[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,110],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6244786,"mediaKeyId","3228728-3b488cc9d28ab8c71252888329235e53","parentId",3228728,"title","City transportation planner presents 2026–2031 TIP additions; council to hold public hearing May 20","audioSeconds",838,"startMs",1432000,"endMs",2270000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3228728-3b488cc9d28ab8c71252888329235e53&start=1432&end=2270","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3228728-3b488cc9d28ab8c71252888329235e53/thumbnail_1432000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6244786/Kent/King-County/Washington/City-transportation-planner-presents-20262031-TIP-additions-council-to-hold-public-hearing-May-20","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6244786-e8f71aa40a8c9e5abc2f7a810c80fa61/orig.mp4?Expires=1775431347&Signature=LW5C6w5Zq1~fAGbiYzldZ9rskLkRdzkieew5OOYNcAaAa~tbcvbu9kUCKVtyxnpL5VCIQXvSGHodvIOox99ygrcK5cJQPOuQH0Q6gw~MFimRn9J5WM4LjmvoDzOHU3BjqbWIg5im5dNvHRr7qIRRmxfMUhX6GFtr9iMqiDm8TzDoEOCW1LKYdK6Nr9UR7eXGInFiQO3ar1gO9c6AdF2NvtQYL4nfzpc4TqpBRrPElh~qkLJ3paZckQ-eeAPYJkdh1tq2DMNR7qx0BSLlQKYiJ98IreiE3rmA7ADlAMRpqTHxXTmR3fxxOpxLKNy1va85bl4nSv7ubZzXTYaUa76STw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Kent City, WA","date","2025-05-07T13:25:37Z","article","Kent — David Payne, city transportation planner, briefed the council on the draft 2026–2031 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) and the outreach and projects staff recommends adding to the TIP. Council will receive the TIP for a public hearing at city council on May 20.

What’s complete: Payne summarized five notable projects completed in the last year, including pavement and pedestrian improvements on Second Avenue Southeast (phase 4), the East Valley Highway preservation project, a compact roundabout at 108th SE and SE 260th, road diets along Smith and Fourth Avenue, and an RRFB‑enhanced crosswalk on 104th Avenue SE. Payne said the completed projects represented approximately $4,700,000 in grants and $2,700,000 in local funds, for roughly $7.4 million in total delivery.

Proposed additions: Payne summarized six projects staff recommends adding to the TIP this cycle. Key items include:
- A BNSF railway corridor crossing safety study (partnership with BNSF, Sound Transit, Amtrak and the Federal Railroad Administration) to scope needs and alternatives for eight downtown Kent crossings.
- Two pedestrian hybrid beacons on Pacific Highway (one near 240th and another in the 25,000 block near South 250th) for which the council has already accepted grant awards and which are in design.
- A multimodal Wreath Road extension project to connect recent improvements on 250 Ninth Place up to Military Road between 30 Eighth Avenue and Military.
- A sidewalk‑gap priority on Military Road South between South 270th Street and 260th Drive (including an enhanced crosswalk at 260th and an associated full‑section reconstruction recommendation) identified through a technical analysis that weighted safety, equity, connections and public input equally.

Regional coordination and outreach: Payne said staff coordinates with Kent School District, the Bicycle Advisory Board, the Land Use and Planning Board, King County Metro and regional fire authority partners. He described outreach materials available at Kent Commons and online at engage.kentwa.gov, and said staff will continue public outreach and hold the May 20 public hearing before adoption.

Funding posture and timing: Payne said the city remains optimistic about state and regional funding availability and that delivering projects promptly can improve competitiveness for grants. The BNSF crossing study is in early scoping with the FRA.

Next steps: Staff will present the draft TIP at the May 20 council hearing and then return for adoption following the public hearing process.

