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Kenmore planners preview full 2025 docket; middle‑housing and parks plan top priorities
Summary
City planning staff told the Planning Commission on Jan. 7 that middle‑housing regulations required by state law, an updated parks, recreation and open space plan and a Bastyr University master‑plan request will dominate the commission’s 2025 work program, with a June 30 deadline for middle‑housing rules.
Planning staff on Jan. 7 gave the Kenmore Planning Commission an early preview of the commission’s 2025 docket and said the bulk of the commission’s time this year will go to implementing state-mandated middle‑housing regulations, updating the city parks, recreation and open space (PROS) plan, and reviewing a proposed update to Bastyr University’s campus master plan.
The presentation, delivered by city staff identified in the meeting as Debbie (city planning staff) and Todd (city planning staff), framed middle housing as the item that will require the most immediate work because of a June 30, 2025, state deadline tied to HB 1110. “We’re hoping the next few meetings will let us dive into how these all interact,” Todd said, referring to new regulations that change where and how duplexes, triplexes, cottage housing and other housing types are allowed.
Why it matters: HB 1110 requires cities to adopt implementing regulations for so‑called middle housing. If Kenmore does not adopt its own regulations by the deadline, a state model ordinance could take effect July 1, 2025. Staff recommended Kenmore adopt the “tier 2” approach used by cities with populations above 25,000, and warned that the code changes will cross multiple city departments and existing regulations (stormwater, engineering, tree protections and public works).
Key details from staff: - Middle‑housing work will focus first on defining permitted housing types and unit‑per‑lot density, revising parking standards and adding unit‑lot subdivision provisions. - House Bill 1337 (separately referenced by staff) requires changes to accessory dwelling unit (ADU) regulations, including allowing two ADUs on qualifying single‑family lots and prohibiting owner‑occupancy requirements. - The PROS plan update is required to maintain eligibility for Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) grant funding; staff expects consultant selection and contract work to begin in March with a plan deadline of February 2026. - Bastyr University submitted a docket request to extend or revise its campus master plan, including a proposal that could allow market‑rate housing on campus; staff said that would likely require comprehensive plan and zoning amendments if pursued.
Commissioners raised technical and policy concerns about how new housing choices will interact with Kenmore’s tree protections, critical area buffers, stormwater capacity and utility services. Commissioner Van der Linden warned that items on the 2025 docket “are really trying to balance a whole bunch of simultaneous equations,” and urged staff to track interdependencies. Commissioner Dorian and other commissioners asked staff to pursue clarity from the Washington State Department of Commerce about an “alternative compliance” option that some cities have sought to use when implementing state middle‑housing requirements.
Staff next steps: staff will bring draft regulations and policy choices to a joint Planning Commission–City Council meeting Jan. 27. The commission set a target for a public hearing on middle‑housing regulations in late March or early April and noted the legal deadline of June 30, 2025 for local adoption to avoid the state model ordinance taking effect.
Ending: Commissioners and staff said they expect follow‑up meetings and deeper technical work in the coming months; several commissioners encouraged staff to seek extra capacity (temporary planners or consultants) if Kenmore is to advance downtown planning, a housing strategy, and other non‑mandated items that were pushed to later years.
