Committee members agreed that proactive community education and an open house will help neighbors learn about permanent supportive housing (referred to in the meeting as “step housing”) before projects are proposed.

Staff member (Speaker 1) outlined two possible aims for the open house: provide general information about step housing and Kenmore’s current code, or actively solicit public feedback on draft standards and a good‑neighbor template (or a combination of both). Committee members favored both: early neutral education plus an opportunity for targeted feedback when draft materials are ready.

Several practical points were discussed. Committee members said outreach should be visually accessible and timed to maximize attendance (avoid mid‑summer dates). One member suggested the city post clear information on its website: what step housing is, where kinds of facilities are permitted (reference to HP 12 20 map), and links to existing or planned projects. Staff agreed to prepare a draft set of materials and suggested the open house be scheduled for mid‑to‑late September so drafts can be reviewed by the committee first.

The group also discussed notice for Type 1 permits. Staff advised that Type 1 building permits typically do not have the same public‑notice requirements as discretionary permits: “Type 1 is the building permit, so you don't typically put a notice out for building permit,” Staff member (Speaker 1) said, and staff committed to confirm the practice with Development Services and report back. Committee members recommended the city consider developer‑led early outreach for larger projects and a proportionate notice requirement tied to project size (for example, different expectations for a small home‑scale project versus a large 50–100 unit building).

Staff direction: produce web materials explaining step housing; prepare printable collateral for an open house; draft an open‑house format that includes informational boards and feedback stations; confirm public‑notice practice for Type 1 permits and bring a recommended approach to the committee.

Ending: staff will circulate draft outreach materials and recommended open‑house logistics for committee comment prior to finalizing a date, and will confirm the public‑notice practice for administratively approved projects.