City of Kenmore Washington
Home MenuStaff
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Bent, Debbie
Community Development Director
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Chue, Brittany
Senior Planner
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Hall, Todd
Principal Planner
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Tipple-Leen, Shannon
Community Development Administrative Specialist
Government » Departments » Community Development
Comprehensive Plan
A Comprehensive Plan is a document that expresses the community’s vision for future growth and development. The process to develop the Comprehensive Plan encourages us to think about where we want to be in 20 years and how we’ll get there. It provides strategic direction on important topics including housing, transportation, the natural environment, land use, capital facilities, economic development, and parks. Once adopted, City officials refer to the Comprehensive Plan to make coordinated and consistent decisions about ordinances and regulations that affect the community’s physical development (e.g. a zoning ordinance or a particular rezone) and public facility investments.
Revised 2024. The City of Kenmore City Council adopted the City’s first Comprehensive Plan in March 2001, with major revisions in 2015 and 2024.
Comprehensive Plan Document revised 2024. (Large file - Individual sections located below.)
Timeline:
Planning Commission work:
- 10/1/24 Review draft changes
Link to the agenda and meeting recording.
Adopted by Ordinances 23-0591 & 24-0623 on December 9, 2024.
Link to the agenda and meeting recording.
KENMORE 20-YEAR VISION
As we look into the future, we see Kenmore as a place that residents, businesses and visitors find welcoming, with courteous people, offer a high quality of life to live, raise children, shop, work, recreate, and socialize. In 2044, we see Kenmore as a fun, vibrant community centered on the waterfront but including a variety of unique neighborhoods that
- encourages a diversity of well-maintained, complementary housing types to provide living accommodations affordable to all residents
- protects natural and environmentally sensitive areas, significant open space, trees, air and water quality, and healthy wildlife habitat, knowing that a healthy environment is critical to human health
- leads and actively participates in regional efforts to promote environmental stewardship, sustainability, restoration, and conservation while continuing to act boldly and wisely to slow climate change and address its impacts
- is friendly and inclusive, welcoming all types of families, supporting diversity, and fostering a sense of belonging and pride in all residents
- is connected both visually and physically to its waterfront, recognizing it as a significant local and regional asset
- supports recreation and health through well-maintained parks, community centers, trails, and open spaces
- is a walkable and bikeable community that provides a safe, reliable and effective system of streets, sidewalks, bike ways, and trails, linking significant local and regional destinations
- embraces its role as a high-capacity transit community, supporting bus rapid transit and other transit options as part of the regional network
- provides convenient access to goods and services essential to residents’ daily needs
- seeks to enhance the quality of life in its residential neighborhoods
- has its own sense of place and pedestrian-friendly downtown offering commercial, civic, cultural and park spaces, integrated with housing
- has an economic base that provides a range of goods and services, offers quality employment opportunities, and supports local businesses
- has clear design standards creating attractive, functional, and enduring buildings and places
- encourages volunteerism and public involvement and works as a good partner with residents and governments throughout the region
- supports the safety, physical and mental health, and welfare of all of its residents
- supports and encourages education and quality schools
- supports local arts, culture and history
To achieve this vision, responsible and financially sustainable commitments in planning and resources will be made. We share and support this vision for Kenmore.
Timeline:
In November 2022, The City Council adopted Ordinance 22-0558 and Exhibits which amended the Comprehensive Plan Vision Statement, Land Use Element, Housing Element, and Capital Facilities Element.
Read the Climate Action Element
Purpose:
This is a new addition to Kenmore's Comprehensive Plan. The purpose of the Climate Action Element (CAE) is to provide strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and respond to the impacts of climate change in our community, as outlined in the Climate Action Plan (CAP). The CAE builds on the commitments made in the CAP and provides a consistent, clear, and actionable framework to guide mitigation and resilience actions that serve as the foundation for an ongoing community education and dialogue around climate action.
The CAE includes the following sections:
• Guiding Plans and Policies
• Existing Conditions
• Goals, Objectives, and Policies
• Implementation
Timeline:
- Planning Commission work:
- 3/21/23 Introduction to the council adopted climate action plan.
Link to the agenda and meeting recording
- 4/18/23 Review draft Climate Action Element.
