North Greenacres Neighborhood

Neighborhoods as a dedicated Chapter in City Plan

What Neighborhood Chapter Accomplishes and Process

Sub-Area/Neighborhood as a Dedicated Chapter or Section
Submission of Policies, Goals and Ideas as Discussion Points

What a Sub-Area/Neighborhood Chapter Section Accomplishes

Introduction: The Sub-Area/Neighborhood Chapter Section seeks to carry out Spokane Valley’s vision for the future while planning a more detailed vision for the future of each Sub-Area/Neighborhood. A Sub-Area/Neighborhood Section gives recognition to the planning elements of individual Sub-Area/Neighborhoods while assisting the general public in understanding and an organized approach to implementing Sub-Area/Neighborhood plans. While all elements of a Sub-Area/Neighborhood plan may not be applicable to each Sub-Area/Neighborhood, it provides a framework for individual crafting of specific Sub-Area/Neighborhood goals. Citizens unfamiliar with the general principles of planning and the comprehensive plan can find in this section the guidance that enables their elements to be consistent with the comprehensive plan. In order to maintain continuous and ongoing citizen participation, as mandated by the Growth Management Act (GMA), it is important to simplify and synthesize what is needed for recognition of Sub-Area/Neighborhood planning and implementation.

GMA provides for optional elements such as Sub-Area/Neighborhood Planning (RCW 36.70A.080). The Sub-Area/Neighborhood chapter addresses a range of priorities for Sub-Area/Neighborhoods. GMA Goal 11 Citizen Participation and Coordination is to insure an opportunity for citizens to be involved in all phases of the planning process.

The Sub-Area/Neighborhood Plan and the Comprehensive Plan

Neighborhoods, the places where we live, learn and play, and increasingly work, constitute the largest use of land in the city. Collectively, we appreciate them as places of security. Homes are often the largest single investment residents will ever make. Consequently, protecting the value of this investment is imperative for protecting neighborhoods, a core value in Spokane Valley. Spokane Valley is the second largest city in Washington State. Profiting from the sixteen other Washington Cities who utilize a dedicated Neighborhood Planning Chapter, we have the advantage to build on the best planning practices and ideas.

Inclusion of Neighborhood and Sub-Area Planning results from the need to clearly describe what we want most. Citizens desire to participate in the decisions that affect them. Implicit in this involvement is the concept that a deliberative process can produce lasting quality and character for neighborhoods. The increased density within the Urban Growth Boundary will contribute to increased congestion of our roadways, schools, and a proactive approach to planning for open space and parkland is needed. Spokane Valley recognizes that future land acquisition for public use will become limited. This necessitates identification of the city’s future needs for parks and open space.

Preservation of neighborhood character and quality was expressed as an important value by the Growth Management Act. Protecting neighborhoods from adverse consequences of growth, reversing effects of deterioration, and nurturing the identity of emerging neighborhoods is one of Spokane Valley’s core goals.

There are distinctions in approach, perspective and scope between a comprehensive plan and a Sub-Area/Neighborhood plan. A Sub-Area/Neighborhood plan deals with an area that has detailed and specific needs within the overarching policies of a comprehensive plan. Since a Sub-Area/Neighborhood plan focuses on a much smaller geographic area, more groups including property and business owners, civic organizations, schools and residents can be directly involved in the planning process.

The Comprehensive Plan represents the interests of all the citizens of Spokane Valley. The City is fortunate to have an active citizenry which cares about the community enough to be involved in all aspects of the planning process. As our first comprehensive plan, the City recognizes the importance of preserving the character and vitality of our Sub-Area/ /Neighborhoods.

Sub-Area/Sub-Area/Neighborhood Planning is an exciting collaborative effort that gives a better vantage point for planning by providing:

• A comprehensive look to identify Sub-Area /Neighborhood issues and concerns.

• Better Sub-Area/Sub-Area/Neighborhoods result from addressing their problems and capitalizing on Sub-Area/Neighborhood opportunities.

• Sub-Area/Neighborhood specific policies gives an opportunity for all the elements that bring color and life and to actually become part of their landscape; that is, a combination of character, setting, uses and environment that makes the Sub-Area/Neighborhood unique.

• Planning and creation of Sub-Areas such as educational institutions or medical districts. (The Industrial Park is an important sub-area of Spokane Valley and the city-center concept would also fall under sub-area planning. These areas would have cross-over for inclusion under Economic Development.)

• Sub-Area/Neighborhood planning efforts can bring together those who live or work in the Sub-Area/Neighborhood to address Sub-Area/Neighborhood concerns and help achieve Sub-Area/Neighborhood goals.

• Sub-Area/Neighborhood planning brings together community residents and the City, helping to forge a City wide identity.

