Kenmore Sound

Development · Outcome pending · Aug 26, 2025

Draft Kenmore parks plan proposes impact fees on new development

A draft policy in the 2025 PROS Plan would require new development that affects park service delivery to pay its fair share of new park and recreation facility costs, with the fee amount left to a separate rate study 1.

What the records say

The draft 2025 Kenmore Park, Recreation & Open Space (PROS) Plan, dated Aug. 26, 2025 and scheduled for Planning Commission review that evening, includes proposed Policy P-7.1.6: require new development impacting park service delivery to pay its fair share of the costs of providing new park and recreation facilities 1. The policy defers the fee amount to the Parks and Recreation Impact Fee Rate Study Report, listed as Appendix E, which is not included in the supplied packet — so the fee level, calculation method, and any exemptions are not yet public in these records 1. The plan's implementation chapter separately describes a GMA park impact fee framework the City Council could adopt citywide, covering residential, commercial, and industrial development 1. The records do not establish what the Commission did with the draft on Aug. 26. Per the Aug. 7 meeting minutes, the schedule called for additional PROS Plan discussion on Sept. 2 and a public hearing in October 1.

  • Proposed Policy P-7.1.6 in the draft 2025 PROS Plan would require new development impacting park service delivery to pay its fair share of new park and recreation facility costs 1.
  • The fee would be defined in the Parks and Recreation Impact Fee Rate Study Report, listed as Appendix E; its contents are not in the supplied records 1.
  • The plan's implementation chapter describes a GMA park impact fee system that could apply citywide to residential, commercial, and industrial development, with land or cash mitigation options for developers 1.
  • Per the Aug. 7 Planning Commission minutes, the process called for further PROS Plan discussion on Sept. 2, 2025 and a public hearing in October 1.

Why it matters

If adopted, the policy would add a new cost for developers whose projects increase demand on Kenmore parks, with revenue intended to help pay for new park and recreation facilities. Because the fee amount is not yet defined, residents cannot yet gauge the effect on project budgets or on the cost and feasibility of new housing and commercial development. The October public hearing is the documented point where residents can weigh in 1.

What changed / what's next

  • The draft 2025 PROS Plan published for the Aug. 26, 2025 Planning Commission meeting included a proposed requirement that new development impacting park service delivery pay its fair share of new park and recreation facility costs 1.
  • The records do not establish the Aug. 26 meeting's outcome or whether the policy advanced.
  • The Appendix E rate study report is referenced but not included in the supplied records, so the fee amount, calculation method, and exemptions remain unknown 1.
  • A public hearing on the PROS Plan was scheduled for October 2025 per the Aug. 7 minutes 1.
  • The available records do not establish the meeting's outcome.