Kenmore planning commissioners refine PROS goals; public hearing set after edits

The Kenmore Planning Commission continued its review of the Parks, Recreation and Open Space (PROS) element of the city comprehensive plan on Tuesday, Sept. 16, focusing on goals, objectives and policies and directing staff to incorporate commissioner edits before a special meeting and a public hearing scheduled two weeks later.

The session matters because the PROS element sets priorities for park projects, land acquisition, stewardship, access to Lake Washington and the Sammamish River, and policies covering equity, accessibility and climate resilience that will guide future capital spending and development.

Todd Hall, the city’s principal planner, opened the item by asking commissioners to focus on the goals, objectives and policies in the packet and noting staff had included redline and clean copies along with a crosswalk to other comprehensive plan elements. "Good evening, commission. Todd Hall, principal planner. Tonight, we continue our discussion regarding the PROS plan and PROS elements," he said.

Commissioners debated language at the top of the goals section that addressed how readily goals and policies may change. Some favored keeping an explicit statement…