Kennewick council approves rezoning, governance changes, park parking rule, material-change policy and $549,500 tourism funding

Kennewick City Council on March 18, 2025 unanimously adopted a set of ordinances and a resolution that included a rezoning for two parcels at 2219 West 13th Avenue, amendments to the city's governance-related municipal code, a new park driving-and-parking infraction, a material-change policy for the Transportation Benefit District, and authorization to release $549,500 from the tourism performance area (TPA) reserve to fund Visit Tri Cities' 2025 work plan. Mayor Crawford was absent and the council proceeded under Mayor Pro Tem Trilli.

The rezoning (COZ 2024-3) was presented by city planning staff as a request from Douglas Jones to reclassify two landlocked parcels totaling "just over about a half an acre" from residential low density (RL) to residential medium density (RM). Planner Mark Halitzky told the council the RM district allows single-family and multi-family uses and noted the planning commission had found the application satisfied the five findings required for a change of zone and recommended approval. Council Member Anderson moved to adopt the ordinance; Council Member Beauchamp seconded. The motion carried unanimously.

The council also approved two ordinances tied to a governance manual the city has been developing. City manager Aaron Erdman summarized the effort as creating "a governance manual [that] is [a] document that outlines the rules, policies and procedures that guide how council operates and makes decisions." One ordinance amends Kennewick Municipal Code Title 2 (city council workshop meetings and order of business) to allow, in limited circumstances, actions at workshop meetings and to remove a second visitors section so all public comment occurs at the start of meetings. The second ordinance amends KMC Chapter 2.16 to change allowed unexcused absences from…