City May Streamline Development Permits

The Spokane City Council plans to vote tonight on a proposal that would streamline the permit process for new developments.

Last year, the state Legislature passed a land-use reform bill aimed at making cities and counties reduce delays for developers.

The city plan combines the environmental review process with the permit review process. It also allows for one public hearing and one closed-record appeal, which doesn’t allow for new testimony.

Under the proposal, the city’s review of a project must be done within 120 days after a land-use application is completed.

Also tonight, Council members Chris Anderson and Phyllis Holmes will report about their trip to the National League of Cities Conference in Washington, D.C.

A briefing for residents begins at 3 p.m. in the lower-level conference room of City Hall, 808 W. Spokane Falls Blvd. The council’s briefing starts at 3:30 p.m., the public forum at 6 p.m. and the meeting at 6:30 p.m. , DataTimes