Four the future - December 28

This edition: bicycle highways, rural land institutionalization, phosphorus pollution reduction, and a planning failure.

  • Bicycle Highways
    Source: The New York Times, 091228
    Summary: While American planners are beginning the process of considering a national highway bike infrastructure, the city of Copenhagen is creating segregated bike highways between the suburbs and the city center. Several technologies are being considered to help create pelotons (groups of riders moving together); GPS and RFID could be used to trip traffic lights in their favor. Highways are not the first element of a strong bike system.
    Opinion: The Centennial Trail is our highway in Spokane, though it's not always in the most effective location for commuting. It also connects to the North Idaho Centennial Trail (pdf map, 1.5MB). But, that just gives us the responsibility to make the branches grow from this trunk. Liberty Lake has its own trail system, connected directly to the Centennial Trail, and I am personally aware of people who use it as a commuting asset. The Liberty Lake community supported the concept to such a degree that they taxed themselves through a Transportation Benefit District and used city general fund to build missing sections of the trails and provide matching funds for state grants resulting in a highway overpass. Other neighborhoods would benefit from a biking plan.


  • When the land's worth more than the trees
    Source: The Oregonian, 091226
    Conservation groups hope to buy forestlands to manage
    Source: The Oregonian, 091227
    Summary: This two-part feature story documents the process and effects of Real Estate Investment Trusts and how they have been instrumental in destroying rural communities for the purpose of storehousing institutional cash reserves for tax-avoidance purposes. Due to the real estate bubble, the land under the forests has become more valuable than the trees. The problem grew slower in strong growth management states, such as Oregon. Forest loss in Washington is 10 times faster than in Oregon. Conservation groups are hoping to use the popping of the bubble to gain ownership of private lands to protect them from inappropriate conversion to urban uses.
    Opinion: Encouraging local economic development is difficult because you must assemble both the labor and the means of production simultaneously. History is littered by efforts to create remote utopian towns which are self-sustaining and prosperous. All failed; they only survive by changing their goals. Given the difficulty to leverage a community into economic stability and the significant national conversation about the importance of creating jobs, one would think that considerable, coordinated effort would be applied to make it happen. However, one must wonder how a planner encourages long-term local economic development when the national government interferes by having a tax code which encourages not working for your money over working for your money. After all, why would you work for your money? It's hard to do and you get taxed at a higher rate. As long as the capital gains tax rate is lower than the income tax rate, rural job creation will be hampered because it's better to merely own an asset, especially if a glut of surplus cash raises prices, than put it to work (provided you're not the last one to dump the land as the bubble bursts). Planners must account for this bias when they're attempting to perform this kind of work. They can help mitigate the federal policy by putting in place enforceable growth management policies which preserve resource lands, in part by preventing subdivision. Subdivision of resource lands is ultimately self-defeating because eventually it's so subdivided that it becomes unproductive. At that point, it's not a resource land anymore.

  • Filters show promise in river cleanup
    Source: The Spokesman-Review, 091227
    Summary: Municipal wastewater treatment plants emit phosphorus-rich effluent into the Spokane River. Standards will be strengthening to reduce this pollutant. The City of Spokane has been testing various technologies for phosphorus reduction, and there is optimism. Blue Water Technologies, a local company, has been operating a system in Hayden for years. It has sold systems in the Midwest and South Korea. At least 20 American municipal systems were identified in 2007 which achieve the required standards.
    Opinion: Chalk it up to human ingenuity that we have the ability to take out more phosphorus, a highly hydrophilic (water-loving) ion, than is present in the Spokane River as it enters the State of Washington. Unfortunately, innovation and politicians don't always mix. This technology has been available for several years. I received a briefing on it years ago because one of the dischargers, Liberty Lake Sewer & Waster District, wouldn't give Blue Water Technologies a public hearing. Spokane County's current commissioner majority has been publicly supporting more expensive technologies which do not solve the problem while disparaging these proven techniques. Too often, engineering firms have an interest in the type of technology that is used, either because they hold the patent or they want all their plants to be identical because it reduces design costs. Worse yet, they may be driven by the possibility to get Design-Build-Operate-Maintain (DBOM) contracts which allow them to operate a public facility. This gives them profit while the public takes on the risk. The company to which Spokane County granted the contract refused to put their name on the discharge permit: if they make a mistake, they're immune. Only the ratepayers, and the environment, suffer. As awareness of these newer technologies becomes more widespread, we have to count on unbiased experts to become louder, because the public won't voice strongly on these highly technical issues.

