TO: Members of the City Council
FROM: Mayor Angela Birney
DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR CONTACT(S):
Planning and Community Development |
Carol Helland |
425-556-2107 |
DEPARTMENT STAFF:
Planning and Community Development |
Seraphie Allen |
Deputy Director |
Planning and Community Development |
Jeff Churchill |
Long Range Planning Manager |
Planning and Community Development |
Beckye Frey |
Principal Planner |
Planning and Community Development |
Lauren Alpert |
Senior Planner |
Planning and Community Development |
Glenn Coil |
Senior Planner |
Planning and Community Development |
Ian Lefcourte |
Senior Planner |
Planning and Community Development |
Odra Cárdenas |
Planner |
TITLE:
title
Redmond 2050: Phase 2 Policies - Second Drafts
OVERVIEW STATEMENT:
recommendation
Staff recommends that the City Council continue its review and discussion of second drafts of several Comprehensive Plan elements at its Jan. 23 study session. Input that the Council provides will help inform final drafts that will be brought to the Planning Commission for public hearings in Q1 and Q2 2024.
To help focus discussion, staff recommends devoting the Jan. 23 study session to the Land Use; Community Development and Design; and Participation, Implementation, and Evaluation Elements. These can be found in the Council’s Jan. 9 packet beginning on page 85 (https://redmond.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=PA&ID=1138202&GUID=5128FE89-97C6-400B-B2C8-193568B6541F).
body
☒ Additional Background Information/Description of Proposal Attached
REQUESTED ACTION:
☐ Receive Information ☒ Provide Direction ☐ Approve
REQUEST RATIONALE:
• Relevant Plans/Policies:
Policy PI-15 calls for periodic Comprehensive Plan reviews.
• Required:
The Growth Management Act requires that Washington cities and counties review and, if needed, revise their comprehensive plans and development regulations every ten years. For King County cities the periodic review must be completed by December 31, 2024.
• Council Request:
The City Council requested quarterly reports on project milestones, staff progress, and public involvement.
• Other Key Facts:
N/A
OUTCOMES:
Updating the Redmond Comprehensive Plan will ensure that the Plan is consistent with state law and regional policy direction; advances equity and inclusion, sustainability, and resiliency; and that Redmond is prepared for growth expected through the year 2050.
COMMUNITY/STAKEHOLDER OUTREACH AND INVOLVEMENT:
• Timeline (previous or planned):
Outreach for Phase 2 policies began in summer 2022 and has continued through Q4 2023.
• Outreach Methods and Results:
Redmond 2050 outreach methods have included:
• Redmond 2050 Website
• Let’s Connect questionnaires
• Press releases
• Social media
• Short videos
• Yard signs
• Posters
• Utility Bill inserts
• Email newsletters to multiple City lists
• Emails to partner organizations
• Stakeholder input
• Focus group meetings
• Boards & Commissions meetings
• Hybrid and remote workshops and interviews
• Tabling at community events
• Pop-up events in community spaces and workplaces
• Translation of selected materials
• Community Advisory Committee input
• Technical Advisory Committee input
• Planning Commission public hearings
• Mailed property owner notifications
Quarterly engagement summaries are available at redmond.gov/1495 <http://www.redmond.gov/1495>.
• Feedback Summary:
Feedback on first drafts that informed development of the second drafts included:
• Capital Facilities
o Questions and clarifications on technical terms
o Questions on how policies support or incorporate Redmond 2050 themes
• Utilities
o Community generally supportive of updates
o Comments on how utility policies could better support equity in service provision.
• Natural Environment
o Community supportive of updates
o Updated and added narrative and policies to Section B - Environmentally Critical Areas. This section was reviewed and updated separately as part of the City’s update of its Critical Areas Regulations <https://www.redmond.gov/2000/Critical-Areas-Regulations>.
• Participation, Implementation, and Evaluation
o Use broader terms to encompass more community members
o Consolidate and simplify policies
o Include tribal participation
o Add policies related to having a predictable development review process.
