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Kenmore council remains neutral on House Bill 1195 after debate over local control and administrative permitting
Summary
After an hour of questions and statements about local control and public hearings, the Kenmore City Council voted 6-1 to remain neutral on House Bill 1195. Council members and the city's lobbyist debated whether the bill would shift siting decisions for certain housing types from council hearings to an administrative process.
The Kenmore City Council voted 6-1 to remain neutral on House Bill 1195 after hearing staff and lobbyist briefings and an extended council debate about local control over land-use decisions.
Why it matters: Council members said the bill, as currently drafted, could remove opportunities for public hearings and city-council decisions when projects seek deviations from local zoning. Supporters of neutrality argued the bill is still under revision and that the city should wait for a clarified version before taking a firm position.
Assistant City Manager and Community Development Director Debbie Bent introduced the item and noted the bill is still evolving. Lobbyist Shelley Holder of Gordon Thomas Honeywell told the council that the Association of Washington Cities (AWC) is currently opposed to the bill because the present…
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