  • Neighbors fear swales plan
    Source: Portland Tribune, 091228
    Summary: The proposed stormwater swale installation along 44th Avenue in Portland, Oregon, has run into a snag because neighbors oppose the construction. They are not opposing it because of the benefits its designed to produce, but because of other effects the swales will have on transportation, public safety, and delivery of public services.
    Opinion: This is a planning mistake of the first order. One of the fundamental requirements of good planning process is to engage the people who are affected by the plan. After all, they know things that planners don't about the particular character and habits of a neighborhood. Whether the swales are effective or not is a secondary issue at this point. The community must be engaged if planning is to be useful, and all this incident has caused is a rift between a group of people attempting to solve a stormwater management problem and the people they're meant to serve. It's time for the advocates to go back, review the planning method, and start over.

Four the future - December 24

Today: affordable density, Portland biking, population estimates, and straw-bale houses.

  • But is it Affordable?
    Source: Sightline Daily, 090422
    Summary: Dense growth in Vancouver, BC, has been strong, but prices are high. Adding more units satisfies the supply side of the equation, but density in itself is not enough. New York and San Francisco are not considered affordable, either. The price of condominiums in Vancouver has increased from C$1000/month in 2000 to C$2200/month in 2007. Part of this is due to the same hyper-escalation that the US experienced. Perhaps prices will come down just as they have been in the US. The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives has recommended some new policies, including requiring 20% of housing be affordable and reduce parking requirements.
    Opinion: This is actually a problem beyond mere housing policy--it ranges into the area of finance, and the glut of cash in the United States not dedicated to any particular purpose. All this excess cash flows from one sector to another causing bubbles which burst when it moves on to the next sector. Remember the dot com speculation? Then housing speculation, then oil speculation.... This explains how building activity increased so greatly, yet prices went up--the value of cash in the housing market went down, because there was too much available. It was the same with the other bubbles. Planners can't account for where this speculation craze will go next. Some people have called this "casino capitalism," and I agree. The solution must come from outside planning, such as financial re-regulation and the return of defined benefit pensions.

  • Just how boldly will Portland go into bike future?
    Source: The Oregonian, 091222
    Summary: For the first time in five years, the number of bike rides in Portland went down. Portland had spent money on increasing bike use, and some bike-hating bloggers complain about it. Portland's bike plan says that 1% of the population are "strong and fearless" bikers, and another 10 to 15 percent will bike with good lanes. Copenhagen and Amsterdam have ridership levels of up to 40 percent because of bike only boulevards and extra-wide bike lanes. However, in Portland, the low hanging fruit may have already been harvested, and to get the next group of bikers, higher levels of investment will be required.
    Opinion: Higher levels of biking is better for public health, the environment, and both private and public budgets. I've always thought it was bizarre that people would drive their cars to go to a gym to ride the bikes. The attitude is so pervasive, most of the soldiers in my unit did the same thing when I was in the Army. I ran the mile and a half to and from physical training each morning, and after a while I scored so well on my physical strength and endurance tests that I wasn't required to go to training with the other soldiers. We need a change in attitude. We've subsidized automobile activity for decades from the building and maintenance of roads, oil subsidies, and allowing unmitigated pollution to enter the air. It's gotten so bad that auto ownership is almost a requirement in modern America. Through their policies, our governments have substantially taken away the freedom to not own a car. It's time to change the equation: let's put more into sidewalks, bike lanes and boulevards, and transit to try to re-balance our transportation system.

  • Recession Slows Population Rise Across Sun Belt
    Source: New York Times, 091223
    Summary: States in the west and south are growing slower partially as a result of the housing recession. In the last population estimate prior to the 2010 decennial census, the census bureau found that Arizona, Georgia and North Carolina have slowed growth, while Florida, Nevada and California actually had more people move out than move in. States in the northeast have been shrinking less quickly. The decennial census affects how many representatives each state has. Based on the 2009 estimate, Texas will gain three seats, while Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Nevada, South Carolina, Utah and Washington would each gain one. Since the House is limited to 435 seats, Ohio would lose two, which Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania would each lose one.
    Opinion: Planners use the census to track changes in population, in part to anticipate growth requirements. Not all states have this issue: Michigan only increased by 0.3%, while Washington increased by 13%, in the last 9 years. Additionally, planners use the income, social and housing data to determine what kinds of services may be necessary and track economic trends. It's important data, so it's important to answer the census questions. That, and it's the law: congress actually authorized jail time for those who do not answer, though I'm not sure that prosecutors are likely to follow through on that!


  • In Idaho, a house made from straw and mud
    Source: The Christian Science Monitor, 091223
    Summary: Mark Lung is building a straw and mud house in Boise. The hay bales provide insulation, and are less expensive than traditional materials. The house he's building costs $86/sq.ft. (excluding land), just $165,000 for a 1900 square foot house. He previously lived in a similar house in Colorado and while the temperature ranged from 20 to 80 Fahrenheit outside, the interior stayed between 68 and 72 without heating or cooling. Straw-bale homes aren't built in some areas because codes haven't been updated to include them.
    Opinion: Well, let's update them! (Yes, easier said than done.) There will be value in adopting standards and the expertise to ensure that they are built safely and efficiently. This also gives us a way to reduce energy needs and produces a demand (though, minimal) for a product grown in this region.

