The Kenmore Planning Commission voted Jan. 6 to transmit the final draft of the city’s Parks, Recreation and Open Space (PROS) plan to the City Council, accompanied by a transmittal letter drafted by Vice Chair David Dorian.

Todd, a community development staff member presenting the plan, told commissioners the PROS update is required every six years to maintain eligibility for state and federal grant funding through the Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) and to comply with the Growth Management Act. "Without adoption, the city would lose access to critical funding for future parks projects," Todd said. He called the document a "compliance and inventory" resource, not a commitment to particular projects or spending.

Commissioners praised the document’s layout and maps, recommended minor clarifications (for example, removing or clarifying the phrase "Kenmore's future triangle" in a callout), and emphasized that funding and project prioritization would occur later through capital planning. Vice Chair David Dorian moved that the draft be submitted to council for action and adoption; the motion was seconded and passed on a roll call of commissioners.

The commission also approved a transmittal memorandum prepared by Vice Chair Dorian and collaborators to accompany the plan. Commissioners said the letter frames caveats and context the commission wants council to see. "I think it's an excellent view of our concerns," one member said in support of sending the memo with the plan.

The commission noted seven goals in the PROS plan, including establishing diversified, durable funding sources (candidates named in the plan include REITs, park impact fees, lodging taxes, conservation futures and grants) and continued community engagement on priorities. Todd reiterated that adoption of the plan "doesn't commit us to specific projects or spending" and that detailed project prioritization, cost estimates and timelines will follow through the city's capital planning processes.

Next steps: the Planning Commission will upload the transmittal letter to the public packet; staff will present the plan to City Council for consideration and expected adoption later in January.