Affordable housing fee-in-lieu program for R4/R6 zones set for discussion
A fee-in-lieu option for affordable housing in Kenmore's R4 and R6 residential zones was scheduled for discussion and direction at the Sept. 22 meeting, per the pre-meeting agenda.
What the records say
In materials published ahead of the Sept. 22 meeting, the agenda said the business agenda included an item on a fee in lieu of providing affordable housing units for residential development in the R4 and R6 zones. The item was presented by Assistant City Manager/Community Development Director Debbie Bent, Principal Planner Todd Hall, and A Regional Coalition for Housing (ARCH) staff, and it was listed for discussion and direction rather than a final decision 1. The available records do not establish the meeting's outcome.
- The Sept. 22 meeting agenda included a discussion item on a fee-in-lieu program for affordable housing in the R4 and R6 residential zones.
- City staff and ARCH staff were scheduled to present the item for discussion and direction.
- The item was listed for discussion and direction, not as a final decision or vote.
Why it matters
How Kenmore handles requirements for affordable housing in its higher-density residential zones affects both developers' costs and the supply of affordable homes. A fee-in-lieu program would give developers an option to pay a fee instead of building affordable units, which could shape how much affordable housing actually gets built in the R4 and R6 zones. Because the item sought only discussion and direction, no specific program is set yet, but the direction given could guide future policy.
What changed / what's next
- The meeting agenda added a discussion item on a fee in lieu of providing affordable housing units for residential development in the R4 and R6 zones 1.
- Whether the discussion produces direction to design a specific fee-in-lieu program; the pre-meeting record includes no program details, fee amounts, or staff recommendation 1.