Kenmore Sound

Development · Occurred · Outcome pending · Jun 16, 2025

City Council discussion set to shape zoning rules for 13 parcels near Swamp Creek

Kenmore's City Council was scheduled to discuss and direct replacement zoning for 13 parcels bordering Swamp Creek near SR 522 at its June 16, 2025 meeting. 1

What the records say

In materials published ahead of the June 16, 2025 meeting, the record said Kenmore City Council was scheduled to discuss and give direction on new zoning regulations for 13 parcels adjacent to Swamp Creek near SR 522/80th Ave NE. Staff planned to present a PowerPoint and ask the council for guidance on rules to replace the interim zoning currently applied to those parcels. 1 The stated goal was to encourage pedestrian-oriented commercial and residential development, including affordable housing, that supports high-capacity transit on SR 522, while also protecting the creek environment. 1

  • City Council discussion and direction on replacement zoning for 13 Swamp Creek parcels was scheduled for June 16, 2025. 1
  • The goal was to encourage pedestrian-oriented commercial and residential development, including affordable housing, that supports high-capacity transit on SR 522 while protecting the creek environment. 1
  • Interim regulations on the parcels were set to expire July 13, 2025, with a June 23, 2025 public hearing scheduled to extend them another six months. 1
  • Staff planned to draft code amendments after council direction for a July 28, 2025 discussion, a September 15, 2025 public hearing, and November 17, 2025 adoption. 1
  • Three sets of regulations apply to the parcels — TOD standards, underlying zoning, and shoreline regulations within the Swamp Creek shoreline designations. 1
  • A Swamp Creek corridor study assessed 155 parcels along Swamp Creek and Little Swamp Creek to prioritize ecological restoration and inform potential acquisition decisions. 1

Why it matters

These rules decide what can be built on developable land next to a future Bus Rapid Transit corridor and a creek. The interim rules currently on the 13 parcels include a requirement that at least 25% of units be low- or very-low-income affordable housing, a ban on townhouses except in the R-1 zone, and a minimum density no lower than the underlying zone. 1 New rules will determine how much housing, including affordable units, can be built and how much of the Swamp Creek shoreline stays protected through setbacks and buffers. 1

What changed / what's next

  • City Council was expected to provide direction that would guide staff's drafting of amended zoning rules for the 13 parcels. 1
  • A public hearing was scheduled for June 23, 2025 to extend the interim regulations for an additional six months while new rules were being drafted. 1
  • The available records do not establish the meeting's outcome.
  • Staff said they would prepare code amendments based on council direction for discussion at the July 28, 2025 council meeting. 1
  • Staff planned to request that the City Council schedule a public hearing for September 15, 2025 and adopt the ordinance at the November 17, 2025 council meeting. 1
  • The PowerPoint presentation itself was to be uploaded before the June 16, 2025 meeting and was not part of this packet. 1