Speakers and sources for this article are listed below.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Kent Committee of the Whole & Council Workshop - May 6, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","City transportation planner David Payne presented recommended additions to the draft 2026–2031 Transportation Improvement Program and set a May 20 public hearing before final action.","taxTitle","Kent, King County, Washington","taxId",2557,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6244797,"Kent council approves resolution allowing alternative street‑cut permit fees for new fiber installation methods",719,487000,1206000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3228728-3b488cc9d28ab8c71252888329235e53&start=487&end=1206","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3228728-3b488cc9d28ab8c71252888329235e53/thumbnail_487000.jpg","/articles/6244797/Kent/King-County/Washington/Kent-council-approves-resolution-allowing-alternative-streetcut-permit-fees-for-new-fiber-installation-methods","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6244797-4e92c30f7a0ae3c404cd9d2b8353207a/orig.mp4?Expires=1775431347&Signature=MT1HtpNT2xjDIL0p4iaycprc3Wo7MEReXOQr7a32QgwMxlTmTAlbEQnikwAyz5DbEEaEifEC4THOy9~EBR5a9Ma9cRbCMkesWHZfL0PMkh~625jFC3397s4ohmvvZc0kPZKMx0x6AqafJZyYh3Ibuz209AxFHiMdoVg2x5IIhKby758J6~OLp3gSGH1oe1mUbff~a4ZmJ7nINRCPtmuMRj0QTV8gxStrnwYuqq8CoSA8sRyRUqPWd70Lgbo7vUzN4NXhxpzZqSdy4tsdjXdb2jizX79vhf8lNVNoZjw2KDcapyXSOUD6fQGEmW0EFBKOuhxKgodAzUCs0JyiDR~CYw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Kent — The Kent City Council adopted Resolution No. 2087 on May 6, giving the chief administrative officer discretion to apply alternative permit fees for some street‑cut and shoulder‑boring work used by fiber providers.

Staff member Matt Gilbert told the Committee that new fiber companies are using different construction methods that typically bore under soft surfaces, sidewalks and shoulders rather than open a long trench through paved roadway. \"That means less work for everybody. So we want the ability to charge less money because of that,\" Gilbert said, summarizing the staff rationale.

Why it matters: Council members and staff said the current fee structure was built around traditional street cuts and associated inspection and restoration work. Gilbert said the change would let the city bill hourly for actual staff processing and inspection time, plus a $500 intake fee, until a new, empirical fee schedule is developed and returned to council for review at year‑end.

What was discussed: Gilbert said the city had worked with EZ Fiber, which has 13 planned work areas in Kent and paid the existing (higher) fee for its initial permit batches while holding the others pending the council decision. He described the proposed approach as temporary flexibility: the CAO could apply alternative fees for work that demonstrably reduces roadway and sidewalk disturbance. \"We charge a small fee, a $500 fee for intake of a permit, and then we would charge them hourly for our reprocessing and inspection time,\" Gilbert said.

Councilmember questions focused on fairness, scope and homeowner impacts. Councilmember Boyce asked whether the city would charge different firms different fees; Gilbert replied the fee would be scaled to the observed impact, not the company, and would be available to any provider using reduced‑impact methods. Councilmember Fincher asked whether \"in‑kind\" contributions were anticipated; Gilbert said that could include negotiated use of existing infrastructure rather than a cash payment but that the city would not expect unrelated items such as new street lights.

On resident impacts, Councilmember Boyse asked about effects to private yards where shoulder boring occurs. Gilbert said yard disturbances generally require less engineered repair than street or sidewalk cuts and that providers (he cited EZ Fiber) have experience coordinating directly with property owners to restore irrigation, landscaping and other surface items.

Formal action: Councilmember Boyd moved to adopt Resolution No. 2087 (creating an alternative permit fee for some street cut permits and authorizing acceptance of in‑kind contributions). The motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. The resolution grants temporary discretion to the CAO to apply alternative fees, with staff planning to propose a revised, empirical fee schedule to council after processing several permits.

What’s next: Staff will apply the temporary fee discretion as needed, track processing and inspection time on these projects, and return with a proposed, data‑based fee schedule at the end of the year.

