Kennewick adopts 2026 comprehensive plan update, excludes one parcel after public comment

The Kennewick City Council on Sept. 15 adopted the 2026 comprehensive plan periodic update, including a housing action plan and related code amendments, after a lengthy presentation from planning staff and consultants and public comment on a contested parcel.

Planning staff and consultants told the council the two‑year project identifies the city’s land-use framework and capacity to absorb roughly 12,626 new residents over the next 20 years and proposes code changes intended to increase capacity for lower‑income households. Scott Bongiukian, the consultant, summarized the timeline: “We’re at the very end of it, with the, final deadline to be adopted by the end of 20 26.” The plan pairs a high‑level vision with a housing action plan that outlines permitting tweaks, ADU allowances and other regulatory tools city leaders could use.

During public comment and council questioning, the Kennewick Irrigation District and its representative asked the council not to designate a particular parcel in Area 34 as “public facility.” Planning staff said Area 34 contains two parcels, one owned by the irrigation district and one by the Kennewick School District, and recommended more specificity to avoid inadvertently limiting the school parcel. Council member Anderson moved to adopt docket items 5A1–5A3 with a modification excluding Benton County tax parcel ID 107893000001002 from the public‑facility designation; the motion passed 6–1.

Why it matters: the comprehensive plan and the accompanying code amendments and critical‑area updates guide zoning, infrastructure and growth decisions for the next decade. The adopted changes include removing some maximum density caps, updating mixed‑use and critical‑area language, and proposing targeted measures to expand lower‑income housing capacity. The council also approved associated dockets of development code amendments and the critical‑areas ordinance as part of the package.

What’s next: staff will finalize ordinance language and the land‑use maps consistent with the council’s modification and proceed with implementation steps and outreach tied to the housing action plan and permitting reforms.