Kenmore Sound

Development · Occurred · Outcome pending · Jun 22, 2026

Kenmore Council struck STEP housing footnote, accepted amended language after June 8 hearing

Minutes from the June 8, 2026 City Council meeting, included in the June 22 agenda packet, show the council held a public hearing on STEP housing code amendments and passed three motions on the draft ordinance 1.

What the records say

At its June 8, 2026 regular meeting, the Kenmore City Council held a public hearing on code amendments to KMC Title 18 (Zoning) and Title 19 (Land Use Procedures) covering emergency shelter, transitional housing, emergency housing, and permanent supportive housing — what the staff report calls STEP housing. The June 8 minutes are included in the June 22, 2026 City Council agenda packet 1. The staff report was presented by Assistant City Manager/Community Development Director Debbie Bent and consultant Nick Chen of Kimley-Horn. Mayor Herbig opened the hearing at approximately 7:56 pm and closed it at approximately 8:06 pm after the council provided the opportunity for testimony 1. The council then passed three motions: a 6-1 vote (Marshall opposed) to strike Footnote #7, which had recommended projects over 100 units hold a community meeting within 14 days of the city accepting a complete permit application; a 6-1 vote (Culver opposed) to strike items 3, 4, and 6 of Section 18.77.070(A); and a 6-1 vote (Marshall opposed) to accept the language of the STEP Housing Ordinance as amended 1. The minutes record these as passed motions; they do not state whether a final adoption ordinance was enacted, and the June 22 agenda contains no further STEP item 1.

  • The June 8 hearing covered amendments to KMC Title 18 (Zoning) and Title 19 (Land Use Procedures) for emergency shelter, transitional housing, emergency housing, and permanent supportive housing 1.
  • The council voted 6-1 (Marshall opposed) to strike Footnote #7, which had recommended projects over 100 units hold a community meeting within 14 days of the city accepting a complete permit application 1.
  • The council voted 6-1 (Culver opposed) to strike items 3, 4, and 6 of Section 18.77.070(A), then voted 6-1 (Marshall opposed) to accept the STEP Housing Ordinance language as amended 1.
  • The June 22, 2026 regular meeting agenda contains no STEP housing item; the June 8 minutes appeared on that agenda under consent-agenda approval 1.

Why it matters

The draft ordinance concerns zoning and land-use procedures for STEP housing 1. The minutes show the council struck Footnote #7, which had recommended a community meeting within 14 days of the city accepting a complete permit application for projects over 100 units 1. Analysis: If the amended language is ultimately adopted, the draft would no longer include that recommended community-meeting step for the largest STEP housing projects.

What changed / what's next

  • The council struck the STEP ordinance footnote that had recommended a community meeting within 14 days of permit acceptance for projects over 100 units, struck items 3, 4, and 6 of Section 18.77.070(A), and accepted the ordinance language as amended, each by a 6-1 vote 1.
  • The June 8 minutes record the motions as passed but do not state whether a final adoption ordinance was enacted or when any amended ordinance would take effect 1.
  • The available records do not establish the meeting's outcome.