Four the future - December 23

Today: energy-neutral housing, energy savings grants, County zoning change, and Spokane GTEC.

You may notice that I'm slowly adding new sources to the report. This edition features four different sources: Wall Street Journal, Sightline Daily, Liberty Lake Splash, and the Spokesman-Review. The Pacific Northwest Inlander, Greenstone, The Lands Council, Spokane Councilmember Jon Snyder and others have contributed in the past. I know The Oregonian is coming up in a future "Four." Stories related to planning are everywhere. If you find one, please comment with it or let me know so I can put it in a future edition.

  • Builders Zero In on New Goal of Energy-Neutral Housing
    Source: Wall Street Journal, 091222
    Summary: In the past five years, developments featuring near or zero net grid energy use have sprung up. 40% of US energy usage comes from buildings. They are more expensive to build, the premium is up to 15% for a zero-net building. However, with incentives, return on investment is 12 years. Rural Development Inc. has reduced the cost of energy for their homes to $700/year from $2,700/year. Robert and Monica Fortunato are reducing energy costs by installing insulation which includes paraffin wax which melts and solidifies to moderate temperatures.
    Opinion: Energy is a particularly interesting planning topic because it's as close planners get to physics--where politicians don't get to change the laws no matter how much their campaign contributors complain. One of the restraining issues is that the energy that travels through the wire must be used the very moment it is created--no delay, not even a nanosecond. Since these housing developments use energy at a time unrelated to the time they generate energy (who needs light fixtures on during the day for solar powered houses?), they contribute to the grid. Then they withdraw from the grid when they are underproducing. The advantage of a huge energy infrastructure is that a small group of people can use it as an "energy bank." But what happens when everyone does this? There will be a time when we need to be able to store energy reliably and efficiently. We're not there now. But, at least there is a known path. When there's too much energy entering the grid, we should either create fuels which can store the energy chemically or decommission other energy sources as we take up more base load with alternatives. This is just another challenge that we have in planning. And since this will be highly expensive, we're facing the consequences of inappropriate energy source usage, and we can't simply change the laws to cover our embarrassment, we need to commit to planning and implementing right away.

  • A Teachable Moment
    Source: Sightline Daily, 091222
    Summary: Buildings and be energy-efficient, but ultimately they are used by people who need to learn how to use their buildings properly. Grant monies are available to local governments in the State of Washington. Washington State University has Resource Conservation Managers (RCM) who can teach people how to use their buildings in the best way. Olympia School District (OSD) spent $110,000 to support an RCM for two years, and has saved $444,061, leaving $334,000 for educational purposes--very important during lean times. Local governments have until January 15 to apply for grant of up to $75,000.
    Opinion: Not all organizations are as large as OSD, so the grants are for groups of governments to get together and apply. I wonder if any local governments in the Spokane area will band together to save money. There's no shortage of politicians who talk about saving money. Who will walk the talk and become a hero for fiscal responsibility and the environment?

  • County approves zone change
    Source: Liberty Lake Splash, 091223
    See Also: Four the Future - December 12
    Summary: A parcel near Liberty Lake has been changed from rural traditional to low density residential. The change was opposed by the Spokane County Planning Commission. The increase allows 5 units on the property, rather than the original 1. Commissioner Mark Richard will "ask the family to consider limiting building height to one-story on the property." The opposition to the change is organized, and has announced its intention to utilize the legal system to enforce the comprehensive plan.
    Opinion: Planning is an inherently political process. While there was an effort to reform planning to make it less political (with the establishment of planning commissions, for instance), politicians opposed to local neighborhood planning don't even bother with the fig leaf anymore. Richard, whose last job was as the lobbyist for the Spokane Home Builders Association, is a prime example with this quote from the article: "I would say they [the Planning Commission] are (sic) advisory, and just like we take input from all over the county, the planning commission is one form of input." That wasn't the intent of the establishment of planning commissions. The planning commission is tasked with accepting the input, then make a decision to take out courthouse politics. But, with elected officials who believe that their power comes from being in the position of decision maker rather than through the moral authority that comes from doing the work of the people, the purpose of the governmental authority matters little. Oh, and asking the family to keep it to one story? Please spare me the nonsense, commissioner. Your opinion doesn't matter outside the courthouse.

