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 2 to 3 for boards and commissions and to add Section 2.16.870 to list the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee. Both ordinances were adopted unanimously after motions by Council Members Beauchamp and Anderson.

Following those code amendments, the council adopted a resolution formally adopting the governance coordination manual. Erdman said the manual will serve as a reference for council operations and onboarding and "will be adopted by a resolution and the city council will review it as necessary and will adopt any revisions through a resolution process." The resolution passed by unanimous vote.

On transportation projects, design services manager Heath Millett presented a proposed material-change policy for the Transportation Benefit District to manage significant cost, scope and schedule changes. Millett said the policy calls for a public hearing if a project's cost or scope increases by 20 percent or if a schedule change exceeds 90 days or increases cost by 20 percent. "When a project exceeds the original cost by 20%, the board should hold a public hearing to address it," Millett said. The council adopted the ordinance, citing RCW 36.73.160 as the authorizing statute, by unanimous vote.

Parks staff recommended an amendment to Kennewick Municipal Code section 11.36.030 to make it an infraction to park on turf or grass areas in city parks unless a valid special-events permit authorizes that parking. Parks presenter Mr. O'Neill said the change responds to incidents that have damaged turf and irrigation systems and created safety risks. "This ordinance will make it an infraction to park on turf or grass areas unless a valid special events permit has been obtained," O'Neill said. The council approved the ordinance unanimously.

Visit Tri Cities President and CEO Kevin Lewis presented the organization's 2025 work plan, described Visit Tri Cities' principal funding sources (lodging tax receipts and tourism performance assessments), highlighted recent event-driven economic impacts, and requested use of TPA reserves for a series of projects and initiatives. Lewis explained that Visit Tri Cities receives roughly "50% of the first 2 percent of the lodging tax" (effectively about 1 percent on a rolling five-year average) and that tourism performance assessments (an assessment charged at certain hotels) are the organization's largest revenue source. After the presentation, Council Member Anderson moved to approve the 2025 work plan and authorize release of $549,500 from the TPA reserve account; Council Member Milbauer seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

Votes at a glance: - COZ 2024-3 (2219 West 13th Avenue rezoning from RL to RM): Moved by Council Member Anderson, seconded by Council Member Beauchamp; outcome: adopted (unanimous). Referenced findings: planning commission recommendation; property area described as just over about a half acre. - Ordinance amending KMC Title 2 (workshop meetings and order of business): Moved by Council Member Beauchamp, seconded by Council Member Anderson; outcome: adopted (unanimous). - Ordinance amending KMC Chapter 2.16 (boards and commissions attendance; add Lodging Tax Advisory Committee): Moved by Council Member Anderson, seconded by Council Member Beauchamp; outcome: adopted (unanimous). - Resolution adopting the Governance Coordination Manual: Moved by Council Member Beauchamp, seconded by Council Member Anderson; outcome: adopted (unanimous). - Transportation Benefit District material-change policy (authorized by RCW 36.73.160): Moved by Council Member Anderson, seconded by Council Member Beauchamp; outcome: adopted (unanimous). - Ordinance amending KMC 11.36.030 (driving/parking in parks; turf parking infraction): Moved by Council Member Anderson, seconded by Council Member Milbauer; outcome: adopted (unanimous). - Approval of Visit Tri Cities 2025 work plan and release of $549,500 from TPA reserve: Moved by Council Member Anderson, seconded by Council Member Milbauer; outcome: approved (unanimous).

Discussion vs. decisions: Council asked clarifying questions after staff presentations but deferred general debate until after motions, per council procedure. Notable clarifications included: planning staff confirmed the applicant intends to consolidate two parcels and add a rear-yard accessory storage structure; city staff said the governance manual will be used for onboarding and reviewed by resolution; design services staff explained the 20 percent / 90-day thresholds in the material-change policy; parks staff confirmed special-event permits would continue to allow grass parking when expressly authorized; Visit Tri Cities explained the makeup of its revenues, outlined proposed reserve-funded projects (research and reporting services, short-term rental research, airport kiosk remodel, signature sporting-event support, quick-response funds, and project support services), and requested the $549,500 release from reserves.

Public comment and council notes: A visitor, Tina Gregory, thanked city employees for work addressing homeless encampments and offered brief remarks. Several council members offered reports on outside meetings and upcoming events, and the council noted a groundbreaking for the convention center the following Monday.

Ending: All listed ordinances and the resolution were adopted by unanimous vote at the March 18 meeting. The council concluded its business and adjourned at approximately 7:40 p.m.