Kenmore Sound

City Hall · Occurred · Outcome pending · Apr 7, 2026

Kenmore Planning Commission to take up 2026 Housing Strategy Plan update at April 7 meeting

The April 7, 2026 Planning Commission agenda includes an introduction to the 2026 Housing Strategy Plan Update, with staff framing priorities, gaps, and opportunities for a plan last adopted in 2017; the record is pre-meeting and does not establish the outcome 1.

What the records say

The Kenmore Planning Commission's April 7, 2026 agenda lists a Housing Strategy Plan Update item, supported by a staff memo, annotated affordable housing research covering 2020–2026, a Housing Strategy Plan presentation, and a Development Services presentation 1. The staff memo describes the item as an introduction to the 2026 Housing Strategy Plan (HSP) Update, followed by questions and discussion, with staff and ARCH continuing discussions with the Commission throughout 2026 1. The original plan was adopted in January 2017 to prioritize land use and programmatic strategies for affordable housing 1. The staff report frames why an update is needed: the 2024 Comprehensive Plan's new Housing Element, state legislation (HBs 1110, 1337, 1220), Kenmore's 2019–2044 growth target of 3,070 units, the DEIA Strategic Plan, and community changes including rising home values and cost burden 1. Because this is pre-meeting material, the record does not establish what the Commission discussed or decided on April 7 1.

  • The April 7, 2026 Planning Commission meeting (7:00 PM) agenda includes a Housing Strategy Plan Update item with a staff memo, annotated affordable housing research, and presentations 1.
  • Staff frame the update as needed because of the 2024 Housing Element, new state laws (HBs 1110, 1337, 1220), the 3,070-unit 2019–2044 growth target, and the DEIA Strategic Plan 1.
  • The staff report lists key discussion topics: accelerating lower-income housing production, expanding affordability tools like MFTE and inclusionary zoning, anti-displacement policy, manufactured housing community preservation, STEP housing, and community engagement 1.
  • Staff and ARCH plan to continue HSP discussions with the Commission through 2026, with a public hearing, Planning Commission recommendation, and Council adoption indicated for late 2026 1.
  • The record is pre-meeting material; it does not establish the April 7 meeting's outcome 1.

Why it matters

The Housing Strategy Plan shapes how Kenmore pursues affordable housing — including targets such as 1,063 extremely low-income units (non-PSH), 559 PSH units, and 587 emergency beds by 2044 — and the update process includes a public hearing and City Council adoption expected in late 2026, giving residents a window to weigh in 1. Analysis: the discussion topics staff laid out — MFTE expansion, inclusionary zoning citywide, manufactured housing preservation, STEP housing siting, and anti-displacement policy — are the levers most likely to affect what gets built and what protections exist for renters and mobile-home residents 1.

What changed / what's next

  • The Planning Commission agenda for April 7, 2026 added an introduction to the 2026 Housing Strategy Plan Update, the first step in updating the plan adopted in 2017 1.
  • Staff indicate HSP discussions continue at upcoming 2026 meetings with ARCH participation, with a public hearing, Commission recommendation, and Council adoption expected in late 2026 — future agendas will show when residents can comment 1.
  • The staff report flags open questions that could shape policy: whether MFTE should expand to additional zones, what citywide inclusionary requirements should look like, and what conditions should govern potential rezoning of four manufactured housing communities north of SR-522 1.
  • The available records do not establish the meeting's outcome.