Link to the agenda and meeting recording
- 5/2/23 Continue review of draft Climate Action Element.
Link to the agenda and meeting recording
- 6/6/23 Public Hearing on the draft Climate Action Element.
Link to the agenda and meeting recording
- 6/20/23 Planning Commission recommendation on the Climate Action Element.
Link to the agenda and meeting recording
- 9/25/23 Planning Commission presents final recommendations to City Council.
Link to the agenda and meeting recording
- 11/27/23 City Council adopts Climate Action Element by Ordinance No. 23-0591
Link to the agenda and meeting recording
- 12/9/24 Adopted by Ordinances 23-0591 & 24-0623.
Link to the agenda and meeting recording.
Purpose:
The Land Use Element plays the central role of directing land use patterns and guiding land use decision making. It provides the basis for housing, transportation, public service, utility, and capital facility plans.The land use element is the central requirement in the Growth Management Act (GMA). It provides the basis for all the other required elements including housing, transportation, capital facilities, and utilities elements.
The Land Use Element previously included five sub-elements (Downtown, Community Design, Natural Environment, Shorelines and Economic Development) due to the variety and complexity of issues. Staff is proposing to change each of sub-elements to stand alone elements to illustrate their importance to city values.
Timeline:
In November 2022, The City Council adopted Ordinance 22-0558 and Exhibits which amended the Comprehensive Plan Vision Statement, Land Use Element, Housing Element, and Capital Facilities Element.
2024:
The City is creating draft revisions to the development regulations of the Land Use Element to meet new state requirements from HB 1110.
- 6/4/24 Review draft changes.
Link to the agenda and meeting recording.
- 7/16/24 Review draft changes.
Link to the agenda and meeting recording.
- 8/20/24 Review draft changes
Link to the agenda and meeting recording.
- 9/3/24 Review draft changes
Link to the agenda and meeting recording.
- 9/17/24 Review draft changes
Link to the agenda and meeting recording.
- 10/1/24 Review draft changes
Link to the agenda and meeting recording.
- 12/9/24 Adopted by Ordinances 23-0591 & 24-0623.
Link to the agenda and meeting recording.
Read the Economic Development Element.
Purpose:
The Economic Development Element articulates how the City of Kenmore will support local businesses, stimulate job growth, enhance the City’s tax base, and improve the economic well-being of Kenmore. Through the establishment of local goals, policies, and objectives, the Economic Development Element serves to leverage Kenmore’s competitive advantage in north King County and the larger Puget Sound region, with an overall objective of ensuring economic growth and vitality and a high quality of life for Kenmore residents. The purpose of this Element is to provide economic development policies for the City of Kenmore, as the community’s economic base changes over time in response to market forces and in response to the vision of the Kenmore community.
Timeline:
- Planning Commission work:
- 10/17/23 Review draft changes to the Economic Element.
Link to the agenda and meeting recording.
- 11/21/23 Continued review of the Economic Element.
Link to the agenda and meeting recording.
- 12/5/23 Continued review of the Economic Element.
Link to the agenda and meeting recording.
- 1/16/24 Public Hearing on Economic Element.
Link to the agenda and meeting recording.
- 2/6/24 Council Recommendation planning on Economic Element.
Link to the agenda and meeting recording.
- 3/18/24 Economic Development Element presented to City Council.
Link to the agenda and meeting recording.
- 5/20/24 Council approved the draft on May 20th.
- 12/9/24 Adopted by Ordinances 23-0591 & 24-0623.
Link to the agenda and meeting recording.
Read the Downtown Element.
Purpose:
The Growth Management Act (GMA) does not require the creation or retention of a downtown area within communities. However, several GMA goals, as well as Countywide Planning Policies, address the containment of sprawl, and the provision of efficient services and utilities, which can be met through development of “centers” such as a downtown. Downtown areas also can function as a community enhancing central place, particularly in a community like Kenmore dominated by regional traffic flows along SR-522.
The Vision Statement foresees Kenmore as a fun, vibrant waterfront community that has its own sense of place and an identifiable, walkable downtown offering commercial, civic, cultural and park spaces, integrated with multifamily housing.
