Kenmore staff asked Council to pick a park impact fee method and set rates at 70% of maximum starting January 2027

What the records say

An agenda bill prepared for the June 22, 2026 Kenmore City Council Regular Meeting asked the Council for direction on an updated Park Impact Fee calculation methodology for new residential development — either by square footage or by number of bedrooms — and on the percentage of the maximum rate to take effect January 1, 2027 ¹. Staff recommended calculating fees by square footage and setting the rate at 70% of the maximum, which the bill notes is comparable to rates set in 2025 and 2026 ¹. The bill includes example tables: under the square-footage method, the 70% rate for a 1,000–1,499 sq ft unit would be $4,920.24, with maximum rates ranging from $3,325.61 (under 500 sq ft) to $9,591.43 (3,000–3,999 sq ft) ¹. The bill states a public hearing was tentatively scheduled for July 13, 2026, with ordinance adoption on July 20, 2026 ¹. The available records do not establish the outcome of the June 22 discussion or whether the hearing and adoption occurred as scheduled ¹. Analysis: The substantive decision — which methodology and what rate — had not been made as of the agenda packet; the bill shows staff seeking direction, not a final rate.

• The June 22, 2026 agenda bill asked Council to choose between calculating park impact fees by square footage or by number of bedrooms, with staff recommending square footage ¹.
• Staff recommended setting the fee at 70% of the maximum rate, effective January 1, 2027; the bill notes 70% is comparable to rates set in 2025 and 2026 ¹.
• Example rates in the bill include a 70% rate of $4,920.24 for a 1,000–1,499 sq ft unit and maximum rates from $3,325.61 to $9,591.43 depending on unit size ¹.
• The bill states a public hearing was tentatively scheduled for July 13, 2026, with ordinance adoption on July 20, 2026 ¹.
• The item was prepared by Community Development Director Debbie Bent and Principal Planner Todd Hall, with consultant Tom Beckwith of Beckwith Consulting Group continuing the discussion on June 22 ¹.
• The available records do not establish the outcome of the June 22 meeting ¹.

Why it matters

Analysis: Park impact fees are one-time charges on new residential development that fund park capital facilities, so the chosen methodology and rate affect what builders pay on new housing in Kenmore and how much money flows into the park capital fund ¹. The bill shows the city's park impact fee fund was budgeted with a $397,626 beginning balance and $585,000 in anticipated receipts for 2025–2026 ¹. Residents following new housing costs or park funding should watch the July 13 hearing and July 20 adoption dates, which the bill describes as tentative ¹.

What changed / what's next

• The June 22, 2026 City Council business agenda listed an updated Park Impact Fee Methodology, with an agenda bill seeking Council direction on the calculation method and on a 70%-of-maximum rate starting January 1, 2027 ¹.
• The records do not show whether Council gave the requested direction on June 22 or scheduled the July 13 public hearing ¹.
• The July 13 hearing and July 20 ordinance adoption dates are described in the agenda bill as tentative; the packet contains no confirmation they occurred ¹.
• The bill notes the Council could set different percentage rates for different unit-size categories, so the final adopted rates may differ from the staff recommendation ¹.
• The available records do not establish the meeting's outcome.