Kennewick council hears midproject update on comprehensive plan; consultants flag 1,800-unit shortfall for lowest-income households

Scott Bongiukian of MAKERS and colleagues updated the Kennewick City Council on the periodic comprehensive-plan update Tuesday, saying the project is about halfway complete and that a land-capacity analysis shows overall capacity for population and commercial/industrial growth but a notable shortfall in housing affordable to lower-income households.

"There’s plenty of overall capacity in Kennewick, particularly for low to moderate density housing. However, there is a deficit in the capacity for higher density housing that typically serves lower income households," Scott Bongiukian said, presenting the analysis that the consultant team prepared with city staff.

The consultant team described the land-capacity analysis as a parcel-level technical tool used to compare a 20-year growth target to the actual capacity of land within city limits. Jesse Hartman of the Burke team said the team has done parcel-level analysis and is assembling maps to show where capacity exists and where rezones or density changes would be required to add more units.

Consultants and staff told council members the analysis finds a deficit of about 1,800…