Chapter 19.90
ESSENTIAL PUBLIC FACILITIES (EPFs)

Sections:

19.90.005    Essential public facilities procedures.

19.90.010    Essential public facilities of regional/statewide significance.

19.90.020    Essential public facilities of local significance.

19.90.005 Essential public facilities procedures.

A. General. All essential public facilities (EPFs) shall be subject to the requirements of this section.

B. Determination of Scope. The City is signatory to an interlocal agreement relating to the siting of EPFs of statewide and regional significance in accordance with RCW 36.70A.200.

1. Application for EPF siting shall initially be made through the Spokane County department of planning and building (or similar applicable department if modified) in accordance with the adopted procedures of Spokane County.

2. The board of county commissioners will make a determination of whether an EPF has regional/statewide significance or is of local significance.

C. All EPFs located within the City shall be subject to the conditional use permit approval process and shall require a conditional use permit, subject to any limitations on that process pursuant to applicable law regarding siting of EPFs of regional/statewide significance.

D. Spokane Valley shall require EPFs approved through the regional/statewide siting process in SVMC 19.90.010 to meet all applicable SVMC requirements except those expressly obviated as a result of that regional/statewide siting process. The City shall consider all information submitted as part of the regional/statewide siting process.

E. EPFs of regional/statewide significance shall be further subject to the siting process and requirements of SVMC 19.90.010. EPFs of local significance shall be further subject to the siting process and requirements of SVMC 19.90.020. (Ord. 20-010 § 4, 2020).

19.90.010 Essential public facilities of regional/statewide significance.

A. EPFs having statewide significance are major facilities that provide a needed public service affecting, or potentially affecting, residents and/or property located in two or more Washington State counties and may be included on the Washington State Office of Financial Management list of EPFs. These facilities include, but are not limited to, regional transportation facilities, such as commercial and military airports; freeways, highways, and beltways; state correctional facilities; secure community transitional facilities; state social services; state parks; and state higher educational facilities.

B. EPFs having regional/countywide significance are local or interlocal facilities providing a needed public service affecting, or potentially affecting, residents and/or property located in two or more Spokane County jurisdictions. They include, but are not limited to, general aviation airports; county correctional facilities; regional transportation system; public transit maintenance and operational facilities; regional solid waste disposal/recycling/composting/handling facilities; community colleges; regional wastewater treatment facilities; arenas, stadiums, and other entertainment facilities; and regional social and health services such as in-patient hospitals, mental health facilities, and substance abuse treatment centers.

Statewide/regional EPFs shall be sited through the applicable regional/statewide siting process, including applicable procedures established pursuant to any interlocal agreement between the City and Spokane County.

C. Following ranking of sites by the board of county commissioners, the applicant shall work directly with the City to meet the regulatory requirements for the construction and operation of the facility under the plans and regulations that were in effect at the time of initial application under the regional siting process. (Ord. 20-010 § 4, 2020; Ord. 16-018 § 6 (Att. B), 2016).

19.90.020 Essential public facilities of local significance.

A. EPFs having local significance are facilities providing a needed public service affecting, or potentially affecting, only residents and/or property within the jurisdiction in which they are located.

B. All EPFs having local significance may only be permitted in the MFR, MU, CMU, NC, RC, IMU, and I zones and shall not be permitted in the R-1, R-2, R-3, or R-4 zones. (Ord. 20-010 § 4, 2020; Ord. 16-018 § 6 (Att. B), 2016).