• Policies developed on a Sub-Area/Neighborhood level may be applicable to the entire City, improving planning and implementation Citywide.

• Sub-Area/Neighborhood Plans help guide decisions about establishing businesses, purchasing homes or other investments in our community.

• A conduit for gathering information to assist municipalities to evaluate present strategies and in tailoring programs to eliminate waste or duplication.

Sub-Area/Neighborhood Planning is a proactive approach to avoid or minimize land use conflicts and adverse impacts on neighboring uses, by recognizing non-conforming uses and balancing their needs with good development practices. It promotes quality of life by promoting planning by those who have intimate knowledge of the characteristics of an area. Sub-Area/Neighborhood Planning finds out what impacts the community is alarmed about and simultaneously proposes regulations and ordinances to make changes better fit with the community.

Purpose of this section is to establish goals and policies that shall:

• Develop Sub-Area/Neighborhood plans that reflect and recognize the unique interests, knowledge, history, local conditions, boundaries, and goals of specific Sub-Area/Neighborhoods.

• Provide a process for recognition of a Sub-Area/Neighborhood, setting boundaries and writing Sub-Area/Neighborhood plans.

• Provide an easy-to-understand guidebook for neighborhood/sub-area planning.

• Ensure regular and ongoing two-way communication between citizens and City elected and appointed officials.

• Designate a staff position that will respond to and assist the public.

• Clearly state the mechanism through which citizens will receive a response from City policy-makers, at the outset of the citizen involvement process.

• Ensure that technical information necessary to make policy decisions is readily available in a simplified, understandable form.

• Provide resource commitment for citizen involvement in Sub-Area/Neighborhood planning through provision of adequate human, financial and informational resources.

• Provide resource commitment for adoption and use of neighborhood/ sub-area plans and establish a reasonable time period for adoption.

• Create a bridge between the varying interests in a community and their Sub-Area/Neighborhood.

• Prepare plans that recognize and address specific neighborhood quality of life issues.

Sub-Area/Neighborhood Planning is referred to conceptually in the draft, but, would require that it be woven, integrated, throughout the entire Comprehensive plan by referencing and mentioning the Sub-Area/ Neighborhood element. Where more detail about housing types, road design, or public parks and trails are concerned, neighborhood planning is always in step with the need for more detail.

Sub-Area/Neighborhood Policies are divided into the following areas:

A. Sub-Area/Neighborhood Goals and policies to guide the preparation and updating of Sub-Area/Neighborhood plans.

B. Policies on implementing the Sub-Area/Neighborhood plans.

C. Policies for each Sub-Area/Neighborhood include the results of the Sub-Area/Neighborhood planning process. Each Sub-area/
Neighborhood plan adopted will be incorporated into this section of the Comprehensive Plan. Sub-Area/Neighborhoods are listed alphabetically at the end of this chapter.

Sub-Area/Neighborhoods
The term Sub-Area is used to describe geographical divisions or areas of the city. The following section describes different sub-areas where detailed planning may be appropriate. Neighborhood: A geographic sub-area within the city that contains residential land uses. The extent of a neighborhood is variable and may be defined by tradition, common interests and uses, period of building and development, elementary school attendance boundaries, or subdivision patterns. Neighborhood boundaries may include such features as major streets, a river, railroad tracks or other physical features.


A Neighborhood Map has been developed by Spokane Valley, which depicts organized neighborhoods. Planning staff uses this map to notify neighborhood organizations of development projects that may affect their neighborhoods. Neighborhood groups and citizens are encouraged to make suggestions for improving the map. The map will be used as one tool for delineating areas for neighborhood planning in the future.

Goal 1: To develop a citizen involvement program that insures the opportunity for citizens to be involved in all phases of the planning process.

Goal 2: Spokane Valley shall ensure that the rate, amount, type, location, and cost of population growth and development within or outside of the Urban Growth Boundary will not diminish the quality of life the City has presently attained.

Policies (SNP – Sub-Area/Neighborhood Policy)
SNP-1- A Sub-Area/Neighborhood Association may request the Planning Commission and City Council to initiate Sub-Area/Neighborhood Plan Map and text amendments at any time, without fee, upon finding that the proposed changes are in the public’s interest and consistent with the Comprehensive Plan

SNP-2-Create a Sub-Area/Neighborhood liaison to bring forward and inform planning commission and city council of identified Sub-Area/Neighborhood concerns.

SNP-3-A City Hosted Neighborhood Web-page will be made available to create opportunities for broad based public participation that is inclusive of all geographic areas and diverse interests.

