Redmond planning commission previews code tweaks on alleys, setbacks, parks, evacuation and planter strips

Redmond planning staff on Oct. 29 presented a narrowly focused package of zoning and public-works changes intended to resolve recurring issues raised during recent master-plan reviews and to advance more detailed code amendments at a public hearing next month.

Kyle, a city planning staffer, told the Redmond Urban Area Planning Commission the changes are meant to be minor, targeted fixes that can move through the commission and then to city council for adoption by the end of the calendar year. "This is meant to just be kind of a conversation," Kyle said, introducing five topics staff recommends for revision: alley standards, townhouse rear setbacks, open-space (pocket park) requirements, subdivision evacuation routes, and planter-strip landscaping.

On alleys, staff said the city’s development code and public-works standards conflict: the minimum alley right-of-way is 20 feet, but some specifications reference a 16-foot pavement width for residential alleys. Kyle said staff recommends clarifying the standard so the flat pavement width is 20 feet, not 16, to avoid narrow paved sections that encourage curb or tire encroachment. "We want the…