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The city of Spokane is undergoing a major change in its zoning regulations that will allow for the construction of multi-family housing, including townhouses, in all residential areas. This temporary change, which will be in place for one year, is being referred to as the “missing middle housing,” although some disagree with this characterization.
The interim zoning ordinance will permit the development of duplexes, triplexes, and quadplexes, with no restrictions on the number of attached townhomes. The city’s planning director has stated that the one-year time frame will allow officials to work towards a permanent change in the future, while state law allows for the temporary change to be implemented.
Some are concerned about the potential impact on the housing market, as well as the uncertain nature of the temporary change. However, others see it as an opportunity to address the housing shortage and provide more options for those seeking to invest in multi-family housing. It will be interesting to see how this temporary change plays out and what the permanent solution may be in the future.
It’s important to note that this change has the potential to significantly impact the city and its residents. A simple zoning change can make or break businesses, change neighborhoods, and have both positive and negative consequences. This is especially true with a city-wide zoning change like the one being implemented in Spokane.
It’s also worth considering the motivations behind the change. Some may argue that the city council and zoning department have an ideological desire to increase density and allow for more multi-family housing. Whatever the case may be, it’s clear that these changes will have significant implications and should be carefully considered.
Overall, the temporary zoning change in Spokane is a noteworthy development that will likely be closely watched in the coming year. As a real estate broker in the city, I will be paying attention to how this plays out and will be available to assist those with questions or looking to buy or sell a home. If you have any questions about real estate in Spokane, don’t hesitate to reach out to me.
Here’s the link to 2 news sources about the changes:
https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2022/jul/18/suddenly-theres-options-spokane-city-council-oks-o/
