Kenmore council kickoff: 2026 planning docket, department work plans, and community concerns
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Summary
At a study session following oaths and leadership selection, staff presented Kenmore’s 2026 planning docket and department work plans, highlighting the pros plan update, affordable‑housing strategy, tenant protections, transportation projects, major grant awards and several implementation timelines; public commenters urged stronger housing protections and environmental monitoring.
Kenmore — After administering oaths and organizing council leadership, Kenmore staff used a study session to present an ambitious 2026 docket and department work plans, outlining code updates, capital projects and implementation timelines across planning, public works, environmental services, finance, development services and public safety.
Todd Hall, the city’s principal planner, walked the council through the preliminary 2026 docket and the planning‑commission work program. Key items on the docket include completion of the pros plan update (Planning Commission on Jan. 26 and anticipated council review in February), an affordable housing strategy update (to align the comprehensive plan with recent state legislation), neighborhood commercial corner‑store regulations, a capital facilities plan element update, and miscellaneous zoning and map amendments. Hall said the docket contained city‑initiated items only; no private comprehensive‑plan amendments were submitted during the open docket period.
On code and regulatory work, staff outlined a park impact fee rate study to set future park fees, follow‑up on STEP committee recommendations (referring to state house bill work), permit timing changes prompted by SB 5290, HB 1042 provisions encouraging conversion of existing commercial buildings to residential use, and a periodic building energy code update. Staff flagged expected timing: the pros plan will return to council Jan. 26; critical areas/best available science updates and tenant protection amendments are expected to move through the spring and into mid‑2026.
Department heads then presented abbreviated 2025 accomplishments and 2026 work plans. Highlights included:
- Engineering: completed ADA improvements on the east side of 61st, launched a new pavement‑condition assessment system, and reported a successful closeout on a federally funded West Sammamish River bridge project; staff said the city had been awarded "a little over $13,000,000" in grants for projects and gap funding.
- Public Works Operations: site work under way for the public works operations center, streetlight LED conversion initiated, and staffing fills for events and maintenance positions.
- Environmental Services: NPDES permit compliance remains central; staff reported roughly $8.9 million in recent grants, Muck Creek restoration completion, EV infrastructure work and planned fish passage and stormwater facility retrofits.
- Finance: the finance director reported a clean 2024 audit, launched an IT assessment, and is implementing new budget software; staff saved roughly $40,000 on insurance procurement in 2025.
- Development Services: processed more than 800 permits and 2,500 inspections in 2025; staff discussed SB 5290 changes that mandate shorter permit timelines and more detailed reporting by permit type.
- Police: the Kenmore policing partner noted use of RACER crisis responders, expansion of community outreach and school programs, weekly crime statistics posted on social media and a focus this year on frauds targeting vulnerable adults.
Public comment during the meeting raised housing affordability and environmental concerns. David Doran urged the council to "have courage" and to pursue stronger local action; Stacy Valenzuela asked the city to update facility leases (including the North Shore School District boathouse lease) to require payment of rent and liability insurance, demanded progress on a requested air monitoring station for VOCs and particulates, and urged enforcement of a 2001 consent decree related to Lake Point toxins.
Council members and staff noted next steps: planning items are scheduled to return to council (including the pros plan on Jan. 26), staff will continue work on code updates and permit timeline changes, and a financial study session is planned for Feb. 2 with a council retreat in March to set biennial priorities. Several staff and council members requested follow‑up briefings on grants, staffing vacancies, and timelines for surface‑water and critical‑areas updates.
The session concluded with committee assignments and brief closing remarks; no ordinances or budget measures were adopted at the meeting.