  • City benefits as commute miles driven take a dive
    Source: Spokesman, 091223
    Summary: The Spokesman-Review editorial staff opines that it's good that Spokane has been recognized for reducing wasteful driving activities--good for economic development, its image, and our health. Spokane formed a Growth and Transportation Efficiency Center (GTEC) and committed to reducing the drive-alone rate by 1,000 within 4 years. It did so in 10 months. Spokane used to have some of the most foul air in the nation, but it's off the worst offenders list since 2005. Originally, efforts to reduce single-occupancy vehicle use was only for rush hour travel, but now it's for all times. There are always calls of "socialism" when bike racks are installed or bus passes are distributed. But, Spokane's methods have worked, despite Spokane's conservative nature.
    Opinion: The GTEC in downtown Spokane is an excellent example of the work of Spokane County Commute Trip Reduction Office. They've always done a great job because we have an countywide program and the staff is so energetic and committed. The reason the original CTR program focused on rush hour was that part of the purpose is to reduce the number and size of roads that need to be constructed--we can save an immense amount of highway dollars by not stuffing all the cars on the road at the same time. But as other concerns like climate change take front stage, reductions in total vehicle miles will be required. There is a misperception in the opinion piece, however. The linkage between conservative opinions and unwillingness to reduce vehicle miles is not real. True conservatives don't mind saving money and being healthy. In fact, the leader of the people who want to build a regional light rail system is staunchly conservative. Please: there is a difference between being conservative and being lazy, self-centered, and childish! I hope that as the economy recovers, we can maintain this great progress.

Four the future - December 20

For this Monday: Wastewater editorial, Cd'A conservation easement, transportation visioning, and beavers!

  • Cleaner river worth the cost
    Source: Spokesman, 091220
    Summary: In this op-ed, Rachael Paschal Osborn lists all the good things going on with regards to the protection of the Spokane River, and why embracing higher utility rates now translates into better water quality and a better economy. Here are her five reasons: good for the economy, the Spokane River is too small in the summer to handle all the waste, we're lucky it isn't more expensive, we have a responsibility to those downriver, and others are doing their fair share, too.
    Opinion: While there was considerable distress that the City of Spokane withdrew their support to the region's Septic Tank Elimination program (STEP), there is considerable value in fixing the city's combined sewer-stormwater system which allows untreated sewage to wash directly into the Spokane River during rainstorms. Also, the City's commitment to testing new tertiary wastewater treatment systems is commendable, as they prepare for more stringent standards to come. All-in-all, there is great progress in this area, even as emitters and environmentalists vie over what the final standards will be.
  • Preserving views, family traditions
    Source: Spokesman, 091221
    Summary: 500 acres along Lake Coeur d'Alene and the Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes has been permanently preserved by a conservation easement.
    Opinion: An important tool, conservation easements can keep property in the ownership of a person or family. It allows them to continue to use the property in its current form, while preventing inappropriate conversation of rural properties to urban uses. It can reduce property taxes (as properties are judged by their highest and best use; eliminating certain development opportunities lowers it), provides cash or federal tax deductions to the property owner, and reduces or eliminates estate and gift taxes. Its use can't be more highly recommended.
  • Yearlong study will create 'vision' for regional transit
    Source: Spokesman, 091221
    Summary: The Spokane Regional Transportation Council (SRTC) is launching a year-long study of the regional transportation system.
    Opinion: SRTC is Spokane's Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), and is, actually, continually studying and planning transportation in the region--that is its sole purpose. This is an important effort, and it is important that people get involved (or hold your peace for the next 30 to 50 years). More details are at http://www.srtc.org/Visioning RFP.html
  • The Beaver Solution
    Source: The Lands Council
    Summary: The State Department of Ecology has been proposing damming a canyon somewhere in eastern Washington for water storage, holding it from the high water times of the spring until low water summer. The Lands Council proposed an alternative: The Beaver Solution. Reintroduce the beavers that were driven from eastern Washington so they can build dams themselves, not only reestablishing a natural system of ecologically powerful wetlands, but also helping water quality and releasing water downstream as was intended: slowly over beaver dams.
    Opinion: A must see video! Thanks to my friends at Hamilton Studio for the wonderful animation for an important topic.

Four the future - December 19

Today: Mobius moving, Downtown improving, parking editorial, and another auto-pedestrian victim (or two)

  • Science center won’t be in Riverfront Park
    Source: Spokesman, 091219
    Summary: Mobius will be building the science center in phases and is looking for a building to put it in. Spokane Park Board members on both sides of the recent contract dispute with Mobius think it's a good idea.
    Opinion: There is a serious disconnect between Riverfront Park and its northern neighbors. There needs to be a transitional use of some kind, and it needs to be capable of drawing crowds. I encourage the park board to look for ways to increase the number of activity spaces (not mere open space, there is plenty of that) in Riverfront Park.

