Planning Commission records show early-stage questions on Bastyr campus redevelopment; August 14 city deadline set
Kenmore Planning Commission records show commissioners questioning Bastyr's campus redevelopment proposal — on trees, traffic, housing and zoning — with a city deadline of August 14 for Bastyr's response. 1
What the records say
Meeting records included in the Planning Commission's July 1, 2025 agenda packet show commissioners pressing staff on Bastyr's campus redevelopment proposal. The property sits in the Public/Semi-Public (PSP) zone, no rezone has been requested, and staff said redevelopment requires approval of a Master Plan. Staff characterized the process as still very early, with environmental review to take place before any changes to the property. 1 The Bastyr item itself does not appear on the July 1 agenda, which lists a PROS Plan presentation and consent items. 1
- Commissioners asked whether the seminary building has landmark status (staff were not aware of any), whether tree replacement could be handled through a fee, and whether affordable housing is required under city code (staff said there is a limited requirement). 1
- Staff said the property is in the PSP zone, no rezone has been requested, and redevelopment requires a Master Plan. 1
- Staff said environmental review will take place before any changes to the property, and that it was too early to assess impacts and mitigation. 1
- Bastyr has until August 14 to respond to the city's letter; after that an extension would be needed, and staff said the city can cancel applications for missed deadlines. 1
- Chair Banaszynski noted the process could have implications for all Public/Semi-Public zoned properties; staff said they had not gotten there yet. 1
Why it matters
The Bastyr campus is one of Kenmore's semi-public properties, so how it is redeveloped affects nearby traffic, trees and housing. The August 14 deadline for Bastyr's response to the city's letter is a concrete milestone: staff said missing deadlines could lead the city to cancel the application. 1
What changed / what's next
- Commissioners raised detailed questions about the Bastyr redevelopment proposal, including tree replacement, traffic impacts, affordable housing and the seminary building's status. 1
- A deadline of August 14 was confirmed for Bastyr's response to the city's letter, with cancellation identified as a consequence of missed deadlines. 1
- Staff said the process remains very early, with Bastyr's next steps yet to be determined. 1
- Whether Bastyr responds to the city's letter by August 14, and whether the city cancels the application if it does not. 1
- Whether the Master Plan review sets precedents the city applies to other PSP-zoned properties — staff had not yet addressed that question. 1
- The available records do not establish the meeting's outcome.