This Element was previously a Sub-Element to the Land Use Element. Staff is proposing to change each of sub-elements to stand alone elements to illustrate their importance to city values.
Timeline:
- Planning Commission work:
- 4/2/24 Review draft changes to the Downtown Element.
Link to the agenda and meeting recording.
- 7/2/24 Review draft changes to the Downtown Element.
Link to the agenda and meeting recording.
- 8/20/24 Public Hearing
Link to the agenda and meeting recording.
- 12/9/24 Adopted by Ordinances 23-0591 & 24-0623.
Link to the agenda and meeting recording.
Read the Housing Element.
Purpose:
This Housing Element is intended to plan for a range of densities and housing types for all needs and incomes, through preserving, improving, and expanding housing stock. City housing policy should be financially sustainable—supportive of strong neighborhoods with efficient service provision. Consistent with the Natural Environment Sub-Element of this Plan, new housing should be located to protect the natural environment, including wetlands, streams, and fish and wildlife habitats of importance.
Timeline:
In November 2022, The City Council adopted Ordinance 22-0558 and Exhibits which amended the Comprehensive Plan Vision Statement, Land Use Element, Housing Element, and Capital Facilities Element.
2024:
The City is creating draft revisions to the development regulations of the Land Use Element to meet new state requirements from HB 1110.
- 6/4/24 Review draft changes.
Link to the agenda and meeting recording.
- 7/16/24 Review draft changes.
Link to the agenda and meeting recording.
- 8/20/24 Review draft changes.
Link to the agenda and meeting recording.
- 9/3/24 Review draft changes
Link to the agenda and meeting recording.
- 9/17/24 Review draft changes
Link to the agenda and meeting recording.
- 10/1/24 Review draft changes
Link to the agenda and meeting recording.
- 12/9/24 Adopted by Ordinances 23-0591 & 24-0623.
Link to the agenda and meeting recording.
Read the Transportation Element.
Appendix
Exhibit D
Purpose:
The overall vision for Kenmore’s Transportation Element is to provide a safe, balanced, and efficient multi-modal transportation system that is consistent with the City’s overall vision and adequately serves anticipated growth. Guidance from City staff, the Planning Commission, the Pedestrian & Bicycle Safety Ad Hoc Citizen Committee, stakeholders, and citizens helped identify several priorities:
• Improve safety for all road users in Kenmore through street designs that accommodate all modes
• Provide connectivity to support local travel in Kenmore while allowing through trips to occur in a timely fashion
• Encourage placemaking and the creation of a vibrant, walkable identity for Kenmore’s downtown.
The Transportation Element sets a framework for understanding, prioritizing, measuring, and creating a transportation network to help Kenmore achieve its vision.
Timeline:
- Planning Commission work:
- 6/30/22 Transportation Concurrency overview.
Link to the agenda and meeting recording
- 8/2/22 Review draft Transportation Element.
Link to the agenda and meeting recording
- 9/6/22 Review draft Transportation Element.
Link to the agenda and meeting recording
- 11/1/22 Review draft Transportation Element.
Link to the agenda and meeting recording
- 1/17/23 Discussion of Transportation Projects and the Capital Facilities Element.
Link to the agenda and meeting recording
- 3/7/23 Public Hearing on Draft Transportation Element and Capital Facilities Element.
Link to the agenda and meeting recording
- 4/4/23 Planning Commission final review and recommendation on the Transportation Element and Capital Facilities Element.
Link to the agenda and meeting recording
- 9/18/23 Planning Commission presented final recommendations to City Council.
Link to the agenda and meeting recording
- 11/27/23 City Council adopts Transportation Element by Ordinance No. 23-0591
Link to the agenda and meeting recording
- 12/9/24 Adopted by Ordinances 23-0591 & 24-0623.
Link to the agenda and meeting recording.
- 6/30/22 Transportation Concurrency overview.
Read the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Element.
Purpose:
The purpose of the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Element is to provide the policy framework for future development of Kenmore’s parks system, including open spaces, recreation facilities and programs. The Element provides a vision for the community and a guide to future planning, acquisition, and/or development of parks, recreation, and open spaces throughout the City.
- 12/9/24 Adopted by Ordinances 23-0591 & 24-0623.
