timeline for this study is rather short. The City would like to have a proposal identified by the end of the year, so the meetings will be taking place between October 28 and November 15. Dates and times TBD. Interested parties may also attend these initial stakeholder meetings to observe the process; the City of Spokane will have a window at the end of each meeting to hear comments from any members of the public who would like to speak.  

The stakeholder group will be focused on developing a proposed plan of action that would achieve the following:

  • Consider land use changes by engaging neighborhood stakeholders and exploring alternatives.
  • Focus on providing a transition between CC and residential zoning in appropriate locations to reduce land use conflicts between neighbors.
  • Consider allowing mixed-use and multifamily uses where not currently allowed (rezone?).
  • Support recent investments in transit and infrastructure on North Monroe with additional nearby housing opportunities.
  • Support walkable and cohesive public realm on cross and parallel streets to Monroe.

This is a map the City of Spokane has made showing the zoning around the corridor as well as the bus stops, one of the many factors the City is look at when considering these kinds of projects. The City of Spokane working on some background research and information and will shortly have a webpage and informational materials for everyone to read and engage with. 

In the meantime, all are welcome to provide input in a variety of ways during this process, including by calling (509.625.6146), emailing (kmowery@spokanecity.org), filling out the online survey (to be posted shortly), or by attending a City of Spokane public workshop at the end of the year.

The City of Spokane will be posting all of this information to the webpage:  https://my.spokanecity.org/projects/transitional-residential-uses-on-north-monroe-corridor-project/. 

Interested parties may also attend these initial stakeholder meetings to observe the process; the City of Spokane will have a window at the end of each meeting to hear comments from any members of the public who would like to speak.  

Applicants Sought for WQTIF Neighborhood Committee

Applicants Sought for WQTIF Neighborhood Committee

The City of Spokane is seeking volunteers for a committee that helps to select public investments in three Spokane neighborhoods – West Central, Emerson-Garfield, and Riverside. The funding for the work comes from a special taxing district created by the City in this area in 2007.

A Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District, which includes the Kendall Yards Development, was created by the City and County of Spokane to help pay for public improvements inside the Kendall Yards area and for projects in neighboring locations.

Volunteers are needed for a citizen committee — the Neighborhood Project Advisory Committee — which considers and recommends funding for the public projects in the neighborhoods. Recent work by this committee has included consideration of funds for improvements to the North Monroe area, Dutch Jake’s Park, and the pedestrian suspension bridge in Riverfront Park. The committee gives the citizens of Spokane a key voice in the development of public improvements in these neighborhoods.

The Committee currently has three open positions. The positions include a position for a resident of the Emerson-Garfield neighborhood, one for a resident from the Riverside neighborhood, and one for an at-large position that needs expertise or experience in economic development, finance, and/or real estate.

Tax-Increment Financing is an economic development tool established by the state. It allows for a portion of newly generated property taxes within a defined district to pay for public infrastructure, including traffic calming, sidewalks, parks, and more. In this case, 75 percent of the increased property taxes are used to pay for public improvements over 25 years.

Interested individuals are asked to fill out the City’s application for committees, boards and commissions.

Please submit it to:

Mayor’s Office, fifth floor of City Hall
808 W. Spokane Falls Boulevard, Spokane, WA, 99201

or to

mayor@spokanecity.org
no later than August 30, 2019.

For more information on the West Quadrant TIF district, as well as the Neighborhood Project Advisory Committee, please see the West Quadrant TIF webpage.

Spokane in Motion educational series

Spokane in Motion educational series

The City of Spokane, in partnership with the Spokane Bicycle Club and i-Sustain, is sponsoring a series of educational events around innovative cycling infrastructure. The project is called Spokane in Motion, and the goal is to increase awareness around biking in the city and the region.

Building on the City’s Bike Master Plan, city officials are using this project to answer the questions:

  • What are some creative ways we can promote cycling in our region?
  • How can we make biking safer and more accessible to people?

A Danish bicycle planner will be coming to Spokane to share insights around the Danish experience, and a local cycling expert will provide insights from a U.S. perspective.

Both events are FREE and open to the public. The idea is to encourage curiosity and participation in cycling as an alternative form of transportation.

Danish Cycling Perspectives  (This event is specifically for students)
Date: Thursday, May 16, 2019
Time: 3-4pm
Location: EWU Spokane Center, 668 N Riverpoint Blvd, #122
Free, tickets required here

Cycling in Denmark & the U.S. (Open to the public)
Date: Thursday, May 16, 2019
Time: 5:30-7pm
Location: Gonzaga University Hemmingson Center Auditorium, 702 E Desmet Ave, Lower Level
Free, tickets required here

More info on Bike Everywhere Events:
May is Bike Everywhere Month and more event information can be found on the Spokane Bicycle Club’s Facebook page. There are a lot of exciting events planned, including:

5/5 Bloomsday Bike Coral – Riverfront Park
5/7 Gateway Bridge Celebration
5/13 Annual Pancake Breakfast – Riverfront Park
5/15 Ride of Silence
5/17 Pizza & Beer Party – David’s Pizza

The bicycle club is sponsoring a variety of short and medium rides, energizer stations, and bike maintenance events during the month.  More information can be found at the Spokane Bicycle Club website: http://www.spokanebicycleclub.org/ 

Please share this flyer with others!

North Bank Plan Survey and Workshop

North Bank Plan Survey and Workshop

The City of Spokane is requesting feedback on a new project called the North Bank Plan. The North Bank Plan will focus on strategies to guide and optimize new development to ensure a vibrant North Bank for future generations. 

Take a moment to fill out the North Bank vision survey. Survey results will help inform the vision for the area and guide the North Bank planning process. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/northbankspokane

The City is holding a community workshop on Wednesday, March 6, 2019 at the Spokane Public Library Downtown Branch in Meeting Room 1A from 5:30-7:30 p.m.

North Bank timeline
Community Meeting regarding City Fleet Maintenance Yard

Community Meeting regarding City Fleet Maintenance Yard

Emerson-Garfield Neighborhood residents are invited to attend a community meeting to discuss the proposal for a conditional use permit for a manufacturing use (brewery/distillery) in an Office Retail zone at the current City Fleet Maintenance Yard.

Date: Tuesday, Jan 8, 2019
Time: 6:30pm
Location: 502 W Riverside Ave, Ste 103

There was a recent Spokesman-Review article that discusses this project: Dry Fly Distilling plan major expansion at new development north of downtown Spokane

Notice of Community Meeting document with additional details
Map of development site

The applicant or their agent will make a presentation of the proposal. Any person may submit questions and comments at this meeting. For additional information, contact:

Planning and Development Services
Attn: Ali Brast, Assistant Planner
808 West Spokane Falls Boulevard
Spokane, WA, 99201-3329
Phone: (509) 625-6638
Email: abrast@spokanecity.org