City staff briefed the Spokane Planning Commission on the forthcoming draft environmental impact statement (DEIS) for the comprehensive-plan update and on proposed changes to the city's SEPA (State Environmental Policy Act) approach, including consideration of higher categorical-exemption thresholds and a phased infill exemption.

"We're looking a little more towards 60 days," staff said, explaining the statutory minimum 20-day comment window would not provide adequate public review during the holidays. The DEIS will be posted in sections and is expected to appear on the SEPA register and city notification lists.

Why it matters: The DEIS and proposed SEPA changes are intended to remove procedural barriers to housing development in parts of the city while ensuring mitigation tools and updated codes are in place. Advocates say exemptions can speed projects that meet local objectives; skeptics warned exemptions can reduce project-level environmental review in areas with high transportation or environmental constraints.

Key details from the DEIS briefing: Staff said the draft EIS will include analysis of alternatives and technical chapters (transportation, air quality, VMT, utilities and critical-area ordinances). Staff noted options under state law, including raising categorical exemption thresholds and using the infill exemption, which can exempt residential and some mixed-use projects from SEPA. The team proposed a phased approach: phase 1 focused on lower-impact, transit-served areas to be adopted with the comp plan; phase 2 could extend exemptions more broadly if impact-fee programs and mitigation measures are established.

Public process and consultations: The city will notify agencies, tribes and interested parties on release and is seeking agency/tribal consultation (staff suggested aiming for Jan. 6). The DEIS requires logged, written comments that will be addressed in the final EIS.

Commissioner concerns: One commissioner warned that impact fees may not be sufficient to address steep transportation or geographic constraints in some peripheral areas and suggested SEPA could be necessary to secure adequate mitigation. Staff acknowledged the concern and said the phased approach and agency consultation are intended to surface and address such risks.

Next steps: Staff expects to post the DEIS in the SEPA register next week, solicit written comments during the extended comment period, hold agency and tribal meetings, and return to the commission in January and February with preferred alternatives and refinement of proposed exemptions.