  • Spokane primed for more growth
    Source: Spokesman, 091219
    Summary: Daniel Iacofano is a principal at MIG, Inc., and helped work on the downtown Spokane plans of 1999 and 2008. In this opinion piece, he says that great progress has been made in terms of retail, the convention center, University District, arts and entertainment, the north bank, and housing. He also says much more can be done.
    Opinion: It is true, things have changed, but Spokane hasn't always grasped for its best options. But, with the new majority in the city council, things like complete streets and moving parking away from ground level will improve the downtown experience, and make more room available to retail. Add a regional rail system, and watch downtown launch a renaissance not only for itself, but at each station along the way.

  • Editorial: Parking lot blight merits ban while study done
    Source: Spokesman, 091220
    Summary: In this Spokesman-Review editorial, the editorial staff says that the surface parking ban shouldn't be considered permanent, as there is a Downtown Spokane Partnership parking study due next year. However, they state that they do not want a "barren downtown that offers abundant places to park but little to entice anyone to go there." They note that there are conflicting values with this topic: property rights and the free market versus the character of a downtown.
    Opinion: This is a classic tragedy of the anticommons situation. For those businesses that are downtown, it's important that they have a vibrant downtown environment, but individual property owners can't count on others respecting that. As a consequence, they take the most profitable course assuming that no one else will support them enough to make the cooperative (and more highly profitable) alternative work. The only way to earn the requisite faith is to have a strong and enforceable vision for downtown Spokane. Make it different from all other areas in the region. Make its streets complete and focused on economic activity rather than throughput. Yes, some property owners will not be able to do what they want. (If they want suburbia, there's plenty of that just a mile in nearly any direction.) But in the end, they will profit more and so will the community because everyone knows what to expect and can integrate that into their more profitable plans. Oh, and one other thing: the argument between surface parking and structured parking is not volume, it's location. Parking should be distributed throughout the downtown but not on the surface (except on the street--there's a reason for that), Surface lot parking defeats the purpose of a downtown: putting places close enough together to be walkable. Surface lot parking makes walking distances greater, while parking off-grade doesn't.

  • Region in brief: Victim, driver in fatal crash ID’d
    Source: Spokesman, 091220
    Summary: The seventh auto-pedestrian victim was identified. Stephen W. Shockley and his dog were struck and dragged under a minivan after attempting to cross Francis.
    Opinion: The very first step of planning is identifying a problem. Anyone see a problem here that planning can pursue? Now's a good time for people to familiarize themselves with the complete streets movement. By the way--the dog was also a victim. That would be the eighth.

Four the future - December 17

Today: Hillyard's future, Medical Lake schools, Hillyard revitalization, and Kendall Yards blogging.

  • Hillyard outlines its future
    Source: Spokesman, 091217
    Summary: A community meeting was held to discuss a large number of topics of neighborhood interest. (And, it was not just the Hillyard neighborhood; it also included Bemiss and Whitman, the other two partners in the "Greater Hillyard Northeast Planning Alliance.") Topics included: parks, block watch, tourism, greening the community, graffiti, community gardens, community-oriented policing, economic development, light rail, and the community's image.
    Opinion: I encourage the leaders and community members of Greater Hillyard to look at the community development activities undertaken by the Dudley Street Neighborhood Initiative. There was a documentary filmed in 1997 entitled "Holding Ground" which shows their progress through the middle of the last decade. More information can be found at their web site at http://www.dsni.org/. (More on Hillyard below.)

  • Medical Lake to vote on school bond
    Source: Spokesman, 091217
    Summary: Medical Lake will be revisiting a bond issue on the February ballot, as it failed in March 2008. If passed, the middle school will be expanded, two elementary schools will be combined, and one demolished. The elementary school, which currently serves children preschool through third grade, is a fire hazard, contains extensive asbestos, and a failed heating system. It was built in 1950's.
    Opinion: The failure of school bonds makes you wonder what would happen if the comprehensive plan for a community were adopted by the public, and implementation of the plan were decided upon by elected officials rather than the other way around.

  • New lampposts stay dark for the holidays
    Source: Spokesman, 091217
    Summary: New lampposts were installed along Market Street, but the LED luminaries were not ready in time for the this month's retail activity.
    Opinion: Revitalization of downtown Hillyard is an important step toward a new image for the community. The loss of one holiday season is not critical considering the long term nature of the change. And, big props to the City of Spokane for testing and utilizing LED technology. They will use less energy, and save an immense amount of maintenance costs associated with changing light bulbs, as they are far more durable than incandescent and fluorescent bulbs. These initiatives will not only improve the streetscape generally, but will also make Market safer for pedestrians and show that Hillyard is embracing a green stance for the future.

  • Greenstone - Kendall Yards
    Source: Greenstone, 091218
    Summary: Greenstone has launched a blog about Kendall Yards. In the first entry, they state that their guiding principles are: create places for people, enrich the existing, make connections, work with the landscape, mixed uses and form, manage the investment, and design for change.
    Opinion: Connecting to the community is an important step for the development of this property. One of the more serious mistakes that Black Rock made was thinking that connecting to the business community would be enough. Executive-style development efforts is the norm in Spokane, which is precisely why developers think they can get away with things, and do. But, things are changing. Greenstone demonstrates the right way to develop a community, and this effort is as welcomed as it is expected.

