Vinegar Flats Land-Use Map (PlanSpokane 2046) – Latah-Hangman Neighborhood Council

In progressDevelopment & Land UseUpper Latah

PlanSpokane 2046 · Draft Future Land Use Map · Updated Oct. 14, 2026

The City is deciding how land in Vinegar Flats, especially along Inland Empire Way, can be used over the next 20 years. The Council has submitted its position, and the Plan Commission public hearing is tentatively set for Nov. 2.

What’s happening?

PlanSpokane 2046 is the City’s update of its 20-year Comprehensive Plan, due by the end of 2026. Its Future Land Use Map (FLUM) sets the direction for what can later be zoned where. For Vinegar Flats, the draft map would add mixed-use and higher-density housing along Inland Empire Way, including on some land now designated agricultural.

The public comment period closed on Oct. 2. The Plan Commission is still discussing the map in workshops, where no public testimony is taken. A formal public hearing is tentatively scheduled for Nov. 2, and the City says it will email commenters and neighborhood councils with details as it gets closer.

Why it matters

The map is the first step. Zoning rules and development standards are written afterward, and the map shapes what those rules can allow in the valley.

Council position: On Oct. 1 the Executive Committee adopted a resolution, developed by the Vinegar Flats Planning Committee, asking the City to:

preserve existing agricultural land and keep higher-intensity designations away from the Latah Creek corridor and its tributaries;
put neighborhood-serving mixed use along Inland Empire Way, and limit its spread into the valley interior, farmland and the creek corridor;
explain how the scale and distribution of growth assigned to Vinegar Flats were decided;
make sure future zoning fits the scale of the valley and keeps pace with transportation, pedestrian safety, emergency access and utilities; and
keep residents involved when detailed zoning and development standards are written.

The Executive Committee also added its own request: if Center and Corridor zoning is applied along Inland Empire Way from Wentel Grant Park to W 27th Ave, apply the Pedestrian Street designation (SMC 17C.122.030) there as well. This request was not part of the Planning Committee’s vote.

Neighbor concerns: At the Sept. 24 Planning Committee meeting, neighbors shared what they want to protect. On Sept. 28, ten written Concern Reports were turned in. The most common concern was that roads and infrastructure already fall short for Eagle Ridge, Thorpe and Hangman, and should be fixed before new development in Vinegar Flats. Neighbors also raised how Vinegar Flats connects to US 195, effects on property values, where mixed use and higher density should go, speeds on Inland Empire Way, and trust in the process. These are neighbor concerns, not Council positions.

Open question: How the City decided on the amount and spread of growth assigned to this small valley has not been explained yet. That is one of the Council’s requests.

Where things stand

Oct. 14 — Plan Commission workshop continues discussion of the Future Land Use Map. Outcome not yet confirmed.
Oct. 2 — Public comment period closed at 5 p.m. The City confirmed the Council’s resolution is part of the decision record and said the Plan Commission hearing is tentatively set for Nov. 2.
Oct. 1 — Executive Committee adopted the resolution 5–0 and sent it to PlanSpokane as the Council’s public comment. It will be reported to the full Council on Nov. 19.
Sept. 24 and 28 — Vinegar Flats Planning Committee met and developed the recommendations behind the resolution.
Sept. 9 and 23 — Plan Commission workshops discussed Vinegar Flats map options.
Aug. 7 — City opened the draft Future Land Use Map for public comment.

How you can help

There are two ways to help. You don’t need to be a Council officer for either one.

Start here (a few minutes)

Look at the draft map. The City’s Future Land Use Map StoryMap shows what is proposed for Vinegar Flats.
Tell us what you think. Share your concerns or questions about traffic, pedestrian safety, the creek or farmland in the comment form below.

Take on a piece of this (leadership opportunities)

These are the jobs that will move this issue forward. Each one is a few hours over the coming weeks, and the Council will help you get started.

Follow the Plan Commission. Watch the workshops and the Nov. 2 hearing, then post a plain-language summary here.
Get answers from the City. Ask how growth in Vinegar Flats was sized, how the City defines high density and mixed use, and whether rezoning later gets its own public process.
Help neighbors testify. Organize neighbors to give short, clear testimony at the public hearing.
Join the Vinegar Flats Planning Committee as zoning and development standards are written.

To take one on: choose “Yes” on the form below and tell us which one in the comment box. You can volunteer without leaving a comment, and we’ll follow up. If you can’t use the form, call or text the neighborhood info line at (509) 724-0331.

City contact: KayCee Downey, Senior Planner, kdowney@spokanecity.org, 509-625-6194. Comments and questions: PlanSpokane@spokanecity.org.

Community discussion

Have a question, an update or firsthand experience to share? Add to the conversation so neighbors and Council volunteers can work toward solutions together. Comments are reviewed by the council before they appear. Comments are community comments, not verified facts or official Council positions.