• Land Use
o Support for “Complete Neighborhoods” concept
§ Consolidate residential zones
§ Remove barriers to home businesses
§ More housing choices
§ Support for safer pedestrian thoroughfare
o Land uses to support multimodal transportation options
o Align land uses with protection of drinking water natural resources
o Support nightlife, mainly in centers
o More opportunities for “active” areas for youth (young children to teenagers).
o Support for food-based enterprises throughout the City, including food trucks, cafes, small grocers, and restaurants
o Clarity on how open space and parks are regulated
• Climate Resilience and Sustainability
o Support for developing element ahead of state requirement to do so.
o Ensure that policies convey a sense of urgency.
o Need a stronger sense of innovation, as well as being open to new ideas and collaboration. Eliminate already outdated strategies/tools/concepts examples, e.g., "hybrid vehicles".
o Policies should also be aspirational.
o Ensure we have policies around water management/conservation - protecting the CARA, for drought and extreme participation.
o Ensure "embodied carbon" is covered as a concept.
o Ensure equity is prioritized in policies.
o Move past the use of "deficit-based language/thinking".
o Discussions of trade-offs and tensions between other City policies and priorities - growth targets, high density development, and what can/should be prioritized.
o Discussion on commute trip reduction programs and how we can be innovative for it to be effective.
• Community Development and Design
o Clarity on sustainability and equity in the context of community design
o Making urban centers great places to visit for everyone and maintain a high quality of life for residents
BUDGET IMPACT:
Total Cost:
$4,616,401 is the total value of the Community and Economic Development budget offer. This budget offer includes staff and consultant resources necessary to complete Redmond 2050.
Approved in current biennial budget: ☒ Yes ☐ No ☐ N/A
Budget Offer Number:
0000040
Budget Priority:
Vibrant and Connected
Other budget impacts or additional costs: ☐ Yes ☐ No ☒ N/A
If yes, explain:
N/A
Funding source(s):
General Fund, Washington State Department of Commerce grants
Budget/Funding Constraints:
Two Commerce grants supported updates to the Housing Element
☐ Additional budget details attached
COUNCIL REVIEW:
Previous Contact(s)
Date |
Meeting |
Requested Action |
10/6/2020 |
Business Meeting |
Approve |
11/17/2020 |
Business Meeting |
Receive Information |
3/16/2021 |
Business Meeting |
Receive Information |
3/23/2021 |
Study Session |
Provide Direction |
6/15/2021 |
Business Meeting |
Receive Information |
6/22/2021 |
Study Session |
Provide Direction |
9/21/2021 |
Business Meeting |
Receive Information |
9/28/2021 |
Study Session |
Provide Direction |
11/16/2021 |
Business Meeting |
Receive Information |
11/23/2021 |
Study Session |
Provide Direction |
2/15/2022 |
Business Meeting |
Receive Information |
5/3/2022 |
Business Meeting |
Receive Information |
5/10/2022 |
Study Session |
Provide Direction |
6/7/2022 |
Committee of the Whole - Planning and Public Works |
Receive Information |
7/19/2022 |
Business Meeting |
Receive Information |
7/26/2022 |
Study Session |
Provide Direction |
8/9/2022 |
Study Session |
Provide Direction |
10/4/2022 |
Business Meeting |
Receive Information |
10/11/2022 |
Study Session |
Provide Direction |
1/17/2023 |
Business Meeting |
Receive Information |
1/24/2023 |
Study Session |
Provide Direction |
3/7/2023 |
Business Meeting |
Receive Information |
3/14/2023 |
Study Session |
Provide Direction |
7/18/2023 |
Business Meeting |
Receive Information |
9/5/2023 |
Business Meeting |
Receive Information |
9/12/2023 |
Study Session |
Provide Direction |
9/26/2023 |
Study Session |
Provide Direction |
10/3/2023 |
Business Meeting |
Receive Information |
10/10/2023 |
Study Session |
Provide Direction |
11/28/2023 |
Study Session |
Provide Direction |
1/9/2024 |
Study Session |
Provide Direction |
Proposed Upcoming Contact(s)
Date |
Meeting |
Requested Action |
2/6/2024 |
Business Meeting |
Receive Information |
2/13/2024 |
Study Session |
Provide Direction |
2/27/2024 |
Study Session |
Provide Direction |
Time Constraints:
The Comprehensive Plan periodic update must be complete by Dec. 31, 2024.
ANTICIPATED RESULT IF NOT APPROVED:
Staff is not requesting action at this time.
ATTACHMENTS:
None - this study session continues the conversation from January 9. The January 23 study session will be focused on the Land Use; Community Development and Design; and Participation, Implementation, and Evaluation Elements. These can be found in the Council’s January 9 packet beginning on page 85 of the following link. <https://redmond.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=PA&ID=1138202&GUID=5128FE89-97C6-400B-B2C8-193568B6541F>