Speakers quoted or referenced in this article are present in the transcript and listed below.","The Kent City Council adopted Resolution No. 2087 on May 6 to allow the chief administrative officer discretion to set alternative permit fees for some street‑cut and shoulder‑boring fiber installations.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6244791,"Kent Council authorizes $129,000 park security contract and approves golf cart path repairs at Rubin Golf Course",553,1073000,1626000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3228728-3b488cc9d28ab8c71252888329235e53&start=1073&end=1626","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3228728-3b488cc9d28ab8c71252888329235e53/thumbnail_1073000.jpg","/articles/6244791/Kent/King-County/Washington/Kent-Council-authorizes-129000-park-security-contract-and-approves-golf-cart-path-repairs-at-Rubin-Golf-Course","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6244791-f4bf1fc0cc25dc41eb441225e97be8c3/orig.mp4?Expires=1775431347&Signature=YlhYK0D~OSO6ItByGSeyVJ2hqSx1C9LjsxNJoBKscfqYmNNmKqj0KUZKWBo97rKutc6vXpDBkitgoHBZwT7E24qFTV8sUp36DmXJhqAsG86j4yK6IESWgEAe8Wx2ThXnmBIrr-XVvFwbmU0PeqvKoMOFFc~7MqzT9yVGv8eoBuOfiGX9cU9mcyfo2RmojQ9v9lqHRAat5bWN0kbSTlBC2IV2tGroq8jX5Uh8~DDeae7Rmt-PBY7wamI46wDLPjyw7u6qF80~BtUmnTgS0jUlLdXKtn0Mp-L~gd45pFL3t-NvZt6xfiHovOj~KEnz7msegdZhXgdqtiVtRQr5cBCaxQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Kent — The Kent City Council on May 6 authorized two parks‑related contracts: a goods‑and‑services agreement with Powell American Security Incorporated to provide nightly lockup of restrooms and parking lots and a construction contract with AA Asphalting LLC for the second phase of golf cart path repairs at Rubin Golf Course.

Garen Lee, presenting for parks, told council that the security contract supports evening staff by performing nightly lockups of restrooms and parking lots and clearing parking lots to avoid locking vehicles in. He said the city previously began contracting for these services in 2023 and that installing six additional parking‑lot gates increased the workload for locking and clearing lots. \"Our evening staff in particular appreciate the support they are receiving, allowing them to focus on what their duties are,\" Lee said.

Formal action: Councilmember Schott moved to authorize the mayor to sign the goods and services agreement with Powell American Security Incorporated in the amount of $129,000, \"subject to final terms and conditions acceptable to the parks director and city attorney.\" The motion passed by voice vote.

Golf cart paths: Eric Hendricks, Rubin Golf Course manager, sought authorization for phase two of a multi‑phase cart path replacement and repair project. He said phase one (completed September 2024) addressed four holes (12, 13, 15 and 16). Phase two will target higher‑priority, higher‑traffic sections — listed as holes 1–6 and 18 — to improve user safety, drainage and playability; Hendricks said the work would not require hole closures. \"This will improve user safety, drainage. It'll be a visual upgrade,\" Hendricks said. Council authorized the mayor to sign a contract with AA Asphalting LLC, subject to final terms acceptable to the parks director and city attorney.

Why it matters: Parks staff told council the security contract allows maintenance staff to focus on core duties while contracted personnel perform evening security tasks. The golf course project is funded from the golf fund and is intended to reduce trip hazards and maintenance needs over time.

Next steps: Parks staff will finalize contract terms with the city attorney and parks director and proceed with procurement and scheduling. Hendricks said phase three of the cart path program is likely in 2026, with future phases dependent on funding availability.