Four the future - December 15

In this edition: Spokane County emergency calls, downtown Spokane parking, Turnbull expansion, and West Plains annexation.

  • County testing 'reverse 911'
    Source: Spokesman, 091215
    Summary: Spokane County has a new system which allows them to make automated phone calls to an area in the event of an emergency.
    Opinion: This would have been more useful in the past, when cell phones were a minor part of the communications infrastructure. Younger residents, who tend not to have landlines, will be excluded from this entirely unless they sign up. But, of course, if you needed to sign up, you wouldn't need this system. Since you can't make it useful by reaching everyone, perhaps it could achieve greater market penetration by being for more than just public safety: when there's a public hearing on planning issues in your neighborhood, for instance. Then, it can be more useful, and reach those who otherwise wouldn't be protected. Anyway, I don't think this system will be long for this world simply because the world will move on.

  • Tuesday Morning Quarterback
    Source: Spokane Councilmember Jon Snyder, 091215
    Summary: The new plan for downtown Spokane ("Fast Forward Spokane") proposed a ban on stand alone surface parking lots. It was the most controversial issue of the evening but passes 4-3. French, McLaughlin, and Apple voted to remove the ban. Snyder, Corker, Rush and Shogan voted to sustain it.
    Opinion: This ban was a long time in coming. One of the more tragic things that has happened across America was the "suburbanization of downtown." Other cities have moved to reverse it and have been handsomely rewarded. This was an excellent move toward strengthening downtown Spokane. Just a few days ago, this might not have happened. This is the new coalition coming into its own. With the addition of Waldref to replace French, Spokane might actually have a council that cares about the neighborhoods and downtown all at the same time. How refreshing!

  • Federal budget allots $1.5 million to expand Turnbull refuge
    Source: Spokesman, 091217
    Summary: The federal government has allocated $1.5 million for property acquisitions near Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge. It is intended to purchase about 500 acres of the 12,000 acres identified as priorities. Turnbull's wetlands is threatened by nearby residential wells which lower the water table and phosphorus from septic systems which cause algae blooms. There has been increasing public awareness of Turnbull's ecological importance. The history is described.
    Opinion: First, wetlands can't be moved, and certainly not ones of this magnitude. There are geological reasons why one place is a wetland and another is not. Second, the Federal government should have a partner in Spokane County, but without cash consequences associated with the expansion of the urban growth boundary, critical lands will continue to be lost. Third, good on the feds to recognize Turnbull's importance. I've been working on a project in Cheney which might help increase public awareness even more in a way that will improve Cheney's economy as well. It's no coincidence that green is the color of nature and money.

  • Annex This!
    Source: Inlander, 091217
    Summary: The article itself is a summary of the maze of deals between Spokane County, the City of Spokane, the City of Airway Heights, and Fire District 10 for the annexation of the West Plains. However, the map and article don't seem to be on the web site.
    Opinion: Spokane County better get its house in order. Its long term failure to correct the balance between its revenues and expenses bit them before. It got its first warning in 2001 with the incorporation of Liberty Lake, then a stern rebuke with the incorporation of Spokane Valley in 2003. In two years it will get worse with the loss of the airport and its environs. Next up: the North Spokane Urban Growth Area.

Four the future - December 13

Access to Antoine Peak, Waste-to-Jobs, Spokane County jail, and inclusionary housing.
  • Access still limited to Antoine Peak
    Source: Spokesman, 091213
    Summary: While Spokane County has received grant funding for Antoine Peak, access is still limited because a third and critical piece of the property acquisition has not been made.
    Opinion: With the arrival of the grant monies, purchase of this final piece is easier. And if Spokane County withdraws the mind-boggling offer to purchase the YMCA, they'll save an immense amount of money for appropriate uses, like acquiring this third parcel.

  • Watching their waste
    Source: Spokesman, 091213
    Summary: Odessa Public Development Authority is developing a bio-digester at Fishtrap. In digesting 75,000 tons of waste, it will create fertilizer, generate enough electricity for 1,000 homes, and become Lincoln County's largest employer with 75 new jobs.
    Opinion: A great idea to deal with some of Spokane County's waste issues, but let's make sure there are no pathogens making it all the way into the resulting fertilizer. Good on Odessa PDA to look outside the box in being willing to place a site closer to Sprague than Odessa. With a little less provincialism everywhere, we'd all benefit with a little help from our friends. And look at that: Lincoln County's largest employer will be part of the green collar economy.