Link to the agenda and meeting recording.
Read the Surface Water Element.
Purpose:
The Surface Water Element of the Comprehensive Plan consists of goals, objectives and policies relevant to the management of the City’s municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4), private surface water systems and natural surface water systems (i.e. streams, wetlands and shoreline). Surface Water Management is an interdisciplinary practice and many of the policies and programs discussed in this element affect other Comprehensive Plan Elements. This element provides guidance for the overall surface water management program, which expands beyond this element.
Timeline:
- Planning Commission work:
- 5/7/24 Review draft changes to the Surface Water Element.
Link to the agenda and meeting recording.
- 6/18/24 Review draft changes to the Surface Water Element.
Link to the agenda and meeting recording.
- 7/30/24 Review draft changes to the Surface Water Element.
Link to the agenda and meeting recording.
- 9/3/24 Public Hearing.
Link to the agenda and meeting recording.
- 12/9/24 Adopted by Ordinances 23-0591 & 24-0623.
Link to the agenda and meeting recording.
Read the Public Services Element.
Purpose:
The Public Services Element focuses upon citizen participation and communication, efficient municipal services, emergency services, education, and human services. Public services and facilities are a key determinant in the community’s quality of life and the capacity of the City to address future development.
Timeline:
- Planning Commission work:
- 2/21/23 Review draft Public Services Element.
Link to the agenda and meeting recording
- 7/18/23 Review draft Public Services Element.
Link to the agenda and meeting recording
- 8/15/23 Public Hearing on Public Services Element.
Link to the agenda and meeting recording
- 10/16/23 Planning Commission present final recommendations to City Council.
Link to the agenda and meeting recording
- 11/27/23 City Council adopts Public Services Element by Ordinance No. 23-0591
Link to the agenda and meeting recording
- 12/9/24 Adopted by Ordinances 23-0591 & 24-0623.
Link to the agenda and meeting recording.
Read the Utilities Element.
Purpose:
City residents rely on a number of basic services that help define their quality of life and maintain their health and well-being. Water supply and sewage and solid waste disposal systems and the delivery of natural gas, electricity, and telecommunication services are considered “utilities.” These services are often taken for granted, yet without coordination and conscientious planning for future growth, service may be interrupted, inadequate, or prohibitively expensive. The Utilities Element addresses electricity, telecommunications (telephone, cable, internet), and natural gas provision as well as water, wastewater, and solid waste services. The Element also addresses conservation and recycling.
Timeline:
- Planning Commission work:
- 2/21/23 Review draft Utilities Element.
Link to the agenda and meeting recording
- 4/4/23 PSE response to Commission questions.
Link to the agenda and meeting recording
- 6/6/23 PSE representative provides response to Commission questions.
Link to the agenda and meeting recording
- 7/18/23 Review draft Utilities Element.
Link to the agenda and meeting recording
- 8/15/23 Public Hearing on Public Services Element.
Link to the agenda and meeting recording
- 10/16/23 Planning Commission present final recommendations to City Council.
Link to the agenda and meeting recording
- 11/27/23 City Council adopts Utilities Element by Ordinance No. 23-0591
Link to the agenda and meeting recording
- 12/9/24 Adopted by Ordinances 23-0591 & 24-0623.
Link to the agenda and meeting recording.
Read the Capital Facilities Element.
Purpose:
The Capital Facilities Element is intended to assist the City of Kenmore and its officials make the financial decisions to ensure that the public facilities and services City residents rely on will continue to adequately support City residents today and into the future. The Capital Facilities Element places particular focus on those facilities that the City is responsible for funding. This Element contains a six-year plan for capital improvements that support the City of Kenmore’s current and future population and economy. The sixyear capital improvements described here must be fully funded.
Another purpose of the Capital Facilities Element is to respond to Growth Management Act requirements to provide a process to review the potential siting of uses typically difficult to locate in most communities due to environmental, economic, or social costs. This Element provides policies that would guide local permit and public review of essential public facilities.
Timeline:
In November 2022, The City Council adopted Ordinance 22-0558 and Exhibits which amended the Comprehensive Plan Vision Statement, Land Use Element, Housing Element, and Capital Facilities Element.
