Kenmore Sound

Development · Occurred — outcome not yet available from official records. · Jul 13, 2026

Kenmore Council held public hearing on STEP housing zoning rules; two amendments passed 6-1

The Kenmore City Council held a public hearing on July 13, 2026, on Ordinance No. 26-0642 and draft zoning regulations for Shelter, Transitional Housing, Emergency Housing, and Permanent Supportive Housing (STEP), then passed two motions amending the draft rules 1.

What the records say

The July 13, 2026 City Council agenda scheduled a public hearing to receive comments on Ordinance No. 26-0642 and the draft STEP housing regulations, presented by Debbie Bent, Assistant City Manager/Community Development Director 1. The ordinance recitals state the Council held that public hearing on July 13, 2026 1. Following the hearing, the Council passed two motions, each 6-1, amending the draft regulations: one eliminated a recommendation for a community meeting for all residential development (KMC 19.25.020 Table A, footnote 7), and one eliminated three proposed requirements for emergency shelter and emergency housing certification (KMC 18.77.070.A: notifying residents within 500 feet of a facility, conducting more than one community meeting, and a description of populations the project will serve and potential referral sources) 1. The draft rules would add STEP housing definitions to the municipal code, make permanent supportive and transitional housing permitted uses in zones where residential uses are allowed, permit emergency housing and shelters in zones where hotels are allowed, and route STEP housing through a Type 1 administrative approval process 1. The supplied packet does not show the ordinance being adopted; the adoption date on the ordinance text is blank 1.

  • A public hearing on Ordinance No. 26-0642 and the draft STEP housing regulations was scheduled for the July 13, 2026 meeting, and the ordinance recitals state the hearing was held on that date.
  • After the hearing, the Council passed two 6-1 motions: eliminating the community-meeting recommendation for all residential development (KMC 19.25.020 Table A footnote 7) and eliminating three emergency shelter/housing certification requirements (KMC 18.77.070.A).
  • The draft regulations add STEP housing definitions, make permanent supportive and transitional housing permitted uses in zones where residential uses are allowed, permit emergency housing and shelters where hotels are allowed, and set a Type 1 administrative approval process for STEP housing projects.
  • The item was presented by Debbie Bent, Assistant City Manager/Community Development Director.

Why it matters

The rules determine where shelters, transitional housing, emergency housing, and permanent supportive housing can be located in Kenmore and what permitting process applies, which affects neighbors of potential facilities and the siting options available for these housing types 1. The hearing was the scheduled opportunity for residents to comment before the Council directed the ordinance toward adoption 1.

What changed / what's next

  • The Council held the scheduled public hearing on Ordinance 26-0642 and the draft STEP regulations on July 13, 2026, and amended the draft via two 6-1 motions before any adoption 1.
  • The supplied packet does not show final adoption of Ordinance 26-0642; the ordinance's adoption and effective-date fields are blank, and the agenda bill anticipated Council discussion and direction on moving to adoption after the hearing 1.
  • The available records do not establish the meeting's outcome.