Speakers quoted or referenced in this article are listed below.","Council authorized a $129,000 goods‑and‑services agreement with Powell American Security Inc. for nightly park restroom and parking lot lockups and approved a contract with AA Asphalting LLC for phase two of Rubin Golf Course cart path repairs; staff said both steps support evening operations and user safety.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6244777,"Kent staff push for PSRC recertification of downtown; activity units exceed minimum and market analysis is planned",0,6739000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3228728-3b488cc9d28ab8c71252888329235e53&start=6739&end=6739","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3228728-3b488cc9d28ab8c71252888329235e53/thumbnail_6739000.jpg","/articles/6244777/Kent/King-County/Washington/Kent-staff-push-for-PSRC-recertification-of-downtown-activity-units-exceed-minimum-and-market-analysis-is-planned","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6244777-9740e9b79559287da2fff84c905d9ed6/orig.mp4?Expires=1775431347&Signature=WWd1z3wZmaRW~f5HK0VQHd7ElvcuMtYQt2RelkXYPd3-HLTi7YBQbXdqCf~HHXZVu2CkEl7KnFTuZOFu0V2mo9fm~pDVjcn4MMs5zwWKOm2yLpdrqLhWt-9xQx3tuuYGMLcxNVbVyImiiVtCiR25XEMyqj-NXoD4LykFVaDvafqtFaDnNKyQYqmiCp3sY4~RtGFU26EuFVYizkenLV3aZ97sCD6n2aeKZuH0iX-BueT2dNpcYi3DNuQFmD8HogbUaV1GFUZx2dQuuOwIaQ6~h5k5J8HtnMH1NG1PcyDH9kHBlmLZc64gS5F5S0GamTk8S8sBbbgFLD9QF6S15iNCBA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Kent — City planning staff updated the council on the Rediscover Downtown initiative and steps to recertify the downtown center with the Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC). Staff said the downtown already exceeds the PSRC minimum activity unit threshold (18 required; Kent currently at 23) and highlighted next steps including market analysis, focused outreach and a pro forma to demonstrate market potential.

What staff presented: Planning staff summarized engagement to date (comp plan outreach, booths at community events, meetings with Kent Downtown Partnership and advisory groups) and a granular assessment that overlays vacant/underutilized land, pedestrian and bicycle facilities, economic opportunity areas and parking availability. Staff said the assessment shows substantial underutilized land pockets and walkability barriers on some major corridors; they proposed concentrating short‑term, high‑impact interventions rather than dispersing limited resources citywide.

Why PSRC recertification matters: Staff said recertification is necessary to qualify for certain regional grants and to improve competitiveness for PSRC scoring. \"The comprehensive plan is required in order to even qualify to get in the door to say that you're allowed to submit,\" staff told the workshop. Meeting the PSRC center standards also supports grant competitiveness and signals regional role and readiness to potential developers.

Next steps and timing: Staff will complete a market analysis and pro forma to demonstrate future market potential, hold targeted outreach (including multifamily property visits and festival outreach) and convene an advisory group series beginning in May. Staff said they are aiming for a September recertification submission to PSRC and will report back with draft goals and policies in July–August.