  • Jail query: not where, why
    Source: Spokesman, 091213
    Summary: A letter writer tells her experience about how a public hearing about the new jail facility turned from where should the facility be built to why should it be built, and brings facts to bear.
    Opinion: An excellent question: what is it about this "family friendly" community that requires so much jail time? The fact is that the county commissioners already picked a site, the best one, too, but the two Republicans on the board don't have the courage to stick to their decision. Beware Knezovich's recurring bids to create his own little kingdom out on the west plains.

  • Controversy surrounds Bellingham plan to require low-income housing
    Source: The Bellingham Herald, 091213
    Summary: The Bellingham City Council unanimously required a development to include 10% of the housing to be affordable to families making 80% of the Whatcom County median household income. There is disagreement over the appropriate method of ensuring the presence of affordable housing in an area. In Bellingham almost one-quarter of the cost of building a home is fees and sales taxes.
    Opinion: The fees argument is a red herring: who would live in a house that doesn't have access to roads, sewer, water, or schools? Or will fall down because it's uninspected? The question is: how do we ensure that there is a connection between the incomes in a community and the available housing stock. There are two ways: increase incomes for the least paid, or require that if incomes are low that there is housing stock available. Since there are so many people in leadership positions in this nation who hold the opinion that paying people well for their work is harmful to the economy (which is ridiculous because paying people IS the economy), the second must be pursued. What we need is to view affordable housing as a commodity, and create a market for it. Require all development to include a percentage of housing, including rentals, to be affordable, the percentage adjusted to the need in the region. Then, allow developers to transfer this requirement, if they wish, to other developers who would like to take advantage of government assistance. With protections to prevent affordable housing from being moved out of the local area and to prevent high concentrations of low income housing, a market is formed which is flexible and meets the needs of the region.

Four the future - December 12

Today: transit expansion in Idaho, densification near Liberty Lake, traffic in Millwood, and making a future for Rockford.

  • In brief: Free bus system gets boost
    Source: Spokesman, 091212
    Summary: Citylink received $1.7 million to build a new transit center in Worley, near the casino, and purchase 4 buses. $1.5 million was from the federal stimulus package. The tribe will also be providing $225,000 in operating expenses for the system.
    Opinion: Rural transit systems are heavily dependent on federal funding, and Idaho compounds that unfortunate situation by being hostile to local transit funding. So, since we're all paying for it in addition to our local transit taxes, would it be too much to ask to put the transit center near the rail line so that it can do double duty if the Plummer line starts running passenger service from Spokane?
  • In brief: County’s zoning vote Tuesday
    Source: Spokesman, 091212
    Summary: Spokane County commissioners will be considering a proposal to increase residential density next to Liberty Lake. The proposal faces almost unanimous opposition from the neighbors, in part due to fears of lake contamination by the increased density.
    Opinion: The lake won't be harmed by the increase in density itself--the Liberty Lake Sewer and Water District does a handsome job of protecting that critical watershed. My only concern about it is the chance that increased traffic along those county roads may increase oil spills to an area which may not have adequate catchment. (Which the county could fix, but these roads aren't race tracks, so....) Having said that, the density increase would be out of character in that neighborhood, and it would violate the comprehensive plan. Not that that has stopped Richard and Mielke before.
  • Council delays traffic alterations until spring
    Source: Spokesman, 091212
    Summary: The City of Millwood conducted a traffic study and found that in 11 of 12 locations, the standard measurement for traffic speeds exceeded the posted speed limit. They will be looking into ways to slow down traffic. The City will conduct public hearings when the weather gets warmer. Additionally, the council passed their required critical areas ordinance to protect the aquifer, fish and wildlife.
    Opinion: Millwood is rightfully proud of its history and character. It is a beautiful community. High speed traffic is a detriment to the image they wish to maintain. However, Millwood will be in for a shock as the County proceeds with the Bigelow Gulch project and makes their main street a part of the de facto North Spokane Corridor. If they think they have traffic concerns now, just wait.
  • Building a city’s identity
    Source: Spokesman, 091212
    Summary: the Town of Rockford had received an award for their community economic development activities and grant monies to improve Rock Creek, which flows through town. It has issues with both flooding and erosion. Mayor-elect Micki Harnois wants to crate a small-town community that people want to stop in.
    Opinion: My personal opinion is that Rockford is a good little town, and I know my little towns. I am told that there are several challenges in Rockford, not the least of which is that the fire station is on a flood plain. As, indeed, is much of the town. However, their determination is welcome, and the fact that they've invited engineers and planners into the conversation shows they're serious about their community's future.

Four the future - December 7

After only one day, I've decided to change the format. If I wait for a full week, the list will be too long and you won't want to go through them. So, let's try this: "Four" the future...a list of four stories related to planning. Yeah, it's cheesy. I like cheese, so sue me.

