In a recent government meeting, officials discussed the ongoing updates to the City of Spokane's comprehensive plan and the integration of climate planning into this framework. The city is currently working with a steering committee of elected officials to develop county-wide planning policies, which will serve as a guiding document for all comprehensive plans within the county. While Spokane's comprehensive plan does not need to conform directly to the county's plan, it must align with these overarching policies.

A significant focus of the meeting was the incorporation of climate considerations into the planning process, a new requirement funded by the state legislature. The city has engaged consultants to assist with the environmental impact statement (EIS) necessary for this project, with public outreach expected to ramp up in early 2025. The comprehensive plan update and climate planning efforts are set to converge by 2025, with the final adoption deadline for the comprehensive plan now extended to June 30, 2026, following advocacy from local communities to push the deadline to December.

Officials emphasized the importance of simplifying the comprehensive plan, which currently consists of 14 chapters and numerous appendices. Plans are in place to remove outdated sections and enhance the document's online accessibility. The city aims to engage underserved communities more effectively in the planning process, particularly through climate initiatives that include collaboration with tribal consultants.

The meeting also outlined the EIS process, which will begin with scoping to identify key topics for analysis. The city plans to explore various growth alternatives, building on past strategies while considering new approaches for future development. The final EIS will reflect the preferred alternative selected through collaboration with the Plan Commission and city council.

Overall, the discussions highlighted Spokane's commitment to integrating climate considerations into urban planning while ensuring community involvement and adherence to state mandates.