- 12/9/24 Adopted by Ordinances 23-0591 & 24-0623.
Link to the agenda and meeting recording.
Read the Community Design Element.
Purpose:
The purpose of the Community Design Element is to guide future development and redevelopment of Kenmore so that it develops as a vibrant waterfront community, protects environmental quality, protects its residential neighborhoods, promotes alternative modes of travel, and enhances the streetscape and landscape on all streets.
Timeline:
- Planning Commission work:
- 4/2/24 Review draft changes to the Community Design Element.
Link to the agenda and meeting recording.
- 7/2/24 Review draft changes to the Downtown Element.
Link to the agenda and meeting recording.
- 8/20/24 Public Hearing.
Link to the agenda and meeting recording.
- 12/9/24 Adopted by Ordinances 23-0591 & 24-0623.
Link to the agenda and meeting recording.
Read the Natural Environment Element.
Purpose:
The purpose of the Natural Environment Sub-Element is to clarify the relationship between the natural environment and the built environment and to secure a balanced approach to future development. Sensitive areas such as wetlands, open spaces, and fish and wildlife habitat contain much of the natural wealth valued by City residents. Other sensitive areas, such as land prone to flooding and geologically hazardous areas are important because of the risk to lives and property posed by developing them.
This Element was previously a Sub-Element to the Land Use Element.
Timeline:
- Planning Commission work:
- 5/7/24 Review draft changes to the Natural Environment Element.
Link to the agenda and meeting recording.
- 6/18/24 Review draft changes to the Natural Environment Element.
Link to the agenda and meeting recording.
- 7/30/24 Review draft changes to the Natural Environment Element.
Link to the agenda and meeting recording.
- 9/3/24 Public Hearing.
Link to the agenda and meeting recording.
- 12/9/24 Adopted by Ordinances 23-0591 & 24-0623.
Link to the agenda and meeting recording.
Purpose:
The purpose of this Element is: (A) to promote the public health, safety, and general welfare of the community by providing long range, comprehensive policies and effective, reasonable regulations for development and use of City of Kenmore shorelines; (B) to manage shorelines in a positive, effective, and equitable manner; and (C) to further assume and carry out the responsibilities established by the Act for the City of Kenmore, and to adopt and foster the following policy contained in RCW 90.58.020 for shorelines of the State.
- 12/9/24 Adopted by Ordinances 23-0591 & 24-0623.
Link to the agenda and meeting recording.
Planning Commission Meetings
February 16, 2021 – Vision statement
https://kenmore.civicweb.net/document/109998
March 2, 2021 – Land Use, Housing
https://kenmore.civicweb.net/document/110298
April 20, 2021 – Land Use, Housing
https://kenmore.civicweb.net/document/111095
June 1, 2021 Land Use – TOD
https://kenmore.civicweb.net/document/111930
June 15, 2021 Land Use – TOD
https://kenmore.civicweb.net/document/112486
July 6, 2021 Land Use
https://kenmore.civicweb.net/document/112807
August 3, 2021 – Community Survey Comp Plan Vision Statement
https://kenmore.civicweb.net/document/113446
August 17, 2021 - Community Survey Results and Public Participation Plan
https://kenmore.civicweb.net/document/113705
Sept 14, 2021 – Vision Statement and Housing
https://kenmore.civicweb.net/document/114130
September 21, 2021 – Housing – Missing Middle
https://kenmore.civicweb.net/document/114274
October 5, 2021 – Vision Statement, Housing
https://kenmore.civicweb.net/document/114552
October 19, 2021 – Housing
https://kenmore.civicweb.net/document/114739
November 4, 2021 – Housing
https://kenmore.civicweb.net/document/114739
December 7, 2021 – Housing, Vision Statement
https://kenmore.civicweb.net/document/116313
January 4, 2022 – Housing, Land Use
https://kenmore.civicweb.net/document/116735
January 18, 2022 – Land Use
https://kenmore.civicweb.net/document/117231
February 1, 2022 – Housing Element
https://kenmore.civicweb.net/document/117459
March 1, 2022 – Housing, Land Use, Capital Facilities
https://kenmore.civicweb.net/document/118384
March 15, 2022 – Vision, Housing, Land Use