  • EPA moving to regulate greenhouse gas emissions
    Source: Spokesman-Review, 091208
    Summary: The Environmental Protection Agency has the authority to regulate pollutants, such as CO2, and may do so without the need for additional legislation.
    Opinion: The U.S. Supreme Court cleared the way for this act during the Bush administration when it told a reluctant EPA that it had authority to do so. It would be a bold move, and one that may raise the ire of congressional Republicans, and some "blue dog" Democrats.

  • Grant to offset Antoine costs
    Source: Spokesman-Review, 091208
    Summary: A State of Washington grant reimbursed Spokane County for about half the cost of the purchase of Antoine Peak.
    Opinion: If the County wants to reduce its budget woes while increasing the amount of money it receives from state grants, it could get serious about the Conservation Futures program by instituting an open space impact fee so that as the region grows, we can preserve a proportional amount of land from suburban sprawl.

  • Shuttles are green in deed
    Source: Spokesman-Review, 091209
    Summary: Diesel-electric hybrid buses replacing the downtown trolleys were purchased as a result of a cost analysis--maintenance costs are only 11 cents per mile, as opposed to standard diesel buses at 65 cents per mile.
    Opinion: One of the side effects of Washington's statutory division between capital and operational costs is that it is rare that jurisdictions are willing to pay more for capital costs which reduce operational costs. Spokane Transit is to be commended for this move. Now, if only they would apply that to the rail discussion. (And Spokane County for its confinement facility.)

  • What Would Jane Say?
    Source: Inlander, 091210
    Summary: Jan Jacobs, the highly respected urban economist, would not approve of the choices being made with regards to the YMCA building at Riverfront Park. Robert Herold, the author of this opinion piece, points out that more open space will not make Riverfront Park better, just bigger.
    Opinion: Herold is correct. Riverfront Park is beginning to be too diluted with a lack of demand attractions. We must bring in more retail and entertainment activities to the park, thereby increasing the number of reasons for people go there. A lively park is economically useful and safer. Making even more dark spaces at night is just inviting inappropriate activities into our regional urban park. Use the Conservation Futures money for its intended purpose, and rescue Riverfront Park at the same time.

Weekly planning articles

This quarter, as part of the Introduction to Urban and Regional Planning class, I was required to monitor the Spokesman-Review for stories related to planning and keep a log. I think the point was to get us in the habit of doing it. I was already doing it as part of my past endeavors, so I may have pointed out more than was necessary.

Having done that now for about 10 weeks, I'm going to start posting them here. I would post the older stories, but I don't have non-payment links for them. Hopefully, I can keep up so I can capture the links as they occur.

I don't intend to limit myself to the Spokesman. Clearly, the Pacific Northwest Inlander is also a good source for news about planning in the region (and, in fact, may be better as they tend to go more in depth). If you have links to share, please email them to me or post them in the comments.

  • Mr. Out There
    Source: Inlander, 091203
    Summary: Newly sworn-in Spokane City Councilmember Jon Snyder talks to the Inlander and much of it is planning-related: complete streets, electric buses, economic development.
    Opinion: Planning may very well have a friend here. We'll have to see if his instincts can be translated into effective action in a legislative role. And, hey, Jon: electric buses are not cheaper than electric rail. They are, in the long run, more expensive because you need a driver for each one while rail cars chain.

  • Rekindling Kendall
    Source: Inlander, 091203
    Summary: Greenstone Corporation will be taking over Kendall Yards, and will try to develop it as part of the West Central neighborhood. Construction should be underway in Summer 2010.
    Opinion: Greenstone is a very successful planning and development organization. If anyone can make this project get off the ground, it's them, provided they don't run into the same kinds of bizarre, politically-motivated hurdles they've encountered in other Washington cities (yes, I'm talking about you Medical Lake and Liberty Lake).

  • Spokane, STA weigh downtown trolleys
    Source: Spokesman-Review, 091207.
    Summary: The City of Spokane and Spokane Transit Authority are performing a study of electric transit options between Mission and 14th, Perry and Latah Creek.
    Opinion: Rapid transit is an important element of a regional transportation system. Unfortunately, STA is an unreliable partner is any such effort, opting only to appear as though they're functional and spreading falsehoods because they know they can get away with it. Perhaps the new members of the Spokane City Council will call them out. (And if you're wondering why I said "they're functional" rather than "it's functional," it's because it is several members of the board and CEO who are the problem, not the drivers nor even a significant portion of the management.)

  • U.N. says climate goals in reach
    Source: Spokesman-Review, 091207.
    Summary: Delegates from around the world are gathering in Copenhagen to discuss a UN treaty on global climate change. U.N. Environment Program Director Achim Steiner says that a deal at Copenhagen is not impossible.
    Opinion: Even if a deal is possible, it won't be ratified in the US Senate, so it will be meaningless.