Speakers and references used in this article are listed below.","Planning staff reported progress on the Rediscover Downtown effort and said Kent already exceeds the PSRC activity unit minimum for a regional center (18 units required; city at 23). Staff outlined outreach, a granular land‑use assessment and a planned market analysis and pro forma to support recertification; staff aims for a September submission",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6244781,"Kent staff release draft housing code updates; council directs 18‑inch tree standard and staff to evaluate after six months",1000,5012000,6012000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3228728-3b488cc9d28ab8c71252888329235e53&start=5012&end=6012","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3228728-3b488cc9d28ab8c71252888329235e53/thumbnail_5012000.jpg","/articles/6244781/Kent/King-County/Washington/Kent-staff-release-draft-housing-code-updates-council-directs-18inch-tree-standard-and-staff-to-evaluate-after-six-months","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6244781-7c161fb4b3904a4f1cf3756ee9b46207/orig.mp4?Expires=1775431347&Signature=m4PJDqGkpaBB5cXGrHFgAEtNieXksVEombqQ~5j2atHRzwqEzH~3z79HYBCcB8EKBQbLH8nSx4X4oooe0LGL793XH1fgIvYXdGueCC5csmv57UHXzfCrjlrZCnElTj9YzoR4r7KbVbxtWLRl-iv1UECtNolWAU8AMHogfT0NOex757aIFqDJrHv4PsYATwiZHmBmJhwkWWVI0qKxzanXRVmpcWXbIjSWugBByONfRx6w1I-0BxOiiGAMPnkXHuR2xBt43Pfsad7f9YtrkIWqpkoJiAztvWT5EJHHnhUcuTtNo6OVuY23~mxmrclKQ-kbOTa4BufMWMsPjFypGMDotQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Kent — City planning staff said they will release the draft Recode Kent housing code updates this week and begin the adoption process in May and June to meet several state legislative deadlines. The presentation covered zoning consolidation, new state requirements, a proposal to incentivize retention of significant trees and anticipated changes required by state STEP housing guidance.

Significant trees: Staff proposed a baseline definition of a \"significant tree\" as 24 inches diameter at breast height (DBH) and recommended that preserving one qualifying tree on a lot would allow middle‑housing projects an additional story (three full stories and 35 feet height preserved if the tree is retained). Planning staff said most peer jurisdictions set landmark/significant tree thresholds around 24 inches and noted variability across cities. During discussion, several councilmembers said 24 inches felt large; Councilmember Trautman and others supported a smaller threshold. The council settled on direction to staff to use an 18‑inch DBH standard for the Phase 1 incentive and to evaluate the policy after six months for potential adjustments.

STEP (spectrum of emergency and supportive housing): Planning staff explained state requirements—drawing on Commerce guidance—that indoor emergency shelters and emergency housing must be permitted where hotels are allowed, and that transitional and permanent supportive housing cannot be treated more restrictively than other housing types. Staff highlighted specific code elements they intend to update: aligning definitions with state terminology, removing an existing city requirement that emergency shelters be colocated with religious institutions, and revising a 90‑days on/90‑days off operating limitation that staff said is difficult for providers to use. Staff also said it will retain the ability to require on‑site services for health, food, clothing (e.g., laundry), and personal hygiene in facilities where those needs are part of the shelter model.

Timing and scope: Staff said the draft ordinance will not yet incorporate new 2025 state bills that Commerce has not finalized guidance on; those measures will be addressed in subsequent code updates. Staff noted one bill (co‑living) was deferred to the later December 2025 deadline. The draft code is expected to enter the public record this week, and adoption steps will proceed through May and June, with further amendments as state guidance is issued.

Why it matters: The changes implement recent state mandates and local policy goals (such as tree retention and streamlined housing types), but staff warned some constraints are imposed by state law (for example, limiting the city's ability to require conditional use permits for certain housing types when multifamily is permitted outright).

Council direction: The council directed staff to proceed with the draft release, adopt an 18‑inch DBH threshold for the Phase 1 tree retention incentive, and return with monitoring data and a potential recommendation after six months.

Speakers and sources referenced in this article are listed below.","Planning staff told the council they will publish the draft Recode Kent housing code updates this week to meet multiple state deadlines. Staff proposed an initial significant‑tree threshold of 24 inches DBH to qualify for an incentive (extra height), but councilmembers instructed staff to use an 18‑inch diameter at breast height standard for the","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

City transportation planner presents 2026–2031 TIP additions; council to hold public hearing May 20

Kent council approves resolution allowing alternative street‑cut permit fees for new fiber installation methods

Kent Council authorizes $129,000 park security contract and approves golf cart path repairs at Rubin Golf Course

Kent staff push for PSRC recertification of downtown; activity units exceed minimum and market analysis is planned

Kent staff release draft housing code updates; council directs 18‑inch tree standard and staff to evaluate after six months