SNP-4-Provide a single document (or kit) that clearly explains the Sub-area/Neighborhood planning purpose, scope, and process. This document will provide all guidance, guidelines, examples, tools, templates, forms, references, etc. required for stakeholders to initiate and complete their portion of the sub-area process.

SNP-5 A Sub-area/Neighborhood planning group may assess, annually, sub-area planning needs and make recommendations during the city budget process.

SNP-6- Develop Sub-area/Neighborhood plans which reflect the knowledge of the people of each sub-area about local conditions, history, neighborhood character, needs and values.

SNP-7- Spokane Valley, special purpose districts and Spokane Valley citizens shall collaboratively establish level of service standards and costs for providing services.

SNP-8- Spokane Valley will adopt Sub-Area/Neighborhood Plans at time of approval regardless of inclusion for funding, they will be adopted in preparation for implementation by any future development or city project.

SNP-9- Clearly state the mechanism through which citizens will receive a response from City policy-makers, at the outset of the citizen involvement process.

SNP–10- Actively Implement these Comprehensive Plan goals and policies and the Sub-Area/Neighborhood plans through the provision of adequate human, financial and informational services.

SNP-11- Evaluate the progress of Sub-area/Neighborhood plans

1. The sub-area plan and process shall meet all State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) requirements.

2. A sub-area inventory will be prepared that may include some or all of the following areas, based on the goals of each sub-area/neighborhood. The inventory may include existing land uses, housing, capital facilities plans, natural resource lands, parks and open spaces, natural environmental features, zoning, circulation patterns, trails, utilities, community facilities and services, urban design features, general physical conditions, history, demography, social analysis, economic base and other appropriate data. A preliminary sub-area boundary will be mapped for public review.

3. All sub-area residents, businesses and interested parties will be notified of the planning effort. An informational meeting will take place, with opportunity for public interaction and comment.

4. A Neighborhood/Sub-area Advisory Committee (NSAC) will be formed. The NSAC should be a representative cross-section of the sub-area community, and appropriate stakeholders. It will not be limited in size.

5. Utilizing the Sub-area Neighborhood Guidebook an analysis and assessment of the needs of the sub-area/neighborhoods will be determined. The needs assessment will identify issues around which the remainder of the planning work will revolve.

6. The Sub-area/Neighborhood Advisory Committee should strive to achieve consensus on the priority of the identified planning issues.

7. A preliminary sub-area/neighborhood plan will be developed. The plan will state goals and describe policies, strategies, and specific actions, developed through the citizen participation process, to affect the prioritized issues. The preliminary plan should include alternative goals and policies. The plan will be made available for public review and comment.

8. Planning staff will analyze the preliminary plan and its alternatives to ensure consistency with Spokane Valley’s Comprehensive Plan, the Growth Management Act, and SEPA.

9. Formal public meetings will be conducted to gather comments on the draft plan alternatives. The Sub-area Neighborhood Advisory Committee will make recommendations for a final document. Minority opinions within the Committee may be included in the final recommendation.

10. Planning staff will incorporate final recommendations into the plan. The final plan will not only include the Committee recommendation but also may include minority opinions and a staff analysis and recommendation. The final plan will be made available for public review.

11. Any development regulation amendments necessary to implement a neighborhood plan shall be prepared concurrently with the plan so the Planning Commission and City Council can review both the plan and development regulations at the same time


12. The Sub-Area/Neighborhood Advisory Committee will then, present the final plan document to the Planning Commission. Upon review of the final plan, the Commission will hold a hearing and accept public comment on the plan.

The Commission will:
a) Forward the plan to City Council with recommendation for approval
b) Send the plan back to Sub-Area/Neighborhood Advisory Committee to incorporate recommended changes or
c) Develop a recommendation of its own to forward, along with the Committee recommendation, to the City Council for their consideration.

12. Sub-area/Neighborhood plans approved by the City Council will be adopted by formal resolution as an amendment to the Generalized Comprehensive Plan.

Plan Implementation
Implementation is the key to making the goals and polices of the sub-area/neighborhood plan a reality. The combination of regulations, incentives and other implementation techniques will determine the success of a land use plan. Implementation tools and techniques shall be consistent between sub-areas, but will allow unique community visions to be implemented as desired. The process should allow for implementation measures, such as ordinances or regulations, to be developed and presented to the Planning Commission and City Council for simultaneous adoption with the sub-area/neighborhood plan. The Division of Planning will develop land use regulations and other implementation techniques that will address the goals and policies of the sub-area/neighborhood plan. Public comment will be sought by notifying identified neighborhoods or by email or letter, for all proposed regulatory changes.


General Policy: Neighborhood plans and Planning should address a wide range of issues, but should be tailored to meet their specific needs. (Every element would not be included in every sub-area/neighborhood plan.)