https://kenmore.civicweb.net/document/118622
May 17, 2022 – Public Hearing – Vision, Land Use, Housing, Capital Facilities
https://kenmore.civicweb.net/document/120280
June 7, 2022 – Recommendations to Council
https://kenmore.civicweb.net/document/121037
August 2, 2022 – Transportation
https://kenmore.civicweb.net/document/122784
Sept 6, 2022 – Transportation
https://kenmore.civicweb.net/document/123151
November 1, 2022 - Transportation
https://kenmore.civicweb.net/document/125671
January 17, 2023 – Transportation, Public Services
https://kenmore.civicweb.net/document/127055
February 21, 2023 – Public Services, Utilities
https://kenmore.civicweb.net/document/127987
March 7, 2023 – Public Hearing and Recommendations – Transportation
https://kenmore.civicweb.net/document/128370
April 4, 2023 – Transportation, Utilities
https://kenmore.civicweb.net/document/129092
April 18, 2023 – Climate Action
https://kenmore.civicweb.net/document/129417
May 2, 2023 – Climate Action
https://kenmore.civicweb.net/document/129709
May 16, 2023 – Climate Action
https://kenmore.civicweb.net/document/130096
June 6, 2023 – Climate Action, Utilities
https://kenmore.civicweb.net/document/130471
June 20, 2023 – Climate Action
https://kenmore.civicweb.net/document/130795
July 18, 2023 – Public Services, Utilities
https://kenmore.civicweb.net/document/131864
August 15, 2023 – Public Services, Utilities
https://kenmore.civicweb.net/document/132244
September 5, 2023 – Public Hearing – Transportation, Climate Action. Public Services
https://kenmore.civicweb.net/document/132549
October 17, 2023 – Economic Development
https://kenmore.civicweb.net/document/190223
November 21, 2023 – Economic Development
https://kenmore.civicweb.net/document/249659
December 5, 2023 – Economic Development
https://kenmore.civicweb.net/document/250103
January 16, 2024 – Public Hearing - Economic Development Element
https://kenmore.civicweb.net/document/251041
February 6, 2024 – Recommendations to Council
https://kenmore.civicweb.net/document/252783
March 5, 2024 - Rezone for Land Use Element
https://kenmore.civicweb.net/document/253345
April 2, 2024 – Downtown and Community Design
https://kenmore.civicweb.net/document/254075
May 7, 2024 – Natural Environment
https://kenmore.civicweb.net/document/255052
June 4, 2024 – Middle Housing Code Update
https://kenmore.civicweb.net/document/255405
June 18, 2024 – Natural Environment and Surface Water
https://kenmore.civicweb.net/document/255876
July 2, 2024 – Downtown and Community Design
https://kenmore.civicweb.net/document/256060
July 30, 2024 – Natural Environment and Surface Water
https://kenmore.civicweb.net/document/256659
August 20, 2024 – Public Hearing - Downtown and Community Design
Review Housing, Land Use
https://kenmore.civicweb.net/document/256861
September 3, 2024 – Public Hearing – Natural Environment, Surface Water, Code Amendments
Review Housing, Land Use
https://kenmore.civicweb.net/document/257167
September 17, 2024 – Housing, Land Use
https://kenmore.civicweb.net/document/257526
October 1, 2024 – Housing, Land Use, Introduction to the Comprehensive Plan
https://kenmore.civicweb.net/document/257930
October 15, 2024 – Public Hearing - Housing, Land Use, Introduction to the Comprehensive Plan
https://kenmore.civicweb.net/document/258309
City Council Meetings
October 25, 2021 – Housing, Climate Action
https://kenmore.civicweb.net/document/114986
November 8, 2021 – Capital Facilities
https://kenmore.civicweb.net/document/115238
November 22, 2021 – Climate Action Plan
https://kenmore.civicweb.net/document/115541
December 13, 2021 – Transportation
https://kenmore.civicweb.net/document/116378
January 10, 2022 – Transportation
https://kenmore.civicweb.net/document/117006
March 28, 2022 – Status update on Comprehensive Plan
https://kenmore.civicweb.net/document/119108
May 16, 2022 – Climate Action
https://kenmore.civicweb.net/document/120156
July 11, 2022 – Comprehensive Plan Update
https://kenmore.civicweb.net/document/121886
July 25, 2022 - Comprehensive Plan Development Regulation Amendments
https://kenmore.civicweb.net/document/122239
September 12, 2022 – Comprehensive Plan Amendments, Vision Statement, Land Use, Housing, Capital Facilities including Middle Housing.
