Background

The City of Spokane chose to take measures to preserve prime agriculture lands with the adoption of the Comprehensive Plan. The Comprehensive Plan identified all lands farmed and historically farmed with prime agriculture soils in the Latah Creek valley with an Agriculture Land Use Designation. Goals and policies state the importance of these lands and indicate that programs need to be developed to preserve these resources.

While the Unified Development Code has chapters titled 17C.150 Agriculture Overlay District and 17D.070 Transfer of Development Rights, both are “Reserved”. Reserved means that there is the intention of developing codes to address this regulatory area, but no codes are currently available. The intent has been to use these titles concurrently; however, the market has changed over time and a more fitting and opportunistic program has been discovered through the Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) that prefers municipalities purchase the development rights for farmland.

The crux of the issue is that Agriculture Land Use is implemented with a Residential Single-Family (RSF) Zone. While agriculture is protected with a “right of farm” nuisance law, additional development opportunities for single family homes are permitted at a density of between 4 and 10 dwelling units per acre. As development pressures continue to move into Latah Creek, the viability of farming may be reduced as less land is available for farming.

Grant proposals have been sought in conjunction with a grant application for Riparian Habitat Protection. Planning staff is also working with Washington State Conservation Commission for a Capital Budget item for purchase of development rights for farmland.

Impact

The goal is to preserve this land as a sustainable agricultural use. These farming practices would provide local produce to all income levels via a Farmer’s Market, provide social interaction and engagement, and stimulate economic diversity.

The Gubernatorial and Legislative Approval process will look at ranked applications in November; top ranked and funded applicants will be notified thereafter.

Three pending grant applications would preserve approximately 32% of the Agriculture Land Use Designation, potentially setting precedents for further land preservation.

City Council Resolution

Adopted Resolution for Farmland Preservation (756 KB)