TO: Committee of the Whole - Planning and Public Works
FROM: Mayor Angela Birney
DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR CONTACT(S):
|
Planning and Community Development |
Seraphie Allen (Interim Co-Director) |
425-556-2107 |
DEPARTMENT STAFF:
|
Planning and Community Development |
Jeff Churchill |
Interim Deputy Director |
|
Planning and Community Development |
Beckye Frey |
Interim Long Range Planning Manager |
TITLE:
title
2026 Amendments to the King County Countywide Planning Policies
OVERVIEW STATEMENT:
recommendation
This read-only item updates the Planning and Public Works Committee of the Whole on the 2026 amendments to the King County Countywide Planning Policies (CPPs) at the Committee’s September 1, 2026, meeting. Staff recommend allowing the amendments to be ratified by taking no action.
The CPP’s were comprehensively updated in 2021 and ratified by King County and cities within King County in 2022. Per King County staff, “Subsequent analysis supporting the 2024 King County Comprehensive Plan (KCCP) found that, while urban unincorporated King County had sufficient overall housing capacity, the capacity of the Black Diamond [potential annexation area (PAA)] specifically was limited to 200 housing units, creating a 128-unit deficit from its originally allocated target of 328 units…” The Growth Management Planning Council (GMPC) recommended reallocating those 128 units to the Unaffiliated Urban Unincorporated area, which has sufficient residential capacity under current zoning. The King County Council has adopted the GMPC’s recommendation via ordinance 20096.
Amendments to the CPP’s become effective after the King County Council adopts an ordinance and at least 30% of city and county governments representing at least 70% of the King County population ratify, or take no action on, the ordinance.
Detailed analysis by King County staff is attached.
body
☒ Additional Background Information/Description of Proposal Attached
REQUESTED ACTION:
☒ Receive Information ☐ Provide Direction ☐ Approve
REQUEST RATIONALE:
• Relevant Plans/Policies:
Redmond Comprehensive Plan Policy A-1 directs the City to work cooperatively with, among others, King County, to address planning issues at a countywide scale.
• Required:
RCW 36.70A.210 governs countywide planning policies.
• Council Request:
N/A
• Other Key Facts:
The Growth Management Act (GMA) requires counties and cities to collaboratively and periodically review and update the CPPs. The primary purpose of the CPPs is to ensure consistency and coordination among comprehensive plans for cities and towns within King County.
The GMPC is a body of elected officials from jurisdictions throughout the county charged with overseeing the preparation of the CPPs and recommending amendments to them. Now that King County has adopted the 2026 amendments to the CPPs, cities have 90 days to act, or not act, on them. The deadline for the City Council act on the 2026 amendments is October 28, 2026. Under CPP policy FW-1, taking no action is deemed the same as approval.
OUTCOMES:
If the amendments are ratified, the housing target for the Black Diamond PAA will be reduced by 128 dwelling units and the housing target for the Unaffiliated Urban Unincorporated Area will be increased by the same. Ratification occurs when 30 percent of city and county governments representing at least 70 percent of the population of King County ratify - or take no action on - the amendments.
COMMUNITY/STAKEHOLDER OUTREACH AND INVOLVEMENT:
• Timeline (previous or planned):
Stakeholder engagement occurred in 2025-2026.
• Outreach Methods and Results:
The GMPC held public meetings during which these amendments were discussed.
• Feedback Summary:
The GMPC unanimously recommended adopting these amendments.
BUDGET IMPACT:
Total Cost:
$5,350,743 is the total value of the Community and Economic Development offer, which includes the staff time devoted to this work.
Approved in current biennial budget: ☒ Yes ☐ No ☐ N/A
Budget Offer Number:
0000304
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
Budget/Funding Constraints:
N/A.
☐ Additional budget details attached
COUNCIL REVIEW:
Previous Contact(s)
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Date |
Meeting |
Requested Action |
|
N/A |
Item has not been presented to Council |
N/A |
Proposed Upcoming Contact(s)
|
Date |
Meeting |
Requested Action |
|
N/A |
None proposed at this time |
N/A |
Time Constraints:
Council action on the 2025 amendments to the CPPs must occur by October 28, 2026. No action is deemed the same as approval.
ANTICIPATED RESULT IF NOT APPROVED:
If the Council specifically disapproves the 2026 amendments to the CPPs then Redmond will not be counted toward the 30% of city and county governments representing at least 70% of the county’s population needed to ratify the amended CPPs.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment A: Transmittal Letter to King County Council
Attachment B: King County Staff Report
Attachment C: King County Ordinance 20096