https://kenmore.civicweb.net/document/123483
October 3, 2022 - Comprehensive Plan Amendments, Vision Statement, Land Use, Housing, Capital Facilities including Middle Housing.
https://kenmore.civicweb.net/document/124920
September 18, 2023 - Planning Commission Recommendation on the Transportation Element update of the Comprehensive Plan
https://kenmore.civicweb.net/document/142826
October 9, 2023 – Agenda Bill - Transportation Element
https://kenmore.civicweb.net/document/177134
October 16, 2023 - Planning Commission Recommendation on the Public Services Element and Utilities Element of the Comprehensive Plan
https://kenmore.civicweb.net/document/189214
May 20, 2024 - Economic Development
https://kenmore.civicweb.net/document/255307
October 28, 2024 - Planning Commission Recommendations of Comprehensive Plan Amendments - Housing Element, Land Use Element, Introduction Section
https://kenmore.civicweb.net/document/258792
Outreach
Spring 2021 Community Survey on Vision Statement
Newsletters etc.
Fall 2024
Kenmore Quarterly Fall 2024
Winter 2024
Kenmore Quarterly: Winter 2024 Newspaper
Fall 2023
Kenmore Quarterly Fall 2023 Newspaper
Fall 2022
Kenmore Quarterly Fall 2022
Spring 2022
Kenmore Quarterly Spring 2022
Winter 2022
Kenmore Quarterly Winter 2022
Fall 2021
Kenmore Quarterly Fall 2021
Summer 2021
Kenmore Quarterly Summer 2021
Purpose
In adopting a comprehensive plan, the City Council sets a clear set of policies that serve two purposes:
1. Encourage city officials to look at the big picture, step away from current pressing needs, and develop overriding policy goals for their community.
2. Provide transparency into the policies that guide City Council decisions so that the community can evaluate, uphold, and/or criticize those policies.
The community can move effectively toward its goals after adoption of a Comprehensive Plan. City staff use the plan to advise the City Council on relevant proposals and issues. While residents, private developers, businesspeople, financial institutions, and other interested parties can anticipate City decisions on a particular issue.
Guidelines
Comprehensive Plans must fit within established countywide policies, regional plans, and state laws. The following graphic prepared by the Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC) shows how these laws and plans fit together. The Growth Management Act requires preparation of multicounty planning policies (VISION 2050) and countywide planning policies that provide direction to Kenmore’s Comprehensive Plan.
Kenmore’s Comprehensive Plan must be consistent with:
The State Growth Management Act
During the 1980's, the Puget Sound region experienced rapid growth in both population and employment. This rapid growth brought increased traffic congestion, air and water pollution, rising housing costs, and lost acres of natural areas and resource lands. In 1990, the Washington State Legislature passed the Washington State Growth Management Act to help regulate growth in a meaningful way. This law requires counties and cities in larger counties to develop comprehensive plans that are consistent with state goals and guidelines.
The Puget Sound Regional Council's VISION 2050
Like other large metropolitan areas, the Puget Sound has a metropolitan planning organization (MPO) to help create cohesion and collaboration among counties, cities, and other authorities. The Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC) is our region’s MPO. PSRC created VISION 2050, a long-range regional plan for King, Kitsap, Pierce, and Snohomish Counties. VISION 2050 is consistent with the Washington State Growth Management Act.
The King County Countywide Planning Policies
The Countywide Planning Policies (CPPs) create a shared framework for growth management planning across King County. Kenmore Councilmember Debra Srebnik represents the City of Kenmore on the Growth Management Planning Council (GMPC), a group of elected officials that make recommendations for countywide policies to the King County Council.
The CPPs were adopted by King County in April 2022. The CPPs currently are being updated. Some of the new priorities addressed in the CPP update include addressing climate change, equity, and displacement that can occur when redevelopment takes place.